From the start I always thought they should have been using more aluminum but at this rate it seems we'll be in for a long wait before they consider it again. The only other thing we'll see to improve power to weight ratio is an increase of power and torque via a hybrid powertrain.
2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 267 Miles Later
Wranglers are masters at traversing over roads less travelled by, but they won’t always stay off the beaten path as a daily driver. That’s where Brandon Turkus from Motor Authority comes in. He wanted to see if the 2018 Wrangler JL has improved as a daily commuter compared to its predecessor.
Armed with a Rubicon Unlimited with a 6-speed manual gearbox and 3.6-liter V-6 engine, Brandon proceeded to put 267 miles of commute on the clock.
There’s much to love in the new Wrangler with its long list of equipment including a 7.0-inch instrument display, 8.4-inch touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate control, LED lights, and both heated seats and steering wheel. While still sticking to its Wrangler roots, Jeep has made some very noticeable changes in the cabin.
Not only did the equipment get an update, but so did the Wrangler’s handling. There’s a new “sense of stability” thanks to the JL’s new electro-hydraulic steering rack, which requires less driver input when moving at speed. Then there’s the JL’s lineup of engines with a 2.0-liter mild hybrid system and diesel option on the way.
Of course the Wrangler is not perfect and we wouldn’t expect it to be, but these small niggles may cause irritation to some. Fuel economy is not the best and hitting that 17-mpg figure may be a challenge, the ride could be more comfortable, wind noise is noticeable, smaller front windshield affects field of vision, and a few other complaints can be found in Brandon’s review.
Let us know what you think of the new Wrangler JL as a daily driver.
