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2013 Jeep Wrangler

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Jeep Wrangler

Overview

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2013 Jeep Wrangler Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 6.7

Although it is larger and safer than past models wearing the CJ and Wrangler nameplate, the 2013 Jeep Wrangler is still true to its heritage as America's best-loved off-road escape artist. A wide model range spans the spectrum, from the basic 2-door soft-top Sport, to the maxed-out trail-blazing Rubicon. The Wrangler Unlimited includes a stretched wheelbase and four doors, as well as an available removable hard top with configurable roof panels. Powered by Chrysler's new Pentastar V6, the Jeep Wrangler for 2013 delivers an excellent balance of power and fuel economy; the Wrangler is also one of the last off-road vehicles still to offer a manual transmission.

You'll Like This Car If...

Whether your outdoor passions rest at the top of a mountain, near the ocean's surface, or someplace in between, the Wrangler can get you there without breaking a sweat. Open-air devotees will love the 360-degree view.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The same suspension and wheel/tire combo that allows the Jeep Wrangler to venture over rough terrain also creates a rather rough and unsophisticated on-road driving experience. If your off-road needs are light-to-moderate, a Subaru Outback or Toyota 4Runner might make a better choice.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

6.7
Driving Dynamics

6.3
Comfort & Convenience

5.5
Design: Interior & Exterior

6.3
Value

6.3
Safety

7.8

How It Ranks

#25

out of 25

MPG

#2

out of 26

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

8.7 out of 10

View all
consumer ratings

What's New for 2013

Improvements for the 2013 Wrangler include new seats with larger side bolsters, additional interior lighting and an available Alpine speaker system. Changes to the soft top make it easier for one person to operate, and there is a new premium cloth option that is easier to clean and triple-layered for better sound deadening.

Driving the Wrangler

2013 Jeep Wrangler Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions What we like best about the Jeep Wrangler is that it still delivers the things that make off-roaders happy. Among those attributes are separate body-and-frame construction, live axles front and...

rear and enough ground clearance to drive over a (large) sleeping dog without doing damage to dog or the Jeep. Despite the tall center of gravity, oversized tires and rudimentary suspension, Jeep engineers have done a remarkable job of taming the beast within, endowing this newest Wrangler SUV with precise steering and a suspension that keeps the tires in secure contact with the paved surfaces beneath it. Off-road, the 2013 Wrangler is everything you want in a 4WD trail rig, given its ability to poke along at a walking speed. Add real horsepower to the crawling, and favorable gearing for the hauling, and you arguably have the most competent Jeep Wrangler in the brand's 70-year history.

Favorite Features

3.6-LITER PENTASTAR V6
Jeep's Pentastar V6 is the final piece in the Wrangler puzzle. With ample power, smooth operation and decidedly improved highway fuel economy, this engine suits the Wrangler like a well-worn glove. And, when equipped with the available 5-speed automatic, refinement goes up while losing very little – if any – capability or efficiency.

ELECTRONIC DISCONNECTING SWAY BAR
When the off-road trail gets seriously treacherous, the Wrangler's front sway bar can be electronically disconnected, which allows greater wheel travel. Once back on paved roads, a push of a button reconnects the sway bar.

2013 Jeep Wrangler Details

2013 Jeep Wrangler Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Our test Wrangler, a Sahara Unlimited SUV trimmed in Black/Dark Saddle leather, was just this side of sumptuous. Lower in the food chain is the base Sport, whose cloth-covered seats can best be described as functional. And although the Wrangler Unlimited's folding rear seat creates a spacious – and flat – load surface, the headrests don't easily detach for folding, which necessitates moving the front seats as far forward as possible when you're in a hurry to increase cargo space.

Exterior

With each generation, the Jeep Wrangler engineering team increases the vehicle's size. That was never more evident than in the 2007 redesign, when the 2-door Wrangler grew and the 4-door Wrangler Unlimited was first introduced. In its Unlimited form, the Wrangler SUV stretches almost 15 feet and weighs almost 4,500 pounds. Still, the 2013 Wrangler's off-road intentions remain clear, with minimal overhangs front and rear and the highly-familiar Jeep shape. The exterior design retains a greenhouse that provides excellent visibility of both the trail and adjacent scenery. New for 2013 is the Moab Special Edition that adds gloss black wheels, Trak-loc anti-spin and electronically-locking rear differential.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2013 Jeep Wrangler SUV's 285 horsepower is among its most notable features, but with additional power comes the need for enhanced control. Jeep engineers have added a full menu of safety and security, including electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, Hill-start Assist and Trailer-sway Control. Add the aggressive 4WD technology on the off-road-oriented Rubicon, and the most difficult trails become almost laughably easy.

