2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon MOPAR - Driven
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Jeep Wrangler Rubicon MOPAR - Driven
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Year:2019
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Transform your dull commute into an adventure!
Few vehicles on the market today roll off the production line ready to handle the open road and the rockiest of paths, but the Wrangler is probably the most prominent of the few. There have always been a few caveats, though. It’s great for on- and off-road use, but you don’t exactly get the quietest cabin in the world. The on-road ride has also, traditionally, been a little rougher than other models in this segment. Or, at least that’s what we thought until we actually had a chance to take the new Wrangler JL for a test drive. After spending a week with the JL Wrangler we’ve come to realize that the Wrangler actually sits in a segment all its own. Despite our efforts, we can’t find another model this size, with a full-frame, that comes off the showroom floor ready to handle the business.
The real question is, however, whether or not the new JL Wrangler can still handle those off-road thrills but provide a more modern feel inside and more comfortable on-road ride. That’s a tall order for something designed for off-roading first, but the natural evolution of the Wrangler has put it in a unique position on the market. It honestly has no direct competitors in a true sense, and its go-anywhere mentality has been improved with fresh on-road manors. Is it enough to widen the Wrangler’s appeal and make it interesting to those that have traditionally searched for softer crossovers? Does the full-frame, solid-axle arrangement still stand on its own in this ever-evolving market where unibody construction and independent suspension is the norm? Is the JL Wrangler still a jack of all trades that’s good for a weekend of fun and carrying a small family during the week?
These are questions that we now have answers to, thanks to a week spent with the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. We didn’t just have any run-of-the-mill Rubicon, though. The Wrangler that showed up at TopSpeed HQ also included a ferocious amount of MOPAR parts that makes it more off-road ready than ever. So, that raises one more question that we have to answer – at what point does molesting the MOPAR catalog move the Wrangler from a modest daily driver to something that’s more suited for weekend thrills? This is our full, hands-on review of the 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL (with tons of Mopar parts) and our story of a week’s worth of fun, honest acclimation into a world that we seldom get to experience.
Latest Jeep Wrangler news and reviews:
Doug Demuro Thinks The Jeep Rubicon 392 Is The Ultimate Wrangler
Doug DeMuro recently got a chance to take an up-close look at the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392. The Wrangler has pretty much had a niche market to itself for the longest time, but we first saw the Rubicon 392 about a year ago and it was obviously conceived in response to the revival of the Ford Bronco.
The Ford Bronco Is No Match For The Jeep Wrangler 4xe In Drag Races
The Ford Bronco has been at the Wrangler’s throat ever since it was conceptualized. Targeted to take it on from all the sides, the Bronco came out all guns blazing. However, Jeep has made some smart and methodical strikes to some of Bronco’s most vulnerable areas that have skewed the results back in balance. For starters, there was the announcement of the V-8 Wrangler hours before the Bronco’s much-anticipated debut. Then there was the adoption of electrification in the form of the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid. While you can get the V-8 conversion, you can’t get a plug-in hybrid setup installed on the Bronco, thus giving the edge to the Jeep product.
While the off-roading prowess of the Bronco is as good as – if not better – than the Wrangler 4xe, the on-road performance is not. To test this out, the folks at The Fast Lane Car decided to test this out by pitting the two for a series of straight-line races.
2021 Jeep Wrangler Black Hawk by Chelsea Truck Company
The Chelsea Truck Company, by KAHN Design, is synonymous with giving some truly astounding makeovers to Wranglers, Defenders & G Wagons. They recently took the wraps off of their latest mod, based on the Jeep Wrangler, which looks really menacing. As ever, they have created something really special with the Black Hawk variant for 2021.
Watch a Ford Bronco take on a Jeep Wrangler at the Drag Strip
Jeep Wrangler Xtreme Recon Package - Jeep’s Answer to the Ford Bronco’s Sasquatch Package?
After dominating the off-roading niche for decades together, the Jeep Wrangler finally has a true-blue competitor in the form of the new 2021 Ford Bronco. The revived Bronco came out all guns blazing to step up to the apex predator of the segment. The companies have been trying to go one-up against their respective rival, but it still seems to be as close as ever.
Jeep has made a move once again by coming up with an Xtreme Recon package for the Wrangler. This takes the off-roading capabilities to the next level, just like the Sasquatch Package does for the Ford Bronco. To quote from George Villiers’ play from the 17th century - “Ay, now the Plot thickens very much upon us.” Indeed!
