2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited

The 2011 Jeep Wrangler interior has a redesigned instrument panel and new storage areas, wth upgraded materials; a lockable console and upgraded “true” door armrests have more comfortable touch points, and the center stack is easier to reach and operate. Heated, power mirrors are now available, and larger rear windows increase visibility. The arm rest and door pull have a more ergonomic placement and design, with soft touch materials and more user-friendly locks.

Hill Descent Control is now standard on all Wranglers, along with the new instrument panel, center console, front and rear door panels, steering wheel, center stack, and defroster ducts. The soft-top has a 152mm-wider rear window, the door opens wider and has a detent, and power heated mirrors are available. The Freedom Top has larger rear and side windows (145 and 90 mm larger, respectively). The 2011 Wrangler Sport S model has $1,400 in “no charge equipment,” adding air conditioning, satellite radio, 17-inch Moab-style wheel, tinted windows, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

Steering-wheel controls have been added for the radio, cruise control, hands-free phone, and other functions, and a new USB interface connects storage devices (thumb drives and most MP3 players) to the Media Center, which now includes streaming Bluetooth audio. Twelve-volt accessory outlets have been added, and a new 110-volt outlet is optional. The new three-spoke steering wheel with bright accents (a potential problem with the top off) and audio controls is standard.

The center stack is now streamlined and “step free” with better access and visibility. A storage area has been added to the top of the instrument panel; and a new bin is under the rear carpet, with more cargo tie-downs and a reversible load floor mat with Jeep logos on both sides. A new center console includes soft touch surfaces, a more comfortable height, dual stage lid tray, and better opening size; it can still be locked. A Jeep grille logo sits behind the rearview mirror, and “Jeep — since 1941” is printed on the front passenger grab handle.

Hex-head bolts are used throughout the interior, including on a “Jeep, Since 1941” inlay on the passenger grab handle. Added sound insulation cuts interior noise, and Sahara models have a new body-color hard top. The 2011 Jeep Wrangler colors are Detonator Yellow, Deep Cherry Red, Sahara Tan, Cosmos Blue and Bright White. Black replaces slate gray, black/dark saddle replaces dark/medium khaki on Sahara and Rubicon, and dark/medium khaki has been dropped from Sport.

Production of the new 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited began in August at the Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio.

Update, August 13: “Desertbuzz” sent us these images from Chrysler’s web site ... apparently for a brief time they posted the entire 2011 Jeep Wrangler owner's manual on-line. Of note, a 115 volt, 150 watt AC power inverter is now included in the front of the center console; and audio controls are on the back of the steering wheel.

The prices have gone up around $900, so that (all prices are for 4x4) the Sport starts at $22,795, Sahara at $27,995, and Rubicon at $29,995; Unlimited Sport goes to $26,295, Unlimited Sahara to $30,695, and Unlimited Rubicon to $33,495. Dealer invoice is around $700 below MSRP for Sport, $1,500 for Sahara, and $1700-$1,900 for Rubicon (standard and Unlimited). These are fairly small markups.

The Sport B is said to be gaining steering-wheel mounted audio controls, cruise, and hill descent control; Sahara is said to gain an AC outlet and auto headlights; and options now include heated power mirrors and heated front seats.

Rubicon gets “Rock-Trac®” 4x4 which uses an electronic sway bar disconnect, Tru-Lok locking differentials (front and rear), and NV2410R transfer case with 4:1 gear ratio, fiving the Wrangler a 73:1 gear ratio. [Thanks to Justin Trevor for his clarification.]

Standard Wrangler 4x4s get Command-Trac I®, with shift-on-the-fly 4WD (at speeds under 60 mph), low gear, and neutral setting for towing without uncoupling the driveshafts. In low gear, torque is multiplied by 2.72:1. The front axle is a Dana 30, the rear axle is a Dana 44; a Trac-Lok differential is available.

The 2011 Jeep Wrangler is otherwise expected to be similar to the 2010 models, which have standard tow hooks, fog lamps, full-length center console, front floor mats, and cloth trim with front seatback map pockets. The Sunrider® soft top is easier to remove than in older (mid-2000s) models. Some buyers may end up using a grease pencil or other device to dim the bright chrome on the steering wheel, which would otherwise reflect flashes of sun with the top off.

The following is a 2010 Jeep Wrangler for comparison purposes:

You can see that the gauges are in the same place, but are much less “bold” with bright, rounded chrome surrounds replacing the large swaths of dull silver plastic. The separation of digital displays within the guages has been removed. The center stack is less pronounced and the color is an earth tone consistent with the Wrangler’s purpose. The steering wheel now has a chrome ring and audio controls. Shifters are in the same place but have chrome elements and the automatic shifter is now gated. The center stack has the same controls in the same places, it seems, but the elements have the same color as the main dashboard, reducing the emphasis. The speaker grille is not as accentuated and vents have dull silver surrounds. The doors are smoother and not “chunky.” 

