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Can Jeep’s Newest version of an off-road icon conquer winter?
If you’ve been missing some news and videos on the new Jeep Wrangler JL, we have some good news for you! Recently, we took the brand new Sahara on an epic, 900-mile road trip from Phoenix to our home base in Boulder, Colorado. On the way, we had to take the Wrangler to one of the Jeep’s stomping grounds – Moab, Utah. On the Fins & Things trail, we learned just how well the street-biased Sahara performed on dirt.
It did well there, but how does it perform in the snow? This is Colorado in winter time, so why don’t we find out? In this TFLcar exclusive, Nathan and Andre take the Wrangler out to show you how it handles the powder. En route, they settled in to the new, yet familiar atmosphere of the Wrangler JL. We have plenty of experience behind the wheel out the outgoing JK model, but how is the new JL different?
The Wrangler JL is new, yet familiar
For a start, the exterior sports the distinctive appearance you’d expect. You look at it, and you immediately know it’s a Wrangler. In fact, you may struggle to tell it apart from the JK at first glance. There are subtle differences: Jeep fitted a new headlight assembly and moved the signal markers out to the fenders. They also raked the grille back slightly, a throwback to old YJ models. The folding windshield has been heavily revised, and so have the available tops.
The interior features some major changes over the outgoing JK model. Jeep employed better materials throughout, and the instruments have been updated as well. On better-equipped models, you can get an 8.4-inch version of FCA’s 4th-generation Uconnect infotainment system. On top-spec Rubicon models, Jeep fitted more off-road focused tires, front and rear locking differentials and an electronic sway bar disconnect.
Jeep Wrangler JL Snow Test
Does the new Jeep Wrangler Sahara pass the snow test? Despite the lack of locking differentials, it actually performs quite well. The four-wheel drive system splits power 50/50 in 4-high, which helps with traction. Even sporting more street-biased Bridgestone Dueler all-seasons, the Jeep handled itself in winter conditions.
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