Car sales are struggling due to various factors, including supply chain issues and price surges. Even the beloved Jeep Wrangler, which recently won Vincentric’s Best Value Compact SUV award, saw lower sales in the first quarter of 2022. Nevertheless, the Wrangler’s sales haven’t been as poor as other models. Read on to learn more about how the Wrangler stacks up to the competition. 

Car sales declined in Q1 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting supply chain issues have plagued the auto industry in recent years. A serious problem affecting car manufacturers, for example, has been a shortage of semiconductor chips.

Manufacturers’ inability to produce sufficient numbers of cars has led to an imbalance in supply and demand and a surge in vehicle prices. That has driven down car sales in the United States as consumers struggle to find affordable vehicles.

Stellantis, which owns Jeep, recently reported that its overall car sales stateside were down in Q1 2022 compared with the same period last year. Though the news isn’t necessarily a surprise, it’s still not good news for the industry. 

But Jeep Wrangler sales didn’t decline as much as most other models

Despite the industry’s struggles, Stellantis found a silver lining when it came to Jeep sales in Q1 2022. For starters, though Jeep Wrangler sales were down 8% compared with Q1 2021, that’s still better than the national average, which saw an overall decline of 14%. 

Stellantis also notes another feather in the Wrangler’s cap: the 4xe was named Best 4×4 in the Women’s World Car of the Year Awards. 

Jeep had even better luck with some of its other models, such as the Grand Cherokee. The popular SUV’s sales were the best they’d ever been for the quarter, with total Q1 2021 sales increasing 36% and retail sales increasing 44% in Q1 2022.

The Jeep Compass also performed remarkably well in the first quarter of 2022. Its total U.S. sales were up 22%, and retail sales increased 23%. 

Overview of the 2022 Jeep Wrangler

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler offers numerous trims and models, ranging from the basic Sport to the pricy Rubicon 392. 

If savings are what you’re after, the Sport might be the Wrangler for you. Starting at $33,595, the Sport has a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 hp and six-speed manual transmission. 

The Wrangler Sport’s fuel economy isn’t great, at 17 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 19 mpg overall. Nevertheless, it offers advantages, including a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and an entertainment system that operates with voice-activated audio control. 

At the other end of the spectrum is the Rubicon 392, which Jeep says is the only Wrangler with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8. Boasting a whopping 470 hp, this engine is one of the more powerful on the market, and it can take you from 0 to 60 in just 4.5 seconds.

In addition, the Rubicon 392’s interior lives up to the quality expected in such a vehicle. It comes with black leather-trimmed seats, an 8.4-inch touchscreen to go with its Uconnect 4C NAV technology, and many other features. 

Of course, all of that power and luxury will cost you. The Rubicon 392 starts at $77,390. So it’s certainly not a purchase to take lightly if you’re considering helping Jeep with its sales figures for the next quarter.