The 2011 Jeep Wrangler largely continues on with what has made this SUV so popular and enduring. With its iconic looks recognized in a glance, outstanding off-road capabilities and overall rough-and-tumble personality, the new Wrangler offers plenty of its own unique and special appeal.
It's even become a bit more domesticated for those less interested in canyon carving and more interested in looking and feeling good around town. The 2011 model sports a new interior with higher quality materials and improved noise insulation, along with new available features such as automatic climate control, power mirrors, steering wheel controls, Bluetooth, heated seats and a USB audio port. In addition, the 2011 Wrangler now comes with standard stability control, hill start assist and trailer stability control.
Trims, Standard Features And Options:
The 2011 Jeep Wrangler is available in both two-door and four-door (Unlimited) body styles, each with three trims: Sport, Rubicon and Sahara.
Standard features on the Wrangler Sport include a manual soft top, cruise control, foglamps, 16-inch steel wheels, a tilt steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, a flip-and-fold removable rear seat and a 6-speaker audio system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. In addition, the Unlimited Sport adds air conditioning, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat and a larger gas tank.
The Rubicon (both the 2-door and 4-door Unlimited) then adds a special off-road suspension, an electronic antiroll bar, 17-inch alloy wheels, special tires, rock rails, a stronger front axle, electronic locking front and rear differentials, a special low-range transfer case, air conditioning, automatic headlights, satellite radio (optional on the Sport), acoustic insulation under the hood and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Power Convenience Group is optional on both Sport models and the two-door Rubicon and includes power windows, power doorlocks, heated mirrors and keyless entry (this package is standard on the Rubicon Unlimited).
Update: Weak Economy Leads To Lower Wrangler Prices:
Car sales have been on the weak side historically for close to the past two years now. And Chrysler/Jeep has recently been offsetting at least some of the market weakness through strong incentives and easier-to-get discounts. It remains a buyer's market right now, resulting in an excellent opportunity to get the lowest price.
The bottom line? Car dealers will "wheel and deal" bigtime right now if you know how to push their buttons to get the best price. Here's an article on the best negotiating technique to take advantage of the current sluggish car market (definitely read before ever going to a dealership): How To Buy A New Wrangler At The Best Price given current car market conditions.
The Wrangler Sahara is equipped with all the Sport model's features plus air conditioning, automatic headlights, sateillite radio, 18-inch alloy wheels, the acoustic hood insulation, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, the Power Convenience Group, side steps, a 6-speaker Infinity audio system and special exterior and interior trim accents.
Also available is the Connectivity Group which adds Bluetooth on the Sport, an iPod/USB interface and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The "Freedom Top" is a 3-piece modular hardtop with tinted glass, a rear window wiper and a rear defroster that is optional on all models (it's the same color as the body on the Sahara and black plastic on the Sport and Rubicon trims).
The 2-door Sport can also be outfitted with special half doors with plastic windows, but doing so eliminates the power accessories option. Heated front seats, two-tone leather upholstery and touchscreen navigation are available options on both the Rubicon and Sahara.
Incidentally, here's an infographic listing the 12 carmakers who've given the biggest new car price discounts off MSRP (includes Jeep).
Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:
Powering all 2011 Jeep Wranglers is a 3.8-liter V6 engine that's good for 202 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with either the standard 6-speed manual transmission with hill-start assist or the optional 4-speed automatic. The Unlimited can be equipped with either four-wheel drive (includes high- and low-range transfer-case gears) or rear-wheel drive, while all other models are four-wheel drive only. All Rubicons come with a specialized transfer case with extra-low gearing that provides even better off-road capabilities.
The EPA-estimated gas mileage for the 2011 Wrangler is 15 mpg city and 19 mpg on the highway. The rear-wheel drive Unlimited is rated at 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.
Safety:
Standard safety features on all 2011 Wranglers include stability control, hill start assist and antilock brakes (ABS). In addition, front-seat side airbags are an available option.
Government crash tests had not yet been conducted on the 2011 Wrangler at the time of this writing.
Interior:
While the Wrangler's new interior is attractive and also sports new features and better grade materials, it still posseses its fundamental Wrangler genes, meaning it's still intended to take on dirt and mud and still be easily cleaned (yes, the Wrangler's interior has a history of even being cleaned with a hose). So, it's nothing fancy and is designed to deal with the rough-and-tumble, dirty and dusty environments this road warrior may take on.
The seating, overall, is comfortable and supportive. The two-door can accommodate two passengers in the rear, while the Unlimited can handle three. The four-door also has a maximum cargo capacity of a very useful 86 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While the optional hardtop provides additional security (only the glove compartment and center console can be locked with the soft top), you'll need a place to store it when you want to drive in the convertible mode.
Drive:
The Jeep Wrangler's claim to fame, and the 2011 model is no different, is its fairly unstoppable, "go anywhere" off-road capabilities. While all models excel when the going gets tough, the Rubicon is at the top of the class due to all its specialized equipment. It should be noted, however, that the Wrangler Unlimited doesn't have all the maneuverability of the two-door on challenging trails, although it does have more room for cargo.
The Wrangler is also fun to drive around town and may surprise some with its overall fairly capable road manners in normal driving conditions, although it is a bit tippy through tight corners. Not surprisingly, however, its downside is considerable road and wind noise.
Price:
2011 Jeep Wrangler Two-Door:
Sport: list price: $22,045, invoice price: $21,431
Sahara: list price: $27,245, invoice price: $25,723
Rubicon: list price: $29,245, invoice price: $27,543
2011 Jeep Wrangler Four-Door:
Unlimited Sport: list price: $25,545, invoice price: $24,776
Unlimited Sport RHD: list price: $28,910, invoice price: $27,906
Unlimited Sahara: list price: $29,945, invoice price: $28,270
Unlimited Rubicon: list price: $32,745, invoice price: $30,818
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