~ A DriveWays Review ~
by Frank A. Aukofer

Now a product of the multinational Stellantis vehicle manufacturing conglomerate, America’s Jeep honors its World War II heritage with the 2013 Wrangler 4-Door Willys 4X4, an extreme sport utility vehicle.

From 1941 to 1945, Willys-Overland and Ford Motor Co. manufactured Jeeps for the World War II war effort. “Jeep” was a shortening of the government designation GP, for General Purpose. After the war, the company continued to offer Jeeps in the civilian market, continuing with different company owners to this day.

For some years, Jeeps mimicked the military version, with two doors, tight quarters and open to the elements except for a flimsy canvas top. It became so recognized that its name in some quarters became the generic “jeep” for any off-road capable vehicle. Now it offers a full line of ten models from the base Jeep Wrangler two-door to the stately and luxurious Grand Wagoneer three-row SUV.

The 2023 Willys is a spinoff of the four-door Wrangler Unlimited (four-door) Sport. It is one of 13 versions, called trim levels in the industry.

Tested for this review was the Wrangler Willys with the Xtreme Recon Package, which consists of massive all-terrain 35-inch tires on 17-inch wheels, fender flare extensions and a reinforced sideways opening tailgate that carries a full-size spare.

It’s a daunting presence on or off the road, 16 feet 1 inch long and 6 feet 6 inches tall with almost a foot of ground clearance. That height also makes getting in and out a challenge. If you’re not somewhat athletic you might want to order a running board or bring along a step stool.

The height of the door sills from the ground up is around 28 inches so you have to tiptoe on one leg, swing the other leg up, grab the steering wheel or a handle with both hands and haul yourself inside. Exiting is similarly challenging because you must twist and slide your legs over the sill and rocker panel, and jump down. If it’s been raining or you’ve been off-roading, slacks or trousers can end up looking like they were laundered in a mud bath.

Of course, the fat tires with their aggressive tread patterns, along with the generous ground clearance and part-time four-wheel drive, give the Wrangler Willys great purchase in rugged terrain, though in some circumstances the original little World War II Jeeps with their skinny tires can outperform bigger machines. There was no opportunity for this review to take the Willys off-road but it certainly seems formidable.

On paved roads, as expected, it delivers a choppy ride on all but pool table surfaces. But the big balloon tires actually seem to absorb  some of the chop to help take some of the slap out of the ride.

The Willys gets its power from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, or twisting force. An eight-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode sends the power to the wheels. There are three selectable drive modes: two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive high and four-wheel drive low. The zero to 60 miles an hour acceleration time is in the six-second range.

Despite a hard top that kept some of the engine, wind and road noise at bay, the Willys was noisy some of the time—though not as raucous as Wranglers with the soft top. For ultimate off-roading in blue sky weather, the hard top and doors are removable.

Inside, there’s an easily learned layout of controls, including power window controls on the dash (in case you’ve removed the doors), a center screen to control functions, including navigation, premium audio system and SXM satellite radio.

The interior is inviting, with comfortable front and outboard back seats, decently bolstered and upholstered in perforated faux leather and cloth. As is common in many vehicles these days, even those with luxury credentials, the center-rear seat is compromised by a floor hump and even a couple of floored cup holders.

Base equipment of the Wrangler Sport is fairly sparse, so much of the equipment listed here is optional. The starting price is $36,340, including the destination charge. But add items like the $6,395 Customer Preferred Package, $3,995 Xtreme Recon tire package, $2,000 eight-speed automatic transmission, and $1,795 three-piece hard top, and the suggested delivered sticker price rose to $59,875—maybe too much for some Jeep enthusiasts.

Specifications

  • Model: 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4X4 four-door sport utility vehicle.
  • Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder, turbocharged; 270 hp, 295 lb-ft torque.
  • Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with manual shift mode and four-wheel drive.
  • Overall length: 16 feet 1 inch.
  • Height: 6 feet 6 inches.
  • EPA/SAE passenger/cargo volume: 104/32 cubic feet (72 back seat folded).
  • Weight: 4,200 pounds. GVWR 5,400 pounds.
  • Towing capability: 3,500 pounds.
  • EPA city/highway/combined fuel consumption: 21/24/22 mpg.
  • Base price, including destination charge: $36,460.
  • Price as tested: $59,875.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided the vehicle used to conduct this test drive and review. Photos ©Stellantis