The Jeep Wrangler has been launched in India in a locally assembled avatar. The off-roader is now priced from Rs 53.9-57.9 lakh (introductory, ex-showroom, India) and is offered in the same Unlimited and Rubicon trims as before, along with a new 80th Anniversary Edition. The fourth-generation, JL-series Wrangler was originally introduced in India in August 2019 as a full import, however, local assembly operations have now seen prices for the SUV drop by Rs 10.04-11.04 lakh, owing to lower duties on CKD (completely knocked down) models.
| Jeep Wrangler prices (ex-showroom, India) | ||
| Variant | MY2021 price (locally assembled model) | MY2020 price (fully imported model) |
| Unlimited | Rs 53.9 lakh | Rs 63.94 lakh |
| Rubicon | Rs 57.9 lakh | Rs 68.94 lakh |
- Local assembly has seen prices of the Wrangler drop by Rs 10.04-11.04 lakh
- Jeep’s hardcore off-roader is powered by a 268hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine
- Offered in Unlimited and Rubicon trims, with an additional special-edition variant
2021 Jeep Wrangler: engine-gearbox and mechanicals
As with the 2020 model year, the assembled-in-India Wrangler is offered only in the five-door guise. Even the powertrain is carried forward unchanged and the Jeep continues with a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol motor that is good for 268hp and 400Nm of torque. An 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox is available as standard.
Being a hardcore off-roader, the Wrangler gets the ‘Selec-Trac’ full-time 4WD system, with a 2.72:1 crawl ratio, and heavy-duty suspension even in the entry-level Unlimited trim. The Rubicon takes it a step further with the company’s ‘Rock-Trac’ full-time 4WD system, boasting a 4:1 crawl ratio, electronically locking front and rear differentials, electronically operated sway bar and performance suspension.
Both the trims can also be differentiated by their alloy wheels – while the Unlimited packs in a set of 18-inchers, the more off-road focused variant gets wheels which are a size smaller, but sport tyres with thicker sidewalls. Other factors which add to the Rubicon’s off-road prowess are a higher ground clearance and better approach, ramp breakover and departure angles.
Notably, the limited-run 80th Anniversary variant, which commemorates the brand’s birth with the Willys MB in 1941, is based on the Unlimited trim and, as such, shares its running gear and equipment. However, it features some subtle styling touches to mark itself out as the special edition.
2021 Jeep Wrangler: features
Most of the creature comforts remain common across the model range, including LED headlamps and DRLs, LED fog lamps, leather upholstery, 7-inch colour MID screen in the instrument cluster, 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry/start. Being a Wrangler, removable doors and hard top roof are a given.
On the safety front, the Jeep gets front and side airbags, electronic stability control, hill start assist, hill descent control, electronic roll mitigation, automatic headlamps, tire pressure monitor and rear parking sensors and camera as standard.
The special edition features a unique design for the alloy wheels and 80th Anniversary badging on the front fenders as well as the central console and front seats in the cabin.
The locally-assembled Jeep Wrangler is available in 5 colours – Bright White, Sting Grey, Granite Crystal, Black and Firecracker Red.
2021 Jeep Wrangler: outlook
Assembly operations for the Wrangler commenced at Jeep’s Ranjangaon, Pune facility last month, and bookings have been open at the brand’s 26 dealerships across the country ever since. Notably, the Indian plant is only the second location worldwide to be churning out the Wrangler, with production being earlier limited to just the company’s Toledo factory in Ohio, USA.
After the Compass and Wrangler, Jeep plans to commence local operations for the next-gen Grand Cherokee and an upcoming seven-seat SUV (codenamed: H6) at its India plant. The automaker has earmarked an investment of over $250 million (about Rs 1,827 crore) for production of the four-model strong line-up by 2022.
In terms of competition, the body-on-frame Wrangler rivals the Land Rover Defender. Now a monocoque-bodied SUV in its latest avatar, the Defender is being brought to India as a full import and is priced at Rs 73.98 lakh-1.08 crore for the three-door ‘90’ version and Rs 79.94 lakh-1.08 crore (ex-showroom, India) in the five-door ‘110’ guise.
Also see:
2019 Jeep Wrangler review, test drive
2019 Jeep Wrangler video review
Jeep to launch four new SUVs in two years; compact SUV to follow