2025 Jeep Wrangler Sahara tested

The Jeep Wrangler Sahara is so much more than a highly capable 4×4. The backstory of the company behind it is worth a seven-part Netflix documentary alone. We’re talking ill-fated mergers, overzealous venture capitalists, multi-billion dollar buy-outs, job losses and false dawns.

Daimler Chrysler, the once-crippled, teetering-on-the-edge conglomerate was revived as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) a decade ago. And when you drive the Jeep Wrangler Sahara, the mechanics of this unlikely American-Italian pairing don’t go unnoticed …

2025 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA

Firstly, if you’re not a Jeep-o-phile, you probably want to know what’s the difference between a Sahara and Rubicon? Both are Wranglers, however, the Rubicon (pictured) is built for extreme off-roading. Essentially, it wears more hardcore (and noisy) tyres and comes with extra features like disconnecting sway bar and stronger axles. Stuff a regular Joe is unlikely to use very often but will buy because it looks cool.

Then you get the Jeep Wrangler Sahara we’ve driven. It is more tailored for a balance of on-road comfort but still with 80% of the off-roading gumption. Truthfully, in two decades of motoring journalism, we’ve never actually tested a Sahara. The hardcore Rubicon is always the one the brand thinks will impress people. Boy, have we all been missing out – the Jeep Wrangler Sahara nails the brief …

GO-ANYWHERE FREEDOM

Therefore, as you climb aboard, you’re hit by this sort of these-here-folks, ‘Murican pragmatism only a Detroit carmaker can muster. But it’s infused with plenty of fizzy Italian fun. It may be big and brash but it’s quick, comfortable and brilliantly appointed, too. There are loads of clever little touches that only passionate Jeep engineers would’ve come up with. Like the open-air freedom of the (optional) Sky Roof. It was the height of winter, but we had it open whenever it wasn’t raining.

Granted, the Jeep Wrangler Sahara is more for ‘urban Jeepers,’ as the CEO calls it. But it’s still more off-road capable than almost every other SUV built. The Rock-Trac 4×4 driveline, a 4:1 low-range gearbox and semi-floating Dana 44 axles. However, it’s on a smooth paved road that the Jeep Wrangler Sahara proves to be the most refined of its breed. On the bitumen, the whole structure feels supple. There’s very little rear-end bobbing synonymous with old live-rear-axle Jeeps. Plus, the old cars’ weak link – its outdated V6 petrol drivetrain – is no more.

TURBO POWER, FINALLY

Propulsion wise, there’s a new-for-South Africa 2.0-litre turbo petrol making 200 kW and 400 Nm. This is essentially the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio motor. It’s brilliant in those Italian cars, and brilliant in the Jeep Wrangler Sahara, too. Principally, because it’s mated to an excellent eight-speed automatic gearbox. There’s a thrummy exhaust note to boot, and no lack of low-down torque when you want to overtake. Fuel economy is fair for a turbo petrol in a large SUV, we settled on an acceptable average of 12 l/100 km.

Moreover, one cannot deny this 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sahara still comes from pure Jeep stock. Even non-Jeep diehards will pick up the authenticity immediately. Exterior clip corners on the doors, and trapezoidal face with signature seven-slat grille. That large separate front bumper is so you can sit on it and admire the view. At the rear, there’s a split tailgate with the exposed spare tyre. Those macho square wheel arches are not just for show, they’re designed to allow adequate wheel travel. There you go, form following function from its military heritage.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

Meanwhile, inside, the cabin is a vast improvement over the previous one. The horizontal dash accents and wide use of space are broken up by chunky grab handles and oversized toggles/buttons. The leather steering wheel has a Y-spoke motif in honour of the original Willy’s Jeep. Advanced technology comes in the form of the latest Uconnect system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a top-spec 12.3-inch touchscreen. And don’t forget blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic detection, reverse camera, you name it. The Jeep Wrangler Sahara is smart and tough.  

With an approach angle of 36.4 degrees and departure angle of 30.8 degrees, there’s nowhere this baby can’t go. Down a mountain, up a mountain, no worries. You can take it water-fording or through a mud bath at depths of 760 mm and it will thank you for it. And this four-door version we’ve been testing is simply massive inside with space for surfboards, bicycles, you name it, with the rear seats folded flat. Perfect for outdoors-loving South Africans.

THE VERDICT

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, with its born-in-the-USA character, screams rugged and authentic. And due to Italian FCA influence, it’s now a vastly more complete product than the older Jeeps it replaces. That much is plainly evident from driving it on road. It doesn’t need to tackle a muddy track in the Rockies to be judged a success. Consider its mission statement achived: Off-road capability with new-world refinement and improved on-road competence. And all at a fraction of the cost, R1.25 million, of other specialist 4×4 SUVs.

THE FIGURES

• 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
• Engine: 1 998 cc, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol  
• Power: 200 kW and 400 Nm
• Performance: 0-100km/h 8.5 sec, top speed 180 km/h
• Economy: 12 l/100 km (tested)
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Price: R1 249 900

DO YOU THINK JEEP WRANGLERS ARE COOL?

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