2016 Jeep Wrangler review
Jeep Wrangler highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Great for trail driving
- Classic Jeep exterior design
- Lots of trim levels to choose from
Cons
- Harsh on-road ride
- Stopping distances are a bit long
- Uninspiring on-road handling
Mileage (EPA estimate)
16 city, 20 highway, 18 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
Shop with your budget in mind
A fun-filled classic, always in style.
The Jeep Wrangler is a long-running classic of the compact SUV class. Not many vehicles can match its off-roading capabilities—not to mention its iconic look—and the 2016 model is no exception. For the adventurous AWD enthusiast, the 2016 Jeep Wrangler ticks all the boxes for a fun and rugged vehicle, with a range of trims—including the brand-new Black Bear model—to choose from. With powerful engine choices, exciting colors, and the adaptability of the roof, windows, and doors, the 2016 Jeep Wrangler has tons to offer.
All Jeep Wrangler years
Not sure what year to select? Learn about each Jeep Wrangler generation from 2011 to 2025
What is new for the 2016 Jeep Wrangler?
- The Altitude, Unlimited Altitude, Unlimited X, and X trims have been discontinued for 2016.
- Wrangler trims have been upgraded with Soft Top as standard equipment this year.
- Lane Departure Warning features are now available as options on select trims.
- The Unlimited Freedom trim now comes with Running Boards as standard equipment.
- The Unlimited Rubicon trim now comes with Leather Seats as standard equipment.
- The Unlimited Sport trim now comes with Bluetooth Technology as standard equipment.
- The Unlimited Sahara trim now comes with Front Seat Heaters, Leatherette & Cloth, Alpine Sound System, Bluetooth Technology, and Satellite Radio Ready as standard equipment.
- The Rubicon trim now comes with Bluetooth Technology as standard equipment.
- The Sahara trim now comes with Front Seat Heaters, Leatherette & Cloth, Bluetooth Technology, and Satellite Radio Ready as standard equipment.
- The Sport trim now comes with Power Locks, Power Mirrors, and Power Windows as standard equipment.
2016 Jeep Wrangler trims
Sport:
Features 16-inch steel wheels, skid plates, tow hooks, foglamps, removable doors, fold-down windshield, manual mirrors and locks, cruise control, height-adjustable driver seat, cloth upholstery, tilt-only steering wheel, fold and tumble rear bench seat, eight-speaker sound system, and more. The Wrangler Unlimited Sport also gets air-conditioning and a 60/40-split fold and tumble rear seat.
Sahara:
Adds 18-inch alloy wheels, power windows, keyless entry, heated power mirrors, automatic headlamps, hood insulation, air-conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and more. The Wrangler Unlimited Sahara also gets tubular side steps and rear-row grab handles.
Rubicon:
Includes Sport trim equipment, and further adds 17-inch alloy wheels, 32-inch tires, electronic front and rear locking differentials, rock rails, automatic headlamps, hood insulation, air-conditioning, coat hooks, 115-volt outlet, and more. Some features are optional on the two-door Wrangler Rubicon, but standard on the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.
5 reasons to buy the 2016 Jeep Wrangler
1. Fun limited-edition packages
For 2016, Jeep released a handful of exciting, limited edition trims—including one brand new one. The limited Freedom Edition trim offers unique looks with a military-themed exterior and interior. The special edition Black Bear trim builds on the Sport trim and adds special styling such as a topographical Black Bear Pass hood decal and a heritage Wrangler hood decal. You'll also be able to find these special trims in unique colorways so look out for the ones that appeal to you.
2. Any trail, any time
The 2016 Jeep Wrangler is all-wheel drive as standard across all trims. The Wrangler handles uneven terrain superbly, so it's the ideal choice if you're a bit of an off-roading enthusiast. Every trim is equipped to handle tough surfaces, but the Rubicon model adds even more features (such as rock rails and a locking rear differential). A highly capable vehicle on mountains, forest trails, and beaches alike, the 2016 Jeep Wrangler excels.
3. Two- and four-door models
While the 2016 Jeep Wrangler comes with two doors as standard, the Unlimited versions of each trim have four doors. Each type has its charms; the two-door version has four seats, while the four-door boosts that to five. The four-door version also offers more space. The two-door model has 12.8 cu-ft of cargo space behind the rear seat, while the four-door has 31.5 cu-ft. Folding or removing the rear seat in the two-door Wrangler gives it 61.2 cu-ft of total cargo space, and the four-door Wrangler Unlimited offers 70.6 cu-ft. Additionally, the four-door Unlimited is almost two feet longer.
