The 2019 Jeep Wrangler is one of the best-known American vehicles in the world. Designed to venture just about anywhere an off-road vehicle can go, the Wrangler also makes a surprisingly easy-to-live-with daily driver. The 2-door Wrangler with its removable top is the visual descendent of the original Jeep CJ. However, Jeep makes a 4-door version called the “Wrangler Unlimited” for those who need more space.
The 2019 Wrangler 2-door comes in three trim levels: Sport, Sport S, and Rubicon. The Wrangler Unlimited 4-door adds two more: Sahara and Moab, neither of which come on the 2-door Wrangler.
Keeping it simple, the Wrangler comes standard with 4-wheel drive and a 285-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. An 8-speed automatic is optional, as is a 268-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and automatic transmission. With no direct competition to speak of, the Wrangler’s closest rivals include the Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Tacoma, and possibly one of the smaller Land Rover models, like the Discovery Sport.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Sport (Original starting price when new: $28,045)
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The 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sport starts at $28,045.
Along with its 3.6-liter V6 and 6-speed manual transmission, the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sport touts Jeeps part-time shift-on-the-fly Command-Trac 4WD. An 8-speed automatic with hill descent control remains optional, as does the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine.
As the entry-level trim, the Sport doesn’t offer much in the way of luxury or mechanical upgrades, but what it does have is all the average off-roader needs in a 4WD vehicle. Dana axles come standard, as does an engine oil cooler and skid plate protection for the transfer case and fuel tank.
The Wrangler Sport wears full metal doors with manual door locks and windows, while its Sunrider folding soft-top includes a partial sliding sunroof. Gloss black 17-inch steel wheels come standard, along with manual side mirrors, tow hooks, variable intermittent wipers, a full-size rear-mounted spare tire, and a body-colored grille.
The Wrangler Sport requires a key to unlock the doors, which younger drivers may find quaint or annoying. However, the Sport does come with a push-button start. Halogen headlights and fog lights are not as bright as newer LEDs, but they get the job done.
The Sport’s cabin is equally utilitarian, with manually adjustable low-back bucket seats in cloth and driver’s-side lumbar support and height adjustment. The rear seat folds and tumbles for improved cargo space or can be removed altogether. Knowing the type of environment the Wrangler’s likely to encounter, Jeep equips it with a removable carpet and floor drain plugs. Jeep also includes a Torx tool kit for removing the top and doors.
The Wrangler’s manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel includes redundant controls for audio, cruise control, and Bluetooth. A full-length center console includes LED-lit cup holders and a locking compartment. The Sport also gets two 12-volt outlets, LED door and footwell lighting, and an LED overhead courtesy light.
Entertainment by Jeep’s Uconnect 3 multimedia system consists of eight speakers, an AM/FM radio, a 5-inch LCD, a USB hub, and an auxiliary input jack. SiriusXM satellite radio is optional.
Safety and security systems are also not up to modern standards, understandable given the Wrangler’s design. Front and front-seat side-impact airbags come standard, as do rear-seat LATCH child seat anchors, a rear backup camera, electronic traction and stability control, electronic roll mitigation, trailer sway mitigation, hill-start assist, and a tire-pressure monitor.
Optional equipment includes single-zone manual air conditioning, the three-piece Freedom hardtop with rear wiper and defroster, a Trac-Loc limited-slip rear differential, and 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.
Option packages include the Trailer Tow and Heavy Duty Electrical Group that brings four auxiliary switches, a 240-amp heavy-duty alternator, trailer tow, and a Class II hitch receiver with 4- and 7-pin adapters.
Who is this trim level for? The Sport trim is the most basic Wrangler, best suited for those on a strict budget or who plan to do a lot of aftermarket upgrades.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Sport includes:
3.6-liter V6 – Jeep’s proven V6 provides ample power and torque, plus good highway fuel economy (for a rolling brick, that is).
Sunrider soft top – Tough enough to endure rain and snow but easily removed for open-air enjoyment, the Sunrider soft top includes a clever sliding front portion sunroof.
Push-button start – Allows the Wrangler to start without the need for a physical key, requiring instead only to have the key fob nearby.
