2022 Jeep Wrangler: If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It
Andrew Koole
· 4 min read
If you’re buying a
Jeep
Wrangler, you know what you’re getting. The iconic SUV (debatably the first SUV) has evolved since its days hauling G.I.’s around Europe in WWII, but much of its original rough-it-camping charm is still intact.The 2022 Jeep Wrangler is no different. It might have the same modern conveniences as other models—a touchscreen, cruise control, a decent stereo—but it still tackles trails like a Jeep, much to the chagrin of critics who prefer the more refined street-driving experience of its rivals.
One of the only things being added to the Wrangler this year is the new Willys Xtreme Recon trim. The mid-level model harkens back to the vehicle’s heritage in name while upgrading a pile of its components. The new trim could help the Wrangler battle its new competitor, the Ford Bronco.
What do critics not get about the Jeep Wrangler?
The modern Jeep Wrangler isn’t known for getting great reviews from car critics. But at the same time, it is known for maintaining its value better than almost any other car on the road. So where’s the disconnect?
The problem is that car critics rate every model in comparison to each other, each vehicle graded based on a performance checklist. How smooth is the transmission? How noticeable are the bumps in the road? Is it comfortable? Etcetera.
A Jeep Wrangler’s character doesn’t exactly fit this mold. It doesn’t feel like a Mazda CX3 because it wasn’t built to drive like a Mazda CX3. It was built to get dirty. Wrangler fans know this, and so complaints about stiff suspension don’t bother them. It’s actually what they want.
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Are there any legitimate complaints about the 2022 Jeep Wrangler?
MORE: The Jeep Wrangler Ranks Amazing in 2 of the Categories that Matter Most
The latest Jeep Wrangler succumbed to the same results from critics as its predecessors. Since at least 2018,
Consumer Reports
has rated the 2022 Wrangler as a below-average SUV. Scan the review of any model year and you’ll see a lot of yellow, orange, and red.For the 2022 Wrangler, the end result of the review was a score of 28 out of 100 points—a failing grade by long shot. The classic issues were all present: bumpy rides, wind noise, subpar brake speeds. But again, these things are part of what makes a Wrangler a Wrangler.
One concern shoppers might want to take note of is the SUV’s fuel economy which has never been great.
The 2021 model saw a one-mile improvement over the previous year’s 17-mpg average, and the 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain that was introduced the same year garnered a few extra points, but the 2022 Wrangler doesn’t offer any further progress to these advances.
The cost of owning a 2022 Wrangler
MORE: Where Is the Jeep Wrangler Secret Compartment?
Starting prices for Wranglers are as wide as they come. Though they haven’t yet reached dealers,
Car and Driver
says the base Wrangler Sport is expected to cost about $31,000 while the top-trim Rubicon 392 will start at a whopping $78,000.Once you get your hands on one though, the Jeep Wrangler,
iSeeCars
says it will depreciate slower than any other car, meaning you’ll be able to get back more of that first investment than other drivers.What about the cost of car insurance?
In terms of
car insurance
, rates for the Jeep Wrangler are a little above the national average. But you can avoid getting stuck with those premiums by shopping with Jerry
. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and will even help you cancel your old policy.
