Car enthusiasts everywhere always rejoice when it comes to seeing what a new model has in store for them, but there are some communities that may be a little reluctant to change. The Jeep community would have to be considered one of those, especially when it comes to the iconic Wrangler. In a year where we’ve already seen the arrival of something quite dramatic (the Gladiator) from the FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Group), how can the 2020 Jeep Wrangler measure up?
Don’t get us wrong, when talking about a Wrangler “measuring up,” it’s safe to assume we don’t mean in the off-road sense. The Wrangler has always been nothing but the mark of consistency when it comes to its off-road capability, ever since it was first introduced in the late 1980s and even before then with its predecessors, the Willys MB and the Jeep CJ.
The real question is whether or not the new Wrangler can generate the same hype as the Gladiator. It could also be a slight concern that the Gladiator is possibly stealing customers away from Wranglers, especially considering the Gladiator is very similar to a Wrangler Unlimited. However, it’s all really a moot point because you shouldn’t expect the buzz around a new model to compete with a brand new, one-of-a-kind vehicle. And, it’s all in the same family, so it should all be a shared buzz anyhow.
On that note, let’s see what the 2020 Jeep Wrangler has to offer, starting with the different configurations and limited editions available.
Configurations and Limited Editions
The 2019 Wrangler came with seven different configuration options, which included Sport, Sport S, Sport Altitude, Sahara, Sahara Altitude, Rubicon, and Moab. The 2020 Wrangler comes with nine different configuration options, which include Sport, Sport S, Sahara, Rubicon, Willys, Black & Tan, Freedom, Sport Altitude, and Sahara Altitude. As you well may have noticed, there is an addition of Willys, Black & Tan, and Freedom, but for Moab fans, that trim isn’t available on the 2020 model.
The starting MSRPs range from $28,295 (2-door Wrangler Sport) to $41,940 (Wrangler Sahara Altitude), although the majority of the configurations will land you somewhere in the $30,000’s to start off. Compare this to the 2019 range of $28,045 (2-door Wrangler Sport) to $51,300 (Wrangler Moab), and you can see the very top end price has dropped off dramatically. Now, it seems, there are more midrange choices that have different features but still cost about the same.
Willys
For any Jeep fan, the Willys name will also be a familiar and welcome sight because of its ode to the beginnings of the Jeep brand in WWII. A rugged history deserves a rugged vehicle, which is why Jeep decided to give the Willys some additional offroad capability. Start with massive 32-inch Firestone Mud-Terrain Tires and add some Rubicon shocks and rock rails, and this Wrangler is ready to hit the trail. The Willys also comes with the Sport LED Lighting Package, which includes upgraded headlamps and fog lamps. On the front end, you’ll find black grille throats and headlamp inserts for a dark and dangerous look.
Freedom
The Freedom is dedicated to the U.S. military in both name and looks. You can find star decals on the hood and Oscar Mike badges on the exterior. And, if you didn’t know, Oscar Mike comes from military radio jargon and means “on the move.” The interior black leather-trimmed seats also feature the Oscar Mike military jargon in the form of embossed logos. The Freedom features an easy-to-use premium black soft top made from heavy-duty cloth. The wheels are 17-inch Jeep Performance Parts satin carbon, and the tires are all-terrain.
Black & Tan
The Black & Tan is all about Jeeping in style. Highlights include a tan premium soft top that can be flipped back at your leisure (to enjoy the day or the night) and heritage tan cloth seats, which set the tone for a beautiful interior. Part of the beautiful interior is a wizard black finish on the instrument panel, which adds a sleek distinction to the space. And let’s not forget the granite painted wheels with all-terrain tires that add to the overall look while still remaining functional for your time in the wild.
Sport Altitude
The Sport Altitude combines some elements of other configurations and becomes its own unique vehicle. You can find blacked-out details on the front end, similar to the Willys, although these are gloss black grille throats and headlamp inserts. The wizard black finish found in the Black & Tan interior can also be found here. The top is different because it’s a hardtop with a black splatter style. Gorgeous 18-inch gloss black wheels with gloss black fender badges finish off this stylish selection.
Sahara Altitude
The Sahara Altitude shares a few features with the Sport Altitude, including the 18-inch gloss black wheels, gloss black grille throats, and headlamp inserts. Here, you can also find gloss black fog lamp bezels, though. Interior seating includes black leather-trimmed seats with black accent stitching for a sleek, inside ride. The exterior is meant to be a bit more coordinated in its style with matching hardtop color to body color. That way, you’ll end up with one solid color and some black accents.
New Options
It’s always exciting to see the new configurations and editions, but we think it’s equally exciting to see many new options as well. One particularly interesting option that’s being added is an available EcoDiesel powertrain. A 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, to be exact. You can find this same engine on the Ram 1500, so finding it in a Wrangler Unlimited is quite something. Not much is known yet other than the engine offering up to 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque.
Another interesting option is the addition of eTorque onto either the available 2.0L Turbo engine or the available 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine. This is a Mild Hybrid system that adds an electric motor, which will help with smoother shifting and enhanced rock crawling ability. It’s truly an innovative move by Jeep to do anything hybrid-related with its well-known, rugged brand.
Safety Features
Safety features aren’t exactly new to Wranglers, but a lot of people don’t realize that Jeep has been keeping up with the times when it comes to keeping driver safety at the topmost priority. Often, we think Wranglers are only for the trail, but the truth of the matter is highway and street driving are a huge part of any vehicle experience, which is why 2020 Jeep Wranglers have a variety of active safety and security features available.
This includes Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path Detection, Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking alerts, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Automatic High-Beam Headlamps, and the ParkSense Rear Park Assist System.
With these available safety features, you can focus on the true Wrangler purpose, which is getting out there and having fun. After all, the Jeep was born for offroading and adventures, but the most important thing is staying safe. As technology evolves, the Jeep Wrangler will evolve with it, as we can clearly see with everything coming with the 2020 Wrangler.
