2022 Jeep Wrangler Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

The off-roading segment of the auto industry has always been a smaller section of the whole market because it is highly specialized. Offroading vehicles don't perform as well for normal day to day driving because of their higher weight. Contemporary offroaders are starting to close this gap with more efficient designs, and some traditional on-roading categories like the wagon are now gaining some basic offroading ability, but the core offroaders are still rugged, tightly-designed masters of their craft.

The Jeep Wrangler is the gold standard for offroading, and it has been for decades. The Wrangler was inspired by military-grade Humvees and it is an offroading SUV before anything else. The Wrangler design has stayed more or less the same for several generations because it has a winning formula: tough exterior, powerful offroading drivetrains, and specialist equipment.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler is still on top of the segment. It has some new additions compared to older years, but all of the elements that make it the best choice for offroading are still around. There's no better offroading SUV that has the same mix of durability, power, and feature set, and you also get to enjoy one of the most iconic vehicles in the history of the auto industry.

On this page, we will discuss the trim levels and configuration choices for the 2022 Jeep Wrangler. There are a lot of choices to make, so it is important to know them all so that you can build the best Wrangler for your needs. Each one has a big impact on the price, feature set, and look of the SUV, and if you enjoy the Wrangler, you will want to pick the configuration that gets you the most for your money.

Before we begin talking about trim levels, it is important to note that the Wrangler comes in two body styles. The regular Wrangler has two doors, and it comes in four trims. The Unlimited is a four-door body style that also gains three more trim levels to choose from. This complicates the picture of which trim to choose. It is a good idea to read these over and think about whether you want the four-door model or not. Taking full advantage of the Unlimited will mean a higher trim, which costs more, but does come with more features to enjoy.

In addition to body styles, the Wrangler also has a set of different engines, some of which are limited to specific trims and some of which are not. The base engine is a V6 rated for 285 horsepower. It is an engine that has been present on past Wrangler models. You can also upgrade to a hybrid V4 that is rated for 270 horsepower and has a turbocharger. If you have the Unlimited model, you also get access to V6 diesel engine rated foe 260 horsepower. The Unlimited also gets the 392, a V8 engine with 470 horsepower that is only available for the Rubicon model. There is also the powerful plug-in hybrid introduced recently called the 4xe, which gets 375 horsepower and is available on the Sahara and Rubicon. This array of engine choices means there is something for every taste and budget. Keep in mind that the more powerful engines also tend to be heavier, which cuts into their fuel efficiency.

Compare the Sport vs Sport S Trims. What is the difference?

The base trim of the Wrangler is called the Sport. The Sport is a stripped down, back to basics model of the Wrangler. It lacks some of the core features that current drivers like to have, such as air conditioning and power windows. However, it is kitted with notable offroading features, including skid plates and tow hooks. There is a bit of onboard tech, like a 5-inch touchcreen.

This trim is the most simplified and lowest cost offering if you want a Wrangler and you don't care about any other features. It's a classic trim, but at this point, Jeep should consider retiring it, because it generally doesn't offer enough to be good value compared to other trims. It just lacks too much. However, you can opt for the Willys variant, which adds on a selection of beefier offroading features, like the rock rails, a limited slip differential, a set of mud tires, and some cosmetic changes.

The Sport S does a better job at being a good, low-cost option for the 2022 Wrangler. The Sport S adds in power windows, air conditioning, door locks, and other basics. It has a few extras too, such as leather wrapping on the steering wheel. You should think of the Sport S as the real base trim of the Wrangler. It has the same capabilities in terms of offroading, but offers fundamental features that modern SUVs should not be without.

Compare the Sport vs Willys Trims. What is the difference?

The Willys trim is not to be confused with the Sport Willys. The Willys trim, the third trim for the Wrangler, is the center of the big new change for the 2022 model. The Willys is a great trim because it has the offroading features present in the Sport and adds in all of the interior upgrades from the Sport S to make a unified and valuable vehicle. It also gets LED headlight upgrades.

