2018 Jeep Wrangler review
Jeep Wrangler highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Completely new for 2018
- Amazing off-road capability
- Choice of four-cylinder turbo or V6 power
Cons
- On-road ride comfort is subpar
- Lots of road noise at speed
- Only two engine options for 2018
Mileage (EPA estimate)
16 city, 20 highway, 18 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
Go wherever adventure calls.
Tackle the roads less traveled and let the 2018 Jeep Wrangler power your next adventure. Built to tackle roads and trails, the Wrangler combines sturdy body-on-frame construction with a powerful 3.6L V6 engine. Available in two and four-door styles, you can take up to five passengers across rugged terrain. But you won't be roughing it in a 2018 Jeep Wrangler, with features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 6.5-inch touchscreen with navigation, and leather-trimmed seating available in the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara models. From towing to the trails, in the urban jungle to country dirt roads, a 2018 Jeep Wrangler is adventure ready.
All Jeep Wrangler years
Not sure what year to select? Learn about each Jeep Wrangler generation from 2011 to 2024
What is new for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?
- The Wrangler is available in a variety of new trims, including the All-New Rubicon, All-New Sport, All-New Unlimited Rubicon, All-New Unlimited Sahara, All-New Unlimited Sport, All-New Unlimited Sport S, Freedom Edition, Rubicon Recon, Sport S, Unlimited Altitude, Unlimited Freedom, Unlimited Willys, and Willys Wheeler W.
- The Unlimited Rubicon Recon trim has been discontinued for 2018.
- Wrangler trims have been upgraded with Rear View Camera, Side Airbags, Smart Key, Parking Sensors, A/C Seat(s), Rear Defroster, Remote Start, Blind Spot Monitor, Tow Hitch, Targa, Automatic Transmission, Turbo Charged Engine, Shaker Sound System, and Navigation System as standard equipment this year.
- Heated Steering Wheel, No A/C, Panoramic Sunroof, Lane Departure Warning, Automated Cruise Control, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Infinity Sound System features are now available as options on select trims.
- The Unlimited Sport trim now comes with 6002 as standard equipment.
- The Unlimited Sahara trim now comes with 6001, 6002, Hard Top, and Alpine Sound System as standard equipment.
- The Rubicon trim now comes with 6002 as standard equipment.
- The Sahara trim now comes with 6002 as standard equipment.
- The Willys Wheeler trim now comes with 6002, 6001, Alloy Wheels, and CD Audio as standard equipment.
2018 Jeep Wrangler trims
Rubicon
The base model includes remote start, cloth seating, a soft-top roof, an eight-speaker sound system, lockable differentials, and more
Sahara
adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a long list of features and packages.
Sport
—A two-door body that includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth seating, an eight-inch sound system, lockable center console storage, and more.
Jeep Wrangler photos
5 reasons to buy the 2018 Jeep Wrangler
1. Feel the open air
Few vehicles offer an open-air experience like the 2018 Jeep Wrangler does. The doors, roof, and front windscreen can be removed in both hard and soft-topped models. The result is an experience like no other, getting you even closer to the outdoors. You don't need to worry about a bit of mud, either, with an interior made of easy-to-clean surfaces that stand up to wear and tear.
2. Built for the trails
If you're an off-road enthusiast, you'll love some of the features you'll find on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler. Locking front and rear wheel differentials and four-wheel drive are standard, helping you get over or through large obstacles. In addition, skid plates protect the fuel tank and transfer case while rocker panels are reinforced for added trail durability.
3. Capable power
Propelling the 2018 Jeep Wrangler is a 285-hp 3.6L V6 engine and six-speed manual transmission. More importantly, 260 lb-ft of torque is available at 4,800 rpm, excellent for rock crawling and hill climbs. A four-door 2018 Jeep Wrangler with the max tow package and V6 engine can tow up to an estimated 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.
4. Unique special editions
If two trims aren't enough, there are five Special Editions of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, each with unique styling and features. A Rubicon Recon adds off-road-ready gear like a winch-ready bumper and upgraded front axles. Or make a nod to history in the Willys Wheeler, inspired by the legendary Willy's Jeep. Other Special Editions include the Golden Eagle, Freedom Edition, and Altitude.
5. Go-anywhere 4x4
Standard on every 2018 Jeep Wrangler is their Rock-Trac® four-wheel drive system. Designed to tackle extreme terrain conditions, the Rock-Trac uses a 4:1 low-gear ratio for impressive low-speed crawling over any terrain. Solid axles and locking differentials eliminate wheel slip on loose or slippery surfaces. You can even disconnect the sway bar on Rubicon models with the flip of a switch, increasing suspension travel by 25 percent.
2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited video review
The Jeep Wrangler is the original go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle. It's one of the most off-road-ready SUVs on the market. In this video, Travis Langness from Edmunds reviews a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited, explaining the pros and cons that come with this off-road capability. Is the Wrangler the right choice for you?