Jeep Wrangler Magneto: How Jeep Plans to Make the Wrangler All-Electric
2021 Jeep Wrangler Black Hawk Expedition by Chelsea Truck Company
Kahn Automobiles and Chelsea Truck Company have been produced many Jeep Wrangler iterations in the recent past, and yet every model seems quite different from the other. The latest Wrangler rendition is what the tuner calls the Black Hawk Expedition. It comes with a plethora of changes inside out that sets it apart from the other Wranglers in the crowd. Looks sweet, doesn’t it?
2021 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts
Well, it’s that time of the year again. For us off-road enthusiasts, this is nothing short of Christmas. Moab is going to be lit again starting 27 March 2021, courtesy of several concepts that Jeep has planned to bring this year. After pulling out of the 2020 Easter Jeep Safari because of the pandemic, the automaker has returned to the 2021 edition with seven different vehicles comprising of Wrangler and Gladiators. The pick of the lot, however, would be the first fully-electric Wrangler. Will this event make enough impact for people to forget about the Bronco for some time?
Jeep All Set To Debut The Wrangler EV Concept Next Month
Until a few years back, there was an unsaid notion that hatches and sedans would be electrified first (the urban commuters) and off-roaders would evolve at the end. But, that is definitely not the scene right now. Back in September 2020, Jeep introduced the Wrangler 4xe, a plug-in hybrid version of the standard Wrangler. Now the automaker has confirmed the concept electric version of the Wrangler on its “Road Ahead” site and it will be presented at the Easter Jeep Safari that’s scheduled to start on March 28, 2021.
The 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 392 is the Second Most Expensive Jeep Ever
Jeep is finally giving us a V-8-powered Wrangler, for the first time since the nameplate was introduced in 1987, but it will cost a pretty penny.
According to a recent leak, the 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 392 will start from around $75,000, which is a massive premium over the regular Rubicon and a sticker that puts it above the Grand Cherokee SRT.
Forget Every Christmas Gift Idea You Have and Just Buy the Lego Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Sometime during the upcoming holiday season, I’m going to make time to go through my growing pile of Lego boxes. I’m going to need to go through them quickly because come January 1, 2021, Lego’s going to be taking more of my money once the $169 Technic Ferrari 488 GTE goes on sale. But that’s not the only Lego kit dropping that day. The Technic McLaren Senna will also hit stores, and as if those two kits weren’t enough, Lego announced that it’ll also drop the newly-revealed Technic Jeep Wrangler Rubicon kit. The drops are happening at the turn of the new year, which, I suppose is a good thing. There’s no better way to say goodbye to the shit show that was 2020 by rolling up our sleeves and building Lego kits to kick-off 2021. The Wrangler Rubicon kit, in particular, looks like a fun project. Plus, at just $49.99, it’s a lot cheaper than the $169.99 price tag of the 488 GTE kit.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 packs 470-horsepower V-8; still off-road capable
When Ford revived the Bronco earlier in 2020, Jeep introduced the V-8-powered Wrangler 392 Concept. But what seemed like a PR stunt created to crash Ford’s celebration has morphed into a production model. Meet the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392, the first-ever Wrangler powered by a V-8 engine and the most powerful Wrangler built since the nameplate was introduced back in 1987. The muscular powerplant, shared with the Dodge Charger and Challenger, is backed by enhanced off-road capability and several special features inside and out.
2020 Jeep Wrangler Protest Edition By Chelsea Truck Company
Chelsea Truck Company has returned with another Jeep Wrangler rendition called the Protest Edition. Although the name could be considered slightly controversial, the changes made to the SUV are pretty neat. Nothing under the hood has been changed and it is stock, which means all the changes are cosmetic only. This Wrangler is a right-hand-drive model and is brand-new, unlike some of the examples from Chelsea lately that have had previous owners.
2021 Jeep Wrangler 80th Anniversary Edition
To commemorate the brand’s eight-decade existence, Jeep has introduced the “80th Anniversary Edition” for six of its vehicles - the Wrangler, Gladiator, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Compass, and the Renegade. While most of the changes are cosmetic, some come with a few new features. On the Wrangler, the special edition package is available for both two- and four-door models.
2020 Jeep Wrangler CJ400 By Kahn Automobiles
The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most sought-after vehicles for tuners and aftermarket companies, thanks to its mod-friendly nature. While Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts offer hundreds of accessories for this off-roader, there are a lot of aftermarket companies that customize it in their unique ways as well.
