How much does a Jeep Wrangler weigh? — by model year

A vehicle’s weight is crucial as it plays a key role in its maneuverability, handling, and overall driving experience. While some drivers prefer a 4-door for tackling challenging terrains, others prefer the excitement and swiftness of lighter frames.

In addition to handling, a vehicle’s weight plays a critical role in fuel consumption. A heavier vehicle requires more energy to move than a lighter car, thus increasing its fuel consumption.

Similarly, extra weight increases your vehicle’s rolling resistance, a force that resists acceleration as the wheels roll over the road. Most drivers interested in the Jeep Wrangler often ask one question: “How much does a Jeep Wrangler weigh?” 

Getting a slightly heavy vehicle would improve your handling, acceleration, and maneuverability while saving you a reasonable sum of money that you would have spent on gas.

This article will take you through the weight of the Jeep Wrangler and answer related questions.

Jeep Wrangler weight by trim

Your Jeep Wrangler’s weight will be dependent on your configuration of choice. As a result, the weight can vary between 4,167 lb and 5,103 lb. That’s why the first thing you need to ask yourself as a Wrangler driver is – what’s the trim of my car? Here’s a breakdown of weight specs between the Jeep Wrangler’s popular models:

2-Door

• Jeep Wrangler Sport: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Willys Sport: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Sport S: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Islander: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Willys: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Freedom: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler 80th Anniversary: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: 4,222 lb

4-Door

• Jeep Wrangler Sport: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Willys Sport: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Sport S: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Islander: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Willys: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Freedom: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler 80th Anniversary: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Sport Altitude: 4,167 lb
• Jeep Wrangler RHD: 4,196 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Sahara: 4,263 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: 4,449 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Sahara Altitude: 4,263 lb
• Jeep Wrangler High Altitude: 4,549 lb
• Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392: 5,103 lb

Jeep Wrangler engines

Now that we’ve known that the Jeep Wrangler’s weight ultimately depends on the configuration you choose, let’s take a look at some of its engines:

• 2.0L Turbo engine: This engine size generates about 260 horsepower and 260 horsepower, and 295 pound-feet of torque, allowing up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity.
• 2.0L Turbo engine with eTorque: The 2.0L turbo engine generates up to 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. This allows the Wrangler to attain a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
• 3.0L EcoDiesel engine: Delivers up to 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, providing up to a 3,500-pound towing capacity.
• 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine: This engine generates 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, offering up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity.
• 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine with eTorque: This engine generates up to 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.

What are other factors that may affect my Jeep Wrangler’s weight?

Apart from the engine and the trim specification, other things may add to the overall weight of your Jeep Wrangler. These factors include:

Fluids

This is self-explanatory; however, let’s explain it with an example. There is a 3-gallon difference in the fuel tank capacity between the 2-door and 4-door Jeep Wrangler models, adding about 25 pounds to the overall weight.

Engine and Transmission type

The engine and type of transmission are two other factors that determine the weight of a Wrangler. So far, the Wrangler has about 33 different engine configurations. The table below indicates the vehicle’s weight changes concerning its engine and transmission:

The details above include the transfer case’s weight and its given transmission. If you aren’t sure of your Jeep Wrangler’s exact trim but have an idea about its kind of engine, this information would come in handy.

Tires

Recently manufactured models of the Wrangler don’t usually get tires larger than 33 inches, as rubber increases the vehicle’s overall weight. Here are some recent trims and their respective tire and wheel measurements:

• Sahara: Standard P255/70R18, on/off-road, OWL (32-inch)
• Rubicon: Standard LT285/70R17C Radial tires, on/off-road, black sidewall(32.7-inch)
• Sport: Standard P245/75R17, on/off-road, black sidewall (31-inch)

Being equipped with this information is crucial in replacing your tires with the right size and also serves as a way to determine if your Wrangler has been upgraded (in case it is pre-owned).

Furthermore, knowing your stock tire sizes would guide you if you plan on mounting monster-truck wheels on your Wrangler. Ultimately, you should keep track of weight increment.

Hard vs. soft tops

Since the Wrangler series became a commercial product in 1987, buyers had the choice to go either for a more durable hardcover or an easy-to-remove software. Although the margin is negligible, the choice of top material affects the overall weight of a Jeep Wrangler trim.

The weight differences between the Jeep Wrangler’s hard and soft tops given above go on and on. Generally, the difference in the overall weight among various trims of the Wrangler can span between 100 to 200 lbs. The additional weight also depends on whether it is a 2-door or 4-door wrangler.

What is the effect of weight on a vehicle?

Putting additional weight can significantly impact a vehicle in various ways, these includes:

Braking distance and efficiency

Excess weight increases the energy and force on the vehicle’s braking system, generating increased heat and stress. Furthermore, increasing the total weight on your car affects brake longevity, brake performance, and, most essentially, braking distance.

Wheel alignment

Your wheel alignment is the correct angle of its tires, maximizing tire contact under usual driving conditions. Increasing the overall weight of your vehicle can cause a change in its suspension travel and geometry, affecting the angle of your wheels and reducing the tire’s contact with the road, thus increasing the tire’s wear.

Tire contact and steering response

Increasing rear-end loads or towing with your vehicle causes longitudinal weight transfer, thus reducing the weight over the front axle. This also reduces the front tire grip and contact with the road, along with the steering response. Another important question besides the weight of your Wrangler is how wide is a car so you can determine the driving characteristics and steering on narrow roads.

Our take

A vehicle’s weight plays a vital role in handling, overall performance, fuel consumption, etc. Various factors may affect the overall weight of your Jeep Wrangler, including engine configuration, trim, top type, etc. Ultimately, the exact weight of your Wrangler would depend on the particular trim you purchase.