Wrangler, which represents Jeep, is a model with a strong enthusiast base thanks to a unique design based on the U.S. military vehicle "Willys." I test-drove the Rubicon trim, which is specialized for off-road specs among Wranglers. The vehicle, as rugged on the inside as it looks on the outside, ran smoothly even on rough surfaces with powerful performance. However, the interior layout is crude and the ride is not comfortable, which may divide opinions.
The Wrangler's exterior has a strong presence. When it stands next to other cars, it feels noticeably bigger. The boxy body with no curves, the massive front bumper protruding outward, the wheel fenders (the panel sections covering the wheels), and the spare tire mounted on the rear all make the vehicle look larger. The official specs are length 4,800 mm, width 1,940 mm, height 1,865 mm, and wheelbase 3,010 mm.
The limited 41 Edition wears an Olive Drap color that evokes an actual military vehicle. The 41 Edition is one of the Wrangler color editions released in Korea in a limited run of 50 units and commemorates the Willys MB, a military vehicle released in 1941. Jeep has been periodically unveiling Wranglers with unique colors and added options.
Open the door and the power side step (footrest) automatically deploys, making it easy to get in. Contrary to its hefty appearance, the interior is not particularly spacious. The front and side windows are not larger than those of ordinary cars, and various physical buttons are densely arranged, which made it feel cramped. The seats are on the firm side.
Even though it has the largest 12.3-inch touchscreen ever in a Wrangler, it still has plenty of analog character. Most functions must be operated with physical buttons below the touchscreen, and even the window switches are in the center. The instrument cluster, composed of a needle speedometer and the like, is not inconvenient, but it is less intuitive than digital. The levers, including for the turn signals, are stiff and required a firm push.
The overall driving feel is rough and rugged. When starting the engine, a booming engine note bursts out, but it settles down while driving. Initial takeoff acceleration is heavy, but once it gains momentum above a certain speed, it surges ahead smoothly and lightly. At high speeds, wind noise (the sound of cutting through the air) and road noise entering from the underbody became pronounced.
With its high roofline, the view was wide open, but on narrow roads or when parking, the long and wide front end can feel unfamiliar. In particular, when parallel parking along the curb, the large fenders obscured the curb and created blind spots. Front and rear sensors and parking assist, as well as a blind-spot monitoring system, come standard.
Given the vehicle's characteristics, ride comfort falls short of that of an ordinary passenger car or an urban sport-utility vehicle (SUV). The body often judders, causing side-to-side sway or noticeable vibration, and the rear seats are likely to feel fatiguing on long drives. On rough surfaces or over severe speed bumps, the body absorbed most of the impact and cleared them with ease. It was also stable on steep hills when stopping or starting, with no rolling back.
As a vehicle specialized for off-road driving, it seems to place emphasis on convenience and safety features. The vehicle comes with more than 65 options, including adaptive cruise control, a full-speed forward collision warning plus system, side curtain airbags, and a remote start system. The official fuel economy is a combined 7.5 km per liter (7.1 km/L city, 8.1 km/L highway), and the actual fuel economy recorded was in the 8–9 km range.
In Korea, the Wrangler is sold in three main trims: the entry-level Sport S, the off-road-focused Rubicon, and the on-road performance-enhanced Sahara. Prices start at 72.7 million won for the Sport S 4-door hardtop, 80.4 million won for the Rubicon 2-door hardtop, 83.4 million won for the Rubicon 4-door hardtop, 85.9 million won for the Rubicon 4-door power top, 80.9 million won for the Sahara 4-door hardtop, and 83.4 million won for the Sahara 4-door power top. The 41 Edition varies by trim, starting at 80.7 million won.