2023 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited undergoes only minor trim changes for the model year. The Rubicon receives new standard or optional 17-wheel designs, and there are two new exterior paint shades for the lineup: Earl, a light grey that’s named as a pun on Earl Grey tea; and a purple hue cleverly named Reign. Snazzberry, a shade of red, has been discontinued.

Also discontinued for 2023 is the 3.0L “EcoDiesel” V6 diesel engine. In the U.S., the diesel will be available in a very limited last-run in a 2023 trim called Farout, but it won’t be sold in Canada. However, the Jeep Gladiator pickup will continue to offer the diesel for 2023.

The Wrangler Unlimited is basically a four-door, longer-wheelbase version of the two-door Wrangler, covered separately here. The four-door is far more popular with buyers and so it offers more engine selections, including a plug-in hybrid and V8 engine that aren’t available in the two-door Wrangler.

Performance

The Wrangler Unlimited starts with a 3.6L V6 that makes 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. When mated to a six-speed manual transmission it has start/stop, which shuts off the engine at idle to save fuel and emissions. With the eight-speed automatic, it includes eTorque, a self-charging mild-hybrid system that provides electric assist on acceleration, although it can’t drive on its battery alone.

The turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine makes 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and comes only with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine is also used in the Wrangler Unlimited 4xe, a plug-in hybrid, which mates the 2.0L with two electric motors and a 400-volt battery pack. It gets plugged in and when it’s fully charged, it has a range of 35 km on electric-only. When the stored charge runs out, the system reverts to conventional hybrid operation, automatically switching between gasoline, electricity or a combination of them.

Also available is the Rubicon 392, with a 6.4L Hemi V8 making 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque with eight-speed automatic transmission.

Three 4x4 systems are available, depending on the trim. Command-Trac is a part-time system with 2High, 4High and 4Low. Selec-Trac is a full-time system that further adds 4Auto, which can be used on hard surfaces. Rock Trac, used on the regular Rubicon, is available as a part-time or full-time system, and with a low-range ratio of 4:1 (the Rubicon 392 uses the Selec-Trac system). The Rubicon also includes front and rear electronic locking differentials.

Practicality

The Wrangler Unlimited is a five-passenger to the Wrangler’s four seats, and even though the rear-door opening is small at the bottom, it’s still easier to step into the Unlimited than to squeeze into the Wrangler. Both are off-road champs but the Unlimited’s extra length makes it slightly less manoeuvrable on tight trails. Depending on the trim level and tires, the Unlimited has approach angles of 41.4 to 47.4 degrees; breakover angles of 20.3 to 26.7 degrees; and departure angles from 36.1 to 40.4 degrees. Ground clearance ranges from 9.7 to 12.9 inches.

The doors and roof can be removed, and the windshield can be folded down. Taking the hardtop roof off is a chore, but an optional Sunrider flip-top for it lets you easily flip back the roof over the first row for open-air driving. If that’s not enough, the Unlimited offers an optional one-touch power-opening roof. An optional dual-door package includes both full and half doors, and there’s a factory accessory kit of mirrors that fit in the hinge when the doors are removed. A front-facing off-road camera is available also. All trims can tow a maximum of 3,500 lbs – 1,500 more than the two-door Wrangler – while payload ranges from 1,002 to 1,351 lbs depending on the model.

Canadian Pricing

While the two-door Wrangler comes in four trim levels, the Unlimited stretches across eight: Sport S, Sport Altitude, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, Sahara Altitude, Sahara High Altitude, and Rubicon 392. Pricing starts at $47,895 and the Rubicon is $57,595, while the Rubicon 392 is $105,445.

The plug-in hybrid comes as the 4xe at $59,995; the Sahara 4xe at $59,995; and the Rubicon 4xe at $63,595.