The Jeep Wrangler is now heading in to the fourth year of the JL generation. But, similar to its Gladiator sibling, what’s new for 2021 is more of a tweak than anything major. So, here’s quick look at the changes and additions:
TrailCam added to Wrangler
This is probably the coolest add for 2021. The TrailCam is a front-facing off-road camera that gives you a really good view of what’s immediately in front of you. It’s available with the 8.4-inch touchscreen and can be found in the off-road pages.
We’ve had the opportunity to test this in the Gladiator, and it’s incredibly helpful when traversing rocky trails. We definitely avoided more than one sharp rock using it!
Updated powertrain menu
The powertrain menu gets a small tweak for 2021 in the Sport, Sahara and Rubicon models. These engine/transmission combos will be available across all three trims.
- 2.0-liter turbo engine (AT only)
- 3.6-liter V-6 engine (MT only)
- 3.6-liter V-6 with mild-hybrid eTorque assist (AT only)
- 3.0-liter EcoDiesel (four-door models only – not a change, but worth noting AT only)
Previously the eTorque assist was only available on the Sahara trim.
Full-time 4WD updates
The most important 4WD update is the fact the Selec-Trac two-speed transfer case with full-time 4WD is now available on all models. Only Sahara had this for 2020. This makes the low-range gear ratio 2.72:1.
Additionally, a Rock-Trac 4X4 system with full-time 4WD and a 4LO ratio of 4:1 is now optional on Rubicon models.
80th Anniversary, Islander editions added
At this point Jeep has announced but not revealed there will be Wrangler 80th Anniversary and Islander editions, but since the reveal hasn’t happened just yet, details are scant and no photos are available. But here’s what we do know
The 80th Anniversary Edition will feature optional leather seats, Granite Crystal interior accents, a three-piece black hard top, 18-inch wheels with a Granite Crystal finish and commemorative exterior badging.
The Islander Edition adds unique beach-themed exterior and interior accents — including a “Jeep Tiki” decal on the hood – black side steps and 17-inch wheels with 32-inch tires. A white hard top will be optional.
Jeep assures us more details on these two models should be coming within the next month.
And some other new stuff
We’ve called attention to the biggest changes for 2021, but there are a few other updates to note. First and foremost, we appreciate the two additional charge-only USB ports. Jeep didn’t say where these are located, but we’ll assume back seat.
The Select Tire Fill Alert is now standard with both 7- and 8.4-inch touchscreens and is included with the Technology Group. The final new thing of note is Off-Road Plus is now standard on Rubicon models.
Key specs
| General Information | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Sport-utility vehicle | |||||
| Assembly Plant | Toledo Supplier Park, Toledo, Ohio | |||||
| EPA Vehicle Class | Multipurpose vehicle | |||||
| BODY/CHASSIS | ||||||
| Layout | Longitudinal front engine, four-wheel drive | |||||
| Construction | Ladder-type frame, open steel and aluminum body | |||||
| Engine: 3.6-LITER PENTASTAR V-6 | ||||||
| Power (SAE net) | 285 hp at 6,400 rpm | |||||
| Torque (SAE net) | 260 lb.-ft. at 4,800 rpm | |||||
| Max. Engine Speed (rpm) | 6,600 rpm (electronically limited) | |||||
| Fuel Requirement | Unleaded regular, 87 octane (R + M)/2 | |||||
| Fuel Tank Capacity (gallons) | 17.5 (2-door), 21.5 (4-door) | |||||
| Max. Gross Trailer Weight | 2,000 lbs. (2-door), 3,500 lbs. (4-door) | |||||
| EPA Fuel Economy mpg (city/hwy/combined) | 17/25/20 — manual with ESS (2-door) | |||||
| 17/23/19 — manual with ESS (4-door) | ||||||
| 18/23/20 — automatic with eTorque mild-hybrid assist (2-door) | ||||||
| 19/22/20 — automatic with eTorque mild-hybrid assist (4-door) | ||||||
| Assembly Plant | Saltillo South Engine Plant, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico | |||||
