Jeep’s iconic Wrangler is set to get a lot more expensive, as the model year 2023 version will increase costs by around $12,000.
No, that isn’t a typo, each of the four Wrangler variants available in Australia will see a five-figure price increase in line with the MY23 upgrades – which are understood to encompass a larger battery for some variants.
Jeep Australia has confirmed the price changes are in line with the rising costs of raw materials, logistics and an unfavourable exchange range, resulting in the Wrangler Rubicon two-door jumping $11,400 from $72,550 before on-road costs to $83,950.
The four-door Unlimited Night Eagle meanwhile, has moved up $11,700 to $81,450, while the Unlimited Overland is $12,100 pricier at $86,950.
As for the top-spec Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, it has shot up $12,000 to $90,450, making it more expensive than the base Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series GX (from $89,181), Ford’s Ranger Raptor ute (from $85,490) and Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI (from $87,990).
In fact, even the cheapest Wrangler is now pricier than the top-dog Ford Everest Platinum (from $76,880) and second-to-top Toyota Prado VX (from $76,348), and just more affordable than the Land Rover Defender 90 P300 (from $82,956) and V8-powered Nissan Patrol Ti (from $82,160).
This is actually the second time this year that Jeep has increased the price of the Wrangler, with prices moving up between $6600-$7000 in March due to difficulties in sourcing parts and supply chain disruptions, the company told us.
In 2021, Jeep also increased the prices of the Wrangler three separate times.
For reference, the fourth-generation Wrangler launched locally in 2019, and kicked off with the now-discontinued Sport S two-door for $48,950 and topped out with the now-also-unavailable diesel Rubicon four-door for $68,950.
The mechanically related Gladiator ute meanwhile, remains unchanged for now, and is available in Night Eagle and Rubicon trim for $73,450 and $82,450 respectively.
All four versions of the Jeep Wrangler are powered by a 3.6-litre Pentastar petrol V6, which outputs 209kW/347Nm to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Standard equipment in the MY22 cars include dual-zone climate control, a 7.0-inch driver display, push-button start, keyless entry, LED lighting and a 7.0-inch Uconnect multimedia touchscreen with smartphone mirroring.
Safety systems extend to autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring and a reversing camera.
Of course, moving up the model range will also net buyers features like leather interior, heated front seats, more doors, a hardtop and body-coloured fenders, as well as Rubicon-exclusive Rock-Trac Active On-Demand 4×4 system, locking front and rear differentials, electronic sway bar disconnect, 17-inch wheels with off-road tyres and rock sliders.
2023 Jeep Wrangler pricing before on-road costs
Variant | Transmission | Cost |
Rubicon two-door | Automatic | $83,950 (+$11,400) |
Unlimited Night Eagle | Automatic | $81,450 (+$11,700) |
Unlimited Overland | Automatic | $86,950 (+$12,100) |
Unlimited Rubicon | Automatic | $90,450 (+$12,000) |
Keyword: 2023 Jeep Wrangler pricing and spec: Off-road icon now more expensive than Ford Everest, Nissan Patrol and Toyota Prado