The original four-wheel-drive Jeep was developed for the U.S. Army by Willys-Overland. Production began in 1941; the earliest models were shipped around the globe to help the Allies during World War II. After the war, Willys secured the Jeep trademark, and the first civilian Jeep, 1945’s CJ-2A, went on sale aimed at farmers and others in need of a vehicle that could work off-road. The 1976 CJ-7 introduced popular creature-comfort options such as an automatic transmission and a molded plastic hardtop. The first-generation Wrangler replaced the CJ-7 for the 1987 model year, and 20 years later the four-door Wrangler Unlimited added a new chapter to this ever-evolving story. Today, Jeep is owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and the latest Wrangler retains serious off-road capability and immediately recognizable Jeep style as two of its defining features.
- 2018–23
- 2007–17
- 1992–2006
Latest generation
2018–23 Wrangler
An all-new Wrangler debuted at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, with plans to sell it as a 2018 model alongside the previous generation, the Wrangler JK. The new model, the JL, comes in two-door and longer four-door versions. The Unlimited name was dropped, but the styling maintains
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- MSRP range$31,195–$82,495
- Consumer rating
- Combined mpg 14–23
- Body style SUV
Notable features in 2023:
- Four- or five-seat convertible SUV
- Four-wheel drive standard
- Gas, diesel or plug-in hybrid drivetrain
- Removable top, doors and windshield
- Two- and four-door versions
Previous generation
2007–17 Wrangler
A new Wrangler JK arrived for the 2007 model year with literally the biggest news: a newly developed four-door Unlimited variant that was nearly 21 inches longer than the traditional two-door Wrangler. The Unlimited’s roomier body maintained the Wrangler’s signature
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- MSRP range$23,995–$33,645
- Consumer rating
- Combined mpg 18
- Body style SUV
Notable features in 2017:
- LED headlights and fog lights now available
- Two- and four-door body styles
- 285-horsepower V-6 engine standard
- Manual or automatic transmission
- Four-wheel drive standard
1992–2006 Wrangler
The Wrangler was redesigned for 1997 (there was no 1996 model), and Jeep’s traditional squared-off styling remained largely intact for this generation, the TJ. The most obvious visual change to the exterior was the return to classic CJ-style round headlights, but the most
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- MSRP range$18,390–$28,930
- Consumer rating
- Combined mpg –
- Body style SUV
Notable features in 2006:
- Quasi-military appearance
- Four- or six-cylinder power
- Available hardtop
- Standard part-time 4WD
- Low-range gearing
