2017 Jeep Wrangler

The 2017 Jeep Wrangler prioritizes function over form, which is why the cabin is pretty austere compared to some class rivals. The materials are mostly hard plastics, and there’s nothing to evoke any feelings of luxury. However, this also means that when you get the Wrangler dirty, it’s easy to clean because you can just take off the top and the doors and hose down the cabin.

Whether you’re up front or in the back, the Wrangler’s seats don’t offer much in the way of support or comfort. The front seats at least provide ample room; the back seats don’t even offer enough space for most adults to sit comfortably.

There’s not much in the way of cabin tech, but at least the audio, climate, and infotainment controls are easily reachable from the driver’s seat. There also aren’t really any active safety features.

If you need cargo space, you’re better off going with the four-door Wrangler Unlimited, which has one of the largest cargo holds in the class. The two-door Wrangler, on the other hand, has one of the smallest, though you can remove the back seat to give yourself some extra space.

• Much like the overall design of the 2017 Jeep Wrangler, the interior is simple and functional. Sure, you can specify the highest trim levels for ‘bright interior accents,’ but the Wrangler is still a purpose-built vehicle. Controls are clear and well laid-out, but most of the interior feels as if the bare minimum attention has been paid to aesthetics." -- Edmunds
• Even with the available leather, the 2016 Wrangler's interior does not qualify as plush. The main requirement is durability, which describes the Sport model's cloth seats and the hard plastic surfaces." -- Kelley Blue Book (2016)
• "With the soft top, wind, road, and traffic noise intrudes. The hard top calms things a bit, but its hard-surface headliner leaves the cabin vulnerable to empty-drum echoing." -- Consumer Guide (2013)

Seating

The two-door Wrangler seats four people, and the four-door Wrangler Unlimited seats five. The two-door Wrangler is the only vehicle in the class that seats less than five. Cloth upholstery is standard, and leather upholstery and heated front seats are available. 

Comfort is not the first priority inside the Wrangler. The front seats offer enough space for most occupants, but many people will wish they had more support, especially if you plan to take the Wrangler off road. Drivers will appreciate the outstanding forward visibility, but the large spare tire limits rearward vision and may make you wish the Wrangler had a rearview camera.

The rear seats have about the same level of comfort as the front, which is to say not much, only they also lack adequate room for adult passengers. Even getting into the rear seats can be a challenge in the two-door Wrangler.

The Wrangler Unlimited comes with two complete sets of LATCH connectors, making it a passable family vehicle. However, the anchors are difficult to find and easily confused with other hardware. On the bright side, once you find and identify the anchors, securing a car seat is relatively easy.

• "Rear passengers will face some challenges in the two-door Wrangler. There's room for only two back there, first of all, and the low bench with limited knee and foot room can make longer trips unpleasant, especially for adults. Access is also awkward unless the top's off, in which case nimble riders can just clamber over the sides. The Unlimited's backseat offers room for three and conventional access via its extra set of doors, though it's still not particularly comfortable or spacious." -- Edmunds (2016)
• But there's plenty of versatility: The rear seat will fold flat for carrying gear and that in the 4-door Unlimited models will accommodate three people." -- Kelley Blue Book (2016)
• Lots of [front-seat] headroom and good cabin width. The seats are firm and generally comfortable, though they need more lumbar support. … The [rear] seat is hard, uncomfortably upright, and short of thigh support. Foot space is stingy in both body styles. Knee space is tight and entry and exit are tough." -- Consumer Guide (2013)

Interior Features

Compared to almost every class rival (and most vehicles in general), the Wrangler is bereft of standard features. Even power windows and locks are options, which sounds ridiculous when you say it out loud. However, since you can take the Wrangler’s doors off, you may not miss these features as much as you would in other SUVs.

In addition to taking the doors off, the Wrangler’s roof is removable as well. A removable top is standard, and a removable hardtop is available. The soft top is easier to remove because it weighs less, but it can also be cut through with a knife, so it doesn’t provide as much security as the hardtop.

Available features include air conditioning, a removable hardtop roof, satellite radio, remote start, navigation, a 6.5-inch touch-screen infotainment system, a nine-speaker Alpine stereo, and automatic climate control.

There are some available features that make the Wrangler feel more modern. Bluetooth and a Wi-Fi hot spot make it easy to sync your smartphone and get internet access while on the go. The dashboard controls, including the available infotainment system, are within easy reach of the driver, but the available navigation system absorbs some climate and audio functions, making them more complicated.

See 2017 Jeep Wrangler specs and trims »

• "The instrument panel is not necessarily stylish but does have the control functions within easy reach. And, as it has been for years, if the interior gets really dirty you can pull the handy drain plugs and clean it out with a garden hose." -- Kelley Blue Book (2016)
• Putting the soft top up or down on any Jeep Wrangler takes patience, which makes the separate foldable sunroof panel an appealing option when the top's up and you're short on time. Security can also be an issue with the soft top. The optional hardtop, which features removable T-top-style panels over the front seats, is a smart solution for those who don't intend to go completely roofless on a routine basis. Bear in mind, though, that the hardtop is heavy, so you'll need a friend to help whenever you want to remove it." -- Edmunds (2016)
• Wrangler's cabin is very functional. The gauges are unobstructed and easy to read. The audio and climate controls are easy to reach and use. … The navigation system absorbs most audio functions, complicating what should be simple adjustments." -- Consumer Guide (2013)

Cargo

With the rear seats up, the Wrangler provides just 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space, less than many sedans. Cargo volume expands to 56.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. In two-door Wranglers, you can also remove the rear seats, which lets you reach the Wrangler’s maximum cargo capacity of 61.2 cubic feet.

While that’s plenty of room for sporting gear or a weekend’s worth of luggage, it’s still less total space than you’ll find in class rivals like the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape. It may not be worth the trouble of removing the rear seats, however. Doing so only gives you an extra five cubic feet of space, and the rear seats are heavy.

If you’re looking for a cargo hauler, you’re better off considering the four-door Wrangler Unlimited, which has much more space. The Wrangler Unlimited has 31.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and a max capacity of 70.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Unlike the two-door Wrangler, the Wrangler Unlimited does not have a removable rear seat. Even so, the Unlimited has one of the largest cargo holds in the class.

• Cargo space isn't exactly a strong suit for the Wrangler either, although the four-door Unlimited does have a respectable amount of space. The two-door Wrangler has to make do with just 12.8 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. … The Unlimited gives you 31.5 cubic feet of space behind the backseat and 70.6 cubes with the rear seats folded. Of course, with a soft top, you can always just have your surfboard hanging out of the back like a pickup truck." -- Edmunds