4. Stand-out colors
While the Jeep Wrangler is a practical vehicle through and through that doesn't mean it lacks stylish color options. Far from it! Standard colors for the 2016 Wrangler include more basic options like Black, Bright White, and Mojave Sand. Brighter alternatives add that something extra; look out for Hydro Blue Pearl, Firecracker Red, Hypergreen, and the exclusive Xtreme Purple Pearl Coat which is available for the Backcountry sub-trim edition only.
5. All-weather driving
The 2016 Jeep Wrangler offers a variety of options for adapting to your surroundings, whatever the weather. On top of its ability to handle a wide range of terrains, the base model of the 2016 Wrangler has a fabric top that is watertight and can be folded back to let in the sunlight. The Sahara and Rubicon trims offer a three-piece modular hardtop, which comes with a hardtop removal kit. The driving experience can be further personalized by utilizing the fold-down windshield, which adds an extra useful dimension to off-roading, and removable doors for full open-air freedom.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2016 Jeep Wrangler, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
If you're shopping for an SUV that positively embraces adverse terrain, you'll want to check out the 2017–2021 Toyota 4Runner. Built for active outdoor lifestyles, all 2017–2021 4Runner models are powered by a 4.0L V6 engine with 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque.
Seating five as standard, the base SR5 trim and the range-topping Limited both offer the option of a third row that allows seating for up to seven.
The 2017–2021 Toyota 4Runner SR5 base trim features include:
Cloth upholstery
Rearview camera
Touchscreen infotainment display
An utterly smooth off-road experience can be had with the 2020–2022 Land Rover Defender. Rugged luxury may be a new concept, but the Defender pulls it off. The spacious, glacially quiet cabin has impressive second-row legroom (39.1-inches), and configurations for up to seven passengers. The standard turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine (296-hp) pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
The 2020–2022 Land Rover Defender Base trim features:
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality
360-degree camera system
10-inch touchscreen
Swing-out tailgate
The 2017–2021 Subaru Outback has unique crossover appeal, bridging the SUV/station wagon divide with harmonious style and smarts. The 2017–2021 base trim Outlander delivers power from its 2.5L four-cylinder engine via continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The 2017–2020 Outland models seat five passengers across six trim levels (seven trims, from 2021), offering plenty of choice on how the Outlander is best kitted out for you and your crew. Standard features are plentiful, while higher trims add luxurious touches, such as leather upholstery and premium audio, from the Limited trim upwards.
The 2017–2021 Subaru Outback base trim features as standard:
Rearview camera
Bluetooth connectivity
Roof rails with integrated crossbars
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Ratings & reliability
Customer ratings
4.8 out of 5
19 customer reviews| 5 Stars | 15 |
|---|---|
| 4 Stars | 4 |
| 3 Stars | 0 |
| 2 Stars | 0 |
| 1 Star | 0 |
RepairPal gave the Jeep Wrangler an overall reliability rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Jeep Wrangler 28th out of 29 among Compact SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Jeep WranglerJeep Wrangler features and specs
Rubicon Hard Rock 4WD/AWD 2D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- 4WD/AWD
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- Alpine Sound System
- AM/FM Stereo
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Leather Seats
- Manual Transmission
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Running Boards
- Soft Top
- Traction Control
- Hard Top
- Navigation System
- Rear Defroster
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Four Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD)
Engine size
3.6L
Horsepower
285
Torque (ft-lbs)
260
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
18.6
Wheelbase
95.4"
Overall length
163.8"
Width
73.7"
Height
72.5"
Leg room
F 41"/R 35.6"
Head room
F 41.3"/R 40.3"
Front tires
LT255/75SR17
Rear tires
LT255/75SR17
Seating capacity
4
Max towing capacity
200/2000 lbs.