The big and exciting news about the Willys trim is that it gets access to the Xtreme Recon package. This is an extensive package that includes tons of offroading features, like brake upgrades, improved tires, and a suspension lift. The Xtreme Recon package used to only be available for the Rubicon trim, and now you can get it on the Unlimited version of the Willys trim. Jeep made this change because of the competition from new, inexpensive offroading SUVs like the Ford Bronco.

The Willys with Xtreme Recon has the best departure and approach angles, ground clearance, and water fording clearance of all offroad SUVs and maintains a competitive price.

Compared to the Sport S, the Willys represents a notable step up if you opt for the Unlimited trim with Xtreme Recon and potentially other packages as well. The price gets higher, of course, but the value makes it well worth it, because otherwise these offroading features would be strictly limited to the pricey Rubicon trim.

Compare the Willys vs Rubicon Trims. What is the difference?

The Rubicon trim is the offroad specialist trim among the Wrangler options. It has numerous upgrades, like heavy duty axles that lock, low gearing, electronic locking for the front and rear differentials, a disconnecting front stabilizer bar, part-time 4WD with a 73:1 crawl ratio, and some of the optional features from the lower trims' tech packages for more interior quality. The Rubicon has its own set of packages as well as a unique set of style and design changes to mark its look.

Between the Willys and the Rubicon, the preference comes down to budget. Both are suitable for offroad fans, but the Rubicon offers a more extensive feature set in exchange for the highest price. For people looking to get the very best offroad performance out of the Wrangler, a Rubicon with options added on is the best bet, even if it does push the price up.

Compare the Rubicon vs Rubicon 392. What is the difference?

The 392 is a side variant of the Rubicon. It doesn't have the improved axles and is missing a few other offroad components of the Rubicon base, but it gets a unique and powerful engine, upgraded shock absorbers, an upgraded sound system, leather upholstery, an 8.4 inch infotainment screen, and plenty of more comfort upgrades.

The 392 is a good choice for people who want to trade off a bit of offroad ability for an increase to interior comfort and quality.

Compare the Rubicon 392 vs Sahara Trims. What is the difference?

The Sahara is the version of the Wrangler that goes all-in on tech and comfort. The tradeoff gets you a 7-inch touchscreen, full time all wheel drive, smartphone connectivity, and other interior upgrades. The Sahara also has its own unique styling and design.

Between the 329 and the Sahara, it comes down to value and preferences. If you want more comfort, you get more for your money with the Sahara. For offroading, the 329 has more to offer. You also need to account for the fact that you will be able to add options and packages to both.

Final Thoughts

There are two main dimensions to Wrangler trims. One is price, and the other is offroading. You should think carefully about the price that you are comfortable with, and use that to eliminate any trims that will cost too much once you account for options, packages, and any dealer fees. Keep in mind that unless the Sport is really what you want and you don't mind all the missing features, you will need at least the Willys version of that trim, if not the Sport S trim itself.

Next, consider the amount of offroading that you want to do and how rough the terrain is. The Wrangler is the best in class when it comes to durability and its various configurations can beat all the competition when it comes to angles, clearance, and handy features. At the same time, there is no need for you to overbuy and pay for advanced offroad features that you will never use.

Many buyers are very happy with the Sport S. Beyond that, in previous years buyers were mostly limited to the Rubicon for offroading or the Sahara for comfort, but now the Unlimited with the Willys trim and Xtreme Recon package is a cheaper and slightly less kitted out version of the Rubicon. That extra variety is very enticing and is sure to be a popular choice with many 2022 customers.

The Wrangler can be used on roads and highways, but that isn't its primary purpose. The steering, handling, and fuel efficiency mean that it doesn't feel great on the road and you will need to fill it up often. It is a good idea to not buy a Wrangler as a primary daily driver. From the cargo space to the weight and other aspects, the Wrangler isn't nearly as good a fit for this as a more traditional SUV would be.

Stick to the trails and the rocks if you want to get the most out of this vehicle. That is especially true when you see that the Wrangler does have a higher base price than many of its more typical SUV competitors. You don't want to pay a lot of extra money for an SUV that doesn't work well for your primary need.