Jeep Wrangler: Which Should You Buy, 2022 or 2023?

Most significant changes: Limited-edition Freedom trim features military-themed exterior and interior; Sahara 3.6-liter V-6 with manual transmission discontinued, replaced by previously optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with automatic; 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine phased out with Rubicon FarOut; Wrangler Unlimited High Tide discontinued

Pricing: $32,540 to start for Sport; $3,045 increase for Sahara due to new base powertrain; increases ranging from $605 to $1,345 for other trims; $1,595 destination charge remains unchanged

On sale: Now

Which should you buy, 2022 or 2023? Generally modest price increases favor buying a 2023 model, which should be worth more than an otherwise-identical 2022 at trade-in time — unless the dealer is giving a big discount on the older model. Exceptions are if you want the EcoDiesel to be phased out in November, the discontinued Snazzberry paint or a Sahara with a manual.

Jeep is offering minimal changes to its venerable two-door Wrangler and four-door Wrangler Unlimited SUVs for the 2023 model year, but perhaps the biggest is on the powertrain front with the elimination of the Sahara’s 3.6-liter V-6 with a manual transmission and the phasing out of the EcoDiesel engine. Beyond that, Rubicons get new wheel designs, and two new colors have been added to the palette: Earl (a bluish silver) and Reign (purple).

Related: 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, Wrangler 4xe Plug Into Past With Special Editions

Powertrains

Wranglers are offered with five engines and either a manual or automatic transmission, though not every model offers all combinations. There’s also a plug-in hybrid version of the Wrangler Unlimited called the 4xe that Jeep considers a separate model but which also carries over practically unchanged from 2022.

The base engine is a 285-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 that comes with a six-speed manual transmission; that’s the only way to get a manual. A mild-hybrid version of the V-6 with an added electric motor (called eTorque) comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A cheaper way to get an automatic is to opt for the 270-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder that comes with an eight-speed automatic. The 260-hp, turbo-diesel 3.0-liter V-6 that comes with an eight-speed automatic will be dropped by the end of 2022. The Wrangler Unlimited 4xe has a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder paired with two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour battery pack good for 375 hp combined and up to 21 miles of all-electric driving. And topping the lineup is the wild Rubicon 392, the only Wrangler to offer a 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 churning out 470 hp.

A part-time four-wheel-drive system is standard on the Sport, Sport S and Sahara, with full-time 4WD optional. The 4xe and Rubicon 392 come standard with full-time 4WD.

Regardless of engine and transmission, Wranglers are rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds and Wrangler Unlimiteds up to 3,500 pounds.

Safety and Tech Features

While the base Sport comes with a 7-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it can’t be had with any of the common safety features, such as forward collision warning and blind spot alert. To get those, you have to jump to the Sport S and then add them as options. The $1,145 Safety Group brings blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert along with rear park assist. The $945 Advanced Safety Group adds forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams. The same applies to higher trim levels except the Rubicon 392, which comes standard with those two optional packages.

Other features available on all but the base Sport include an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi hot spot and navigation system, along with SiriusXM satellite radio, Guardian Connected Services, Traffic Plus and Travel Link.

Trims and Pricing

The 2023 Wrangler’s starting prices (includes unchanged $1,595 destination) are below. Prices are increases unless otherwise noted.

Wrangler

• Sport: $32,540 ($950)
• Willys Sport: $35,780 ($1,735)
• Sport S: $36,135 ($1,345)
• Freedom: $39,035 (new)
• Willys: $39,870 ($1,830)
• Rubicon: $45,040 ($1,050)

Wrangler Unlimited

• Sport: $37,215 ($1,575)
• Willys Sport: $39,700 ($1,605)
• Sport S: $40,155 ($920)
• Freedom: $43,350 (new)
• Willys: $43,790 ($1,700)
• Sport Altitude: $43,080 ($1,850)
• Rubicon: $48,940 ($1,150)
• Sahara: $47,185 ($3,045)
• Sport RHD: $48,385 ($1,445)
• Sahara Altitude: $51,835 ($4,100)
• High Altitude: $56,280 ($1,810)
• Rubicon 392: $82,190 ($605)

Wrangler Unlimited 4xe

• Willys: $55,590 (new)
• Sahara: $56,855 ($665)
• Rubicon: $60,585 ($200)
• High Altitude: $62,530 ($765)

Note that production limitations of new models prompted by a shortage of computer chips mean that while list prices aren’t up much for 2023, transaction prices may well be. Jeep even warns of this on its website with an unusually candid disclaimer at the top: “Pricing provided may vary significantly between website and dealer as a result of supply chain constraints. Pricing shown is nonbinding and does not constitute an offer. Contact your dealer for updated vehicle pricing.”

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