Transmission
Manual 6
2016 Jeep Wrangler FAQ
To commemorate its 75th anniversary in 2016, the Jeep brand created a limited-edition 75th Anniversary package edition Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. Based on the Sahara trim, this limited-availability Wrangler is available in an edition-exclusive Sarge Green exterior color. Other notable features include bronze-colored grille throats and bumpers, 75th Anniversary grab handles, and a power dome hood
The Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited's most popular colors are the monochrome shades Bright White, Black, and Granite Crystal. If you prefer a splash of color, you can rely on the Jeep Wrangler for that too. For 2016 models, shop for a Wrangler in the ultra-luminous Hypergreen.
The 2016 Wrangler's Eco mode is an indication that your driving style meets the criteria for best-practice fuel efficiency. A light in the display panel will let you know, by illuminating the ECO symbol as you drive. Later generations have an Eco mode push button on the driver-side dash that can be switched on and off.
More about the 2016 Jeep Wrangler
Color options
Exterior colors:
Black
Billet Silver
Bright White
Firecracker Red
Granite Crystal
Hydro Blue Pearl
Hypergreen
Mojave Sand
Rhino
Tank
Xtreme Purple Pearl Coat (Backcountry sub-trim edition only)
Interior colors:
Black
Dark Saddle (Sahara, Rubicon trims only)
Olive Green (Sahara trim only)
Interior details
The two-door Wrangler seats four passengers, while the larger four-door Wrangler Unlimited seats five. Cloth upholstery is standard, with leather a featured option on the higher trims and several special edition models. The 2016 Wrangler is built for adventure, with the doors, front windshield, and roof all removable. With that in mind, the interior is functionally presented with hard-wearing finishing and old-school style.
Cargo space is good, ranging from 12.8 cu-ft behind the rear row of the two-door Wrangler to 31.5 cu-ft behind the Unlimited models' rear row. Fold down and flip back the Unlimited model's 60/40-split rear-row for 70.6 cu-ft of storage space behind the front seats.
Child seat details
The 2016 Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited are both equipped with two sets of LATCH fixtures (two lower anchors and an upper tether) in the rear row's outboard seats. The two-door Wrangler has limited access for parents and guardians to install that seating, however, so thinking longer term, the four-door Wrangler Unlimited might be preferable.
All seat types are accommodated, including infant, front- and rear-facing, and booster seats. Rear-facing seats will impact legroom for front-row passengers, therefore you may prefer to use the Unlimited model middle seat tether, with anchors borrowed from the outboard seats LATCH fixtures.
Performance
The 2016 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited are powered by a 3.6L V6 engine, delivering 285-hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Four-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission are standard, a five-speed automatic transmission is optional. All 2016 Wrangler models achieve an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined.
The Wrangler Unlimited is the more powerful of the two when it comes to hauling. When properly equipped the Wrangler Unlimited can tow up to an estimated 3,500 lbs.
In terms of acceleration, a two-door Wrangler with a manual transmission went from zero to 60 mph in a quick 6.9 seconds, which is pretty astonishing given the languid acceleration of past Wranglers. The heavier Wrangler Unlimited with the automatic needed 8.8 seconds, which is fairly slow compared to other off-road-ready four-doors.
Year Comparisons
2006–2018 Jeep Wrangler JK (third generation)
The third generation of the Jeep Wrangler offered a four-door version for the first time, after Daimler Chrysler took the time to ask Wrangler owners what they really wanted. The 2007 model introduced a bigger bumper and more rounded corners—though it still looked rugged—and a new dashboard design.
By 2013, the Jeep Wrangler became more comfortable and practical, with Unlimited models receiving an easier-to-adjust soft top. A 10th-anniversary Rubicon was also released with upgraded off-road features. In 2015, the standard stereo was upgraded to have eight speakers, and a Torx tool kit for removing the doors and roof was introduced.
For 2016, the Black Bear trim debuted, while the Wrangler Sahara trim enjoyed some upgrades to its look. 2017 then added new optional LED headlights and fog lights, as well as an available package including heated seats and remote start.
2018–2022 Jeep Wrangler JL (fourth generation)
The Jeep Wrangler received a full redesign in 2018, kick-starting the JL generation. This included a new turbo-four engine, new features (including Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ functionality), and fresh interior styling. Adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning technology became available in 2019, and a turbo-diesel engine was added to the list of options in 2020. For 2021, new sub-trims—Wrangler 4xe and Rubicon 392—joined the ranks, as well as an Xtreme Recon package whose availability was increased for 2022.
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