The Jeep Wrangler has come quite a long way since its humble beginnings. No longer is the Wrangler just a bare-bones rock crawler. With the release of the JL, the Wrangler has become a vehicle that is just at home on the trails as it is on the highway.

For one, the JL Wrangler is longer and lighter than its predecessor, coming in at 2.5 inches longer on the two-door and 3.5 on the unlimited models while shaving off around 200 lbs. That being said, it’s even easier to further lighten your ride as the JL Wrangler’s hard top is upgraded from the JK. Not only has the standard hardtop been made easier to remove, but there are additional top options for the JL Wrangler like a powered convertible soft top that can work at speeds of up to 60 mph.

While the JL Wrangler has made it even easier to enjoy the outdoors, its interior is the best offered on a Wrangler yet. Not only can it come with an 8.4-inch infotainment screen and an 8 speaker alpine sound system, but there are plenty of little touches and details that really make the JL’s interior special.

Those looking for a Wrangler trim that is simultaneously luxurious and capable can now choose the MOAB on the JL. This trim level is well equipped on both the inside and the outside and can suit a variety of uses. If you are looking for ultimate performance, however, the JL Rubicon is the most off-road capable Wrangler you can buy from the factory to date.

Besides all of these refinements, the performance of the Wrangler continues to improve with the JL. The 3.6 liter Pentastar engine is unchanged from the JK, but the available transmission options are upgraded. The automatic is now a Torqueflite 8-speed while the 6-speed manual was given several general improvements. The turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine was also introduced on the JL Wrangler, providing ample power and increasing efficiency.

Overall, the JL Wrangler maintains the capabilities of the Wrangler while making it more comfortable all around. Not only has it continued to be a 4X4 beast, but it now can be a more reliable, safe and efficient vehicle.