Jeep-Wrangler-Renegade-Islander-Trim

Jeep heads to the Islands with latest new trim

Christopher Tracy

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Stellantis released images and information regarding the Jeep Islander Trim. The Islander trim will be available on the Wrangler JL/JLU and the Renegade. Both vehicles received a hood decal nicknamed “Tiki Bob” and “Islander” stitched into the seatbacks. The Wrangler also receives Islander decals for the sides of the hood.

Islander Trim

Jeep-Wrangler-Islander-Trim

The Wrangler is based on a Sport S, but also receives the Rubicon rock rails and 17 inch Rubicon wheels with all-terrain tires. There is also an available three-piece white hardtop. This is completely my opinion and not based on any facts, but I dislike the white hardtops.

The Renegade gets 19-inch wheels, all-season tires, the aforementioned hood decal, Surf Blue stitching on the seats, and an available white roof as well.

Jeep-Wrangler-Islander-Trim-Seat-Embrodiery

Jeep does a good job of creating trim packages to sell more Jeeps. How many trim levels of Wrangler are there? Just check a guess. Keep the number to yourself…

There are 12 on the website right now. I didn’t include the Right Hand Drive or Rubicon 392 models, because those are different models, not trims. Ross and I have been recording the Off the Road Again podcast for more than a year now. We have talked about Jeep trim levels on more episodes than not talked about them. I added the Islander to the show notes for next week’s show… My take will be the same.

Part of the news of the Islander trim that I enjoy is that this trim level is returning after an 11-year hiatus. I enjoy Jeeps. I really liked the 2004 TJ that I owned in Florida, but I had no clue that the Islander trim existed before or that it had even left.

It is unfortunate for the Jeep product planners that a trim based on an indigenous group is released shortly after the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation calls for Jeep to terminate using the Cherokee model name. In the world of PR, all news is good news. So far the move to Stellantis has appeared to have not gone great for Jeep and Dodge. We will see how it works out for the rest of the former-FCA brands.

What is your favorite Jeep trim?

I vote for JLU Sahara with a hardtop.

About

Christopher Tracy

Christopher Tracy

Chris works in marketing by day and writes offroad automotive pieces by night. Chris is the producer/cohost of the Off The Road Again Podcast. A dad trying to get his kids outside more. IG: @overlandingdad.

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11 responses to “Jeep heads to the Islands with latest new trim”

  1. SoCalboomer Avatar
    SoCalboomer

    Yeah – I don’t like white tops either – they go so dingy grey when they’re dirty or start getting sun-fade (although how can WHITE fade? IDK . . . ) – much prefer either body-color or black. My Glad has black. It’s good. The top, that is. The rest of the Gladiator is awesome. It would be horrible with a white top. Yep.

    Reply
  2. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    If they skipped the tiki figure, “Islander” would probably be a little more benign, just coming across as generic tropical, fun bright colours and all. Although, this is the same company that named a Wrangler trim after the brutal police force that the Brits used to control Ireland, so cultural sensitivity’s never been a strong suit for them.

    I’m pro-Sahara, although particularly the green-and-khaki heavy YJ and early TJ’s (hits that nostalgia heavy). Now that I know I can get copies of the little fender decal, it’s 100% going on the $50k JLU I’d not actually buy. Also, it’s a bit of a shame they used Renegade for the little one, because otherwise I’d expect to see a SWB JL with the 392 and an overflared body kit as an Easter Jeep concept.

    Reply
    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      What’s culturally insensitive about Gilligan, the Skipper, too, the millionaire, and his wife, the movie star, and the rest…WAITAMINUTE!!! THE REST?!?!?

      Yeah, definitely insensitive to eggheads and farmgirls.

      Reply
      1. Maymar Avatar
        Maymar

        Mike Brady’s perm from the Hawaii episodes was pretty visually offensive.

        Reply
    2. Batshitbob Avatar
      Batshitbob

      I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought “Tiki Bob” was a little tone-deaf. I immediately tried to think of what upcoming trim levels they might churn out of their little algorithm, or which ones they took a pass on.

      Mackinac Islander edition featuring Yooper Bob
      Maritime Provincer edition featuring Newf Bob
      Keys edition featuring Peckerwood Bob
      British Isles edition featuring Colonial Bob
      Island of Stellantis edition featuring Meal Ticket Bob

      Reply
    3. Neight428 Avatar
      Neight428

      They probably thought they were naming it after the half Guinness half Ale drink.

      Reply
  3. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    The impression of a white top really depends on the rest of the Jeep, in my opinion. Body paint color makes a big difference, and it looks most appropriate with retro wheels. White wagon wheels or steelies look good with a white top.

    I think a matching body-color top looks the best in general, but I’d take white over black, which I think looks low-rent. However, I prefer more of a retro vibe to off-roaders in general. If I had unlimited options, I’d probably go for a bittersweet orange (or slate blue nonmetallic) paint job with a white top and pizza-cutter wheel/tire combo (likely white steelies with no hubcaps paired with KO2s).

    Reply
  4. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    What’s the connection between a tropical island theme and all season tires?

    Reply
    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      What’s the connection between a 7-slot grille and a Fiat?

      Reply
      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        The stars. Reach for the stars.

        Reply
  5. HiImDannyGanz Avatar
    HiImDannyGanz

    When I sold Jeeps a million years ago, I was fascinated by the different trims that would be introduced midway through the model year, and looked at each and every one of the them as special. It was a few weeks before one of the old timers took me aside and told me that the special edition trims just exist to clear out the old wheels from the previous model years. What? That can’t be right. See for yourself, he said.

    Reply