2021 jeep wrangler 0
Carsales Staff22 Jul 2021
NEWS

Jeep Wrangler ‘shorty’ range slashed

Hard-core Rubicon now the only two-door on sale as MY21 Jeep Wrangler starting price rises by $9000

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon will be the only version of the iconic two-door 4x4 off-roader available within an updated four-variant MY21 Wrangler range that arrives in Australia in October, following the axing of the short-wheelbase Sport S and Overland variants that previously opened the Wrangler range at $52,750 and $62,250 (plus on-road costs) respectively.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler line-up now opens with the bigger, more practical long-wheelbase Jeep Wrangler Night Eagle Unlimited four-door at $61,750 plus ORCs.

Priced at $64,950 plus ORCs, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon ‘shorty’ is, however, $5000 cheaper than the Rubicon Unlimited four-door ($69,950 plus ORCs).

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The short-wheelbase Jeep Wrangler Rubicon two-door comes with same top-spec 4x4 system (Rock-Trac), dual-range transfer case with 77.2:1 crawl ratio, 4.10 rear axle ratio, electronically disconnecting front sway bar and front and rear locking differentials as the four-door Rubicon.

However, its shorter wheelbase gives it even more off-road capability than its bigger brother.

Rubicon models also get heavy-duty rock rails (read: side steps) and a new Off-Road+ drive mode to further improve their go-anywhere capability, while the standard Dana M186 front and M200 rear axles are upgraded to M210 and M220 for Rubicon models.

The rear axle ratio is 4.10 for Rubicon models, while a 240A alternator and 700A maintenance battery are part of the package, providing improved output for accessories.

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If you want even more off-road capability, Rubicon models can be enhanced with a Trail-Ready package for $2950 (two-door) and $3835 (four-door), adding a steel front bumper, 17-inch black alloy wheels and a forward facing off-road camera system.

The top-spec Wrangler Rubicon gets plenty of interior equipment as well, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay via an 8.4-inch touch-screen and keyless entry and engine start.

Standard safety features continue to include autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control and front/rear parking sensors – but also a three-star (2019) ANCAP safety rating.

Nine colours are available: Black, Bright White, Firecracker Red, Granite Crystal, Sting Gray, Snazzberry, Hydro Blue, Sarge Green and Gecko.

The latter is an eye-searing pearlescent green colour only offered as a limited-edition colour on Rubicon models.

Power for all Jeep Wranglers in Australia is provided by a 209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre petrol V6 hooked up to a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission.

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While there’s no diesel version anymore, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe features a muscular plug-in hybrid powertrain in the US, where it was the top-selling PHEV in in May.

The PHEV’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric powertrain is good for 280kW and 637Nm, while offering an electric-only range of up to 40km.

The all-American SUV brand is also promising to revolutionise off-road vehicles with an all-electric Wrangler EV before 2025, and by 2030 it may even offer a fully submersible, underwater-capable Wrangler.

At the other end of the spectrum is the Jeep Wrangler 392, the brand’s Bronco-bashing V8-powered flagship, but neither the fire-breathing Wrangler V8 nor its tree-hugging hybrid cousin are coming to Australia.

How much does the 2021 Jeep Wrangler cost?
Night Eagle Unlimited – $61,750
Overland Unlimited – $66,750
Rubicon Unlimited – $69,950
Rubicon two-door – $64,950

* Prices exclude on-road costs

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Written byCarsales Staff
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