Jeep revives the spirit of its first civilian model with a retro Wrangler featuring orange wheels and military-inspired styling.
Jeep is reaching back to one of the most important chapters in its history for the latest entry in its “Twelve 4 Twelve” series. The 2027 Wrangler JL-2A draws directly from the Willys CJ-2A, the company’s first civilian Jeep, which debuted in July 1945.
The CJ-2A was derived from the Willys MB used by the U.S. military during World War II. After the war, the rugged vehicle quickly became a fixture on farms and ranches, where its utility made it useful far beyond its military origins.
More than eight decades later, the Wrangler carries that same go-anywhere character in a considerably more comfortable package. Jeep says more than 5 million Wranglers have been sold over the past 80 years, with the SUV now serving a much broader audience than the original CJ-2A ever did. The JL-2A combines that modern Wrangler formula with styling cues pulled straight from Jeep’s earliest civilian model.
The first CJ-2As were offered in warm tan and olive green, and they introduced the seven-slot grille that remains one of Jeep’s most recognizable design elements. The JL-2A taps into that history with Gobi on the two-door model and ’41 olive green on the four-door. Buyers can also choose Bright White, Sting Gray, Ghost or Joose for a less retro appearance.
Every JL-2A rides on 17-inch retro-style wheels with standard 33-inch BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tires. The wheels are finished in bright orange, a direct visual reference to the Sunset Red wheels offered on the original CJ-2A. Orange tow hooks continue the theme at both ends of the Wrangler, while Dark Metallic Grey accents highlight the grille. The roof and fender flares are painted to match the body for a cleaner overall look.
The throwback theme continues inside. Orange stitching and special-edition trim are combined with a Nappa Heritage Tan and Bison Brown cabin, echoing the classic tan seats of the CJ-2A. The air vents feature both a seven-slot grille and Willys silhouette, while a Willys-Overland medallion sits on top of the shifter.
A plaque mounted on the rear swing gate depicts farm and factory settings, referencing the CJ-2A’s transition into civilian vehicle production after the war.
Underneath, the JL-2A uses the Wrangler Rubicon as its foundation. Buyers can choose between a 285-hp 3.6-liter V-6 and a 270-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Both engines can be paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The equipment list includes electronic locking front and rear differentials, an electronic front anti-roll-bar disconnect and a 4.10 rear axle ratio. Four-wheel drive is standard, as is the Convenience package, along with a front TrailCam and integrated washer.
Jeep says the JL-2A package adds $4,995 to the price, only $115 more than a comparably equipped Rubicon. The 2026 Rubicon starts at $47,810, and Jeep does not expect major pricing changes for the 2027 model year. That puts the Wrangler JL-2A at an expected starting price of roughly $53,000.
Orders for the Wrangler JL-2A will open in October.