[Wrangler JL News]

Creature comforts and dash design wasn’t really the Wrangler’s forte and after 10 years, the JK’s interior can look a bit dated. With the new Wrangler JL, Jeep looks to be making small exterior tweaks whilst giving the interior an overhaul.

AutoBlog spy photographers were able to take the first ever spy shots of the JL’s interior and it looks to be much improved from its predecessor’s hard plastics and outdated infotainment interface, more akin to a normal SUV. The dashboard is still shallow and largely vertical, but this time around it’ll be colored with a large infotainment screen taking center stage.

Most likely, the Wrangler JL will use Fiat-Chrysler’s Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system to control vehicle navigation, music and heated seats, and displays information on vehicle settings and climate control. Sitting under the screen is an array of buttons and knobs, which interestingly includes window controls, meaning the doors could still be fully removable. There are also four auxiliary control buttons for all your winching, light bar, and off-road modding needs.

The overall quality of materials used seems to be of nicer quality, but we do wonder if it’ll still be as weatherproof as its predecessor’s dashboard. In the Wrangler’s previous iterations, there are drain plugs in the floor for easy cleaning after a muddy ride and owners won’t have to worry about sudden downpours damaging the infotainment system.

There’s plenty to see if you take your time and zoom into the Wrangler JL spy shots. Let us know what you think of the new interior.

2018 Jeep Wrangler Interior Album
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[Johnson]

I actually really don't like that trim that's in there... it looks so awkward and cheap

 

[Gina]

Not a fan of the red? It's not bad, really dependent on the material they use because the texture can make the red either look really great or really cheap.

 

[Johnson]

Looks like trim pieces off of a PT cruiser kind of thing. That shiny really plastic feeling stuff. Shouldn't be too hard to wrap it in a black vinyl though and I'm just being really picky lol.

 

[JeepFan]

Didn't expect that kind of feedback about the dash. Personally I love it, adds the perfect level of retro feel all while incorporating the right amount of modern styling.

Jeep is doing the right thing. Here we have more uniform styling, compared to the JK.

 

[Johnson]

I find the JK interior to be uniform though as everything is harmonized together. With the JL now, we have a random splash of color on an awkward split panel lol

Again, just my opinion though

 

[Gina]

One are they could have done better in is the info screen surround, looks odd and cheap.

 

[JeepFan]

One are they could have done better in is the info screen surround, looks odd and cheap.

I'm all for it because of retro styling.

If you look back at some retro styles you'll see certain areas are raised much like what we're seeing here. But not only that but it looks good.

From all I see, i'm content with the interior.

 

[Gina]

I'm personally not a fan. but I assume it's raised for weatherproofing reasons so all the seams are covered and water won't leak in.

 

[Johnson]

Completely forgot about weather proofing the interior as that's a big thing for Wranglers. What other measures do they take to try and weather proof it?

 

[JeepFan]

I'm personally not a fan. but I assume it's raised for weatherproofing reasons so all the seams are covered and water won't leak in.

Never thought about that because well... how would it become vulnerable to the elements? Unless you know something I don't, it doesn't make any logical sense.

 

[Johnson]

Getting caught in the rain with the tops off perhaps?

 

[Gina]

Depending on where you live that can happen, especially in warmer climates. Or the assumption that the weather channel is accurate... I've been caught without an umbrella a few times and that's most likely going to happen with the Wrangler as well.

 

[JeepFan]

Getting caught in the rain with the tops off perhaps?

Even that isn't much of an issue, unless you really fail to plan and put the top up in good timing, then the interior will be soaked. Most owners don't have that issue. Even when assembling the top while its raining you'll come out somewhat good.

 

[Gina]

Shouldn't be too much of an issue in the new JL if we're really getting a power-retractable top option. Push of a button and it'll just slide into place when needed.

 

[Johnson]

Having had to put back on soft-tops on Wranglers before, it's not such a quick and easy process. It's not hard, but it's kinda tedious and a bit of a pain. A power retractable top is really going to make me a very happy person haha.

 

[Gina]

Lowering a soft top, especially on the unlimited is a pain and that's why people see parked Wranglers with the tops down. A power soft-top would definitely weigh more but the time and effort it saves seems to be a fair trade off.

 

[Johnson]

It'll weigh more but you wouldn't even notice it. Plus these going to be used for racing and the engines in them will be optimized for the weight compensation. Not much to worry about again. The only thing I would say there is to worry about is going to be the reliability of the motors and assembly of the retractable soft-top.

 

[Gina]

I'm sure it'll be fine for the Wrangler, Jeep can just borrow some of the power top tech from other sibling companies under the FCA branch. With such a large cooperation, I'm sure some of their models have power tops.

 

[Johnson]

Not in the same configuration, but they could get the motor assembly from another vehicle I suppose from a convertible top somewhere in the FCA line up. The motor assembly is essentially the biggest thing, making the arms and folding brackets doesn't take much at all.