- Customers looking to get an automatic transmission in a Jeep Wrangler need to shell out $4,500.
- That same gearbox can be bought from Mopar for just $3,611.20.
- Ford charges a mere $1,495 for the Bronco’s ten-speed automatic.
Jeep has a spiffy new Wrangler and Gladiator, but consumers are thumbing their nose at the pricey off-roaders. In the second quarter, Wrangler sales fell 17% while the Gladiator was down 24%.
Part of this could be due to Jeep’s obsession with premium pricing. The perfect example of this is the hefty premium that’s levied on automatic transmissions.
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If you want a Wrangler with an eight-speed gearbox, you’ll have to shell out an additional $4,500. That’s a ridiculous amount and one that’s tantamount to a ‘Jeep tax.’
If you’re not inclined to agree, we’ll point you to Mopar. They offer a brand-new eight-speed automatic transmission – complete with torque converter – for $4,380. However, it’s on sale right now for $3,611.20 and that means it’s $888.80 cheaper!
That being said, Jeep throws in a handful of extra features when you opt for the automatic transmission from the factory. This includes adaptive cruise control and a selec-speed control system, which is essentially off-road cruise control.
Thankfully, Jeep doesn’t charge as much for an automatic on the Gladiator. In the mid-size truck, the eight-speed gearbox is a $2,500 option. Despite being $2,000 cheaper than in the Wrangler, it also includes adaptive cruise control and selec-speed control.
To put Jeep’s pricing into perspective, Ford only charges $1,495 for a ten-speed automatic transmission in the Bronco. That’s $3,005 less than in the Wrangler and that savings could be put to good use on other options or accessories.