One such unique, impressive build comes courtesy of none other than Afzal Kahn of the Chelsea Truck Company. Although the SUV is right up there in terms of ruggedness, what makes this different is how luxurious it is on the inside, something that’s uncommon on the Wrangler.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon versus Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe
Jeep took the wraps off the Wrangler 4xe and it seems like an environment-friendly off-roader. Although there were some apprehensions about this new hybrid version of the off-roader, the automaker has made big claims. While the company has hyped the Wrangler 4xe in general, there was one claim that said “New Level of Benchmark Jeep Off-road Capability”. From what we knew before the launch, the 4xe was going to be a hybrid version of the standard Wrangler that would be more efficient and a little more torquey. Now that it has been unveiled, does it offer a new level of off-road capability?
Jeep has provided some information on the Wrangler 4xe’s models and specs, but there’s still a lot that’s not known. So, for the sake of comparison, we’ll be pitting the Rubicon trims of the standard Wrangler and the Wrangler 4xe, and here’s how they measure:
Jeep Wrangler 4xe Is Still The Same Rugged Off-Roader, But A Lot More Powerful and Efficient
At one point, it looked like Jeep will be one of the last automakers to adopt electrification, but the company has started taking steps towards it. Jeep unveiled the Wrangler 4xe, its third hybrid vehicle that joins the Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe. Since this is a hybrid addition, it features a lot of changes under the hood, but things are pretty much the same on the inside and the outside. With the addition of two motors that bring in extra horses and torque, will the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe perform better than its pure internal-combustion engined avatar?
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the fastest, most powerful Wrangler ever produced
The Jeep Wrangler is legendary for its rugged design and impressive capability on the unbeaten path. And that’s mostly why the idea of an electrified Wrangler seemed ridiculous until recently. But Jeep is slowly electrifying its lineup and, somewhat surprisingly, it picked the Wrangler as the first nameplate to benefit from a full-fledged hybrid setup. And the result is the fastest and most powerful Wrangler developed so far!
Jeep added a new version to its Wrangler lineup: called Wrangler 4xe - the new model has been described as the most capable, technically advanced and eco-friendly Wrangler ever. The car is also the third hybrid car in Jeep’s lineup next to the Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe models.
FCA’s New ’Carbide" Trademark Hints At a More Hardcore Wrangler or Ram 1500
The new Ford Bronco might be garnering all the attention right now, but FCA is working on something quietly in the backdrop. According to Muscle Cars and Trucks, FCA filed for a trademark for the ‘Carbide’ nameplate. The trademark was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on July 1. FCA as a whole is coming with multiple products, but given the timing and the Bronco’s onslaught on Jeep Wrangler, it could probably be for the production version of the recently-announced Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept.
Ford Bronco vs. Jeep Wrangler
The highly anticipated Ford Bronco is finally here. Discontinued after five generations in 1996, the Bronco nameplate returned after almost 25 years. That’s big news for SUV enthusiasts, but it’s equally important that Ford finally offers a competitor for the Jeep Wrangler.
The latter is by far the most popular option when it comes to rugged, off-road-ready SUVs, so the Bronco has a very difficult mission upon its return. Does it have what it takes to compete with the Wrangler? Is it better than Jeep’s tried-and-true off-roader? Well, these are questions that will get solid answers once the Bronco starts rolling off the assembly line and we get our hands on one. But until that happens, here’s a thorough comparison that reveals how they stack against each other on paper.
Jeep Unveils Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept Just So It Can Ruin Ford’s Party Tonight
We’re less than 10 hours away from the much-anticipated 2021 Ford Bronco’s unveiling, and its primary rival, the Jeep Wrangler, has decided to gatecrash the party. The company teased a 6.4-liter, V-8 HEMI engine just a couple of days ago in a Facebook post and now it has confirmed its arrival in the form of the Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept.
Ford has been messing around with the Jeep ever since the Bronco was announced, so the news of the Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept couldn’t have come at a better time. Kudos to Jeep for sneaking under the limelight and stealing it from the Bronco just hours before the grand reveal. Point: Jeep.
Jeep Teases a Wrangler V-8 Right Before The Bronco’s Reveal
Just a couple of days before the highly anticipated launch of the 2021 Bronco, Jeep decided to have some fun. The automaker put up a post of Facebook showing the Wrangler’s hood with "392" written on it. It could even be the Gladiator’s hood, but given the timing, we’re more inclined towards it being the Wrangler’s hood.
