2025 Jeep Wrangler Review | Drive Chicago
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2025 Jeep Wrangler

Trail-tested, tech-boosted: Wrangler Is still king of the climb.

by: Mark Bilek

Overview
The 2025 Jeep Wrangler continues its legacy as the quintessential off-road SUV, tracing its roots to the WWII-era Willys and evolving through decades of rugged refinement. For 2025, Jeep introduces modest updates including new paint colors like '41 Olive Drab and Joose Orange, standard power windows and locks across all trims, and a standard 12.3-inch Uconnect touchscreen. The Wrangler remains a body-on-frame SUV with seating for four or five, available in two-door and four-door Unlimited configurations. It offers cloth and hard top options-both are removable. There is also a power-retracting canvas roof option. The doors are also removable and the front windshield folds. Wrangler competes in the off-road SUV segment against the Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender, and Toyota 4Runner.

The Wrangler offers a wide array of trims: Sport, Sport S, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, Rubicon X, High Altitude, and Rubicon 392, plus plug-in hybrid 4xe variants for Sport S, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, and Rubicon X. Powertrain choices include a 3.6L V6 (285 hp, 260 lb-ft), a 2.0L turbocharged I4 (270 hp, 295 lb-ft), a 6.4L V8 in the Rubicon 392 (470 hp, 470 lb-ft), and a 4xe plug-in hybrid (375 hp, 470 lb-ft) with an estimated 21-mile all-electric range. Most models use part-time four-wheel drive with low-range gearing, while full-time 4WD is available or standard on higher trims. Towing capacity ranges from 3,500 lbs (4xe) to 5,000 lbs (gas models).

Pricing spans from $32,095 for the base Sport to nearly $100,000 for a fully loaded Rubicon 392. Standard features now include the 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and improved voice recognition. Optional upgrades include heated seats, adaptive cruise control, LED lighting, and a factory-installed winch. Safety tech includes forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and over 85 available safety features. Standout editions include the Rubicon X with enhanced off-road gear and the High Altitude trim for luxury-focused buyers.

2025 Jeep Wrangler

Engine Performance
The 2025 Wrangler's engine lineup offers a wide spectrum of performance. The base 3.6L V6 delivers solid low-end torque and decent acceleration, reaching 0-60 mph in about 6.8 seconds. The 2.0L turbocharged I4 offers smoother operation better mid-range punch and quicker throttle response, with a similar 0-60 time. The plug-in hybrid 4xe combines electric torque with gas power for brisk acceleration, hitting 60 mph in roughly 6.0 seconds. The Rubicon 392's 6.4L V8 is the performance king, launching to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds with thunderous passing power. Transmission performance is smooth and responsive across the board, with the eight-speed automatic offering quick shifts and solid off-road gearing.

Fuel Economy
Fuel economy varies widely depending on powertrain. The 3.6L V6 returns an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city / 23 mpg highway, while the 2.0L turbo improves slightly to 20 mpg city / 24 mpg highway. The 4xe plug-in hybrid earns 49 MPGe combined and offers 21 miles of electric-only range. Fuel capacity is 17.5 gallons for gas models, yielding a highway range of roughly 400 miles. Real-world estimates suggest the EPA numbers are fairly accurate. The Rubicon 392 V8 is the thirstiest, averaging just 13-17 mpg combined.

Off-Road Systems
Wrangler's off-road credibility is built on its robust 4WD systems. Most trims use part-time 4WD with low-range gearing, while Sahara and Rubicon offer full-time 4WD. The Rubicon X adds elite off-road hardware: electronic locking front and rear differentials, a disconnecting front sway bar, 4:1 low-range gearing, and 33-inch all-terrain tires. Drive modes include Auto, Snow, Sand/Mud, and Rock, depending on trim. The Rubicon 392 and Rubicon X are trail-ready straight from the factory, with rock rails, skid plates, and heavy-duty axles.

Ride Quality
Ride quality in the Wrangler is firm and utilitarian, especially on 2-door models and on trims with off-road suspension setups. The Sport and Willys trims feel stiff over pavement, while Sahara and High Altitude offer slightly more comfort thanks to road-oriented tuning. Rubicon models prioritize articulation and durability, sacrificing bump absorption on daily drives. The 4xe models are slightly smoother due to battery weight and torque delivery. Overall, the Wrangler remains more trail-focused than road-refined.

Handling
Handling is deliberate and rugged, with noticeable body lean in corners due to solid axles and high ground clearance. Steering feel is vague at center and lacks precision compared to crossovers, though it's predictable off-road. Braking performance is adequate, with firm pedal feel and good modulation, though stopping distances are longer than rivals. The Rubicon 392's extra weight and power require more attention under hard braking.

