The Jeep Wrangler is best known for its unbeatable off-roading abilities. But it’s also a strong candidate if you need an SUV for towing a trailer. Its strong engine lineup and robust construction mean that the Wrangler has no trouble pulling a small camper or boat out of Plano for the weekend. Here’s a closer look at the 2023 Wrangler’s engine and towing specs. If you’d like to know more about the latest Wrangler or a used model, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Jeep experts.
Jeep Wrangler Engine and Performance
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There are five engine options for you to choose from in the 2023 Wrangler, and there really isn’t a bad pick for towing or off-roading. The base unit is a 285-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6. Alternatively, you can go for a turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 270 horsepower or a 3-liter turbodiesel with 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is paired with the base powertrain, but you can opt for an eight-speed automatic if you prefer.
The off-roading Rubicon trim is fitted with a 6.4-liter V-8 that churns out 470 horsepower and shifts the Wrangler from zero to 60 mph in a remarkable 4.5 seconds. There’s also a plug-in hybrid powertrain consisting of a four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a battery pack that combines to put out 375 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid has an all-electric driving range and the most efficient gas mileage in the lineup.
Apart from the plug-in hybrid version, the turbodiesel is the next best option for fuel efficiency in the Wrangler lineup. It achieves 29 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg on city roads. The base V-6 is good for 25 mpg and 17 mpg, respectively. The V-8 is less efficient, managing 17 mpg on the highway and 13 mpg in the city. However, if off-roading is where you’ll spend most of your time, you can’t beat the V-8 for performance.
Wrangler Towing Capacity and Features
The first thing you should know about the Wrangler’s towing capacity is that it varies depending on whether you opt for a two- or four-door model. While the two-door model is better for serious off-roaders, the four-door version has a higher towing capacity at 3,500 pounds compared to the 2,000-lb limit of the two-door.
If your Wrangler can tow 3,500 pounds, you’ll be able to pull a teardrop or pop-up trailer without any trouble. You can also tow two motorcycles or a 20-foot aluminum boat. The lower 2,000-pound towing limit should still be good for a small trailer or boat.
You’ll want to add the Trailer Tow and Heavy-Duty Electrical Group package to get the most out of your Wrangler’s towing abilities. It features several pieces of equipment to improve your crossover’s towing abilities and help your engine cope with heavier loads. The package comes with a winch and control light bars, programmable auxiliary switches, and a 700-amp battery. You gain a seven- and four-pin wiring harness for towing and a Class-II receiver hitch. Finally, the package adds a 240-amp alternator.
Several driver safety features are available with the Wrangler that help simplify towing a trailer. For example, blind-spot monitoring and the rear cross-traffic alert can identify traffic approaching from behind, which can be challenging when you’re towing a trailer. You can also have automatic high-beam headlights and automatic emergency braking to make sure that you maintain good vision on the road and can come to a safe and swift stop.
2023 Wrangler Cargo and Passenger Capacities
The two-door Wrangler offers just over 12 cubic feet of cargo storage at the rear. That’s about enough for a few carry-on bags. If you need more space, you may want to look at the four-door Wrangler, which offers 31 cubic feet in the back or over 72 cubic feet with the rear row folded flat.
The two-door Wrangler has four seats, while the four-door model has room for up to five people. The second row in the two-door version is best left for kids, but in the four-door Wrangler, the rear seats are more adult-friendly. The Wrangler features cloth upholstery and manual seat adjustments in the base trim. You can upgrade to a more luxurious interior with leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and power-adjustable front seats in the higher trims. You can also access infotainment features such as a Wi-Fi hotspot and an 8.4-inch touch screen.
Pricing and Trims for the Jeep Wrangler
The 2023 Wrangler lineup has eight trim levels, but they’re not all offered in two-door and four-door models. That’s why deciding on your preferred body style is probably better before looking for a trim level. The eight trims are Sport, Willys, Sport S, Willys Sport, Sahara, High Altitude, Rubicon, and Rubicon 392.
The base Sport is available in both body styles and has an MSRP of $30,295. The Willys trim adds rock rails, 32-inch all-terrain tires, and a rear slip-limited differential. Stepping up to the Willys gets you fog lights and LED headlights, which can prove useful when you need to do your towing at night. The Sahara and High Altitude trims only come in four-door models. The High Altitude gains leather seats, side steps, and 20-inch alloy wheels.
The Rubicon trim is offered in two-door and four-door versions. It adds plenty of off-roading features, such as 33-inch all-terrain tires, heavy-duty shock absorbers, and front and rear locking differentials. The top-of-the-range Rubicon 392 combines the luxury of the High Altitude with the off-roading chops of the Rubicon and adds the 470-horsepower engine. If you can afford the price tag, this is the most capable Wrangler, both on and off the road.
Would you like to know more about the 2023 Wrangler or get some towing tips from our Jeep experts? Feel free to contact us today, and we’ll be happy to help. Here at Huffines Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Plano, we can arrange for you to test-drive a Wrangler near Dallas and set you up with a competitive auto loan to finance your purchase. You can swing by our Plano showroom to take a closer look at our Wrangler inventory or browse our selection online.