Jeep Wrangler review for Colorado buyers

The Wrangler for Colorado buyers

Which 4x4 system you're actually buying

Every Wrangler is a 4x4, but they don't all work the same way. Command-Trac, used on most Sport and many Sahara models, is a part-time system with a 2.72:1 low range. You drive in rear-wheel drive and shift into 4HI when the road gets slick, and Jeep says it can be engaged on the move at up to 55 mph. Part-time 4WD isn't meant for dry pavement, so on a mixed winter day you'll be shifting in and out.

Rubicons get Rock-Trac, with a 4:1 low range, front and rear Tru-Lok locking differentials and an electronic front sway-bar disconnect. That's the hardware that makes a Rubicon so capable on rocky, technical Colorado routes. For 2024, Jeep also lists a full-time version of Rock-Trac.

Selec-Trac is the one many Colorado commuters should look for. It adds a full-time 4WD mode that keeps power going to both axles, which is easier to live with on I-70 when the road changes from wet to snowy to dry in a few miles. Jeep first offered it on the 2018 Sahara, and it's standard on the 2024 High Altitude and on the Willys 4xe. Check the transfer case lever or the window sticker on any Wrangler you look at.

Removable tops, winter and highway manners

The top is part of the Wrangler deal. Base models come with a soft top, and hardtops and the Sky One-Touch power top are available. For a Colorado winter, most buyers are happier with a hardtop: it's quieter, it seals better and it handles snow load and hail better than fabric. If you're shopping used and the Jeep has both tops, that's a real plus, since you can run the hardtop from October to May and the soft top in summer.

On the highway, the Wrangler's solid front axle and boxy shape trade on-road precision for trail ability. It tracks fine in normal conditions, but crosswinds through the canyon and long, fast stretches at altitude take more attention than in a crossover. Test drive one at highway speed before you commit, especially if it has a lift or large tires.

For the traction law, the rule is about tires, not 4WD. CDOT requires at least 3/16 inch of tread on M+S, all-weather or winter-rated tires (or chains) when the law is active on I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison. Many Wranglers wear all-terrains that meet this and some wear worn mud-terrains that don't. Our Colorado winter used-car guide explains how to check.

The Wrangler 4xe in Colorado

The 4xe pairs a 2.0L turbo four with two electric motors and a 17-kWh battery for 375 hp and 470 lb-ft. EPA rates it at 22 miles of electric range (Jeep quotes 21), 49 MPGe, and 20 mpg combined once the battery is depleted. If your daily drive is short and you can charge at home, a lot of your around-town miles can be electric.

Cold weather cuts into that. The Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov notes that EV range can drop about 41 percent in cold mixed driving, mostly from heating the cabin, and recommends preheating while plugged in. The same battery and cabin-heating math applies to a plug-in hybrid's electric miles, so expect noticeably less electric range on a January morning in the mountains than in July.

The bigger issue on a used 4xe is the recall history. Jeep has recalled 2020-2025 Wrangler 4xe models for a high-voltage battery that can fail internally and catch fire, most recently under 25V741, and owners have been told to park outside, away from structures, and not to charge until the fix is done. Confirm recall status on the exact VIN before you buy, and make sure you have somewhere to park outside if the remedy is still pending.

Two-door or four-door

The two-door seats four, is shorter and is easier to place on tight, twisty trails. The trade is space: there's very little cargo room behind the rear seat, and getting people into the back is a chore. Older JK spec sheets also show a 2,000-lb tow rating for the two-door versus 3,500 lb for a four-door with the Max Tow package.

The four-door seats five, has a usable cargo area and is the version most Colorado families should look at. Its longer wheelbase also makes it calmer on the highway. If you want a Wrangler as your only vehicle, the four-door is the practical choice.

If you're torn between a Wrangler and a Ford Bronco, the Bronco's independent front suspension is the big difference on pavement. If you want enclosed cargo space and a quieter ride with good trail ability, look at the Toyota 4Runner.

Towing, flat towing and altitude

Jeep rated the 2018 JL at up to 3,500 lb with the towing package, and the 2024 Wrangler is rated up to 5,000 lb on properly equipped models. Check the door-jamb and owner's manual figures for the specific Jeep. Either way, it's suited to small trailers, not a full-size travel trailer over the passes. Our guide to towing a camper in the mountains goes through what to consider.

Where the Wrangler shines for RV owners is being towed. Jeep notes that the Command-Trac transfer case has a neutral position for flat towing, which is why so many Wranglers ride behind motorhomes headed to Colorado campgrounds. Follow the owner's manual procedure exactly.

On engines, the 2.0L turbo and 4xe have an advantage up high. Turbocharger maker Garrett Motion says a naturally aspirated engine typically loses around 3 percent of its power per 1,000 feet of elevation, and turbocharging makes up much of that. The 3.6L V6 isn't turbocharged, so it feels the altitude more on long climbs.

What to check on a used Wrangler

Start with the recall list, because it's long. Beyond the 4xe battery recalls, look for the 2018-2019 front track bar bracket weld recall, the clutch pressure plate recalls on manual Jeeps, the 2021-2025 power steering pump wiring recall and the EcoDiesel high-pressure fuel pump recalls. Many have been fixed, but you want proof.

Then look at modifications. Wranglers get lifted, re-geared and fitted with bigger tires more than almost any vehicle. Quality work can be fine, but a cheap lift or worn steering parts can make the Jeep wander at highway speed. Ask for receipts and inspect the steering, track bar and tie rods.

Finally, check the top and body. Soft tops wear out, hardtops crack, and Colorado hail is hard on both. See our notes on hail damage and used cars. If you'd like us to find a clean, unmodified Wrangler in the exact trim and 4x4 system you want, that's what we do.