Returning basically unchanged, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler does have some news. For example, its base Sport trim now comes standard with air conditioning and the Uconnect 4 with a 7-inch touchscreen. Both were options for 2022. Despite these upgrades, Jeep bumped the Sport’s base price by only $300. A deal, we say.
Off-road capability is Wrangler’s mission statement, and every model can go wherever you want. You can still remove the top and doors and fold down the windshield. With five trim levels, there are all sorts of avenues to customize your 2-door Wrangler. For instance, you have two optional powertrains and several alternative tops. Jeep also makes the 4-door Wrangler Unlimited versions, which we detail elsewhere.
Standard power comes from a 285-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 attached to a 6-speed manual transmission. Switching out that engine/transmission choice for the 270-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 8-speed automatic transmission adds $2,000 to the bottom line. The 375-hp 3.6-liter V6 mild hybrid (MHEV) system with the 8-speed automatic transmission adds $4,000 to the tally.
The standard 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system in all but the Rubicon is the Command Trac part-time 4WD. It allows you to shift from rear-wheel drive (RWD) to 4WD High on the fly. You can also shift it into 4-Lock, which sends 50% of the engine torque to each axle.
With the introduction of the Ford Bronco, the Wrangler no longer has the “ultimate off-roader” space to itself.
Here’s how the different trim levels compare.
2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport (starting at $30,295)
Jeep tailors the Sport to buyers who want little more than the basic Wrangler experience. The windows, door locks, headlights, and outboard mirrors require a human to operate them manually. A manual transmission switches the cogs in the base V6.
The Sport has skid plates to protect the fuel tank and transfer case, three tow hooks, and a heavy-duty Dana 44 rear axle. Also standard is the Sunrider folding soft top with a sunroof feature.
Riding on 17-inch black steel wheels, the Sport gets all-season tires, halogen headlights, and standard fog lights. For 2023, the Sport gets cloth bucket seats, single-zone manual air conditioning, and a front center console with storage and cupholders. Push-button start, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a tilt-and-telescopic urethane steering wheel, and cruise control make the cut, too.
After a day in the dirt, you can hose out the Wrangler Sport with its removable carpet and drain plugs.
Anchoring the infotainment system together is Uconnect 4 with a 7-inch touchscreen, an 8-speaker audio system, two USB ports, and three 12-volt power ports. Also included are Bluetooth, hands-free phone capability, satellite-radio capability, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Don’t expect much beyond the government-mandated safety technologies like stability control, traction control, and a rearview camera. However, hill-start assist also is standard.
As the base Wrangler, you can upgrade the Sport with a long list of options and dealer-installed parts. For example, the 3-Piece Hard Top ($1,695), a snorkel for water fording ($795), and black perforated-leather seats ($1,750) are possibilities.
Adding the $1,595 destination fee to the Sport base price brings the total to $31,890. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to about $573 per month. See 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport models for sale
2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport includes:
Cruise control – This is also called speed control. When you reach the desired speed, your Wrangler will maintain that speed until you engage the brakes.
Hill-start assist – Using sensors to determine when you stop your vehicle on an incline, the system maintains the brake pressure for a predetermined time. This interval allows you to shift your right foot from the brake to the accelerator without the vehicle rolling back.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – These systems allow your smartphone to interface with your vehicle. Access the music on your phone, send messages, receive messages, or make calls through your Jeep’s infotainment system.
2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys Sport
(starting at $32,605)
In addition to some appearance touches, Jeep gives the Willys Sport a few additional off-road features like 32-inch BFGoodrich mud-terrain tires to go on its 17-inch black alloy wheels. Also standard are the Rubicon’s rock rails and heavy-duty shocks. Capping off the upgrades is Jeep’s Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential.
The Willys Sport shares options with the Sport.
Tacking on the destination fee to the Willys Sport base price totals $34,200. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest with no money down works out to a monthly payment of about $615. See 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys Sport models for sale
2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys Sport includes:
Trac-Lok – Jeep’s version of a limited-slip rear differential, Trac-Lok senses when a rear wheel is slipping and sends more torque to the wheel with grip.
32-inch tires – BFGoodrich designed these mud-terrain tires for enhanced traction.
Willys labeling – With the Willys Sport, you get a Willys decal on the hood and a 4×4 decal on the rear swing gate.
2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport S
(starting at $33,495)
Here’s where Wrangler becomes about more than just off-roading. Building on the Sport, the Sport S adds a few more creature comforts like power windows, door locks, and heated power outboard mirrors. Also standard are 17-inch bright alloy wheels, auto-on/off headlights, a wrapped steering wheel, and remote keyless entry.
Many of the earlier options remain on the Sport S options list. It gains a Corning Gorilla Glass windshield ($495). Also available is Uconnect 4C with navigation, a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen ($3,290). You may choose the 9-speaker Alpine system as a stand-alone option for $1,295.
You can also pick up the Advanced Safety Group ($945) with high-beam assist, forward-collision warning (with automatic emergency braking), and adaptive cruise control. The Safety Group ($1,145) adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, LED taillights, and rear-park assist. Gaining LED headlights and fog lights will set you back $1,295.
Adding the destination fee to the Sport S base price equals $35,090. At 3% interest for 60 months, financing with no money down works out to about $631 monthly. See 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport S models for sale
2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport S includes:
Auto-on/off headlights – Photosensors detect a reduction in daylight, which automatically activates the headlights and taillights. The system shuts off the lights when an appropriate amount of daylight returns.
Heated outboard mirrors – Electrically heated, these mirrors automatically clear away ice, snow, and fog.
Remote keyless entry – You can lock or unlock the Jeep remotely using the key fob (when in range).
2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys
(starting at $36,890)
The Willys is essentially the Sport S with all the Willys Sport’s off-roading features.
Other standard features are the LED headlight and fog light package optional on the Sport S.
Apart from the LED light group, the Willys options are about the same as those for the Sport S.
Adding the $1,595 destination fee to the Willys base price brings the total to $38,485. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to approximately $692 per month. See 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys models for sale
2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
(starting at $42,100)
The namesake for the boulder-strewn trail it continues to conquer, the Rubicon is the ultimate off-roading Jeep Wrangler. It instills fear in the hearts of off-roading wannabes.
Its recipe for off-roading success? Jeep shoves every bit of its off-roading expertise into the Rubicon. It has Tru-Lok locking front and rear axles, a 4.10:1 rear-axle ratio, and Dana 44 front axle. The Rubicon also sports Jeep’s Rock-Trac part-time 4WD, a system engineered for rocks and boulders. It also features an electronically disconnecting front sway bar for improved front wheel articulation. An Off-Road Plus mode alters transmission mapping, throttle response, and traction control for enhanced off-road performance.
Jeep wraps the 17-inch wheels in all-terrain rubber. With Rubicon, you gain dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, upgraded cloth seats, and the 9-speaker Alpine audio system. Other welcome features include a 115-volt household electric outlet, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, and navigation.
For the most part, any Sport S options not standard in Rubicon also are on its options list.
Adding the destination fee to the Rubicon base price brings the total to $43,695. Financing for 60 months with no money down at 3% interest works out to approximately $785 per month. See 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon models for sale
2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon includes:
Disconnecting front sway bar – Electronically controlled via a button, this sway bar disconnects to allow for greater front wheel articulation during intense off-roading.
Rock-Trac – This is a low-speed, boulder-crawling 4WD system.
Proximity keyless entry – If the key fob is on your person, the doors automatically unlock when you approach the Wrangler Rubicon.
