by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
With a new year, and a new production run, on the horizon, Jeep this week announced it is making a few changes and updates to its Wrangler and Gladiator models.
For starters, all Sahara and Rubicon editions will now come standard with premium audio and the top end 8.4-inch touchscreen UConnect infotainment system. Sport and Sport S vehicles will also see an upgrade to a standard 7-inch screen. Only the base sport model without air conditioning will keep the smallest 5-inch screen. Meanwhile, Gladiator buyers who upgrade to the Mojave, Rubicon or Overland will receive a standard nine speaker Alpine system along with that 8.4-inch touchscreen.
Additionally, remote proximity keyless entry is now a standard feature on all Sahara and Rubicon models. This allows owners to open the vehicle’s door without hitting the keyfob unlock button, as long as that fob is somewhere close to the door. Remote proximity keyless entry remains an option for Sport and Sport S buyers.
For those interested in the Rubicon, Jeep is providing an available 4.88 axle ratio with the 3.6L Pentastar engine that provides a powerful 100:1 crawl rate. This option is immediately available for manual transmission vehicles, and will phase in on automatic Rubicon versions later in 2022.
Smaller changes for the 2022 model year Wrangler and Gladiators include a new standard cabin air filter that Jeep says removes 95 percent of particulates, standard blue tow hooks on the 4xe Wrangler, as well as blue pad prints on its wheels. The High Altitude 4xe gets a new 20-inch wheel design and exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals as standard features.
Finally, Jeep is removing billet silver as an exterior color option in favor of Silver Zynith.
Nothing is changing in the engine department as the brand is keeping all its current powerplant options going into the new production year, which includes the 3.6-liter Pentastar eTorque, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder, 6.4-liter Hemi (392 edition) and 3.0-liter EcoDiesel, as well as that 2.0-liter turbocharged engine for the 4xe hybrid.
Jeep is also still featuring its optional Xtreme Recon package, which is available on Willys and Rubicon Unlimited editions with a 3.6-liter Pentastar, and Rubicon 392 models. That package includes 35-inch BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires, 17x8-inch beadlock capable wheels, 4.56:1 axle ratio, swing gate reinforcement and 1.5-inch Mopar suspension lift.
The Wrangler will continue to be offered in seven trim levels, while the Gladiator still has five versions. Prices start at $29,725 for the Wrangler and at $35,610 for the Gladiator with both figures excluding a $1,595 destination fee.
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