Anyway, the 392 denotes a 6.4-liter, V-8 HEMI engine that enthusiasts have craved to have in the Wrangler, but the automaker never obliged. With the Bronco’s launch just around the corner, this is Jeep’s way of stealing the former’s thunder. Has it caught everyone’s attention? Oh yes!
Jeep Hopes to Fend Off the Ford Bronco by Giving the Wrangler More Standard Equipment
Ford has decided to go all guns blazing on Jeep with the Bronco. The Blue Oval seems to have gotten everything covered; from stuff like removable doors and roof to tire packages that match the Wrangler’s profile. It started looking like Jeep was losing out on all its unique selling points, but it has decided to do something that the Bronco probably can’t in its infancy stage – offer more bang for the buck.
According to MoparInsiders.com, Jeep could start offering more standard equipment on the 2021 Wrangler model to fend off the attack from Ford Bronco. Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it?
Jeep’s Design Boss Just Made a Bold Statement About a Wrangler EV - Do You Agree?
Electric vehicles are taking over the automotive market and there’s not much we can do about it. It started with hatches and sedans, but the transition is trickling down to hardcore off-roaders as well. We’ve already heard the news about an electric Jeep Wrangler.
So far, all we knew was that FCA is considering one and it will come down the line. It was bound to happen anyway. Now, however, Jeep’s design chief has ascertained that it will be better than the current ICE-powered Wrangler. Does this mean that the current Wrangler has reached its saturation point and there’s no scope for further improvement until an electric powertrain is plonked in?
Ridiculous Drag Race: LSX-Powered Willys Jeep vs. Chevy Corvette Z06
If you are into street races, you should check out 1320video on YouTube. We stumbled across a video from 2014 that features a street race between a Corvette Z06 and an LSX Willys Jeep. The latter is customized and pumps out around 750 horses. The Corvette Z06 also seems to be tuned to generate some extra horses. This night race is going to blow your mind off because the Jeep doesn’t feature a door, or roof, or even seatbelts!
The Chrysler Prowler-Jeep Wrangler Hybrid In This Video Will Haunt Your Dreams
The Jeep Wrangler is one of the coolest and most popular off-road SUVs available. The Plymouth Prowler, although no longer in production, was a cool design inspired by old-school hot rods. Both are awesome vehicles to have, but merge them together and it could spell disaster design-wise. And yes, someone actually created a hybrid between the Wrangler and the Prowler and the result isn’t very fortunate.
2020 Jeep Wrangler by Sterling Automotive UK
The Jeep Wrangler has been around for many decades now. Its reputation in the automotive community and sales figures are testimony to the SUV’s success. Folks who are looking for an adventurous truck with impeccable off-roading skills often have the Wrangler at the top of their list. Even when aftermarket companies work on the Wrangler, they generally work on increasing its off-roading prowess. However, there are only a few who work on the aesthetics inside out. And, there’s no doubt that the Wrangler does not top the list when it comes to luxury and the finesse.
However, a British company called Sterling Automotive has decided to take this route for its version of the Wrangler. Sterling hasn’t made any changes under the hood or to the mechanicals of the SUV. It’s only cosmetic and aesthetic upgrades are to the exterior and the interior.
The 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL Could Be Considered a Rollover Hazard
This is not good news for Jeep. The 2019 Wrangler JL was recently tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and it tipped onto its side, not once, but twice. This led to the model receiving a “Marginal” rating for the driver-side small overlap front crash test. However, the SUV did well in taking care of the driver’s space to protect the legs and feet, and the dummy’s movements were well-controlled. Will this news affect the sales of the popular Wrangler JL?
Everything You Need to Know About the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Mojave
At the 2020 Chicago Auto Show, Jeep introduced the Gladiator Mojave; a truck with renewed vigor and improved ruggedness to conquer the deserts. It was the first Jeep to receive the newly-coined ‘Desert Rated’ badge.
It looks like the company wants to take give this badge to other products as well. According to MoparInsiders, Jeep is planning to give the 2021 Wrangler the same treatment. Will a Desert Rated SUV be preferred to the truck?
2020 Jeep Wrangler JPP 20
It won’t be wrong to say that the Jeep Wrangler is a cult of sorts when it comes to customizing a vehicle. The Wrangler is one of the most customizable vehicles not just with aftermarket accessories, but also thanks to the rich directory of the in-house guide, Mopar.
The Wrangler comes with so many optional accessories and packages that it might leave you scratching your head. To help you with this conundrum, Jeep decided to customize the Wrangler in-house with accessories and call it the 2020 Jeep Wrangler JPP 20. It was showcased at the Chicago Auto Show and it did grab a fair bit of attention. Looks pretty sweet, doesn’t it?
