Jeep's most iconic off-roader — the Wrangler — is slated to hit New Zealand in June, with pricing to kick off a few grand south of $70 grand.
Fiat Chrysler New Zealand have confirmed a start price of $67,990 (plus on-roads) for the entry level two-door Wrangler Sport S. Additionally pricing for the Overland has also been confirmed, starting at $84,990. And, at the top of the pile, the Rubicon 4-door will cost $92,990.
Both models come fitted with a 3.6-litre V6 hooked to an eight-speed ZF automatic. It's good for 209kW of power and 347Nm of torque — 9kW and 32Nm more potent than the 3.2-litre V6 available in the Jeep Cherokee that we sampled last August.
As you can tell from the outside, not a whole lot has changed. But, it wouldn't be a Wrangler otherwise. There are some mild differences compared to the outgoing model, like a more tapered windscreen for improved NVH and fuel economy, as well as a remodelled c-pillar. On the inside, a similarly traditional and rugged cabin is contrasted by a standard 7.0-inch Uconnect infotainment screen (other models get a larger 8.4-inch unit).
Additionally, the Overland adds various leather touches to the interior, plus dual-zone climate control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, parking assist, a nine-speaker Alpine sound system, satnav, and more.
“The new Wrangler range offers something for everyone; whether customers are looking for the fully loaded all-new Sport S, the refined yet rugged Overland model or the Rubicon variant for the ultimate off-roader,” said FCA New Zealand's Lawrie Malatios.
“There is, quite simply no better, no more capable vehicle in which to explore and enjoy New Zealand’s great outdoors while appreciating new levels of comfort and safety.”
But, there's a catch there.
One of the new Wrangler's main issues overseas is its rather dismal one-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The retro-flavoured model was criticised for lacking autonomous and semi autonomous safety tech, as well as lacking head protection for pedestrians (listed in this area by NCAP as "predominantly poor or adequate"). Mixed pelvic protection and footwell deformation were also among NCAP's notes.
The SUV ended up scoring a 50 per cent for adult protection, 69 per cent for child protection, 49 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 32 per cent for safety assist technology. Strong side-barrier test results and good leg protection were among the Wrangler's saving graces. You can read the full NCAP report by clicking here, and it's worth mentioning too that the Wrangler is yet to be tested by ANCAP over the ditch.
New Zealand's entry-level Sport S model comes with ESC, hill start and hill descent assist, trailer-sway detection, and tyre pressure monitoring, but it (as well as the rest of the line-up) misses out on autonomous emergency braking — instead making do with a passive Full Speed Forward Collision Warning system.
At the time of the test, FCA responded by explaining that the Euro NCAP–tested vehicle did not come fitted with autonomous emergency braking, and that the tech would become available to Europe in later models. Additionally, we contacted FCA New Zealand to confirm whether the one-star NCAP-rated model would be sold on our shores, and still await an answer.