The Jeep Wrangler

Criterion (2008s except as noted)	Hummer H3	Toyota 4Runner	2010 4Runner	Wrangler Rubicon	Liberty Limited	08 Grand Cherokee	2011 Grand Cherokee*
Running ground clearance	10”	9”	9 - 9.6”	10”	9.4”	8.5”	8.1 - 10.7
Approach angle (degrees)	42	31	30-33	44.3	37	34	35.9
Departure angle (degrees)	37	24	26	40.4	31.5	27	29.2
Breakover angle (degrees)	25	28	?	25.5	22	20.6	25.1
Gas mileage (EPA, 4WD)	16/20 I5	17/21	?	17/19	18/22	17/21 V6	16/22? V6

The Jeep Wrangler is “the Jeep.” With an appearance echoing the original (and smaller) Army Jeeps of World War II, the Wrangler remains the one Jeep that all others derive their reputation from. Each new redesign is controversial because it is beloved and respected by so many, and woe unto those who would change it too far - for example, by adding a fully independent suspension or square headlights.

There are dozens of different door, top and windshield combinations including a three-piece modular hardtop and Sunrider™ soft top. The beloved AMC straight-six was replaced with a new 3.8 liter V6 with 202 horsepower and 237 lb.-ft. of torque, boosting gas mileage (17 city, 19 highway); it is not the Jeepers’ favorite, but appears to be standard in the 2011s. The 2012 Wrangler promises not only the Pentastar V6 but possibly a Fiat or VM Motori diesel.

For 2009, Jeep made hill-start assist standard on all models, with all transmissions; and added trailer sway control with the Trailer Tow Group. These features are expected to continue.

Safety measures include Electronic Stability Program (ESP), electronic roll mitigation, dual-stage air bags, seat-mounted side air bags and Occupant Classification System (OCS), while convenience has been heightened with available power windows and door locks, full-screen navigation system, and a 368-watt Alpine® stereo.

2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler features expected to continue into 2011

With solid axles, removable doors, exposed hinges, a fold-down windshield and innovative removable and convertible tops, Jeep Wrangler maintains its uniqueness.

Improved ground clearance, combined with short front and rear overhangs, enabled the 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler to navigate the world’s most challenging off-road trails, especially severe inclines. The Wrangler Unlimited, with four doors, continues.

Jeep Wrangler had an electronic-disconnecting front stabilizer bar option – Active Sway Bar System (ASBS) – delivering additional wheel travel for traversing the toughest trails. As a result, the 2007 Jeep Wrangler boasted a 652 Ramp Travel Index (RTI — a measurement of a vehicle’s suspension articulation) with the front stabilizer bar engaged and an 832 RTI with the front stabilizer bar disconnected – a 28 percent increase.

Jeep Wrangler X and Sahara models feature the second-generation Command-Trac® NV241, part-time, two-speed transfer case, featuring a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio. In addition, a Trac-Lok® limited-slip rear differential provides extra torque and grip during low-traction situations, such as driving over sand, gravel, snow or ice.

More On-road Refinement

While improving its 4x4 Jeep capability, the 2007 Jeep Wrangler offers enhanced on-road comfort due to an 100 percent stiffer frame in bending, 50 percent stiffer body, refined five-link coil suspension, improved shock tuning, 2-inch longer wheelbase and 3.5-inch wider track. In addition, new steering and suspension geometry provides precise ride and handling characteristics, and new sound-deadening techniques reduce cabin noise by more than 20 percent.

Ride balance in the 2007 Jeep Wrangler is more refined, achieving less body lean when cornering and braking. In addition, lower suspension spring rates provide a softer, more comfortable on-road ride. Standard on the 2007 Jeep Wrangler is an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which aids the driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability in severe driving maneuvers on any type of surface. ESP features three modes – “full on,” “full off” and “partial on.”

Standard on the 2007 Jeep Wrangler X, low-pressure twin-tube shock absorbers are tuned to provide improved balance between jounce and rebound motions, achieving an extremely responsive suspension. Jeep Wrangler Sahara and Rubicon models feature standard high-pressure monotube shocks, utilizing Low Speed Tunable (LST) valve technology.

The 2007 Jeep Wrangler’s new recirculating-ball steering configuration features a robust cross-car steering linkage system, providing the stiffest possible steering linkage in a solid-axle vehicle, for a precise “rack-and-pinion” feel.

Jeep Wrangler 3.8 liter engine

A 3.8-liter overhead valve V-6 engine replaced the 4.0-liter Power-Tech in-line six engine. With 205 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque, Jeep Wrangler came standard with a six-speed manual transmission or an available four-speed automatic transmission (we hope this will be replaced by a five or six speed with the 2011 models).

Compared to the 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, the 3.8-liter is lighter and shorter, and maintains higher torque at speeds above 3400 rpm, allowing for an expanded operating range.

Worldwide Availability

The Jeep Wrangler was available with a 2.8 liter VM Motori diesel engine, as well as left- and right-hand-drive models; the engine will be upgraded for 2011 models. Built at Chrysler Group’s Stickney Avenue Toledo Assembly Plant in Toledo, Ohio, the 2007 Jeep Wrangler arrived in Jeep dealerships in the fall of 2006.

Original Willys Jeep | CJ5 - CJ6 - CJ7 of 1975-76 | general Jeep Wrangler page

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