Automotive
The 2027 Jeep Wrangler Laredo Is Back — What That Means for Buyers in Arizona
Jeep unveiled the 2027 Jeep Wrangler Laredo, blending Southwest-inspired heritage styling with standard Xtreme 35 capability. Here’s what Arizona buyers should verify before ordering.
Jeep is bringing back a familiar name with a very modern twist. In a July 12 PR Newswire release, the brand unveiled the 2027 Jeep Wrangler Laredo, describing it as a heritage-inspired trim that revives an iconic 1980s-era nameplate—then pairs that nostalgia with serious off-road hardware based on the Wrangler Willys.
For Arizona drivers, this one lands differently than it might in cooler climates. The Laredo’s headline features—a tan soft-top option, 35-inch tires, and a lifted stance—touch the daily realities of desert heat, freeway commuting, monsoon-season visibility, and weekend trail access. Here’s the Consumer Corner breakdown: what’s real, what to verify, and who this trim actually makes sense for.
The quick takeaway
The 2027 Jeep Wrangler Laredo is essentially a Willys-based Wrangler with the Xtreme 35 Package baked in, wrapped in a distinctive Southwest-themed design and a premium interior. Jeep says orders open later this month, and pricing starts at $1,995 over a Wrangler Willys with the Xtreme 35 Tire Package.
That last line matters: this isn’t a “cheap Wrangler.” It’s a value comparison against a specific build (Willys + Xtreme 35). If you were already planning that setup, the Laredo may be a relatively small step up for a lot of visual and interior differentiation.
What Jeep is highlighting (and what it means in plain English)
1) Standard Xtreme 35 Package: the capability is the point
Jeep says the Laredo includes the Xtreme 35 Package as standard equipment, including:
- 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 tires
- 1-inch lift
- Bronze beadlock-capable wheels
Consumer translation: this trim is not just decals. The tire size and lift change the stance, trail clearance, and replacement costs. If you like the look and you’ll actually use the traction/clearance, it’s a meaningful upgrade.
Arizona angle: 35-inch all-terrains can be great for dirt roads and rocky trails, but they can also mean more road noise and higher replacement costs. In extreme heat, tire condition matters—ask what the replacement set runs installed and how often you realistically drive on surfaces that justify the upgrade.
2) The tan soft-top is back (and the roof choice affects daily life)
Jeep is reintroducing the “highly coveted” tan soft-top. Roof options mentioned include:
- Tan soft-top (heritage-inspired)
- Sky One-touch powertop (four-door only)
- Black hardtop (two-door and four-door)
Consumer translation: roof choice isn’t just aesthetics—it’s noise, heat management, convenience, and long-term wear.
Arizona angle: if you park outside in Phoenix-area sun, your roof choice affects cabin temperature, UV wear, and how quickly the interior feels like an oven. Before you commit:
- Sit in one on a hot day if possible (or at least after it’s been outside)
- Ask about warranty coverage for top materials and seals
- Consider how often you’ll actually run top-down versus how often you’ll be fighting heat and glare
3) Southwest styling: you’re paying for a specific identity
Jeep leans hard into “American Southwest” cues:
- Gobi accent grille
- Laredo hood decals (center + side)
- Bodyside decals and a rear lasso-style “4WD” decal
- Bronze tow hooks and bronze-accented badging
Consumer translation: this is a trim for people who want their Wrangler to look like this from the factory—without aftermarket guesswork. If you’d delete the decals on day one, you’re probably not the target buyer.
Arizona angle: decals and exterior finishes live a harder life in intense sun. Ask about care guidance (and whether the dealer is pushing paint/graphics protection as an add-on you don’t need).
Inside the Laredo: premium touches (but confirm what’s truly standard)
Jeep says the cabin is built around a Bison Brown interior with:
- Bison Brown Nappa leather seats with front heat and power adjust
- Mayan Gold accent stitching
- Exclusive Laredo badging, including a rear swing gate plaque with coordinates of Laredo, Texas
- A subtle cowboy hat motif in HVAC pad prints
Consumer Corner note: “premium materials” can be real, but trims sometimes vary by package availability and dealer ordering. When you see the vehicle in person, verify:
- Seat material and whether it’s true leather vs leather-trimmed surfaces
- Exactly which seats are heated (and whether ventilation is offered)
- Whether any interior elements are tied to optional packages
Arizona angle: leather and dark interiors can feel premium, but they also absorb heat. If you’re sensitive to hot seats and steering wheels, ask about:
- Remote start availability (where applicable)
- Sunshade options
- Tint legality and pricing (and whether the dealer is bundling it)
The money question: what does “$1,995 over Willys + Xtreme 35” really mean?