| Engine: 2.0-LITER TURBO I-4 | ||||||
| Power (SAE net) | 270 hp at 5,250 rpm | |||||
| Torque (SAE net) | 295 lb.-ft. at 3,000 rpm | |||||
| Max. Engine Speed (rpm) | 5,800 rpm (electronically limited) | |||||
| Fuel Requirement | Minimum unleaded regular, 87 octane (R + M)/2; 91 octane or higher | |||||
| recommended for optimum fuel economy and performance | ||||||
| Fuel Tank Capacity (gallons) | 17.5 (2-door), 21.5 (4-door) | |||||
| Max. Gross Trailer Weight | 2,000 lbs. (2-door), 3,500 lbs. (4-door) | |||||
| EPA Fuel Economy mpg (city/hwy/combined) | 22/24/23 — automatic with ESS (2-door) | |||||
| 21/22/21 — automatic with ESS (4-door) | ||||||
| Assembly Plant | Termoli, Italy and Trenton South Engine Plant, Trenton, Michigan | |||||
| ENGINE: 3.0-LITER ECODIESEL V-6 | ||||||
| Power | 260 hp @ 3,600 rpm | |||||
| Torque | 442 lb.-ft. @ 1,400-2,800 rpm | |||||
| Max. Engine Speed | 4,600 rpm | |||||
| Fuel Requirement | Ultra-low sulfur diesel | |||||
| Fuel Tank Capacity (gallons) | 18.3 (4-door) | |||||
| Max. Gross Trailer Weight | 3,500 lbs. (4-door) | |||||
| EPA Fuel Economy mpg (city/hwy) | 22/29/25 — automatic with ESS (4-door only) | |||||
| Assembly Plant | Cento, Italy | |||||
| Transmission: 850RE automatic, Eight-speed overdrive | ||||||
| Availability | Standard — 2.0-liter I-4 ESS | |||||
| Optional — 3.6-liter V-6 with eTorque mild-hybrid assist | ||||||
| Description | Adaptive electronic control or Electronic Range Select (ERS) driver-interactive manual control and electronically modulated torque converter clutch | |||||
| Gear Ratios | ||||||
| 1st | 4.71 | |||||
| 2nd | 3.13 | |||||
| 3rd | 2.1 | |||||
| 4th | 1.67 | |||||
| 5th | 1.28 | |||||
| 6th | 1 | |||||
| 7th | 0.84 | |||||
| 8th | 0.67 | |||||
| Reverse | 3.3 | |||||
| Transmission: 8HP75 AUTOMATIC, EIGHT-SPEED OVERDRIVE | ||||||
| Availability | Standard — 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 ESS | |||||
| Description | Adaptive electronic control or ERS driver-interactive manual control and electronically modulated torque converter clutch | |||||
| Gear Ratios | ||||||
| 1st | 4.71 | |||||
| 2nd | 3.13 | |||||
| 3rd | 2.1 | |||||
| 4th | 1.67 | |||||
| 5th | 1.28 | |||||
| 6th | 1 | |||||
| 7th | 0.84 | |||||
| 8th | 0.67 | |||||
| Reverse | 3.3 | |||||
| TRANSMISSION: D478 MANUAL, SIX-SPEED WITH OVERDRIVE | ||||||
| Availability | Standard — 3.6-liter V-6 with eTorque mild-hybrid assist | |||||
| Description | Synchronized in all forward gears and Reverse, multi-rail shift system with top-mounted shift lever | |||||
| Gear Ratios | ||||||
| 1st | 5.13 | |||||
| 2nd | 2.63 | |||||
| 3rd | 1.53 | |||||
| 4th | 1 | |||||
| 5th | 0.81 | |||||
| 6th | 0.72 | |||||
| Reverse | 4.49 | |||||
| Final Drive Ratio | 3.45 standard, 3.73 optional (4.10 Rubicon) | |||||
| TRANSFER CASE: NV241 command-trac | ||||||
| Available | Standard — Sport and Sahara | |||||
| Type | Part-time | |||||
| Operating Modes | 2WD High; 4WD High; Neutral; 4WD Low | |||||
| Low Range Ratio | 2.72:1 | |||||
| TRANSFER CASE: MP3022 Selec-Trac | ||||||
| Available | Optional — Sport and Sahara | |||||
| Type | Full-time | |||||
| Operating Modes | 2WD High; Auto; 4WD High; Neutral; 4WD Low | |||||
| Low Range Ratio | 4.0:1 | |||||
| Axle Ratio | 3.45 standard | |||||
| 4.10 standard Rubicon with manual (optional for automatic) | ||||||
| TRANSFER CASE: NV241OR Rock-trac | ||||||
| Available | Standard — Rubicon | |||||
| Type | Standard – Part-time | |||||
| Available – Full-time | ||||||
| Operating Modes | 2WD High; 4WD High; Neutral; 4WD Low | |||||
| Low Range Ratio | 4.0:1 | |||||
| Axle Ratio | 3.45 standard | |||||
| 4.10 standard Rubicon | ||||||
| Axles | ||||||
| Front | 3rd generation Dana axles | |||||
| Differential type | Open or Tru-Lok electronic locking (on Rubicon models) | |||||
| Axle ratios | 3.45, 3.73 (EcoDiesel), 4.10 | |||||
| Rear | 3rd generation Dana axles | |||||
| Differential type | Open (Sport and Sahara) with available Trac-Lok anti-spin, | |||||
