The 2006 Jeep Wrangler is available in six models: SE, X, Sport, Rubicon, Unlimited, and Unlimited Rubicon. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. A 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine is available, which comes with a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
The Wrangler SE ($18,140) comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual gearbox. The SE is a basic machine, with a padded roll bar, steel half-doors with side curtains, soft folding top, tilt steering column, a mini-console with two cupholders, skid plates for the fuel tank and transfer case, gas-charged shock absorbers, and P215/75R15 Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires on 15 x 7-inch steel wheels. Rear seating (a fold-and-tumble bench) and carpeting are also standard, as is a four-speaker, AM/FM/CD stereo. Air conditioning ($895), cloth upholstery ($130), and full-metal doors with wind-up windows ($125) are extra-cost options. A 4.0-liter inline-6 is optional ($1,280). The six-cylinder is available with an optional four-speed automatic transmission ($825).
Wrangler X ($20,450) upgrades to cloth upholstery, a full-length console with four cupholders and lockable storage, courtesy lights, and other small comforts. More options are available: cruise control and leather-wrapped steering wheel ($300); upgraded stereo ($295); Sirius Satellite Radio ($195); and a hard top with full steel doors and roll-up windows ($1,160).
Wrangler Sport ($23,310) comes standard with air conditioning and full metal doors with wind-up windows, plus fog lamps, a seven-speaker stereo, wider 225/75R15 tires, and other features. Options include anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes ($600), side steps ($150), and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror ($295). Since the metal doors are already standard, adding a hard top costs less ($795). The Golden Eagle package ($1,150) includes two-tone premium seats with Golden Eagle logos; a painted center stack bezel; a Dana 44 heavy-duty rear axle; 15-inch gold aluminum wheels; 30-inch tires; plus Golden Eagle hood, fender and spare tire decals.
Wrangler Rubicon ($27,535) comes with diamond-plate sill guards, beefier front and rear axles (two Dana 44s, rather than the Dana 30 and 35 used in the front and rear, respectively, of other Wranglers), a heavy-duty transfer case with an ultra-low 4:1 ratio, driver-actuated locking differentials, a special off-road suspension and four-wheel-disc brakes. Also standard are 31-inch tall LT245/75R16 tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels. Otherwise, Rubicon is generally comparable to the Sport for comfort and convenience equipment.
The Wrangler Unlimited ($24,065) and Unlimited Rubicon ($28,535) are essentially long versions of the Sport and Rubicon models. For 2006, the Unlimited adds four-wheel disc brakes, a 3.73:1 Dana 44 rear axle with limited-slip differential, and 15-inch aluminum wheels with 30-inch tires. That's in addition to full-steel doors, fog lamps, Sunrider soft top with sunroof feature, tow hooks, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with CD player, high-back bucket seats, full-length console and courtesy lights. The 2006 Unlimited Rubicon remains essentially a stretch-wheelbase version of the standard Rubicon.
All Wranglers come with a fold-down windshield, removable doors and top, and a weatherproof interior. Sport and Rubicon and buyers may choose a package that includes both tops ($1,435) in matching colors. The hard top comes with roll-up windows, a rear wiper-washer and rear defroster. A wide variety of appearance items and accessories are also available, particularly at the upper trim levels.