Jeep Wrangler - Top alternatives

Jeep Wrangler is a compact package of quality, refinement, efficiency, technology, performance, and capability. The new-generation Wrangler has arrived in the American market and is all set to rule the market once again, like its previous versions.

With several changes to the lineup, Jeep aims to set its new Wrangler shoulder-to-shoulder with its other rivals in the segment. It now starts at a price of US $10,000, costlier than the previous starting price and has made a few key omissions to optimize the range of cars for the competitive market of the USA.

The new Wrangler comes in three different variants, namely the Sport, Sport S, Sport Altitude, Sahara and the Rubicon. All of these variants come with a standard 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine producing 285 PS of power, with ESS and 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission that comes with a standard AWD facility. The car comes in 2-door and 4-door body styles, though the variants are different.

What are the alternatives to the Jeep Wrangler?

The Jeep Wrangler is one of its kind and has a lineage traced back to the times of World War II. The vehicle is a class apart specimen of engineering and designing coming from Jeep, and the vehicle is widely preferred and is one of the best selling 4x4 SUVs, not only in the market of USA but all over the world. But, even then, there are a few alternatives that can be a good competition for the Wrangler and a viable option for customers in the domestic market.

Car	Jeep Wrangler	Toyota 4Runner	Ford Explorer	Chevrolet Blazer
Starting Price	$28,045	$36,020	$32,365	$29,995

 

Toyota 4Runner

Toyota 4Runner is a direct competitor of the Jeep Wrangler in terms of looks and performance. The standard 4.0L V6 engine comes with a 6-speed auto with OD transmission and delivers a power slightly lower than the Wrangler, 270 hp. The updated one has dropped the IFS system and is more of the straight axle on links. Priced at the US $36,120 at the base level, the 4Runner is more expensive than the Jeep but is an ideal alternative to the Wrangler. 

Ford Explorer

Another competitor of the Jeep Wrangler is Ford Explorer, which gets new updates along with a new design for the 2020 model year. The 2020 Ford Explorer is available in four different trim levels, namely XLT, Limited, Platinum and ST. The XLT and Limited are available with a 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbocharged four-pot engine, which is capable of churning out a maximum power of 300 hp. It is quite clear that the engine is more powerful than that of Wrangler.

On the other hand, the Platinum has a 3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 mill that can make up to 365 hp of power. ST has the same engine, which is tuned to produce a maximum power of 400 hp. The hybrid variant uses a combination of 3.3-litre V6 engine along with an electric motor that can provide a combined power of 318 hp. The car gets a 10-speed automatic transmission across the range.

As for the features, the Ford Explorer comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while the Platinum and ST models get the 10.1-inch screen. Ford Explorer specs sheet also includes some driver-assistance features too, like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking along with pedestrian detection.

Chevrolet Blazer

The updated Chevrolet Blazer, 2019 model, is already available in the country as a sporty mid-size SUV. Though the starting price of Wrangler and Blazer are almost the same, their engine specs are not. Chevrolet Blazer is available with two different powertrain options including 2.5-litre four-pot and 3.6-litre V6 engine. The former is capable of pushing out a maximum power of 193 hp along with a peak torque of 255 Nm. On the other hand, there is a 3.6-litre V6 engine that can produce 308 hp maximum power with 306 Nm of torque. Both engines come with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet Blazer has an eight-inch touchscreen having Andriod and Apple CarPlay connectivity and comes with a lot of modern styling equipment. 

Final words

The Wrangler is considered to be one of the best cars of Jeep, and it is rightly said so in terms of its performance as an all-terrain 4x4 SUV. It is one of the most successful models made and sold by the Jeep.

In short, the Jeep Wrangler has been ruling the market ever since its introduction in the American arena and has inherent desirability backed with characteristic off-road comfort and performance that is unique to its class. However, the final call is always on the buyers and the specific requirements they are looking to fulfill, be it power, practicality or budget.

Also read: Jeep Cherokee - Reasons to buy