Overview

2026 Jeep Wrangler

Josh Jacquot | 

4 min read

Jeep

What's New for the 2026 Jeep Wrangler

In celebration of the brand's 85th anniversary, Jeep plans to introduce a new special-edition Wrangler every month in 2026. As of publication, Jeep has announced four special editions: the Wrangler Willys 392, the Wrangler Moab 392, the Wrangler Whitecap, and the 85th Anniversary edition (shown above). The automaker has discontinued the plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe for 2026.

The Wrangler is unusual in its dedication to off-road capability and open-air motoring. Its body-on-frame design uses solid axles front and rear to enhance its off-road abilities, and every Wrangler has a removable top and doors. It comes with on-road drivability compromises, but many people may be willing to make that trade for the sense of freedom and fun they find in a Wrangler.

Pros

• Dedicated to delivering off-road experience
• Open-air motoring in an SUV

Cons

• No plug-in hybrid powertrain for 2026
• Cargo space is less versatile than in rivals

Jeep

2026 Jeep Wrangler Trim Levels

The 2026 Jeep Wrangler is a traditional SUV available in two- and four-door body styles. It can seat up to five people, depending on its configuration. It's available with three engines: a 3.6-liter V6 making 285 horsepower, a 270-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and a 470-hp 6.4-liter V8 that's offered only in models with a "392" designation in their name.

Every Wrangler has four-wheel drive (4WD) and comes with a six-speed manual transmission (V6 only) or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler is available in six standard trim levels: Sport, Sport S, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, and Rubicon X.

• Sport

The base Wrangler comes with 17-inch steel wheels, underbody skid plates, a removable soft top, tow hooks, and remote keyless entry. Inside, there's a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, cloth seats, a manually operated single-zone air-conditioning system, and push-button start.

• Sport S

The Sport S adds 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, automatic headlights, power-operated heated mirrors, and adaptive cruise control.

• Willys

The Willys adds 33-inch mud-terrain tires, a lockable limited-slip rear differential, a lower final-drive ratio for improved off-road ability, rock rails, and LED headlights and fog lights. The Willys is also available in a limited-edition trim — largely an appearance package — called the Willys '41.

• Sahara

The Sahara comes standard with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and 18-inch wheels. Automatic climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a household power outlet in the center console, and a three-month satellite radio trial subscription are also included.

• Rubicon

The Rubicon is a dedicated off-road trim and comes outfitted accordingly. Standard equipment includes 33-inch BFGoodrich tires, a lower final-drive ratio than the preceding trims (4.10:1), heavy-duty electronically locking Dana 44 axles, electronically disconnecting stabilizer bars, and a 4:1 transfer case. A Class II receiver hitch and associated towing equipment are included as well.

• Rubicon X

The Rubicon X trim upgrades the Rubicon with additional off-road equipment and convenience and safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It includes a 4.56:1 final-drive ratio and a 1.5-inch suspension lift. It also adds front and rear steel bumpers with a front winch mount. Inside, there's a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and dual-zone climate control.

Jeep

2026 Jeep Wrangler Cargo Capacity and Towing

The four-door Wrangler offers 31.7 cubic-feet of cargo space with its rear seat upright and 72.4 cu-ft with it folded. The Wrangler can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

2026 Jeep Wrangler Fuel Economy

The Wrangler's fuel economy in combined city and highway driving ranges from 14 mpg to 21 mpg, depending on whether it's equipped with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder or the 3.6-liter V6 or the 6.4-liter V8.

Jeep

2026 Jeep Wrangler Safety Ratings and Features

As of publication, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not completed safety testing of the Wrangler. Both the 2-door and 4-door models receive a three- out of five-star rating for rollover resistance. Additionally, Wrangler 4-door models equipped with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine or the V6 receive a four-star frontal-impact rating.

Testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is also incomplete as this article goes to publication. The IIHS has given the four-door Wrangler "Good" scores, its best, in the moderate overlap front and updated side-crash tests, combined with a mix of "Poor" and "Marginal" ratings for things like headlight illumination, collision avoidance capability, and seatbelt reminders. The IIHS has not rated the four-door in the small overlap frontal-impact test. Additionally, the IIHS posts no scores at all for the two-door Wrangler, aside from the same "Poor" and "Marginal" ratings for its headlights.

The Wrangler features an array of airbags, including side-curtain airbags that deploy from the interior roll bar (see illustration above). Additionally, a handful of safety and driver-assistance features are available, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.

Josh Jacquot

Josh Jacquot has covered cars from every angle. Over the course of his nearly 30-year career, he has conducted instrumented testing on thousands of vehicles and provided clear, data-driven insight for enthusiast and mainstream audiences alike. His work has appeared in leading outlets including Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Edmunds. Known for blending driving rigor with clever analysis of real-world usability, he loves nothing more than a long powerslide in a car with usable cupholders. Equally comfortable discussing chassis dynamics and ownership costs, Josh brings credibility earned through decades of hands-on experience. But he‘s most excited by the emotional connection that only the right car can deliver.