The 2025 Jeep Wrangler is as noteworthy for the things it doesn’t have as for the things it does — things like an automatic transmission, which will no longer be offered with a V6. And crank windows and manual locks, which are now banished from the most iconic of Jeeps, as well as from the Gladiator.
The 2025 Gladiator goes automatic only for its only engine option, that same V6 — but a 4Xe is coming “sometime” on the pickup in 2025.
Stick Stays for Wrangler, Gone for Gladiator
It’s a strange and wonderful surprise. When the number of manual transmission offerings decreases every year, Jeep has decided to buck the trend. The 285-horsepower 3.6L V6 engine loses its eight-speed automatic for 2025 and will only be sold with a six-speed stick — the same one that it’s had for years.
The change to the Gladiator is less of a wonderful surprise. Last year, it came standard with a stick on all grades. This year, it’s eight-speed auto only, no matter which one you want.
Wrangler buyers looking at the 270-horse 2.0L turbo-4 will still get an eight-speed auto and no third-pedal option. Same goes for the Wrangler 4xe PHEV (the bestselling PHEV in the U.S. for the last 3 years) and the bonkers 6.4L 470-horse Wrangler Rubicon 392. The V6 and stick are offered on every Wrangler model except for the 392 and Sahara.
392 Lives for Another Year
Yes, the 392 will live for another year. Jeep made that announcement a few months back. It will be called the Final Edition for the second year in a row, and the monster Jeep comes with factory 35s, that giant engine, and a handful of other special features.
No More Window Cranks or Manual Locks
Crank windows, which were still standard on Sport trim Wrangler and Gladiator models, are gone for model year 2025. The same goes for the power locks that were also on the entry-level trim grade. Now you get power operation for both, and we know that a few hard-core Jeepers won’t be happy.
Another new optional feature is Active Cabin Ventilation. This one lets you use the Jeep mobile app to turn on the cabin fans to cool things down before you get in. We always assumed Jeep owners just removed the roof or doors to ventilate the cabin.
Jeep likes to keep the Wrangler’s paint choices fresh, and this year is no different. For 2025, buyers can get a shade called ’41. It’s inspired by WW2-era olive-drab Army Jeeps. No, Jeep didn’t give us a photo with the new paint. Gladiator owners can also pick a new Fathom Blue paint color. No photo yet of that one, either.
Why the Change? Jeep Isn’t Saying
We asked Jeep why it made the transmission changes, but the answer didn’t really answer anything. A brand spokesperson said, “The 2025 Jeep Wrangler features the 3.6L V6 engine exclusively paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, for customers who value the control and engagement of a manual gearbox. We continue to offer the 2.0L engine with the 8-speed automatic transmission, thus ensuring our customers can easily choose the Wrangler that best suits their needs.”
We would argue that this makes it more difficult to find a Jeep that suits their needs. However, Jeep has said in recent months that the Wrangler 4xe made up close to half of model sales. With just half of buyers picking the 2.0, 392, and V6 models, it’s possible that the number of buyers opting for the V6 and an auto was small enough to justify giving it the axe. Or at least that Jeep thinks most will move to the 2.0L.
Small Pricing Changes, 2025 Models Arrive Soon
The pricing for the 2025 Jeep Wrangler is up by about $600. It now starts at $32,690. Jeep says the 2025 Jeep Gladiator pickup is cheaper than last year, but that’s a touch misleading. The truck now starts from $38,100. That’s more than last year’s stick-shift truck, but it is under the $40,395 the truck would have been last year.
The 2025 Gladiator and Wrangler models should hit dealers shortly.
