The Jeep Wrangler includes some updates for the 2022 model year. Newer doesn’t always mean better. Is the 2022 Wrangler a better buy than the previous model year, or is the 2021 SUV the better model?

Is the 2021 Jeep Wrangler a good SUV?

The Wrangler is one of the most controversial vehicles in its segment because it excels at some aspects of driving and stinks at others. There’s very little middle ground when it comes to Wrangler fans and haters. You can love it for the off-roading prowess and despise it for reliability issues. The 2021 Jeep Wrangler is one of the more impactful model years because of several new options.

The 2021 model year is the first model to include the Rubicon 392 V8 model and 4xe plug-in hybrid trim. It is also the first Wrangler to include the Xtreme Recon package, a package that increases the vehicle’s ground clearance and off-roading capability.

The 2021 Wrangler has 183 complaints listed on CarComplaints.com. It has 42 complaints of engine problems and 35 electrical problems.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler sticks to the script

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler isn’t very different from the 2021 model year. Its price is bumped up, yet according to Kelley Blue Book, there were no major changes for the 2022 model year. The new Wrangler received the exact same overall score from Car and Driver as its previous model year, a 7.5/10.

That Car and Driver score perfectly sums up the last few iterations of the Wrangler. It’s a decent compact SUV model, but it can be quite the headache as a daily driver. Wranglers are notorious for their unreliability. The 2022 model year delivers predictable off-road thrills and does little to improve overall Wrangler ownership experiences.

Is the 2022 Jeep Wrangler better than the 2021 model?

The 2021 Wrangler starts at $28,870. The 2022 Wrangler starts at $29,995. Since the 2022 model offers so few changes, the 2021 model year is the better choice from an economic standpoint.

The biggest difference between the two model years are larger touchscreens on some 2022 Wrangler trims as well as a few other minor upgrades. Ultimately, if you’re buying a Wrangler to go toe to toe with nature, you may prefer saving a few hundred dollars with the 2021 model year.

The Wrangler is a great off-road SUV model if you intend on tackling trails and overcoming natural obstacles. That being said, Wranglers have remained relatively consistent over the years in their stenghts and flaws. The better Wrangler model comes down to how much you value minor upgrades, and whether or not you believe those slight adjustments are worth hundreds of dollars.