Jeep Wrangler 2019 Review – Australia

When a car company takes you to a remote, rocky track in the southeast corner of Tasmania for a full day of rock-hopping and water fording (the likes of which would damage any standard 4x4 ute), followed the next day by beach and road driving, you know it stands behind its product.

That’s exactly what Jeep Australia did for the Australian launch of its most important model, the new JL-series Jeep Wrangler which was launched in the US last September and after originally being due here in November, was delayed because of global demand.

Needless to say, the first all-new Jeep Wrangler since the JK in 2006 (and the seventh generation of Willys off-roader since the WWII Jeep was produced for civilians in 1945) has built a strong local order bank since its pricing, equipment and model structure was announced in January.

This is despite a starting price of almost $50,000 (nearly $10,000 more than the old model) and a lowly one-star Euro NCAP safety rating, which stands until autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is fitted to an updated MY2020 version of the entry-level 2019 Wrangler Sport S variant.

The cheapest Wrangler models miss out on the potentially life-saving safety tech despite the fact Jeep Australia stated last August that AEB would be standard across the range.

Even with AEB, the lack of curtain and head airbags (due to the Wrangler’s trademark folding windscreen and removable doors and roof) make a five-star crash rating unlikely for Wrangler.

Nor is there any lane-support technology, manual transmission or 2.0-litre turbo-petrol mild-hybrid powertrain (both of which are US-only), and the only diesel model is the four-door-only Rubicon range-topper priced at almost $70,000.

The new Jeep Wrangler is available both two-door and long-wheelbase four-door versions powered by carryover 3.6-litre petrol V6 and new 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines. Both are mated exclusively to a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

The new Wrangler JL also arrives with 26 new safety features and extra standard equipment that almost compensates for the higher prices.

Opening the range is the V6-only $48,950 JL Wrangler Sport S two-door. This costs $9960 more than the JK Wrangler Sport it replaces (plus $4500 for the four-door), but is claimed to add more than $9000 worth of new or updated features.

The ‘extras’ include a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, daytime running lights, keyless start, 7.0-inch touch-screen and info displays, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Priced from $58,450 (two-door) and $62,950 (four-door), the mid-range Overland models are also petrol-only but claim to add over $12,000 more value than before.

The Overland’s spec sheet includes Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Blind Spot and Cross Path Detection, LED tail-lights and fog lights, proximity key and 8.4-inch Uconnect touch-screen with navigation.

The four-door-only Rubicon costs $10,500 more than before at $63,950. Add another $5000 for the only diesel engine in the range ($68,950).

Jeep says the new Wrangler Rubicon adds more than $14,000 of content, including LED reflector headlights, a premium black Sunrider soft-top and winch-ready steel front bumper.

Four-door Wrangler models are expected to comprise 75 per cent of sales. In terms of grades, the Sport S variants will account for 50 per cent of sales.

There are a host of options offered across the Jeep Wrangler JL line-up including heated leather seats and steering wheel for the Rubicon, and more than 100 Mopar accessories. Key items include tow bar and roof rack kits to chromed bonnet latches and 17-inch Satin Carbon Wheels. US-market favourites like door bars and 33-inch tyres are off-limits, but a three-inch suspension lift kit is coming.

For the first time, capped-price servicing is available across the Wrangler range -- $299 per service for the V6 and a hefty $499 per service for the new Fiat Multijet II diesel engine during the five-year/100,000km warranty period.

Jeep projects strong resale values and fewer warranty claims than before.

Service intervals are annual or 12,000km (V6) and 20,000km (diesel). Jeep says the JL is between $680 and $850 cheaper to service than the JK over five years. All Jeep models come with lifetime roadside assistance.

With its boxy proportions and hallmark seven-slot grille, the 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL looks like its predecessor.

Indeed, it is as recognisable as that other off-road icon, the (currently discontinued) Land Rover Defender. And as much of a design standout as the Porsche 911 or MINI!

But it is 95 per cent new and brings a ‘faster’ windscreen, real metal interior highlights, Willys motifs on the steering wheel and gearshifter, and retro-look info plaques on the right-hinged lower tailgate below the flip-up rear window.

Interior ambience takes big strides in this generation. The new Wrangler sports a chunky, funky design with more storage in the centre bin, glovebox and door pockets, smarter phone charging and connectivity solutions, front seat height and cushion angle adjustment, and acres of rear legroom – at least in long-wheelbase models.

