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All of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler trims, ranked
Which is the right Jeep for your budget?
With the 2018 Wrangler, Jeep has provided many crucial updates to an off-road icon. The last major redesign was back in 2007, so it was definitely due for a makeover. From drivetrains and creature comforts to infotainment and safety technologies, the updates to the new Wrangler will make it relevant in the new car market for another decade to come.
The Wrangler is available in four trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon. Each has a slightly different personality with different available features. Below, we ranked the new designs so you can choose the right trim for you.
4. Sport ($26,995, Unlimited $30,495)
The Sport keeps things extremely simple—which is what many Jeepers want—with manual windows, locks, and side mirrors. It features rugged 17-inch steel wheels and skid plates for the fuel tank and transfer case. Although a push-button start is standard, air conditioning is still an add-on option.
The base Sport includes all of the innovations that make the new Wrangler great, including a windshield that folds with the removal of just four bolts. It also features the new soft top configuration that is much sleeker and easier to put down than in past versions.
3. Sahara ($37,345)
The most comfortable Wrangler is also the ideal commuter 4×4. The Sahara trim is the most luxurious option, perfect for the weekend camper that mostly stays on-road. It’s only available as a four-door Unlimited and features body-colored fenders, tubular side steps, and unique 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires.
Inside, the Sahara features power windows and locks, dual-zone automatic temperature control, an auxiliary power outlet in the center console, and multiple USB ports. The Sahara also offers the large 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system, which comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Sahara is the only trim available with the Selec-Trac 4×4 system. It’s similar to other shift-on-the-fly 4×4 systems but adds a “full-time” mode for full-time 4×4.
2. Sport S ($30,195, Unlimited $33,695)
If you are looking for the greatest value, the Sport S is the best of the basics—with a few more creature comforts. Expanding on the base Sport, the Sport S adds power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, tinted rear windows, power-heated side mirrors, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and air conditioning. It also upgrades entertainment from the base stereo to the 5-inch Uconnect screen.
The Sport S also has available option packages to equip your Wrangler with certain features from the Sahara and Rubicon. The Cold Weather group adds heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, while the Technology group adds a 7-inch Uconnect touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Technology Group also adds automatic temperature control for the AC, a 7-inch TFT color instrument panel display, and a 1-year subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio.
Other packages include a trailering/tow package and the Jeep Active Safety Group, which includes blind spot detection and rear cross-path detection (this package is available on all trims). Add up all of these packages, plus options like the available hard-top with added headliner (ideal for New England winters), and the price of a two-door Wrangler comes to about $36,455. That’s still well under the starting price of a 2-door Rubicon.
1. Rubicon ($36,995, Unlimited $40,495)
The Rubicon is the king of the hill in this matchup–literally! The “Go Anywhere” capability is the Rubicon’s hallmark and gets it done with heavy-duty Dana 44 axles, electronically locking front and rear differentials, an electronically disconnecting front sway bar, and the Rock-Trac off-road transfer case. It also features rock rails and 33-inch BF Goodrich KO2 off-road tires. The off-road gear would be enough to justify the price of the Rubicon, but Jeep sweetens the pot with some features from the Sahara, such as automatic headlights, dual-zone temperature control, aux wall-style power outlet, dual USB ports, and the large 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system.
