Competition for the Jeep Wrangler Only Makes Things Better

The Ford Bronco reentered the automotive market with the Jeep Wrangler squarely in its sights. The venerable Jeep off-road must be feeling the heat.

Why do we think the Wrangler is feeling pressured by the Bronco? Simple, Jeep recently added features to its SUV that are already part of the standard Bronco packaging. These features allow off-road enthusiasts to have a lot more fun out on the trails and give them an easier time when coming out of the wilderness to return home to civilization. Let’s dig in and see what Jeep brings to the market.

First, the new features

The two new features being added to the JL Wrangler are items that we’ve seen in the past but not in the current generation of this off-road SUV. Jeep now includes a wash-out floor system that can be installed in place of traditional floor mats. This is an optional system that lines up with the floor drains and fits the footwells perfectly. Choosing this option will cost owners an additional $995 when this washable floor is installed at the factory.

The second new feature is a set of heavy-duty vinyl seats that can easily be hosed down to make cleaning easier when you return from a muddy adventure in the wilderness. The seats are made to provide protection against normal wear and tear while also offering protection under more extreme conditions. These seats are water resistant, which enables them to be hosed down to be thoroughly cleaned. These seats are offered in black and have an embroidered Wrangler grille on them to give an excellent appearance. These seats add $1,695 to the price of the Jeep Wrangler when installed at the factory.

Is the Bronco taking sales from the Wrangler?

The Ford Bronco reentered the market at a tough time, and many models have been waiting for parts to arrive via the embattled supply chain. Still, Ford reported 117,057 Bronco sales in 2022, which was the first full year this off-road SUV was in the market. The Jeep Wrangler enjoyed 181,409 models sold last year, which was down from the 2021 model year of 204,610 Wranglers sold. We could look at this as the Bronco taking some of the Wrangler sales, but it’s also possible the Jeep SUV faced similar supply shortages as the Ford model.

What do you find in the 2023 Jeep Wrangler?

The Sport trim with two doors is the base model of this impressive off-road SUV. If this is the right model for you, you’ll find:

• Skid plates
• Three tow hooks
• Heavy-duty Dana 44 rear axle
• Sunrider folding soft top with sunroof feature
• 17-inch black steel wheels
• All-season tires
• Halogen headlights
• Fog lights
• Cloth bucket seats
• Single-zone manual air conditioning
• Push-button starting
• Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• Cruise control
• Uconnect 4 with 7-inch touchscreen
• 8-speaker audio system
• Two USB ports
• Three 12-volt power outlets
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto

The Wrangler Sport has a removable carpet and drain plugs to make cleanup easy, but you could use the new washable floor mats in this base model. You’ll also find several options and dealer-installed parts for the Sport trim, including a 3-Piece Hard Top, a snorkel, and black, perforated leather seats.

Does the Willys Sport add anything special?

The Wrangler in the Willys Sport trim brings some appearance items and some cool off-road items. Some of these are:

• 32-inch BFGoodrich mud-terrain tires
• Rubicon rock rails
• Heavy-duty shocks
• Jeep’s Track-Lok limited-slip rear differential

The Sport S adds some creature comforts to the Wrangler

When you’ll use your Jeep Wrangler for more than just off-road adventures, the Sport S could be the perfect model to drive. This version brings more creature comforts, including:

• Power windows
• Power door locks
• Heated power outboard mirrors
• 17-inch bright alloy wheels
• Automatic headlights
• Wrapped steering wheel
• Remote keyless entry

This model also offers several new options, including a Corning Gorilla Glass windshield, Uconnect 4C with navigation, a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen. This trim also adds the Advanced Safety Group to the mix. This package adds safety features above the governmental requirements giving you:

• High-beam assist
• Forward-collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control

You’ll also see the Safety Group in this trim, which adds:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alerts
• LED taillights
• Rear park assist

Can you enjoy the Willys Trim?

The Willys trim of the Jeep Wrangler is the Sport S model with the Willys Sport off-road features. You’ll also enjoy standard LED headlights and fog lights in this version of the Wrangler. Will this off-road SUV become the one you want to drive.

The Rubicon is the top two-door Wrangler

The Rubicon name has found a special place in the hearts and minds of off-road enthusiasts. This two-door Wrangler is the ultimate off-road version of this SUV. When you choose the Rubicon model, you’ll enjoy:

• Tru-Lock front and rear axles
• Dana 44 front axle
• Jeep’s Rock-Track part-time 4WD system
• An electronically disconnecting front sway bar
• Off-Road Plus mode
• All-terrain tires
• Dual-zone automatic climate controls
• Proximity keyless entry
• Upgraded cloth seats
• 9-speaker Alpine audio system
• 115-volt household electric outlet
• 8.4-inch touchscreen

Anything that’s not standard in the Rubicon is still an option that you can add to this Jeep Wrangler.

How much power does this Jeep SUV offer?

Currently, there are two powertrains offered for the two-door versions of the Jeep Wrangler. The base powertrain features the venerable 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. You’ll have 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque with this powertrain.

The optional system features a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine attached to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain brings 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque to the mix.

Will you choose the Wrangler for your next off-road adventure? With the new optional features of a floor and seats that can be hosed down after your fun in the wilderness, this could be the perfect time to make this SUV the one you love to drive every day.