2011 Jeep Wrangler: First Look

Chrysler is busy revamping pretty much its entire lineup for the 2011 model year, including Dodge and Jeep. The off-road-oriented brand seems to have a hit with the revamped Grand Cherokee selling strongly right out of the gates and earning positive words from our editors.

Today, Jeep unveiled the 2011 Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. While it isn’t a complete redesign like the Grand Cherokee, it does get a severely upgraded interior and a new body-color hardtop for Sahara models.

Inside, everything from the gauges to the steering wheel to the center stack of controls is revamped. The dash and doors are revised, air-conditioning vents are all new, and there are new cargo compartments, including a lockable storage area. It looks like an interior you’d never want to leave exposed to the environment by leaving the top off.

What you can’t see in the images are upgrades to the acoustic materials that Jeep says significantly reduce interior noise.

Production of the 2011 Wrangler has already begun, and Chrysler says it will be on sale by the end of the third quarter, which should be by the end of September.

While we must applaud the upgrades to the Wrangler even without seeing it in person, the Wrangler is perhaps the last model in the Chrysler arsenal that needs upscale materials. Still, if Chrysler is making its most rugged vehicle this refined, we really can’t wait to see what it does with cars aimed at the average driver.

Check out more images below and let us know what you think of the upgrades.

Comments

Wow, 110% better!

It does look a lot better, but I wonder about the exposed fasteners on the metal strips. Seems like they draw my attention and not in a good way.

The window switches on the dash are interesting as well. Makes taking the doors off one less wire, but why leave the door locks on the doors?

The rest of the interior looks amazing, can't wait for some seat time.

Leaving the door locks on the door makes sense. Since if the doors are off, no need for locks. lol

And wiring for locks is probably entirely in the doors, making wiring simple.

Great interior. The tan paint on the unlimited looks great too.

I love the new interior and some hot color choices. Let's hope Jeep throws some strong incentives on this to bring attention back to the Wrangler after the LONG wait for new product has left loyalists in the lurch. Can't wait to do my own mycarladytestdrives review on you tube.

why no new engine??? seriously, that 3.8 it ancient and inefficient...but at least it doesn't have a lot of power...wait a minute.

I concur on 3.8 l engine. Why have they not given a V-8 or turbo option for the 4 door. I have a 2007 and it has no pep what so ever. The increased weight of the wider longer body style (which we all love) needs some more power so we can get back to what the old Jeeps felt like with the 6. Push the peddle and it takes off. Still the coolest (and I think only) 4 door convertible available.

A Hemi and a diesel would be great choices.

What happened to the rough and ready Jeep. This interior looks like a little water would destroy it.

agree this machine needs a new power plant. jeep should offer a stripped down no frills version that can enter the boonies without concern for sissy carpets and fragile interior material. and make it affordable!

There goes the Wrangler. It's THE END!

Agree with eagle2x 100%. I'd love to see a stripped out, no frills Wrangler too!

Dealer told me it was too light and rear too weak for the hemi. Car column in the Post says to look for deep discounts as they will not be able to sell any 2011's (He's sold 0, and has a row of 2010's they can't get rid of) with that very weak (202hp) 3.8 as the 3.6 (almost 300hp) already in the Cherokees will be coming soon. I want one, but I do have to be able to drive it UP hill. These current 4-door Wranglers are really meant for Florida and flatlands.

Why do they not offer the Wrangler with a hemi engine option as the Cherokee does now?