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The 2022 Jeep Wrangler is an excellent off-roader, but less comfortable on the road than the competition.

The legendary Jeep Wrangler is currently in its fourth generation and is one of the most capable offerings when it comes to off-roaders. Available for a base MSRP of $29,725, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler retains all the characteristic traits like the tried and tested V6 motor, a capable 4WD drivetrain, extensive mod potential, and the enticing design language, all of which help it to be a sales success even to this day.

Coming in with 13 trim configurations and both two-door and four-door architectures, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler does come with a few changes from the older 2021 model. The main update is in terms of a new Xtreme Recon trim, which is more adventure-ready due to the inclusion of fatter 17" tires, updated exterior bits, beefier brakes, long-travel suspension, and many more. With the rising competition from the likes of the Ford Bronco and Toyota 4Runner, here are 10 things you need to know before getting the 2022 Jeep Wrangler​​​​​.

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The 3.6L naturally aspirated VVT V6 motor of the outgoing 2021 model comes unchanged to this 2022 iteration and is not the best motor of the lot. Producing 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, the performance on offer is just about adequate. However, the low-end torque is quite good and that makes it a capable off-roader.

When it comes to highway drivability, this V6 motor lacks the grunt for a quick overtake. It also sounds coarse at the higher RPMs. However, Jeep offers multiple engine options like the 3-liter diesel V6 motor, a 375 hp producing plug-in hybrid motor with the 4xe trim, a turbocharged inline-4 motor along with an electric motor, and the 3.6-liter V6 mated to a smart hybrid system.

With this 2022 model, Jeep has made a few more upgrades to make the wrangler an even better option off-roads. The major upgrade is the inclusion of the Xtreme Recon Package as standard with the Willys trim. This will include 35" BF Goodrich all-terrain tires wrapped on 17" wheels, a 1.5" suspension lift, upgraded brakes, and many subtle exterior and interior updates.

All the trims of the 2022 Jeep Wrangler come with the 4-wheel-drive drivetrain system and a torquey base V6 motor, both of which make the off-roading quite effortless. The 6-speed manual comes in as standard and the initial gearing is quite short too, making it very easy to drive in difficult terrains without stalling the engine. The ride is not very jarring in these terrains, too.

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Even though the design hasn't seen any major changes from the fourth generation that was launched back in 2018, it still looks handsome. The front end gets the conventional seven-slot grille and the chunky bumpers, both of which make it look iconic. The LED headlights with integrated LED DRLs are also offered with higher trims.

The same masculine design has been taken to the sides and rear as well. With the best-in-class height and ground clearance, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler looks more purposeful than the rivals like the Toyota 4Runner and the Ford Bronco. The chunky side mirrors, exposed hinges of the doors, and the 17" alloy wheels wrapped in all-season tires add to the character as well.

The 6-speed manual transmission comes as standard with the 2022 Jeep Wrangler. This is a pretty decent transmission, with reasonably short initial gears and a tall sixth gear. The perfect gearing of this manual transmission also makes the engine quite flexible out on the open highways as well as in the treacherous off-road terrains.

Apart from the standard manual transmission, there is also an optional 8-speed TorqueFlite torque converter automatic gearbox, which offers reasonably fast and smooth gearshifts. Put the foot down and the transmission responds pretty well with no hesitancy, making it a great vehicle to drive through any terrains.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler comes in both 2-seater and 4-seater configurations, making it a pretty versatile offering of the segment. However, the interior space leaves a lot to be desired for both versions. The front seat passengers would be disappointed with the worst shoulder room and legroom, making it not as comfortable as the rivals.

However, the great seat turned out to be slightly better than the segment rivals like the Ford Bronco and the Toyota 4Runner. The headroom of 41.7" is quite accommodating to the tall passengers. However, the cargo space of 12.9" is the worst of the segment and that would pose a problem while doing those freeway road trips with four passengers.

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Being a pretty hardcore off-roader with a removable roof and doors, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler is not going to be a silent vehicle out on the open roads. When driven on the highways, the high road noise and wind noise do filter into the cabin, making a constant drone. This makes the traveling experience pretty harsh.

The engine noise is very high too, similar to that of the Toyota 4Runner. With poor sound deadening and a slightly lower fit and finish, it is not going to provide any premium experience. There were quite a bit of rattles and squeaks too, and all of this makes for a ride that is not very enjoyable.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler comes with the same leading link front suspension and trailing arm rear suspension, with coil springs and front and rear anti-roll bars. With body-on-frame construction coupled with massive ground clearance and a soft suspension setup, the ride quality is not going to impress those who prefer a car-like ride quality.

When the Wrangler is ridden slowly, the ride is pretty decent. The soft setup will absorb all the bumps and potholes with ease and that becomes important especially during the off-road sections. However, take the Wrangler on the freeways and the ride gets very bumpy and unpleasant. There is quite a bit of vertical movement and body roll too.

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Coming in with four powertrains, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler surely offers all the options for buyers. However, only the diesel variant offers decent gas mileage. The 3-liter V6 turbocharged diesel could churn out 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, making it better than the competitors with the optional diesel powertrain.

If you opt for the regular 3.6-liter V6 motor, it has an EPA-rated city and highway gas mileage of 17 mpg and 25 mpg, respectively. Even though it isn't as impressive as the Ford Bronco's combined gas mileage of 23 mpg, it is much superior to the Toyota 4Runner's 18 mpg. However, with a 17.5-gallon fuel tank capacity, the tank range of the Wrangler is the worst of the lot.

There's nothing to complain about regarding the braking performance of the 2022 Jeep Wrangler. With the same 12.9" front and rear rotors coupled with all the other braking features like ABS with EBD, ventilated front rotors, brake assist, and hill hold control, the Wrangler could do the 60-0 mph braking in 128 feet, which is lower than all the rivals.

In comparison, the Toyota 4Runner did the same in 130 feet and the Ford Bronco did it in 134 feet. Being the lightest SUV of the lot, the Wrangler doesn't feel twitchy when stomped on the brakes from the highway speeds. Even though the brakes felt a bit wooden, they had impressive initial bite and progression.

This is one area Jeep has always skimped when it comes to the Wrangler, and this 2022 iteration is no different. Even though it gets all the basic safety features like ABS, airbags, traction control, stability control, side-impact beams, and many more, some of the essential driver-assistance techs which should be expected at this price point are not offered as standard.

This includes the features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, etc, all of which only come if you opt for the right optional packages. However, even with all these limitations in terms of safety features, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler managed to get a good rating in most of the subsections of the IIHS crash test.

Mohith is our in-house motorcycle mechanic and automotive geek. He loves riding and driving at the limits, and you would frequently notice him on racetracks at the weekends. Mohith is someone who would redline anything that comes with a motor - even our office lawnmower. He often does cross-country road trips in his trusted 300ZX and you could find him riding his CB750 quite often through the streets of Pasadena as well as on the Moore Motorsports racetrack.