We take the all-new Jeep Wrangler Overland through Sydney to discover just how fun it can be to drive something rugged in the city. There’s no school like the old school, and Jeep may just be the headmaster.
The Great Outdoors isn’t what it used to be. Once upon a time, going bush in a proper off-roader meant throwing comfort, style, and the most basic creature comforts out the window just to gain the ability to crawl over a rock or two.
Your off-roader’s interior would rattle like a toolbox in a washing machine, and arriving anywhere stirred but not shaken was nothing short of a miracle. The updated Jeep Wrangler Overland rips up that well-worn script. This isn’t just a Jeep with some leather thrown in. It’s a properly thought-out modern off-roader for those who want genuine capability without looking like a Doomsday Prepper.
A New Kind of Freedom
The Overland takes the standard Jeep Wrangler formula and adds a layer of sophistication that transforms the daily experience. The Overland’s premium McKinley trim seats don’t just look good – they’re properly supportive for long drives, with 12-way power adjustment that makes finding the perfect position dead simple.
Unlike some 4x4s that seem determined to remind you of their ruggedness with every speed bump, the Overland’s heavy-duty suspension with gas shocks delivers a ride that won’t have you reaching for the osteo on speed dial after a trip to the shops. It’s freedom from compromise, which is arguably more valuable than freedom to ford the river you’re unlikely to encounter on your trip to the Hunter.
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Style with Substance
However, for the avoidance of doubt, the Overland still looks tough. The body-coloured hardtop, fender flares, and side mirrors create a cohesive aesthetic that draws admiring glances rather than assumptions about your zombie survival plan. The 18-inch machined/painted grey alloy wheels add a touch of urban sophistication.
Likewise, the platinum silver grille accents provide just enough bling to stand out in the car park without veering into the territory of a Toorak Tractor. Jeep knows its buyers: it’s style with purpose, and it works.
Tech That Actually Matters
The Wrangler Overland’s new central 12.3-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5 is a proper leap forward. It’s five times faster than the previous unit, which means you’re not sitting there watching a loading icon while trying to adjust the air con.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are seamlessly integrated, so your phone and Jeep talk to each other without the cable spaghetti typically required.
The nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system with subwoofer means your playlist sounds as good crawling through the bush as it does cruising along Beach Road. The tech serves your day-to-day and your adventures rather than complicating them, exactly as it should.
Capability Without Compromise
Overland has been a little in the shade from its tough twin, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, so let’s address the elephant in the room….
For sure, the Rubicon has more hardcore off-road kit, but for the record, the Overland’s Selec-Trac Active On-Demand 4×4 system (which can automatically transition between rear and four-wheel drive) is so much more capable than the average SUV it’s laughable. In fact, the Overland can still show some other brands’ dedicated off-roaders a thing or two.
One secret is that the Overland uses a Dana M220 limited-slip rear differential to maximise drive, and the heavy-duty suspension isn’t just about comfort. It’ll handle rough tracks with confidence.
Make no mistake, the Overland will get you to that secret camping spot, that hidden beach, or that mountain bike trail without breaking a sweat. It just won’t look like you’re filming a remake of Mad Max when you arrive.
The Refined Powerplant
The Wrangler family engine bays are now home to a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. This modern powerplant replaces the venerable Pentastar V6 and is no downgrade. For a start, it delivers more torque (400 v 347Nm), which is exactly what you want when you’re off the beaten track.
It’s also noticeably quieter and more refined, meaning conversations don’t require shouting, and highway cruising is properly relaxed. The improved fuel economy (a combined ADR of 9.2L/100km) means more time exploring and less time looking for servos in the middle of nowhere.
Open-Air Freedom with Civility
The Wrangler Overland still delivers on the quintessential Jeep experience the option of open-air driving. The three-piece removable hardtop gives you choices rather than ultimatums. Take the Freedom panels off for a quick dose of sunshine without committing to the full alfresco experience if that’s not your thing.
And whether the roof is open or closed, the premium interior materials and thoughtful design mean you’re not sitting in what feels like a farm implement. The latest Wrangler is a civilised interpretation of an iconic experience.
The Thinking Man’s Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler Overland represents a more mature, more urbane take on the proven Wrangler formula. It’s for those who understand that true freedom isn’t about having the most extreme approach angle or the ability to climb a near-vertical wall. Instead, it’s about having a vehicle that enhances your lifestyle rather than demanding you adapt to it.
It’s for the driver who wants to take the scenic route home, who plans weekends around exploration, but who also appreciates arriving at a client meeting without looking like they’ve just competed in the Finke Desert Race.
The fact that there’s a $5,500 saving when ticking the Overland box makes it all the more attractive.
At $84,950 (excluding on-roads) versus the Rubicon’s $90,450, the Jeep Wrangler Overland delivers nearly all the off-road nous you’ll ever need while adding a dash more sophistication and urban credibility. The Wrangler Overland isn’t just a trim level. It’s freedom redefined, Jeep style. And it’s worth taking for a proper spin.
