Tough MUDDER trucker: 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 … You can't mistake the signature seven-slat grille for anything else (Rubicon pictured). Image: FCA/Jeep
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 … At R1.25 million, the new 2025 Jeep is keenly priced for its level of capability. Image: FCA/Jeep
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. On road is where the latest Jeep proves to be the most refined yet. Image: FCA/Jeep
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. Check out the lates 12.3-inch Uconnect touchscreen. This is offset by suitably chunky buttons and toggles. Image: FCA/Jeep
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. We love the rugged essence of the Jeep Wrangler, with all its clever, removable panels and parts. Image: FCA/Jeep
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. 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Engine: 1 998 cc, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol
1 998 cc, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol Power: 200 kW and 400 Nm
200 kW and 400 Nm Performance: 0-100km/h 8.5 sec, top speed 180 km/h
0-100km/h 8.5 sec, top speed 180 km/h Economy: 12 l/100 km (tested)
12 l/100 km (tested) Transmission: 8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic Price: R1 249 900
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The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
Tough MUDDER trucker: 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 … You can't mistake the signature seven-slat grille for anything else (Rubicon pictured). Image: FCA/Jeep 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 … At R1.25 million, the new 2025 Jeep is keenly priced for its level of capability. Image: FCA/Jeep 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. On road is where the latest Jeep proves to be the most refined yet. Image: FCA/Jeep 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. Check out the lates 12.3-inch Uconnect touchscreen. This is offset by suitably chunky buttons and toggles. Image: FCA/Jeep 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. We love the rugged essence of the Jeep Wrangler, with all its clever, removable panels and parts. Image: FCA/Jeep 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. 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Engine: 1 998 cc, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol 1 998 cc, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol Power: 200 kW and 400 Nm 200 kW and 400 Nm Performance: 0-100km/h 8.5 sec, top speed 180 km/h 0-100km/h 8.5 sec, top speed 180 km/h Economy: 12 l/100 km (tested) 12 l/100 km (tested) Transmission: 8-speed automatic 8-speed automatic Price: R1 249 900 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
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PODCAST: Toyota Tundra in Mzansi can shake up the bakkie game
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General Motors unleashes 900kW Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
American sports car claimed to go from 0 to 100km/h in under two seconds on its way to 375km/h. General Motors launched the eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 in 2024. And this proudly American-built machine had morphed into a mid-engine supercar producing 783kW of power and 1 120Nm of torque. This heady mix of power and torque came courtesy of a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 driving down to the rear wheels. Resulting in not only a wild ride but also laying claim to being America's most powerful production car. Enter Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X This week General Motors went a step further and unveiled the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X. And you guessed it, the 'X' stands for all-wheel drive. What you might have also seen coming in this era of electrification, is that this new Corvette ZRX1 is a hybrid. A high-voltage battery pack and electric motor now drives the front axle with the V8 left to still drive the rear axle. Being a hybrid means that the 1.9kWh battery does not require a plug to charge. All the charging takes place through regen when braking or deaccelerating. Just like on your Toyota Corolla Cross HEV. What is not anything like your Toyota Corolla Cross is the power output. The new Corvette ZRX1 has climbed to a crazy 920kW and 1 350Nm. Blink and it's gone Other little high-performance titbits you might want to know is that General Motors predict a 0-100 km/h time of under two seconds for the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X thanks to launch control and the new all-wheel drive configuration. Quarter mile racing is huge in the US. This is where the motor manufacturers seek the biggest bragging rights over there. And here General Motors claim that the Corvette ZR1X will get across the line in under nine seconds at a speed of around 240km/h. Just in case you are looking to go to jail forever, the claimed top speed is 375km/h. That is true hyper car territory. As to be expected, with great power comes great responsibility, and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X comes standard with huge 10-piston front and six-piston carbon ceramic brakes. Two magnetic ride control chassis configurations are available. ALSO READ: Mid-ship Chevrolet Corvette Z06 debuts with 500kW Hope for local fans The standard chassis comes with Michelin PS4S tyres and is more for everyday driving. The ZTK Performance Package offers higher spring rates and Michelin's Pilot Cup 2R tyres, for the more track-day orientated buyer. You can also add their high-downforce Carbon Aero package to a standard chassis of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X. This adds the likes of dive planes, underbody strakes, a hood lip over the front heat extractor and a rear wing. This package is said to be capable of over 500kg of downforce at top speed and comes standard on ZTK-equipped cars. Before you roll your eyes and think this will be another model that will never make it to Mzansi in right-hand-drive (RHD), think again. A partnership between Durban-based Rospa International and Autogroup International means that rides like these are very possible to reach us in RHD.