2025 Jeep Wrangler

Interior Noise
Interior noise levels remain a weak point but are markedly improved over previous generations, especially hardtop models. Wind and tire noise are prominent at highway speeds, especially with soft tops or aggressive off-road tires. Hardtop models and higher trims with acoustic glass improve cabin quietness, but the Wrangler is still louder than competitors like the Ford Bronco and Land Rover Defender. The 4xe is quieter at low speeds due to electric operation.

Interior Design & Comfort
The 2025 Wrangler's cabin blends rugged utility with modern tech. Materials vary by trim-basic plastics in Sport, soft-touch surfaces and stitched panels in Sahara and High Altitude. The dashboard is upright and functional, dominated by the new 12.3-inch touchscreen. Controls are chunky and glove-friendly. Optional features include leather upholstery, heated seats, and ambient lighting. Storage is decent, with lockable bins and drainable floor.

Technology & Safety
Tech upgrades for 2025 include standard wireless smartphone integration, improved voice recognition, and access to Jeep's app store. Safety features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. Over 85 safety and security features are available, though advanced driver assist systems are limited compared to unibody SUVs.

Seating & Access
Seating configurations include two-door (four seats) and four-door Unlimited (five seats). Front seats offer good headroom and upright posture, with optional 12-way power adjustment. Rear seats in the Unlimited are spacious enough for adults, though legroom is tight in two-door models. Entry and exit are easy in four-door trims, but higher ride height and narrow openings make two-door access more challenging. The removeable roof options and removable doors are a plus, but unlike Bronco, when you remove the Wrangler's doors, the mirrors come as well, making the vehicle not street legal. Jeep offers add-on mirrors through its MOPAR parts department.

Cargo & Storage
Cargo space in the four-door Unlimited is 31.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.4 cubic feet with seats folded. Two-door models offer 12.9 to 31.7 cubic feet depending on configuration. Interior storage includes locking glovebox, center console, and underfloor bins. USB-A and USB-C ports are standard, with optional 115V AC power outlets in higher trims.

2025 Jeep Wrangler

Bottom Line
Despite newer competitors, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler remains the benchmark in the off-road SUV segment, offering unmatched trail capability, extensive customization, and a heritage that few rivals can match. Its strengths lie in its body-on-frame construction, solid axles, removable doors and roof, and factory-ready off-road gear-features that make it more purpose-built than most competitors. Against the Ford Bronco, the Wrangler holds an edge in long-term aftermarket support and trail-tested credibility, though the Bronco counters with more refined on-road manners, independent front suspension, and a more modern cabin layout. Compared to the Toyota 4Runner, the Wrangler offers more drivetrain variety and open-air flexibility, while the 4Runner delivers superior long-term reliability and a smoother ride. The Land Rover Defender outclasses the Wrangler in luxury and technology, but at a significantly higher price and with less DIY appeal. Each of these competitors brings a distinct philosophy: Bronco for balanced adventure, 4Runner for durability, Defender for upscale exploration-but Wrangler remains the most iconic and modifiable of the bunch.

Where the Wrangler excels is in its breadth of configurations. It offers two-door and four-door body styles, multiple roof options (soft, hard, power-retractable), and a wide range of trims from bare-bones Sport to the fire-breathing Rubicon 392. It's also the only one in the group to offer a plug-in hybrid (4xe), giving buyers a taste of electrification without sacrificing off-road prowess. However, Wrangler lags behind in on-road comfort, cabin noise suppression, and advanced driver assistance tech-areas where Bronco and Defender have made notable strides. Fuel economy is also a weak spot, especially in the V6 and V8 models, though the 4xe helps offset that for urban and short-range drivers.

For buyers seeking the best value, the Willys 4xe or Rubicon X stand out. The Willys 4xe combines electric torque, locking rear differential, and off-road tires at a mid-tier price, making it a smart pick for eco-conscious adventurers. The Rubicon X, meanwhile, adds premium off-road hardware and tech without reaching the six-figure territory of the Rubicon 392. Ultimately, the Wrangler's value lies not just in its features, but in its enduring identity: it's not just an SUV-it's a lifestyle platform, a trail companion, and a blank canvas for customization. If you're building an editorial framework around off-road culture or electrified adventure, the Wrangler remains a cornerstone.

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Mark Bilek

Mark Bilek is the President of Auto Sales, Inc. and the General Manager of DriveChicago.com. Previously, he served as Senior Director of Communications and Technology for the Chicago Auto Trade Association. Mark has been reviewing vehicles for more than two decades. Prior to working at the CATA, he was associate publisher at Consumer Guide, where he oversaw publication of Consumer Guide Car & Truck Test, Consumer Guide's Used Car Book, and ConsumerGuide.com. He was also responsible for publication of "Collectible Automobile" and various hardcover automotive titles. In 2001 and 2002 he served as president of a Midwest Automotive Media Association. Mark has appeared on NBC TV, ABC TV, Fox News, WGN and MotorTrend TV as an automotive consultant. He currently co-hosts the Drive Chicago radio show on WLS 890 AM and was a regular guest on WGN Radio's Steve & Johnnie show.

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