Jeep’s pricing line is smart marketing because it anchors the Laredo as a modest step up—if you were already buying that exact Willys configuration.
Before you decide it’s a bargain, ask the dealer for two itemized build quotes:
- Wrangler Willys + Xtreme 35 Tire Package (as close as possible to the referenced build)
- Wrangler Laredo (same drivetrain/doors where possible)
Then compare:
- Out-the-door price (tax, title, registration, doc fees)
- Dealer add-ons (tint, nitrogen, paint protection, wheel locks)
- Insurance quote by VIN/trim (35-inch tires and higher replacement costs can affect premiums)
Arizona angle: don’t skip the insurance quote. Larger tires, higher replacement costs, and theft/vandalism risk can shift premiums. Get a quote using the exact trim before you fall in love with the look.
Who the 2027 Jeep Wrangler Laredo is best for
Best fit
- You already want a Willys + 35-inch tire Wrangler and prefer a factory-finished heritage look
- You care about distinctive styling and plan to keep the vehicle long enough for that identity to matter
- You want something that feels “special edition” without going full custom
- You do Arizona-style weekends: desert roads, trailheads, camping routes—where clearance and traction actually matter
Maybe not
- You’re shopping for the lowest-cost Wrangler payment
- You don’t want larger tires (replacement cost and ride feel can be different)
- You’d remove the graphics or prefer a clean, minimal exterior
Consumer Corner: what to watch for before you sign
Use this checklist when the Laredo hits lots.
- Confirm what’s standard: Xtreme 35 equipment, roof type, interior features
- Ask about tire replacement cost: 35-inch KO2s aren’t economy tires
- Check towing details: Jeep mentions an available trailer hitch and up to 3,500 lbs towing—confirm your exact configuration
- Verify roof options by door count: Sky One-touch is four-door only
- Get an out-the-door quote in writing: include add-ons and “market adjustment” if any
- Test daily comfort: cabin noise, seat comfort, visibility, parking practicality
- Arizona reality check: where will it park (garage vs outside), and how will you manage heat, glare, and interior wear?
Bottom line
The 2027 Jeep Wrangler Laredo is a nostalgia-forward trim that looks designed to be instantly recognizable—and it backs up the look with real off-road hardware via the standard Xtreme 35 Package. For buyers already leaning Willys + 35s, the Laredo’s pricing claim suggests it could be a relatively efficient way to get a more distinctive exterior and a richer interior without piecing together aftermarket parts.
For everyone else, treat it like any special trim: verify what’s standard, price it against the closest comparable build, and make sure the “icon” factor doesn’t distract from the monthly payment and long-term ownership costs—especially in Arizona, where heat and sun can turn small comfort details into daily dealbreakers.
Follow Jeep and company news and video on:
Media website: media.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Jeep brand: jeep.com
Facebook: facebook.com/jeep
Instagram: @jeep
X: @jeep
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/jeep
YouTube: youtube.com/thejeepchannel or youtube.com/StellantisNA
SOURCE Stellantis/ PR Newswire
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Automotive
2027 Toyota Tundra Adds Trailhunter Package and Updated Technology
The 2027 Toyota Tundra adds a Trailhunter package, refreshed styling and a standard 14-inch touchscreen. Starting MSRP is $42,890.
Last Updated on November 7, 2026 by Daily News Staff
PLANO, Texas — Toyota is updating the 2027 Tundra with refreshed exterior styling, a new Trailhunter package and additional technology for its full-size pickup lineup.
2027 Toyota Tundra: Trailhunter Package and Tech Updates
Based on the SR5 grade, the Trailhunter package adds Old Man Emu suspension, Michelin all-terrain tires, front recovery hooks and extra underbody protection. A locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control help drivers navigate challenging terrain, while bronze-colored wheels distinguish the package.
The TRD Pro receives newly designed, adjustable FOX Q3S shocks, standard red tow hooks and a new Honeycomb paint option.