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel – Allows drivers of all sizes to find a comfortable driving position and includes steering wheel controls for cruise, radio volume, and station selection.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Sport S (Original starting price when new: $31,245)
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The 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sport S starts at $31,245.
The Sport S is the trim we’d pick if shopping for a Wrangler. It meets the requirements of budget-minded buyers but manages to add a few more features expected when dropping $30,000-plus on a vehicle. Not only does the Sport S add more standard features, but it also opens the door to more option packages.
Upgrades above the Sport’s equipment include deep-tinted rear and side quarter windows, power door locks, power windows, power heated side mirrors, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. Other desirable features include remote keyless entry, vehicle theft alarm, single-zone manual air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and automatic on/off headlights.
Optional equipment includes the Technology Group that adds the Uconnect 4 radio with 7-inch, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CaPlay, Android Auto, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 7-inch color driver information display.
The Safety Group includes a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and LED taillights. The Advanced Safety Group adds full-speed forward collision warning with low-speed automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control with stop.
The Convenience Group tosses in remote start and a universal garage door opener, while the Cold Weather Group adds heated front seats and a heated steering wheel with remote start (requires automatic transmission).
Other options include a 552-watt 9-speaker Alpine audio system, 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, side steps, and a Premium black or tan Sunrider soft top with upgraded fabric.
Who is this trim level for? We think the Sport S offers the kind of modern features people desire, including better audio and safety upgrades. For the extra few thousand over the base Sport, the Sport S seems to be the better choice.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Sport S includes:
Air conditioning – For those times when it’s too hot for top-down cooling, air condition keeps the cabin tolerable. It also helps with defogging the windshield by circulating dry air through the system.
Power windows and door locks – Make it easier to adjust the windows and lock the doors and includes remote keyless entry.
Heated side mirrors – Keep ice and frost from building up on the glass.
Available safety assists – Help keep the driver safe, with alerts covering blind spots, rear cross-traffic, and potential front-end collisions.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (Original starting price when new: $38,045)
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The 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon starts at $38,045.
The Rubicon builds off the Sport S but with a substantial off-road hardware inventory, making this the Wrangler trim for the hard-core off-road enthusiast.
The most critical changes in the suspension and drivetrain include adding heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles, Tru-Lok locking front and rear differentials, a 4.10 rear axle ratio, and a 4:1 Rock-Trac part-time transfer case.
Jeep’s Rock-Trac system includes an electronic disconnecting front sway bar that, when detached, allows greater front wheel articulation. With its 73:1 crawl ratio and increased low-speed torque, this setup is ideal for traversing boulder-strewn trails.
The Rubicon retains a 17-inch wheel but wraps it in taller 33-inch off-road tires. Also standard are black painted steel rock rails, a vented hood with Rubicon decals, front and rear red tow hooks, and unique front and rear bumpers.
Standard features in addition to the Sport S include black seats with red stitching and Rubicon logo, gray grille inserts, rear-seat USB charge ports, a 115-volt outlet, and the contents of the Technology Group.
Optional packages beyond the Sport S include the Electronic Infotainment Group that adds the Uconnect 4C with navigation, an 8.4-inch touch screen, SiriusXM services like Travel Link and Traffic Plus, as well as the 9-speaker Alpine audio system.
The Steel Bumper Group adds a winch-capable front steel bumper with fog lights, removable end caps, and a steel rear bumper. The LED Light Group brings LED headlights with round signature lighting, LED fog lights, LED parking lights, and LED taillights.
Other options include a body-colored hardtop, Keyless Entry and Go proximity key fob, leather upholstery, and the Sky One-Touch power-retracting top with removable rear quarter panels.
Who is this trim level for? The Rubicon is the go-to Wrangler for serious off-road devotees. Its extra cost is well worth it, especially considering all the additional off-road features specifically engineered by Jeep.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon includes:
Dana 44 heavy-duty axles – Designed to take the punishing treatment hard-core off-roading creates.
Rock-Trac – With its lower 4:1 low gear ratio, this system allows low-speed crawling without loss of torque or traction.
Disconnecting front sway bar – Requires pressing a button to detach the front sway bar, creating greater front wheel articulation.
Available Sky One-Touch roof – Features a power-retractable soft top built into the hardtop’s roof panel.