2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Xtreme-Trail Rated
If you peep into the Mopar directory, you will see numerous packages and accessories for almost all the products owned by FCA. These packages are hugely popular with the SUV and truck owners.
Recently, it was revealed that a Wrangler owner spends an average of $800 on additional stuff from the factory itself when buying the vehicle. Jeep decided to capitalize on this even more and came up with a special edition for the Wrangler called Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Xtreme-Trail Rated.
Essentially, it is a culmination of a few packages that Jeep already has to offer along with a new yellow body paint. But, to maintain exclusivity, the company has capped the production to just 100 examples. Also, it will be available only in Mexico! Por qué harías eso, Jeep?
Video: Would You Drive This Six-Wheeled Jeep Wrangler in the U.S.?
When you talk about a beast on six wheels, the sight of Richard Hammond driving a G63 on the sand dunes around Dubai comes to mind. But here’s one other example, and perhaps, a poor man’s Mercedes-AMG G63 6X6.
A 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has been converted from an SUV to a pickup truck, and from a four-wheel config to a six-wheel one. YouTuber Doug DeMuro got his hands on it and here’s what it is all about.
Can a Turbo Diesel Jeep Wrangler Hold Up in a Drag Race Against a Gladiator, Ram Rebel, and Ford F-250?
We are always excited to see a drag race between monster vehicles. It’s one thing to see supercars race, but a completely different feeling to see huge beasts rev the holy hell out of their engines.
This time around, the guys at TFL raced three pickup trucks and an SUV in a gauntlet-style race where the winner of a round proceeds to the next to face a new opponent. The last standing contender wins it all. For this race, we have the likes of Jeep Gladiator, Ram Rebel, Ford F-250 Super Duty, and Jeep Wrangler. So, let the games begin!
Watch Four Off-Road Beasts Go Up Against Each Other in a Drag Fest
It’s fun to see off-roaders climb rocks and maneuver through treacherous paths with utmost ease. However, they can be scary when they are let loose with a heavy foot. In this video, we see four accomplished off-roaders go against each other, thanks to Carwow.
The vehicles in question are the likes of Land Rover Discovery, Toyota Land Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler, and Volkswagen Amarok. The Carwow folks decided to race these beasts in a straight-line dash to see who bests the others. Who do you think would win?
A Modded Ford F-150 Raptor and a Stripped Down Jeep Wrangler Head to the Drag Strip and We Didn’t Expect the Outcome
There are two things we can never get tired of – calling Trump a pumpkin and watching pickup trucks go at each other in a drag race. The folks at Carwow are here with another drag race, this time involving the two iconic American trucks – the Jeep Wrangler and the Ford F-150 Raptor. Hold on; there’s a twist. While the Wrangler comes in stock form, the F-150 Raptor doesn’t. Will this tilt the scales in the Blue Oval’s favor?
A Suzuki Jimny Takes on the Mercedes G-Class and Jeep Wrangler - Who Wins?
This is the ultimate battle of the boxy off-roaders. The folks at Carwow pitted the Suzuki Jimny, the Jeep Wrangler, and the Mercedes G-Class against each other in a series of off-road tests to determine which off-roader would actually come out triumphant. Although all the three SUVs share similar styling cues – the boxy design mostly - and are pure off-roaders at their core, they cater to different customer bases altogether. Which SUV do you think won the battle?
You Can Now Order the 2020 Jeep Wrangler JL With a Diesel, But The Cost Is Almost Unbearable
Well, this is some big news that will interest all the Jeep Wrangler fans out there. JLWranglerForums has received a scoop on the pricing of the diesel engine option. As it turns out, the famed 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine will be available as optional on the 2020 Jeep Wrangler JL for $6,000.
This includes the price of the eight-speed automatic gearbox as well. But there’s a catch. Although the premise of this engine making its way under the hood of the Wrangler is exciting at the onset, we are utterly disappointed that this engine cannot be mated to a manual transmission. Come on, Jeep. Why can’t you let us have the cake and eat it too this one time?
Driving the New Jeep Wrangler JL on a Harsh Off-Road Course Is a Confidence Boosting Experience
The newJeep Wrangler JL has been around for some time but we had the chance to put it to (hard) work where it belongs the most: that is, way off the beaten path. So we were handed a couple of Wrangler JL Saharas and encouraged to roam freely on an obstacle course that made sure neither we or the cars had it easy. Here’s what we can report in the wake of this off-roading experience.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Black Hawk Military Edition by Chelsea Truck Company
The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most mod-friendly off-roaders one can buy today. The company itself offers hundreds of accessories and packages through Mopar, but that doesn’t limit other aftermarket companies to work on the Wrangler.
