Used 2022 Jeep Wrangler

For those who know what the 2022 Jeep Wrangler is all about and want a slice of that action, there’s no reason (other than disposable income) not to buy one. The Wrangler is one of the world’s best off-road vehicles, and a mainstay among midsize SUVs.

However, if someone just wanted to give the impression that they’re adventuresome, then the Wrangler’s on-road shortcomings may soon outweigh the novelty. Only serious off-roaders should apply. Or at least anyone who needs generous ground clearance on a regular basis.

Buyers seeking a 4-door version can check out the dedicated review of the 2022 Wrangler Unlimited. And if the idea of a plug-in hybrid sounds intriguing, the 2022 Wrangler Unlimited 4xe has its own review as well.

A short body and short wheelbase contribute significantly to a skittish on-road ride. Factor in the body-on-frame construction and solid axles, and even though this generation of Wrangler is the most refined, it still makes getting to those lovely off-road locations something of a grin-and-bear-it experience.

Once the 2022 Wrangler leaves the tarmac behind, however, the high driving position, squared-off hood and body, generous ground clearance, plus advantageous approach and departure angles all come into a different kind of focus. This is what the Wrangler is built for.

And this is especially the Rubicon’s reason for being. It has a more specialized suspension that includes an electrically controlled disconnecting front anti-roll bar, plus a higher ride height, and all-terrain tires. Whether it’s rock climbing, dune racing, or fording water up to around 30 inches, the Wrangler has held an elevated status for as long as it has existed.

In almost any other context, the sound of a basic interior containing hand-crank windows, mats up front, cloth upholstery, and drain plugs would be nightmarish. But it’s all music to an off-roader’s ears.

It means that muddy bootprints can be hosed away without worrying about electric motors for power-adjustable front seats or soaking the carpets. Even with the power windows, the switches are set high in the center console — which makes additional sense because the doors are removable.

Unless a Rubicon buyer stipulates leather seating surfaces, occupants will be sitting on cloth upholstery. The seats themselves are comfortable enough up front, but more bench-like for the two rear passengers.

The cabin is also on the narrow side, constricting shoulder room. This 2-door Wrangler is better for two people and their luggage than for four. Rear legroom is a toddler-friendly 35.7 inches — less kind for grown-ups, especially accessing them. And maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded is just 31.7 cubic feet.

When the original Willys Jeep was being designed, by engineers rather than stylists, no one could have known that the basics would still be attractive and relevant 80 years or so in the future. It was built for a specific purpose and met that demand beautifully by being functional above all else.

These days, the Wrangler has two removable doors and a removable soft top with a sunroof. A 3-piece Freedom hard top with a rear wiper/washer/defroster is optional across the range and helps cut down some of the road noise going into the cabin.

As well as acting the part, the Rubicon displays its off-road credentials with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, protection rails for the sills, two vents in the hood, and a trim-specific hood decal.

OFF-ROAD ABILITY
If a Wrangler can’t do it, chances are nothing else can. Unless it’s a Sherman tank or something similar. The Rubicon even has the option of heavy-duty steel bumpers that can handle a winch being attached. It’s equipment like this that really makes the Wrangler an amazing machine.

THE WRANGLER WAY OF LIFE
Jeep owners meet once a year at Moab in Utah, and there are plenty of other places around the United States where like-minded folk can congregate and caravan as a community. There’s never the same kind of camaraderie with the Toyota Camry.

The basic Sport trim is deliberately sparse. It makes ownership of a 2022 Wrangler 2-door more possible, brings a rough-and-ready interior with few features to ruin, and acts as a blank slate for buyers to choose whatever of the many aftermarket parts might appeal.

Standard features include 17-inch steel wheels, manual windows/locks, manually adjustable side mirrors, fog lights, two front tow hooks, one rear tow hook, and cloth upholstery.

Safety equipment doesn’t really go beyond mandatory, like front and front-side airbags, stability/traction control, and a camera for reversing.

The infotainment system has a 5-inch touchscreen, eight speakers, and a USB port.

We’d suggest going for the Sport S trim (about $2k more) to obtain power locks/windows, tinted glass, keyless entry/ignition, air conditioning, alarm, 17-inch alloy wheels, and eligibility for more options.

Sport trim qualifies for the automatic transmission and the turbocharged engine, along with a more sophisticated 4-wheel-drive system. A forward-facing off-road camera is also available (on every Wrangler variant).

From the Sport S level, a windshield made from Corning Gorilla Glass joins the options list. This is also the point where a 552-watt/9-speaker Alpine audio system becomes available, along with a heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors.

Rubicon has the most advanced 4-wheel-drive system, plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel, ambient LED cabin lighting, 115-volt outlet, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The infotainment system is upgraded to include an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, and off-road information pages.

This top trim can also be ordered with leather seating surfaces.

If a buyer of a new Wrangler didn’t bother looking beyond the standard 3.6-liter V6, they would still be doing fine. It’s a highly regarded unit found in many Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler vehicles, endowing the 2022 Wrangler with 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.

A 6-speed manual is the default transmission. Order the 8-speed automatic transmission and that also brings a mild-hybrid system for this setup’s best possible fuel economy.

For more torque (and who doesn’t like more torque?), there’s an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine developing 295 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm. So there’s more thrust than the V6 and it comes in earlier — a good talent to have when crawling over rocks. This engine is paired exclusively with the 8-speed automatic transmission.

Both engines take regular gasoline.

3.6-liter V6
285 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25 mpg (manual), 20/24 mpg (auto)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
270 horsepower @ 5,250 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/24 mpg