Jeep CJ5 Reviews

The top five electric SUVs updated for 2022

Jeep is the latest carmaker to confirm it’ll launch an affordable electric car.The American brand is aiming to build a sub-US$25,000 (A$37,700) electric SUV by 2027. This would undercut the cheaopest EVs on sales right now such as the BYD Dolphin and MG4.An investor day presentation from Stellantis – Jeep’s parent company – revealed the plan to resurrect the little Renegade as an EV. Jeep axed the Renegade in Australia in 2020 and dumped nameplate globally in 2023.Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares said the electric Renegade will need to use lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries instead of traditional lithium-NMC ones to achieve the low cost.LFP batteries aren’t as energy dense as lithium-NMC units but do without expensive and hard to source rare earth metals. They are also less prone to fires.BYD is one of the world’s leading producers of the LFP batteries and its power packs are found in a range of cars including Teslas.The Chinese carmaker detailed its next-generation LFP batteries earlier this year, which it claims can achieve a driving range of more than 1000km.BYD has managed to increase battery capacity by more than 30 per cent according to reports.Stalling electric car sales in the giant European and the US markets has forced carmakers to pivot to more affordable alternatives to drive demand.Established carmakers are now preparing to roll out an array of cheap, small EVs targeted at the everyday driver.Volkswagen has confirmed it’ll build a circa-$30,000 EV with its coming ID.1 hatchback, which is about the same size as the Kia Picanto or defunct VW Up.That price puts it in the same ballpark as an entry-level Mazda3 or a fully-loaded Mazda2.This will join the the Volkswagen Polo-sized ID.2, which will also spawn the Cupra Raval and a Skoda EV of the same size.Citroen is rolling out little EVs at a similar price and Kia will launch the EV3 small electric SUV in Australia next month.Kia and Hyundai both have mini EV SUVs in the works with the EV2 and Inster.Tesla appears to be resisting the move to cheaper EVs.The company has reportedly mothballed its Model 2 hatchback for the foreseeable future as it focuses on its Robotaxi business.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon sits at the top-of-the-range and it’s available in a two-door body style for $83,950 and four-door for $90,450.Coming standard on the Rubicon grade are LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, proximity key and push-button start, Nappa leather upholstery, power and heated front seats, 12.3-inch media screen, sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a nine-speaker Alpine sound system and dark tint windows.Powering all Wranglers is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder making 200kW and 400Nm. An eight-speed automatic transmission shifts gears and sends the drive to all four wheels.The Wrangler has three-star score from a possible five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Jeep says it doesn't fear Chinese newcomers like the GWM Tank 300 because not only are the American brand's vehicles "cooler", but its Chinese rivals can't offer the "proven capability" of models like the Wrangler.

The Jeep Wrangler Overland sits in the middle of the range with a list price of $84,950.Coming standard on the Overland grade are LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, proximity key and push button start, premium McKinley power and heated front seats, 12.3-inch media screen, sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a nine speaker Alpine sound system and dark tiny windows.Powering all Wranglers is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder making 200kW and 400Nm. An eight-speed automatic transmission shifts gears and sends the drive to all four wheels.The Wrangler has three-star score from a possible five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The Jeep Wrangler Sport S is the entry-point into the range with its list price of $75,950. Standard features include LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, proximity key and push-button start, heated front seats, A 12.3-inch media screen, sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a nine-speaker Alpine sound system and dark tint windows.Powering all Wranglers is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder making 200kW and 400Nm. An eight-speed automatic transmission shifts gears and sends the drive to all four wheels.The Wrangler has three-star score from a possible five-star ANCAP safety rating.

How do you change the Jeep Wrangler, without changing anything, but making it better than before? Well, they've done it and we've tested the updated Jeep Wrangler at its Australian launch.

At least three new Jeep models have been confirmed for reveal within the next year, with more likely to come according to reports from the US.

Jeep has shown off its new electric large SUV, the Wagoneer S, that will become its first globally available electric car when it launches in the US joining the electric Jeep Avenger in Europe. 

Jeep rolling out more hybrids in key segments both in Australia and overseas.