One such company is the U.K.-based Chelsea Truck Company. The company currently works on the Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender, and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It makes many iterations of the Wrangler and the Defender, but in this piece, we’ll be looking at the Jeep Wrangler Black Hawk Military Edition.
Jeep Falls Victim to FCA Curse As The 2018-2019 Wrangler JL Falls Under Scrutiny for Bad Frame Welds and Steering Problems
Jeep has named all its products like they have got to do something with survival, or living through the hard, tough life by overcoming the oddities of nature; be it the Gladiator, or the Renegade, or any other product, for that matter.
And, from the looks of it, the automaker is living through a similar ordeal in the real world. The pain in its ass is the big watchdog called the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA is investigating the Jeep Wrangler this time for poorly welded frames that could affect the structural integrity of the SUV in the long run. In fact, this is not the first time this issue has come to light as it falls in line with another complaint on a similar trajectory from last year. Can Jeep catch a break?
This Australian Company Will Turn Your Jeep Wrangler JL Into an Overlanding Beast
Jeeps and overlanding are a match made in heaven. They go hand in hand like pancakes and maple syrup, which is something that companies are looking to explore to the fullest. One such company is ARB, which can fit every post-2018 Jeep Wrangler JL model with a bucketload of overlanding-focused parts. As if the Wrangler wasn’t tough enough, ARB’s Overlanding Package touches on literally every base you can think of. It’s pretty much like giving Hulk a gamma-ray potion, so let’s check out what’s what.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon MOPAR - Driven
Few vehicles on the market today roll off the production line ready to handle the open road and the rockiest of paths, but the Wrangler is probably the most prominent of the few. There have always been a few caveats, though. It’s great for on- and off-road use, but you don’t exactly get the quietest cabin in the world. The on-road ride has also, traditionally, been a little rougher than other models in this segment. Or, at least that’s what we thought until we actually had a chance to take the new Wrangler JL for a test drive. After spending a week with the JL Wrangler we’ve come to realize that the Wrangler actually sits in a segment all its own. Despite our efforts, we can’t find another model this size, with a full-frame, that comes off the showroom floor ready to handle the business.
The real question is, however, whether or not the new JL Wrangler can still handle those off-road thrills but provide a more modern feel inside and more comfortable on-road ride. That’s a tall order for something designed for off-roading first, but the natural evolution of the Wrangler has put it in a unique position on the market. It honestly has no direct competitors in a true sense, and its go-anywhere mentality has been improved with fresh on-road manors. Is it enough to widen the Wrangler’s appeal and make it interesting to those that have traditionally searched for softer crossovers? Does the full-frame, solid-axle arrangement still stand on its own in this ever-evolving market where unibody construction and independent suspension is the norm? Is the JL Wrangler still a jack of all trades that’s good for a weekend of fun and carrying a small family during the week?
These are questions that we now have answers to, thanks to a week spent with the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. We didn’t just have any run-of-the-mill Rubicon, though. The Wrangler that showed up at TopSpeed HQ also included a ferocious amount of MOPAR parts that makes it more off-road ready than ever. So, that raises one more question that we have to answer – at what point does molesting the MOPAR catalog move the Wrangler from a modest daily driver to something that’s more suited for weekend thrills? This is our full, hands-on review of the 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL (with tons of Mopar parts) and our story of a week’s worth of fun, honest acclimation into a world that we seldom get to experience.
A Train Wreck Could Have You Waiting Longer For your New Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Wrangler, or Chevy Silverado
This is the saddest news we’ve heard all day. A train derailed in Nevada a couple of days back, and 33 train cars were damaged in the aftermath. The train was also ferrying brand-new Jeeps, Chevrolets, and GMCs, and they have all been wrecked; well, to an extent. The photos were released by the Lincoln County Sherriff’s Office and are quite disturbing for car enthusiasts. Fortunately, there were no casualties and injuries, but these beautiful vehicles getting damaged is quite disturbing in itself. The forces say the ’debris’ will be cleared out by July 13th. If you were expecting a delivery of your vehicle from these brands anytime soon around Utah, Nevada, and California, you can most certainly expect a delay.
