Buying a used Jeep Wrangler (2011-2018)

Having fostered a culture of off-road recreation in its US homeland, Jeep went on during the 1950s to spearhead global demand for the all-terrain ‘SUV’.

While the shape of rival products evolved and became more urbane, the design of the Wrangler still clearly echoed the original GPW and its 1940s military origins.

TJ versions during the 1980s made some attempt at civilising the Wrangler. However there was still no move towards relinquishing the separate mudguards or vertically-barred grille that remained symbolic of the brand.

North American off-roaders saw their motoring future early in 2006 when Jeep's New York Motor Show display was dominated by a revamped Wrangler. Ambitiously branded the Unlimited, this Jeep sat on a wheelbase half a metre longer than the stock Wrangler, with four doors, proper seats front and rear and a removable 'Sunliner' roof.

Late in 2007 the production version arrived in Australian showrooms, available with two or four doors in Sport and Rubicon versions with 3.8-litre petrol or 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engines. The vaunted 5.7-litre Hemi model remained 'under evaluation', however plenty of after-market modifiers would find ways to cram a V8 into the Wrangler engine bay.

2011 brought an updated JK version with more variety in the model range, improved comfort and safety features but also higher pricing.

Jeep sales soared past 30,000 units during 2015 before reports of errant mechanical behaviour and uncooperative dealers began to influence sales.

By 2018, when the uprated JL Series Wrangler appeared, overall Jeep sales had plummeted to around 7300 sales, with Wrangler’s contribution a seriously diminished 1092.

Improved JK models were available from late 2011 at four specification levels, with V6 petrol or four-cylinder diesel engines. All Wranglers employed a design that ensured their competence for off-road use, with some versions equipped to handle the extra rough stuff.

Least expensive of the updated Wrangler range was the Sport, in two-door 3.6-litre petrol form. These were available with six-speed manual transmission and cost $32,500 plus ORC.

A turbo-diesel CRD Sport was available as well but this choice added a hefty $6000 to the base price.

Wranglers were a ‘getaway machine’ of the finest kind, with a roof and doors that could be quickly unhooked and left at home or at the campsite. Most had seats trimmed in durable cloth, some with seat heaters but not electrically adjustable. Air conditioning and power windows were standard in Australian-spec Wranglers.

A central hoop provided some rollover protection, although hardcore users would fit an additional full cage. Underbody skid plates were standard as protection against protruding rocks, the 17-inch alloy wheels (18s were optional) with chunky 75 Profile tyres to help absorb impacts on rock-strewn trails.

Above the Sport, with an entry price for the V6 of $36,500, was the Sport Unlimited. These featured a 523mm wheelbase extension, four doors and accommodation for five adults. In common with the shorter wheelbase Sport, there was a 2.8 turbo-diesel option with 147kW and either 410Nm (manual) or 460Nm (automatic) of torque.

Very similar money bought a Wrangler Overland; this model reviving a famous Willys designation from the 1920s.

Stepping up to the Overland cost $43,000 in two door form and a further $4000 to fund a four-door. These Jeeps came only with the V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels, hard and soft tops, leather trim with front seat heaters and heated mirrors.

Top of the post-2012 JK range at $51,000 was the four-door Dragon Unlimited; its motif chosen to celebrate Jeep’s 2012 return to the Chinese market.

The symbol is most apparent on the tailored spare wheel cover, but you can also find them embossed into seats, on the dash and carpets.

This Wrangler also featured Jeep’s punchy 209kW V6 and like the Overland was automatic only. Dragons from new had tyres that were less aggressive in design than those on cheaper Wranglers, with the result that the Dragon was quieter and more relaxing at highway speeds.

From 2016 until 2018, when the designation changed from JK to JL, the Wrangler range was bolstered by an array of commemorative and special purpose versions.

There isn’t space to detail them all, but one worth a closer look is the Unlimited Rubicon. Released towards the end of the JK Wrangler’s run, these cost $53,500 and traded some interior bling (cloth seats replacing leather for example) for even greater off-road capability.

Rubicon features include heavy-duty driveshafts, individually activated differential locks, a quick release sway bar to improve wheel articulation and rock sliders to protect the underbody.

If you rate yourself as a serious off-road explorer, Wranglers are pretty much the best showroom-spec 4WD you might find.

These Jeeps are designed principally to deliver in rough going, and all those online videos showing intrepid drivers bouncing them off huge bounders and scrambling along rutted tracks are not faked.

Problem is, most Wranglers spend only a small portion of their lives doing what the designers intended.

At other times they are bumping along in peak hour traffic or dropping children at school. After a while the cool urban warrior looks become mainstream and things like restricted rear vision with the roof in place, cumbersome steering and minimal grip on wet bitumen become more obvious.

The V6 engine is a fabulous thing, in town or in the bush, but fuel consumption can be savage. In urban running, where the claimed figure was 16L/100km, consumption can exceed 20L/100km against a more reasonable 9.2L/100km at highway speeds. Diesels will be up to 30 percent more economical.

With two occupants up front and the back seat folded to accommodate luggage the Wrangler is at its most effective. Packing long-wheelbase versions with people upsets the balance and exacerbates the cars’ mediocre steering response.

Removing the hardtop enhances the Wrangler’s ability to deliver enjoyment which is its principal function. Pulling the doors off also excites some users, but you do run the risk of accumulating sand, seawater and foliage inside the car.

Towing is a vexed Wrangler issue, especially given that most versions weigh more than 1800kg yet the maximum legal braked weight is 1000kg.

Occupant safety and stability have improved over the years, with extra airbags being installed, reverse cameras, cross traffic alerts and other driver aids on some versions. None of that, though, fixes the crook configuration of the pedals in RHD cars that puts the driver’s legs at an odd angle.

Few vehicles look less suited to convenient suburban running or comfortable touring. Head to an off-road recreational park or isolated beach though and you will find Wranglers filled with people using them for fun, pulling lightweight camper trailers or just ordinary trailers loaded with gear.

Safety is a concern for Wrangler owners. JK models when tested by ANCAP in 2012 registered a Four Star result for occupant protection, but an overall score of only 27.51 from a possible 37 points. The score included a maximum 16/16 for Side Impact but the vehicle was not actually tested so its resistance to rolling over when hit from the side was not evaluated.

Probably not the sort of vehicle to which you would entrust young children, even with child restraints, although older ones will likely appreciate the retro looks and versatile design.

Used vehicle grading for Jeep Wrangler (2011-2018)
Design & Function: 13/20
Safety: 10/20
Practicality: 10/20
Value for Money: 10/20
Wow Factor: 14/20
Score: 57/100

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