| Tru-Lok electronic locking (Rubicon) | ||||||
| Axle ratios | 3.45, 3.73 (EcoDiesel), 4.10 | |||||
| Suspension | ||||||
| Front | Solid axle, link coil, leading arms, track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar | |||||
| Stabilizer bar | Electronic sway-bar disconnect system — standard, Rubicon | |||||
| Shock type | Sport: Gas-charged twin-tube shock absorbers with full displacement | |||||
| Multi-tuned Valve (MTV) technology | ||||||
| Sahara: High-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology | ||||||
| Rubicon: High-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology | ||||||
| and hydraulic rebound stop | ||||||
| Rear | Solid axle, link coil, trailing arms, track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar | |||||
| Shock type | Sport: Gas-charged twin-tube shock absorbers with full displacement MTV technology | |||||
| Sahara: High-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology | ||||||
| Rubicon: High-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology | ||||||
| and hydraulic rebound stop | ||||||
| STEERING | ||||||
| Type | Electro-hydraulic power | |||||
| Overall ratio | 17.4:1 (2-door), 15.6:1 (4-door), 14.3:1 (EcoDiesel) | |||||
| Turning diameter | 34.5 (2-door), 39.4 (4-door) | |||||
| (curb-to-curb) (ft./m) | ||||||
| Steering Turns (lock-to-lock) | 3.6 (2-door), 3.2 (4-door), 3.13 (EcoDiesel) | |||||
| P/S Pump | Electro-hydraulic | |||||
| BRAKES | ||||||
| Type | Power-assisted, anti-lock brake system | |||||
| Availability | Standard | |||||
| Front | ||||||
| Rotor size and type | 12.9 x .94 (330 x 24) vented rotor — Sport | |||||
| 12.9 x 1.1 (330 x 28) vented rotor — Sahara and Rubicon | ||||||
| Caliper size and type | 1.88 (48) twin-piston floating caliper — Sport | |||||
| 2 (51) twin-piston floating caliper — Sahara and Rubicon | ||||||
| Rear | ||||||
| Rotor size and type | 12.9 x .47 (328 x 12) solid rotor — Sport | |||||
| 13.4 x .55 (342 x 14) solid rotor — Sahara and Rubicon | ||||||
| Caliper size and type | 1.77 (45) single-piston floating caliper — Sport | |||||
| 1.88 (48) single-piston floating caliper — Sahara and Rubicon | ||||||
| Dimensions and Capacities | ||||||
| Wheelbase | 96.8 — 2-door, 118.4 — 4-door | |||||
| Overhang — Front | 29.2 | |||||
| Overhang — Rear | 40.8 | |||||
| Track — Front | 62.9 | |||||
| Track — Rear | 62.9 | |||||
| Overall Length | 166.8 — 2-door, 188.4 — 4-door | |||||
| Overall Width | 73.8 | |||||
| Overall Height | 73.6 | |||||
| Liftover Height | 29.7 | |||||
| Cargo Width at Swing-Gate Opening | 41.1 | |||||
| Cargo Height at Swing-Gate Opening | 36 | |||||
| Load Floor Height | 30 | |||||
| CLEARANCES | ||||||
| Standard on Sport | Standard on Sahara | Standard on Rubicon | ||||
| Approach Angle (degrees) | 41.4 | 41.8 | 44 (2-door) | |||
| 43.9 (4-door) | ||||||
| Breakover Angle (degrees) | 25 (2-door) | 21 | 27.8 (2-door) | |||
| 20.3 (4-door) | 22.6 (4-door) | |||||
| Departure Angle (degrees) | 35.9 (2-door) | 36.1 | 37 | |||
| 36.1 (4-door) | ||||||
| Ground Clearance (inches) | 9.7 | 10 | 10.8 | |||
| *measurements the same for both 2- and 4-door models unless specified | ||||||
| Accommodations | ||||||
| Seating Capacity | 4 (2-door), 5 (4-door) | |||||
| Front | ||||||
| Headroom | 40.7 hardtop, 42.6 soft top | |||||
| Legroom | 41.2 | |||||
| Shoulder room | 55.7 | |||||
| Hip room | 53.9 | |||||
| Seat travel | 8.1 | |||||
| Rear | ||||||
| Headroom | 40.2 hardtop, 41.7 soft top | |||||
| Legroom | 35.7 — 2-door, 38.3 — 4-door | |||||
| Knee clearance | 61.6 | |||||
| Shoulder room | 57.7 — 2-door, 55.7 — 4-door | |||||
| Hip room | 45 — 2-door, 56.7 — 4-door | |||||
| Liftover height | 29.7 | |||||
| Rear seat folded | 72.4 cu. ft. | |||||
| Rear seat upright | 31.7 cu. ft. | |||||
| Total passenger plus cargo volume, (cu. ft. / cu. m) | 150.4 cu. ft. |
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