The Hellcat Engine Will Fit in the 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler But Jeep Won’t Do It For One Good Reason
This week, Jeep revealed six amazing builds ahead of the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. In 2019, almost all of these creations are based on the new Jeep Gladiator pickup truck with the single exception being the one that caught everyone’s attention: the Jeep Five-Quarter, an overhauled M-715 Gladiator-looking single cab pickup that packs a Hellcat V-8. This got everyone wondering again: why isn’t Jeep putting out a Gladiator or a Wrangler with a proper V-8? Well, now we know that: a) they could and that b) they won’t.
Every year, off-roading aficionados gather in Moab, Utah for a 4x4 extravaganza peppered up with some one-off builds by Jeep in collaboration with Mopar. This year, the theme of the Easter Jeep Safari is straightforward: the Gladiator. While all six trucks are lovely, two really got people buzzing: the Jeep J6, a single cab, long bed prototype that got people wondering what are Jeep’s reasons for not making it a reality. Then there’s the Gladiator that channels the gargantuan M-715 Gladiator military transport vehicle. It’s basically retromodding done backward on this single cab truck with a soft top which can be considered the smaller sibling of the 2016 Jeep Crew Chief 715 that took part in the safari three years ago.
Both are inspired by the Kaiser M-715 U.S. military truck produced in the late ’60s but are based on the Gladiator. The difference is that this year’s single cab model (named Five-Quarters as a tribute to Jeep one-to and one-and-a-half-ton trucks of old that were also known as ’five-quarters’) sports a hefty 6.2-liter, supercharged Hellcat crate engine with over 700 horsepower on tap. Fans were enthralled by the looks but also by the prospect of a V-8 inside the Gladiator and Tim Kuniskis, Head of the Jeep Brand in North America answers the burning question.
2019 Jeep Wrangler 1941 Edition by Mopar
The 2019 Geneva Motor Show afforded Jeep the opportunity to showcase the Wrangler Rubicon 1941, a Mopar-tuned off-roader wearing just about every bit and piece from Mopar’s parts catalog. Dressed in a splashy yellow exterior paint, the Wrangler Rubicon 1941 is what happens when you spend too much time dressing up your proud Jeep off-roader. The Wrangler Rubicon 1941 is a showpiece model; the upgrades and accessories included are completely street-legal. In the event you want your Wrangler Rubicon to look the part of the 1941 model that was on display in Geneva, there’s a way to accomplish that without burning holes in your pockets. Just prepare to dive deep into Mopar’s parts bin.
The 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 1941 is the Only Outdoor Companion You’ll Need During Your European Adventures
Jeep has unveiled the Wrangler Rubicon 1941 at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Decked in a bevy of options and off-road accessories, the Mopar-tuned off-roader is basically a catalog on four wheels. It’s based on the Wrangler Rubicon, and it’s decked out with enough useful and functional upgrades to make your outdoor adventures less of a hassle. While the Wrangler Rubicon 1941 itself is unlikely to hit production in Europe, its presence in Geneva is less about showing off its exclusivity and more about showing off the many customizable options that are available to the European-spec Wrangler Rubicon. Best of all, the Wrangler Rubicon 1941’s upgrades and accessories are all street-legal. If you want Mopar to build you one that’s to the exact specifications of the version sitting in Geneva, there’s a roadmap that can make that happen.
Built on the success of its predecessors with the hopes and dreams to carry on the legacy of an icon, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL is the definition of model evolution. It’s not dramatically different, but it’s far from being the same. With the JK Wrangler running from 2007 to 2018, it’s quite possible that the JL Wrangler will have as long a stay on the market and it’s a good thing that Jeep did it right. It’s the perfect blend of off-road prowess and creature comforts suitable for those who engage in lengthy road trips. It is the definition of having your cake and eating it too. This generation of the Wrangler comes with improved aerodynamics, improved safety, and plenty of modern tech. More importantly, though, are the removable body panels that carried over from the previous model. There’s also a new power-retractable hardtop, a soft top, and the three-piece freedom top. And, now that the windshield is non-structural, it folds down much easier, and the new A-pillar will provide protection in the event of a rollover. The JL Wrangler has been on the market for more than a year now, and we’re still all googly-eyed over it, so we’ve decided to feature it as our wallpaper of the day. We’ve picked our favorite desktop and mobile wallpapers for you below, but we have a huge gallery at the bottom of the page for you to choose from as well.