Optional Equipment

The Wrangler's optional 5-speed automatic transmission provides the driver with more efficiency, better use of the new V6's torque curve and, with a lower 1st-gear ratio, better ability to crawl those rocks. And Jeep is one of the few manufacturers providing you a choice of rear-end ratios (3.21, 3.73 or 4.10). That choice allows the owner to truly tailor the Wrangler to his or her specific driving needs. Comfort and convenience options include Bluetooth, navigation, Alpine speakers, leather trimmed seats and heated front seats.

Under the Hood

The 3.6-liter V6 in the 2013 Jeep Wrangler is truly a revelation. Featuring alloy construction, the 60-degree V6 is lighter and more compact than the previous 3.8-liter found in the 2011 Wrangler. And, with 285 horsepower, the perceived need for a V8 is all but eliminated. With that, we continue to wish that Jeep would make available the diesel sold in many markets outside of the U.S. The diesel's superior torque, along with an increase in fuel economy, would be all the new EPA regulations – and Jeep consumers – might ask for.

3.6 liter V6
285 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
260 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/21 mpg (Wrangler), 16/20 mpg (Wrangler Unlimited, automatic), 16/21 mpg (Wrangler Unlimited, manual)

Pricing Notes

Jeep's Wrangler for 2013 continues to be the most democratic of off-road SUV choices, with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting around $23,000. The Wrangler Unlimited is some $3,500 more expensive, and an upscale Sahara or Rubicon can easily approach – or exceed – $40,000. To the Wrangler's credit, it enjoys historically high resale value, with three-year-old examples projected to return almost 60 percent of their original window sticker. Should you consider a Wrangler for aggressive off-roading, a fully-loaded top-of-the-line Rubicon, even with a window sticker around $40,000, is an absolute steal when comparing its investment to that of upgrading a lesser Wrangler through the 4WD aftermarket. To make your best deal, be sure to check our Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area typically pay for the Jeep Wrangler.

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2013 Jeep Wrangler Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.7

Out of 10

Based on 612 Ratings for the 2007 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

9.0/10

Quality

8.9/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

8.8/10
Comfort

8.7/10

Styling

9.2/10

Just what I was waiting for!! Awesome!!

By OCD man (MA) on Friday, July 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Go anywhere, upgrades are endless, all season vehi"

Cons: "None yet"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned three CJ-7'S prior to this wrangler and they were a blast. When I found out that Penstar made a 285 HP motor for JK I had to test drive.. After test drive it ended up in my driveway.after a few after market changes lift kit, rims, 33" nitto's, Gibson exhaust,and a cold air intake I'm done. I have driven a lot of cars from vettes to M3's and jeep is by far the most fun go anywhere vehicle I've owned!!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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It's O.K., but would not buy again

By tishpit (FL) on Monday, June 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,800

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 4/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 4/10
Comfort: 4/10

Pros: "Goes anywhere, rugged build, iconic image"

Cons: "New engine/tranny still only 18 MPG, quality so-so"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 5

"I had a 2004 Jeep Liberty that I LOVED... but traded due to gas tank placement freaking me out (had been rear-ended 3x prior). That car was a total joy... NEVER a repair in over 70,000 miles, though it had a drinking problem... 18 MPG overall on level ground. After a few attempts at Ford products and nothing but misery, I opted to go for a new Wrangler with hopes of recapturing that Jeep fun. Well... it's a mixed bag. The "new and improved engine and transmission" started off decent, then descended into a rut of about 18 MPG, just like the Liberty but with less room and not as fun to drive. The Freedom top leaks in heavy rain. The height adjuster on the driver's seat lowers itself and needs re-pumped periodically. Also seat cushion is long and hits back of legs. The drive is busy, but yeah, it's a truck, and now that I no longer need a vehicle to maneuver down mud-river roads, the Wrangler just isn't as pleasurable to live with as the old Liberty. Reaching anything in the back is a chore (2-door) and had to remove back seats (another chore) to fit anything much in rear. The Freedom top panels are heavy and awkward to handle, especially replacing them in a hurry (rain!). So going topless is not without effort and time and some place to keep the top, especially if you remove the rear (with HELP). The lights are great, incl. fogs, and it has that iconic Jeep persona. I guess it's all in what you need and like. Suggest you rent one before buying."