The Jeep Wrangler is a small SUV that is available as a two- or four-door, with either a hardtop or a manually folding convertible soft top. In an era in which family SUVs are all the rage, Jeep has made a conscious effort to keep the Wrangler rugged. The standard V6 engine offers plenty of power, and Jeep now offers an eight-speed automatic transmission for improved drivability.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
The 2015 Nissan Xterra is built for life's great adventures, with the size and seating to bring the whole crew along. A powerful 261-hp 4.0L V6 provides power, and the 2015 Nissan XTerra 4x4 can tow up to an estimated 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Standard equipment on a 2015 Nissan Xterra X includes:
Five-speed manual transmission
Bluetooth phone integration
Air conditioning
Cruise control
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
The 2017–2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee blends luxurious refinement with an adventure-seeking spirit in a four-wheel drive SUV with room for the whole family. There's a version of the 2017–2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee for whatever you're looking for, from the family-friendly V6-powered Limited to a supercharged 707 hp 6.2L V8-powered TrackHawk edition. Luxurious leather, rear-seat entertainment, and panoramic sunroof grace the 2017–2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Platinum.
Starting the lineup out is the 2017–2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, which includes:
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Automatic headlights
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls
Rearview camera
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
Customer ratings
4.5 out of 5
55 customer reviews| 5 Stars | 41 |
|---|---|
| 4 Stars | 7 |
| 3 Stars | 2 |
| 2 Stars | 2 |
| 1 Star | 3 |
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
All-New Sport S 4WD/AWD 2D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- 4WD/AWD
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Hard Top
- Manual Transmission
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Alpine Sound System
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Front Seat Heaters
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Leather Seats
- Parking Sensors
- Rear Defroster
- Running Boards
- Smart Key
- Soft Top
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Four Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD)
Engine size
2.0L
Horsepower
270
Torque (ft-lbs)
295
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
17.5
Wheelbase
96.8"
Overall length
166.8"
Width
73.8"
Height
73.6"
Leg room
F 41.2"/R 35.7"
Head room
F 42.6"/R 41.7"
Front tires
P245/75SR17
Rear tires
P245/75SR17
Seating capacity
4
Max towing capacity
200/2000 lbs.
Transmission
Manual 6
2018 Jeep Wrangler FAQ
There is no Android Auto™ or Apple CarPlay® capability in any 2018 Jeep Wrangler model. However, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has an optional 6.5-inch touchscreen that includes navigation, smartphone integration apps, and Bluetooth® connectivity.
All 2018 Jeep Wranglers have space for cargo behind the front or second-row seats, depending on the body style. For example, a two-door Wrangler has 18.6 cu-ft of cargo space or 31.5 in a four-door model. That increases to 70.6 cu-ft with rear seats folded in four-door models.
More about the 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Color options
Interior colors:
Black
Dark Saddle
Rivet
Sedoso
Exterior colors:
Baja Yellow
Billet Silver Metallic
Black
Bright
Chief
Firecracker Red
Gobi
Granite Crystal Metallic
Rhino
Xtreme Purple
Interior details
Clad in easy-to-clean materials, large dials, and a lockable center console, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler's interior is as comfortable as it is functional. Reversible cargo mats make cleaning easier after muddy adventures. The large, boxy shape of the Wrangler makes for impressive interior cabin space or 150.4 cu-ft in a four-door body. Two-door 2018 Jeep Wrangler has seating for up to four, while a four-door can seat five passengers.
Child seat details
Getting child seats in and out of a 2018 Jeep Wrangler is very easy, thanks to the ride height and doors that open extra wide. In the four-door body, there are three seats with full LATCH anchors, and there is enough room to put two child seats and a booster in the second row. You won't have issues getting hardware connected onto tether anchors, and lower anchors are easy to find and get connected. Overall, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler will comfortably handle two forward or reverse-facing child seats.
Performance
It is powered by a 285 hp 3.6L V6 and an impressive 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 pm. All that grunt is ideal for low-speed crawling, hill climbing, and towing. Pick the gears you want with a six-speed manual transmission, standard on all 2018 Jeep Wranglers, or let the available five-speed automatic do it for you. Four-wheel drive with rock crawl and hill descent is also standard equipment. A 2018 Jeep Wrangler with the five-speed automatic gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.
Year comparison
2007–2018 Jeep Wrangler JK (third generation)
Introduced after a complete redesign in 2007, the third generation of the Jeep Wrangler built on the success of a legendary nameplate. Initially released with a 3.8L V6 engine and six-speed manual and later updated in 2012 with a 3.6L V6. A four-door model called the "Unlimited" was first released in 2007 and lengthened again in a mid–2011 refresh. Offering plenty of interior space, cargo volume, and capable power, the 2012–2018 Jeep Wrangler is an excellent family, adventure, or off-road enthusiast vehicle.
Late 2018–present Jeep Wrangler JL (fourth generation)
The fourth-generation Jeep Wrangler gets updated technology and engine options. But it keeps off-road staples like solid axles and locking differentials. An eight-speed automatic transmission replaces the five-speed. Finally, the 2019–2022 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with Advanced Safetytec Group package adds a suite of driver assists, like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control.
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