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2019 Jeep Wrangler Nacho Concept
Almost a year after debuting at the Easter Jeep Moab Safari, the Jeep Wrangler Nacho Concept made its way east to the 2019 Chicago Auto Show where it once again flexed its muscle for all the world to see. Based on a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the Wrangler Nacho Concept is what happens when a customer goes balls-to-the-wall with Jeep and Mopar’s encyclopedia-like parts catalogs. Everything from aesthetic upgrades to important equipment is represented in the Nacho Concept. The objective, at least according to Jeep, is to showcase a blueprint for off-roaders to follow, particularly those who are looking to create their own custom trail vehicle. The Jeep Wrangler Nacho Concept is unlikely to hit production, but that shouldn’t stop customers from recreating it on their own or go all-out in creating something that makes the Nacho Jeep look tame by comparison. Could there be a Jeep Wrangler Guacamole in our future?
The 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL Scores a Disappointing One-Star Rating in Euro NCAP Crash Testing
The brand-new Jeep Wrangler scored just a single star our of five in the Euro NCAP crash tests. The SUV was tested alongside eight other vehicles and scored the lowest rating save for the Fiat Panta, also built by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
Best Used Off-Road SUVs 2016
SUVs have played a dominant part in the industry. SUVs help you conquer places no other vehicle can. More or less, every segment in the auto industry has seen a make-shift revolution except SUVs. They’re still rugged, butch, and intimidating as ever. In fact, these beautiful monsters age gracefully and are known for their longevity and reliability. See the Landcruiser for example; or even the 4Runner. They’ve been around for decades and are still selling strong. Here is a list of 5 ultimate, off-road SUVs of 2016:
Watch a Jeep Wrangler Get Burnt to a Crisp in the Desert
How agonizing would it be if your car caught fire in front of your eyes and you couldn’t do anything about it? YouTuber Casey Kaiser found himself helpless in a similar situation when his Jeep Wrangler caught fire while he was filming an off-road adventure. He made it out alive, but the Jeep didn’t.
11 New Retro-Styled Cars Available Today
Retro styling done right in the automotive world can result in a car that buyers instantly feel drawn to because they remember the original from their childhood. Granted, if done wrong, it can look really hideous and out of place, but you won’t find any of those here.
When mainstream manufacturers do it, they spend a lot of time and money to get it just right, and it really shows. Many of these retro-styled cars are bought first and foremost for the way they look, but they are actually just good cars overall. I’ve assembled the ones you can buy new right now, in the list after the jump.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Moab Edition
Jeep’s relation with Moab is about to go on a new level with the introduction of the Jeep Wrangler Moab Edition. Based on the four-door Jeep Wrangler Sahara, the Wrangler Moab Edition is offered with a smorgasbord of features, some of which it shares with the rugged - and more upscale — Wrangler Rubicon trim. The Jeep Wrangler Moab Edition essentially sits between the Sahara and Rubicon trims, providing customers with another Wrangler option to choose from.
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The Best Cars Under $35,000
For a lot of us, buying a car comes with a lot of anxiety, especially when it comes to models that are going to cost a lot of money. But there are some models in the market that provide us with what we want out of a vehicle at costs that aren’t going to burn holes in our pockets. These models can either be attractive, have posh interiors, provide ample amounts of power, or are just fun to drive. In some cases, some cars check off more than just one criteria, though all of them have one common factor among them. They all cost at or less than $35,000.
6 American SUVs That Still Feature Body-on-Frame Construction
There once was a time when body-on-frame SUVs were common sights. But with the advent of unibody car-based bodies, we don’t see too many of the old body-on-frame SUVs anymore. There are still some SUVs in the market whose bodies and frames are two separate entities, so it’s not like you’re absent of any choices if this is the kind of SUV you want. The Cadillac Escalade, Jeep Wrangler, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban are still considered body-on-frame SUVs, making them extremely useful in the outdoors. So what exactly do these six SUVs have to offer? Read on and find out.
The Jeep Wrangler is All Set For Beach Patrolling in Italy!
FCA has given the Jeep Wrangler a new job this summer – to keep people safe at the beaches of Romagna, Italy as a beach patrol vehicle. The automaker has presented a custom Wrangler to the Italian ‘Carabinieri’, to patrol an 18-mile area of the Romagna Riviera that includes popular resorts. We’re pretty sure the ‘lifesaver’ will be a tourist attraction as well!
High School Visionaries Render the 2030 Jeep Wrangler
It ain’t easy to break into the world of automotive design, but three talented high schoolers are well on their way to landing their dream jobs, as recognized by FCA in a recent contest to pen the 2030 model year Jeep Wrangler.
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