Inside, a 14-inch multimedia touchscreen becomes standard. Toyota also adds a built-in drive recorder and makes Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 standard across the lineup. Gas and i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrains remain available.
Toyota lists the 2027 Tundra with a starting MSRP of $42,890. Buyers should check destination charges, options and dealer pricing when comparing total costs.
Sources:
Slate Auto and Smarties Launch Colorful EV Starter Packs
Slate Auto has partnered with Smarties Candy Company on six pastel customization packages for its upcoming electric truck. Announced October 27, the Smarties x Slate collection gives buyers another way to personalize the minimalist EV before deliveries begin.
The six Starter Packs are inspired by Smarties flavors: Blue Raspberry, Cherry, Grape, Pineapple, Orange and Strawberry. Each package includes a coordinating vehicle wrap, color-matched mirror decals, a Smarties-branded rocker decal, a logo decal, a customized key-fob end cap and a matching interior Slatelet.
Customers will be able to purchase the packages through the Slate Marketplace as their delivery dates approach. Pricing for the Smarties packages was not included in the announcement.
The collaboration fits Slate’s strategy of selling one simplified vehicle platform that owners can customize over time. Every truck leaves the Warsaw, Indiana, factory with gray exterior panels designed to be wrapped instead of conventionally painted. Buyers can keep the two-seat pickup configuration or select one of Slate’s five-seat SUV conversions.
The partnership does not change the truck’s core price or specifications. Slate continues to list the Blank Slate pickup at $24,950 before its $1,450 destination charge, with an estimated 205 miles of range. The range figure is still a company projection rather than a final EPA rating, and Slate continues to say its first deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
For Slate, the Smarties collection is more than a seasonal promotion. It demonstrates how branded wraps and accessories could become an important part of the company’s business model while allowing buyers to change the appearance of their vehicles without purchasing a different truck.
Source: Slate Auto’s official Smarties collaboration announcement
Automotive
4 Tips for Efficient EV Charging at Home
Efficient EV Charging at Home: Your car has one job – to take you where you need to go. For electric vehicle (EV) owners, that means keeping it charged so it’s ready to hit the road when you are. Charging your car at home is convenient and cost-effective, especially if you have the right equipment and routines.
4 Tips for Efficient EV Charging at Home
(Feature Impact) Your car has one job – to take you where you need to go. For electric vehicle (EV) owners, that means keeping it charged so it’s ready to hit the road when you are.
Charging your car at home is convenient and cost-effective, especially if you have the right equipment and routines. Consider these quick tips from the EV experts at Schneider Electric.
Watch this video to learn more:
//www.youtube.com/embed/IELsXkSgOQQ
Install a Level 2 Home Charger
While many EV owners start with standard Level 1 charging using typical 120-volt household outlets, upgrading to a 240-volt Level 2 charger can offer extra efficiency and convenience. With significantly faster charging speeds, these units increase your driving range per charging hour and can replenish your battery in a fraction of the time.
Charge During Off-Peak Hours
If your electric company has variable pricing based on the time of day, you may be able to lower your utility bill by shifting your charging routines. This could mean doing most of your charging overnight and unplugging during peak daytime hours when rates are often more expensive.
Consider a Smart Charger
Since Level 2 chargers can add significant electrical load to your home, many EV owners are concerned they’ll need to make costly electrical upgrades to accommodate the higher power requirements. Instead, consider a smart Level 2 home charger with dynamic power management like the Schneider Charge.
With built-in technology called SmartAmp, this charger intelligently monitors the electrical demand in the home and adjusts the output to your EV accordingly. Whether you’re running a dryer full of laundry or turning on the air conditioning, the system can automatically dial back the charging power to your EV when necessary then ramp it back up when demand drops. This way, you won’t have to worry about overloading your electrical system or being forced to install pricey new panels so you can get everything done.
Since it works with all standard EV charging formats, it’s built to fit your current vehicle and whatever you buy next. Plus, through the connected app, you can conveniently schedule charging with a tap, giving you the ability to manage your EV routine remotely – or just set it and forget it.
Track Your Habits
Understanding your current charging habits can help you fine-tune your routines over time. Smart chargers can make tracking simple and automatic with apps that allow you to access information like how often you’re charging your vehicle, how long it takes and how much energy it consumes.
Learn more about smart EV charging at SE.com.
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