Jeep Wrangler JL vs. JK: What’s the Difference Between the Two?

They say that no matter which Jeep SUV you’re driving, you’ll be the king of the off-road. And while I can’t argue with that, there are a lot of differences between the various generations. In this post, I want to give you a detailed comparison between the JK and the JL. Now, the JK is the third generation of the Wrangler nameplate, while the JL is the fourth generation.

So, does that automatically mean that the newer edition is better, or not? Well, that’s exactly what we’re here to find out! We’ll go over the exterior, the interior, the design, the powertrain, and more key factors to figure out which Wrangler will be a better purchase for conquering the wilderness.

The Exterior

Did you know that JK is the most produced and sold Wrangler ever? That’s right: it’s been around for 12 full model years, with the run ending in 2018 with the introduction of the JL. The engineers had more than a decade the perfect the original formula, adding extras and getting rid of flaws. Now, when the JL was introduced, to the naked eye, it was pretty much the same. However, there are a lot of differences between the two.

Most importantly, while the JK is an all-steel kind of an SUV, the JL boasts aluminum doors and fenders to reduce the weight and make the Jeep safer. Plus, the 4-door JL is four inches longer (the 2-door configuration is only two inches longer), which means more comfort for the passengers. And let’s not forget about the improved wells and fender flares. They make it possible to fit larger tires without any aftermarket gear.

The bumpers, in turn, are more durable, while the tires are bigger and stronger. Next, the tops and the doors are removable on both the JL and the JL. Therefore, it won’t be a problem to switch the factory setup with a pack of Jeep tube doors. On a JL, it’s much easier to remove the windshield (this can be a problem sometimes with the JK).

The Interior

On the inside, the 4^th-gen JL is a significant improvement over the JK. First of all, the dashboard has more buttons and knobs, and they’re all within reach. The infotainment system deserves our praise as well. The seats and the doors are pretty much the same, with only minor improvements. The overall sleek design is what will probably catch your attention first.

To add to that, the JL’s interior is 100% waterproof – it’ll be much easier to clean!

Under the Hood

In 2012, Jeep introduced a powerful 3.6-lit V6 for the JK. The JL is rocking that same engine. It’s more fuel-efficient, though, thanks to the stop/start system that boosts mileage. On top of that, JL is available with two diesel engines, which is a first for the Wrangler series. It can even be equipped with a hybrid powertrain for the perfect combination of power and efficiency.

Drivetrain and Suspension

The JK is available with a 4-speed or a 5-speed transmission, while the JL features a versatile 8-speed automatic. It greatly improves the ride quality, making it nice and smooth. As mentioned, the wheelbase was stretched a bit for the JL resulting in improved creature comfort. For the most part, the suspension system carried on to the JL unchanged. Compared to the TJ, the JK has much longer and more reliable control arms.

They’ve proven to be extremely efficient and are doing an equally good job for the fourth-gen JL.

Summing Up

So, it’s time to answer the most important question – which Jeep is better? Well, with JL, you’ll get a bigger, stronger, and more comfortable SUV. It’s more efficient, too, and offers a long list of engines to choose from. The JK is cheaper, though, which means you’ll save some bucks to spend on aftermarket stuff. I’m talking about a soft top cover, or, say, Jeep door hangers. Overall, both vehicles are incredibly durable, safe, and have a great resale value.