Jeep has long been known as the ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’ brand. And for those who want to do just that with the company’s latest Wrangler vehicle, well, you’re going to need to cough up a few more pennies. Like, a lot of pennies.
That’s because the automaker Wednesday officially announced base prices for each of its newest 2018 Wrangler JL trim levels – ones containing the gasoline Pentastar V6, six-speed manual transmission and soft top – will jump anywhere from $2,600 to $3,350 over similar outgoing JK models.
Fresh off unveiling the line at the Los Angeles Auto Show, as well as allowing industry writers a first drive in the Arizona desert, Jeeps says its entry level Sport two-door model will hit the market at $26,995, a $3,000 increase over the corresponding 2017 JK. This one is about as bare bones as a Jeep gets, with no air conditioning, power windows or locks. However, this is also one of the more popular editions for those who expect to ‘bulk up’ the vehicle through the aftermarket. It’s four-door compliment starts at $30,495, a $2,600 jump from 2017.
A step up from the Sport is the Sport S package, coming in at $30,195 ($3,200 over 2017) for 2dr and $33,695 ($2,600 more than 2017) in 4dr. This trim level adds those previously mentioned creature comforts, as well as other things like power mirrors, different wheels and a variety of optional packages not offered on the standard Sport.
For 2018, Jeep is ditching the 2dr Sahara and will only offer a 4dr version at $37,345 (up $3,050 from 2017). Besides more upscale enhancements like body-color matched flares and hardtop, this level also offers 18” wheels, and a more refined interior with leather trim, heating options for the steering wheel and seats, as well as the largest (8.4”) available UConnect screen. It is also the only trim level with an optional Selec-Trac two-speed transfer case with full-time four-wheel-drive – a first for Wrangler.
The off-road tiered Rubicon Wrangler is the line’s top trim level and hits dealerships at $36,995 ($3,350 over 2017) for 2dr and $40,495 ($3,050 more than 2017) in 4dr. This one gets you, among other things, stronger axles with Dana 44s in front and rear, beefier transfer case, electronic lockers and sway bar disconnects, alternate cowl-style hood and better axle ratios as well as stronger crawl ratio.
One thing to note, none of these prices include the required $1,195 destination charge, which is up $100 from 2017. Nor do they include any optional packages or equipment, as Jeep has not yet released a pricing for additional products.
While these price increases may all seem quite a bit higher compared to years’ past, the 2018 Wrangler is an entirely redesigned vehicle that will hit showrooms with new materials inside and out. Things like aluminum in the windshield, doors, hood, fenders, and magnesium/aluminum in the tailgate - as well as high-strength steel throughout the frame, higher quality dash, digital driver instrument cluster, push button start, engine start/stop and proximity keyless entry which justifies most of the cost increase over the older JK edition.
The 2018 JL Wrangler is currently in production and available to order.
For a vehicle walkthrough, take a look at our review here. Or, for a more comprehensive spec list, check out our inclusive list here.