Sadly, we only had access to petrol and diesel versions of the top-shelf four-door Rubicon models during the launch. Adding to the disconnect from the base grade Wrangler, was the fact many of the launch cars were fitted the optional Rubicon Luxury Package (comprising leather bucket seats, heated front seats and steering wheel, premium door panels and other leather bits).

In these vehicles, the Wrangler goes to another level, presenting outstanding design, component and build quality, soft touch points everywhere you want them, a gorgeous 8.4-inch colour touch-screen with handy off-road navigation, and a super-quiet cabin that’s so air-tight it takes a firm shove to close the doors.

The only significant wind noise comes from the removable three-piece roof hard-top.

But we can’t say the same for the entry-level Sport S, which comes with a new zipperless soft-top, smaller 7.0-inch centre screen and cloth trim (but still gets a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, a leather steering wheel, push-button start and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity).

Nor can we tell you about the mid-range Overland models, which step up to a body-colour hard-top, 18-inch alloys, leather trim, 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment with nav, LED headlights, tail-lights and DRLs, and also score AEB, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, front parking sensors and a 230-volt power outlet.

The star of the show on launch, however, was the Rubicon’s hard-core Rock-Trac 4×4 system with Tru-Lock front and rear differentials, heavy-duty Dana axles, heavy-duty rock slider, front stabiliser bar disconnect, winch-ready steel front bumper and 32-inch BF Goodrich off-road tyres.

It’s these components that set it apart. Indeed, combined with improved off-road specs (including ground clearance, approach/departure angles and wheel travel) ,the Rubicon really will go almost anywhere.

Towing capacity is also up – to 1497kg for two-door models and 2495kg for four-doors, which should please more boaties and caravaners.

All Wranglers score a switchable 4x4 drivetrain with low-range transfer case, but as we discovered on the steep, slippery and almost all-rock Climes Track outside Zeehan, the Rubicon’s properly low crawler gears, 252mm of clearance, chunky off-road tyres, swaybar disconnect system, locking diffs and solid underbody protection make it as bulletproof as a tractor when the going gets tough.

Tenacious low-speed traction made light work of loose, steep inclines strewn with mossy rocks, and the Rubicon was unstoppable over big, sharp boulders mid-track, despite crash-landing heavily on many of them.

Despite the sort of treatment that would disable almost any standard off-roader, no Wranglers sustained any serious damage and everyone arrived at our destination (albeit after dark) in relative comfort.

While the carryover 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 does the job, the slick new eight-speed ZF auto is a vast improvement and Fiat’s smooth but torquey new diesel is also a big step up from the old 2.8.

The new Wrangler is claimed to weigh 91kg less on average (kerb weights ranging between 1762-2160kg), helping make it 13 per cent more fuel-efficient.

But what really sets the new Jeep Wrangler JL apart from its forebears, is its new-found refinement on-road. Here the ride quality is excellent, road noise is well supressed (even on 32-inch off-road tyres) and handling dynamics have drastically improved.

The electro-hydraulic steering is still a little vague around centre and cornering performance is limited but the more rigid chassis and redesigned all-coil suspension reduces body roll in corners and wheel deflection over bumps.

That makes the new Wrangler far more settled in bends, transforming its handling dynamics and blessing it with the sort of road holding that would shame some body-on-frame 4x4 dual-cab utes.

There are still some glitches in the Jeep Wrangler offer.

There’s plenty of hard cabin plastic and the seating position remains too upright for some and the front footwells are cramped by the transmission tunnel. Outward vision and steering wheel adjustment are both limited. The central window switches also take getting used to and there’s no auto-up function.

And there’s no doubt the higher prices (which puts it in the same bracket as the most popular luxury SUVs ) will alienate many potential buyers, as may the lack of AEB on all models.

But with the more upmarket new Wrangler, Jeep has not only retained its position as one of the last remaining ‘real’ off-roaders by increasing its legendary all-terrain ability, but wrought vast improvements in technology, refinement and driveability on the road. And let’s face it, this is where most owners will spend most of their time.

Our bet is more customers than ever will flock to the pricier, classier new Jeep Wrangler.

This is a vehicle that remains unique in a world of soft-roaders, crossovers and SUVs. How? By staying true to its off-road roots.

How much does the 2019 Jeep Wrangler cost?
Available: Now
Price: From $48,950 plus on-road costs
Engine: 3.6-litre petrol V6 and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel
Output: 209kW/347Nm and 147kW/450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.6-10.3L/100km and 7.5L/100km
CO2: 223-239g/km and 219g/km
Safety rating: One-star (Euro NCAP 2019)