Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo review: 4-play

David Linklater
  • Sign in required

    Please sign in to your account to add a vehicle to favourite

  • Share this article

New Wrangler looks very similar to any Wrangler, which is exactly the idea.

Specifications

See All See All
Base price
$84,990
Body type
sport utility vehicle
Fuel Consumption (l/100km)
10.3
Fuel Type
premium unleaded
Maximum power kW
200
Maximum torque Nm
400
Towing (Tonnes)
2.5
Pros
  • Much perkier engine, more torque
  • Fancy new infotainment setup
  • Still a 4x4 icon and don't you forget it
Cons
  • Needs 95-octane now
  • Awkward driving position
  • An expensive way to 4x4

This is the new Jeep Wrangler. No really, it is. There’s even some stuff in here that might shock loyal Jeep-types.

Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo.

JEEP WRANGLER OVERLAND: Powertrain 2.0-litre turbo-petrol 4-cylinder, 8-speed automatic with part-time 4WD and low-range Output 200kW/400Nm Efficiency 10.3l/100km (3P-WLTP) Size 4882mm long, 2131kg Price $84,990

It’s not new-new mind, more a facelift. But it’s especially significant for Kiwi customers, for a reason we’ll get to once we’ve covered off the garnish. 

There’s a new version of the signature 7-slot grille with prominent satin-finish outlines, new wheel designs, windscreen with “trail-ready” built-in antenna so you don’t snap it off in the forest, a new instrument panel including 12.3-inch infotainment display with wireless phone projection, and enhanced active safety equipment that includes Drowsy Driver Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Traffic Sign Information. 

It even has side airbags built into the roll cage for both rows; they can’t be in the doors of course, because you can remove them completely for summer fun. Because it’s a Wrangler.

Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo.
Check out the fancy new 12.3-infotainment screen. Don't worry, the rest is still chunky.

Oh, and there’s no Wrangler 2dr in the local lineup right now. The 4dr is 99% as capable off-road, but to many the short-wheelbase model is the more authentic one.

Wranglers are what they are and if they weren’t what they are, they wouldn’t be wanted any more.

Our Overland test model also now has a heated steering wheel, redesigned front seats that are also heated and feature 12-way power adjustment (a Wrangler first), plus full leather upholstery. The old war hero has never felt so sumptuous.

Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo.
Cute heritage details are still everywhere.

That’s not the shocking bit, although such comfy chairs might indeed offend a few 4x4 purists.

The new engine is down on capacity and cylinders, but this is a big upgrade as far as we’re concerned.

The really new thing for New Zealand is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which replaces the trusty old 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar. The smaller engine isn’t actually integral to this facelift globally; it’s been available in other markets for ages, but it’s being introduced here simultaneously with the new-look Wrangler.

Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo.
New grille, and the 'trail ready' antenna is now integrated into the windscreen.

This is not the plug-in hybrid 4xe powertrain that’s been available in the US and Europe for yonks; that’s still not produced in right-hand drive and if it was, it would likely be crazy-expensive. Jeep says the relatively low volume for potential markets like the UK, Japan and Australia (not to mention teeny-tiny NZ) doesn’t justify the engineering work.

The turbo engine feels crisp and positively punchy at times, injecting new life into the familiar Wrangler.

But this is at least part of it: the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that’s used in the 4xe, sans the battery pack and electric motor.

Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo.
New Wrangler only comes as a 4dr for NZ (aka the 'Unlimited').

Yes, it’s down on capacity and cylinders, but this is a big upgrade as far as we’re concerned. The 2.0-litre makes 9kW less but 53Nm more than the old V6 - and delivered 1000rpm lower in the rev-range, from 3000rpm.

But will the more complex turbo engine be as hardy and durable as the proven V6? That’s likely to be the question on many Jeepists’ lips and the answer is… only time will tell.

Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo.
Overland is the posh one; more on-road focused, but not that on-road focused.

In truth it’s not a lot more economical, possibly because it has to work a bit harder: Rightcar lists the new model as 10.3l/100km, versus 10.8l/100km for the V6. And you do have to feed the new engine the good stuff: 95-octane is “recommended” but the fuel cap also stipulates 91 is “not acceptable”.

So you might not be saving heaps on running cost, but sit back and enjoy the drive. The turbo engine feels crisp and positively punchy at times, injecting new life into the familiar Wrangler. The 8-speed automatic does good work too, with only the occasional clunk interrupting progress.

Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo.
Never let it be said Jeep lacks cruise-control options.

The adaptive cruise works well, although note that it only features “stop”, as opposed to “stop & go”. Once you’ve come to a halt, it pauses and then disconnects. Wrangler also has that Jeep thing of a separate non-adaptive cruise button, which seems outwardly odd but is useful for off-tarmac situations.

Wranglers are what they are and if they weren’t what they are, they wouldn’t be wanted any more. Which is to say even a posh Wrangler is still a hard-core 4x4 underneath and it’s never going to drive like a crossover SUV.

Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo.
Wrangler is pretty functional, once you work out the jigsaw at the back.

But Overland is as good as it gets when you’re not adventuring: it’s the more on-road focused one. The $109,900 Rubicon really ramps up the 4x4 hardware, with chunky tyres, tricky differentials and something called a Dana “full float” rear axle, which 4x4 people get very excited about and the rest of us just nod and pretend to understand.

The new Wrangler Overland has much better directional stability on the motorway than the previous model and is also much more tidy on backroads, although you’ll still be busy with the steering; there’s a lot of lateral movement when you hit mid-corner bumps.

Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo.
Seats fold near-flat; note the little flap that covers the gap for easier loading.

The new cabin really works in combining some useful new tech with the same chunky style. Some of the graphics are quite similar to other Stellantis product such as Peugeot, but nothing wrong with that.

The wireless phone projection is quite slow to boot up, but once it’s going it’s stable and the system allows Apple or Android to fill up the widescreen-shape nicely. There’s a very slim shelf at the bottom of the centre console that’s perfect for tucking your phone away out of sight; what’s missing is a wireless phone charger.

Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo.
Freedom Top clicks off in a few seconds; the rest of the hard-top is more challenging.

There are some mysterious rubber trays around the dashtop; look under the lining and there boltholes, presumably mounting points for accessories. Very Jeep. There are actually rubber linings in every little storage space, so nothing’s going to slide around.

The driving position is still a little constricted and that old right-hand-drive Wrangler bugbear of a firewall that cuts into your foot space is still present. 

You still get the Freedom Top with two sections that can be unclipped and removed in seconds (there’s a special bag in the boot to store them, which straps to the seatback). You can also remove the hardtop of course, to make this a 4-door convertible, although you need tools (supplied) and time… and a friend. And a place to store it. Ditto for removing the doors and folding down the windscreen.

If this is all starting to sound a bit silly, you obviously don’t understand the Wrangler. There are certain things Jeep’s most iconic 4x4 must offer, and the impressively modernised (but just as importantly, not-too-modern) new Wrangler delivers.

How much is the Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo?

It’s the luxury-focused Wrangler but also the least expensive, at $84,990. The more heavy-duty Rubicon is $109,900.

What are the key statistics for the Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo?

The new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol 4-cylinder engine makes 200kW/400Nm, which is down on power but up on torque over the old V6. The 8-speed automatic drives through Jeep’s Selec-Trac on-demand 4WD system.

Is the Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo efficient?

The smaller 4-cylinder engine doesn’t score that well compared to the previous V6, gaining just 0.5l/100km in fuel economy. It also requires 95-octane fuel.

Is the Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo good to drive?

The new 2.0-litre engine is positively perky compared to the old 3.6-litre. The revised Wrangler is also a more predictable proposition on-road, although it’s far from SUV-smooth: tarmac driving is far below hard-core off-road ability in the Wrangler’s design priorities.

Is the Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo practical?

The cabin feels a bit cramped up front and the seating position takes some getting used to, but it’s still quite versatile: the rear seats fold quite flat and there’s a little fold-down lip that covers the gap between the boot floor and seatbacks for easier loading.

What do we like about the Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo?

You know what you’re getting with a Wrangler, the new engine is a massive improvement and offers more pulling power, the new infotainment is pretty swish.

What don’t we like about the Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo?

It’s hardly any more economical than the old V6 and requires 95-octane fuel, the adaptive cruise control quits when you come to a stop and the driving position can feel awkward.

What kind of person would the Jeep Wrangler Overland 2.0 turbo suit?

A Jeep fan who appreciates the improvement the new turbo engine brings. A Jeep fan who isn’t offended by fancy new seats with 12-way adjustment. It’ll definitely be a Jeep fan of some kind.

Gallery