The Jeep Wrangler is far from the world’s most advanced or efficient vehicle; Buying a Wrangler may not seem like the most logical choice. And many Wrangler owners choose this SUV for more emotional reasons. That said, there are several situations where buying a Jeep Wrangler is a smart choice.
Does a Jeep Wrangler have good resale value?
Jeep’s flagship SUV has excellent resale value. Wranglers hold their value better than Toyota Tacomas, Porsche 911s and all other vehicles on the road.
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A recent study from the iSeeCar website concluded that Jeep Wranglers and Wrangler Unlimiteds are valued less over five years than any other vehicle. While the average motor vehicle loses 40.1% of its value in the first five years, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited loses only 10.5% of its value in five years and the regular Wrangler loses only 9.2%.
iSeeCar’s chief analyst Karl Brauer has a theory as to why Wrangler has its value. He says the following:
“Jeep Wranglers are known for retaining their value thanks to their enthusiastic fan base, as well as their durability and performance in all terrains, especially terrain … Jeep Wranglers have also retained their iconic design, so even older models do not seem outdated.”
Karl Brauer, iSeeCar’s CEO analyst
Just as important as the high resale value of used Jeep Wranglers is the fact that even older models are still in demand. Therefore, if you choose to sell your Jeep Wrangler, you should be able to do it quite easily.
Are Jeep Wranglers good vehicles for bad roads?
Jeep Wranglers is one of many 4 × 4 SUVs that are capable of terrain or on marginal roads. But due to the Jeep Wrangler’s superior nature, it is also a relatively durable vehicle – even for those who live in the countryside full time.
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One of the reasons why Jeep Wranglers are so durable is because of how they are built. Modern Jeep Wranglers have a solid front axle and a robust, body-on-frame construction. This layout dates back to Wrangler’s origins from World War II.
Many modern SUVs, on the other hand, have a combined body / frame unit called a “unibody”. They also have independent front suspension instead of a solid front axle. This results in a lighter, smoother vehicle than a Wrangler. But in many cases a less durable vehicle.
So people who need a vehicle that can withstand the punishment of living on a full-time highway have only several realistic options. They can buy a full-size or medium-sized pickup, or one of only a few full-frame SUVs.
Is the Jeep Wrangler a good weekend car?
While the Jeep Wrangler may not be the most efficient daily commuter, it is an excellent second car. If you are going on a hike without any particular destination, a Wrangler turns your trip into an experience. In 4WD, a Wrangler opens up entire roads that your commuter may not be able to handle. And with the top down and the doors closed, driving a Wrangler is like no other.
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If you have a long motorway commute, a Jeep Wrangler is not the most efficient choice for your single vehicle. One of the most fuel-efficient Jeep Wranglers available is the two-door variant equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder. This SUV gets 22 city / 24 highway mpg (23 combined). This is not a bad rating for an SUV, but not as high as most coupes with a four-cylinder engine. The more common four-door Wrangler with a Pentastar V6 gets only 18 city / 23 highway mpg (20 combined).
Is fuel efficiency a dealbreaker? You can pay for a diesel-powered Wrangler that gives you 22 city / 29 highway mpg (25 combined). Or you can get a plug-in hybrid Jeep 4xe for 20 mpg combined or the equivalent of 49 mpg when you travel with all electric power. But for the Wrangler 4xes $ 52,530 MSRP, you can also buy an efficient commuter and a trail-ready used Wrangler for full-time adventures.
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