2026 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4-door Review

Few vehicles still on sale are as iconic as the Jeep Wrangler. From its humble military-issue beginnings to the luxury off-roader it is today, few can match its storied life.

Once spanning two wheelbases and several engine options, the New Zealand Wrangler range is much simpler in 2026. Just one variant remains: the all-conquering four-door Rubicon. It’s also more expensive than you might remember, carrying a $107,990 price tag.

The Jeep Wrangler has been powered by the iconic Pentastar V6 for as long as I can remember, but the team at Stellantis decided it was time for a replacement. It now features a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 200kW and 400Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a part-time four-wheel-drive system.

Despite moving into the modern age with a new engine, the Wrangler Rubicon has retained all the off-road goodies anyone would need to get well off the beaten track. These include the Rock-Trac four-wheel-drive system and a transfer case with 4:1 low-range gearing, providing an impressive 77.2:1 crawl ratio for when things get tough. It features a heavy-duty Dana full-floating rear axle, locking differentials front and rear, and an electronic sway bar disconnect system. It rides on 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 32-inch mud tyres that mean serious business.

With steel bumpers at each end, there’s no question of the Wrangler’s off-road intentions. Black plastic wheel arches complete the rugged look. Arguably the coolest aspect of the Wrangler is that its roof can be partially or completely removed. While the panels above the front seats are easy to remove by hand, taking off the rear hardtop assembly is a bigger job that requires a bit more elbow grease.

Inside, the Rubicon carries the same rough-and-ready aesthetic, but Jeep has found room for a few creature comforts. There’s Nappa leather-accented upholstery and a reasonable amount of soft-touch material around the cabin. It’s clear the designers were trying to balance a lifeproof interior with an upmarket feel. On the tech front, there’s a 12.3-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Behind the multifunction steering wheel is a 7.0-inch digital display flanked by a pair of analogue gauges.

While it might not be an intentional nod to nostalgia, the cluster of buttons beneath the infotainment display is a nice touch. Below these sit the off-road controls, with a big red panel surrounding the differential lock switches.

Despite the long wheelbase, there isn’t a massive amount of space in the second row, but it’s enough for most people. The Wrangler can also tow a braked trailer weighing up to 2.5 tonnes.

As soon as you get this Wrangler Rubicon on the road, it makes no secret of its off-road focus. While the 32-inch mud tyres look cool, they make a lot of noise on asphalt. They also add a significant amount of unsprung mass, and the steering feels vague. I imagine a set of less aggressive all-terrain tyres would improve matters, but at the cost of some off-road performance.

Aside from the tyres, which are easy enough to swap out depending on your preferences, the Wrangler drives with a new level of refinement. The turbocharged engine delivers power more smoothly than the old V6 and makes a lot less noise. With 400Nm, it’s still got plenty of push, and it isn’t hard to overwhelm the rubber from a standing start.

As a big, body-on-frame off-roader, the Wrangler has never been great at carrying speed through corners, and this new one isn’t much better. It’s a lot more comfortable (and less hair-raising) lumbering through the turns. That doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to drive, because it is. It’s more of a charming drive than anything.

Fuel economy also suffers with those tyres. Jeep claims a combined figure of 9.7L/100km, but I didn’t see anything below 11.5L/100km during my time with it.

While I wasn’t able to put the Rubicon properly through its paces off the beaten track, we had a bit of a play during the photoshoot. Its generous ground clearance lets it crawl over technical terrain without getting hung up. The low-range gearing also came in handy, making it easy to idle through the moguls and keep things under control.

This Wrangler is a loveable off-roader that retains the SUV’s spirit while adding a welcome dose of refinement. With those massive tyres, it’s far from a perfect all-rounder, but the Rubicon isn’t trying to be. It leans heavily into what the Wrangler does best and will leave drivers grinning from ear to ear as it lumbers around.  

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4-door

$107,990  /  9.7L/100km  /  218g/km
0-100 km/h 8.5s
Engine  1995cc  IL4 / DI / T 
Max power  200kW@5250rpm
Max torque  400Nm@3000-4500rpm
Drivetrain 8-speed auto, switchable 4WD
Weight (claimed)  2139kg

This article first appeared in the November 2026 issue of NZ Autocar magazine.