8 people out of 10 found this review helpful

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Not bad, only a couple of issues

By Mongo228 (TX) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 10,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Fun to drive, reliable, tons of aftermarket mods"

Cons: "Soft top can be REALLY noisy at cruising speed"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"I've owned this Jeep sinc Feb 2011. So far, for the most part, I really enjoy it! There are two detractors ... the chrome-painted plastic ring around the top of the shifter knob (the bezel) broke off about 6 months ago and the dealer has yet to replace it. My Jeep was one that was affected by a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) about the manual transmission popping out of 4th gear. The dealership is STILL waiting on parts five months after taking the vehicle in. Other than that, it's really a good vehicle. It hasn't left me stranded anywhere, I can fit in it (I'm 6' 4", 300+ pounds), even climbing into the back seat, though that takes some careful maneuvering, and it handles pretty well. This is a VAST improvement over the 1992 YJ I had in 1993-94. I would recommend the hard top; it's much quieter than the soft top. The ride, for a short wheelbase 4x4, is pretty smooth. It handles pretty well for a 4x4, too. With the new 285 BHP V6, it has respectable acceleration. I manage to average about 18+ MPG with combined highway and city street driving, but if I drive aggressively, that number can dip below 17. If you're looking for a vehicle that's fun to drive both on road and off, doesn't take up a lot of space, and has LOTS of aftermarket modification options, then I'd say this vehicle would be a good choice."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Jeep JK Sahara 2007

By Chico (NY) on Saturday, May 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 105,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Fun to drive, keeps its value."

Cons: "2 door Jeep is hard to get in the back."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I bought my Jeep JK 2Dr. Sahara 2007 in 2006 when the new model just first came out in the market. My jeep currently have 105000 miles on it. I haven't had any problems mechanically except for 2 recalls from the manufacturer. I changed my oil regularly with synthetic mobil oil, check all around fluids like the brake fluid, transmission fluid and changed the spark plugs at 102000 miles. The shock absorbers have not been changed and the ride is still good. Although the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler have a new powerful engine at 285 hp that is to claim an extra mile on the gas. But all in all, the Jeep Wrangler had came a long way. I love my Jeep and will not trade it for any other vehicle. I've always driven a Jeep Wrangler since early 1992. I guess thats why I can never let it go."

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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A fun and sturdy vehicle

By Baseball Dad (TN) on Thursday, May 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 49,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fun, sturdy, reliable, and looks great."

Cons: "You'll get tired of smiling."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"We bought our Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as our third car. We've wanted a Jeep Wrangler for a long time, but with two boys in sports we needed more room for equipment. The four door with the trunk was perfect. We take the top down in April every year and leave it down until around November (park it in the garage for rainy days). It drives surprisingly well and has a ton of power. We are in our second year of ownership and smile ear to ear every time we pull out of the driveway, whether it is to a baseball tournament, football practice, or a run to a store or to eat. I've owned four other Jeeps (Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Liberty) and once again we are very pleased. Reliable and solid, plus it looks great. I would highly recommend. The only reason I didn't rate value as a "10" is the up front cost is high due to resale value being so high."

7 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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Love my Jeep

By John (CA) on Thursday, May 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fun to Drive, Easy to remove hard top,"

Cons: "Wish the stereo was louder"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Special ordered a 2013 and couldn't be happier. It is exactly what I wanted. It's fun to drive around town, take the top off and enjoy the sun. The removable hardtop is the way to go. It's easy to use, a lot less wind noise then the soft top and it's 100% waterproof. The Jeep has been flawless and most of all, it's fun to drive."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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See all 612 reviews