I took the keys to a Joose orange 2026 Jeep Wrangler Sport at my hotel at 10:30 a.m., and an hour later I was parking it at Haleiwa Boat Harbor for a shark dive off Oahu’s North Shore. The drive ran from the curvy mountain road of Highway 63 to cruising along the ocean’s edge on the North Shore, and Highway 83 up north, with towering mountains and clouds overlooking expansive views.
Over the trip I drove all sides of the island, through hurricane weather and the blue-sky days before it. I rented the Jeep in August 2026.
Key Takeaways
- A drive around every side of Oahu, in blue skies and then hurricane weather. My Jeep loop from Waikiki up to the North Shore and back down the windward coast ran 94 miles.
- $240.03 a day, all in. The car itself was $89.25; the trip fee, hotel delivery, Premier Protection and sales tax made up the other $150.78.
- The rental was a 2026 Wrangler Sport 4-door with the optional 2.0-liter turbo four, an 8-speed automatic and 4×4, painted Jeep’s limited-run Joose orange.
- The soft top folds back without tools, but closing it means reaching up to latches on the windshield header. A shorter driver may end up standing nearly on the center console to reach them.
- The 8-speed stayed smooth on H-1 and H-2, on the climb to Wahiawa and in town parking lots.
- Dusk exposed the cabin lighting. The headlight switch and interior lights were hard to work out, and the cabin was dim on every setting I tried.
- Doors-off takes a request to the host, who needs to store the doors safely.
- A Jeep fits Oahu if your plans include rain and muddy roads. For narrow streets and tight lots alone, a smaller car with better parking sensors is easier.
What $240.03 Covered on Turo
The $89.25 day rate was 37% of the total. Premier Protection, Turo’s top coverage tier, cost $58.01 a day, and delivery to the hotel driveway added $50. Unlimited miles cost nothing.
| Line item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Trip price (1 day at $89.25) | $89.25 |
| Turo trip fee | $24.80 |
| Hotel delivery | $50.00 |
| Unlimited miles | $0.00 |
| Premier Protection | $58.01 |
| Sales tax | $17.97 |
| Total | $240.03 |
A rideshare on Oahu runs about $15 for a 5-mile trip and about $80 each way between Honolulu and the North Shore, so the North Shore round trip alone would have cost about $160. The Jeep’s $240.03 also covered the windward drive home and the stops along the way.
To check that against a rental counter, Booking.com lists car rentals in Honolulu.
The 2026 Wrangler Sport I Drove
The VIN decodes to a 2026 Wrangler Sport 4-door built at Toledo North Assembly in Ohio in May 2026. The Sport is the entry trim, and its standard engine is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. This one had the optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four, rated at 270 hp and 295 lb-ft, paired with an 8-speed automatic.
The EPA rates that combination at 20 mpg city, 22 highway and 21 combined on regular fuel.
A 4-door Sport starts at $39,040 plus a $1,995 destination charge. The turbo four and 8-speed add $2,500 and Joose paint adds $595, so a Sport built like this one comes to $44,130 before any packages, by my count from Jeep’s online configurator on October 17, 2026.
The orange is Joose, one of Jeep’s limited-run colors for 2026; the dealer key tag on the ring still read JOOSE above the stock number. It rides on black 17-inch wheels with 245/75R17 tires, has cloth seats, and the 12.3-inch Uconnect touchscreen anchors the dash. The roof is Jeep’s black Sunrider soft top.
Specifications
| Specification | 2026 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4-door (as rented) |
|---|---|
| Base MSRP | $39,040 (Sport 4-door) + $1,995 destination |
| As configured | $44,130 with 2.0L turbo and 8-speed ($2,500), Joose paint ($595) and destination; packages not known |
| Rental price | $240.03 a day on Turo, all-in |
| Engine | 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 (optional; 3.6L V6 is standard) |
| Power / Torque | 270 hp / 295 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | 4×4 |
| EPA Fuel Economy | 20 city / 22 highway / 21 combined |
| Fuel Type / Tank | Regular 87 minimum, 91 recommended / 21.5 gallons |
| Wheels / Tires | 17 x 7.5 in / 245/75R17 |
| Seating | 5 |
| Cargo Volume | 32 cu ft behind the rear seat / 72 cu ft behind the front seats |
| Wheelbase | 118.4 in |
| GVWR | 5,500 lb |
| Roof | Sunrider soft top |
| Paint | Joose (limited-run orange) |
| Assembly | Toledo North Assembly, Toledo, Ohio (built May 2026) |
The Route: Waikiki to the North Shore, Home by the Windward Coast
I left Waikiki at about 10:45 a.m. and followed H-1 west and H-2 north through Wahiawa, reaching Haleiwa Boat Harbor by 11:45 for a shark dive off the North Shore. After the boat returned, I continued along Kamehameha Highway past Waimea Bay to Pupukea and on toward Turtle Bay.
From there the road bends south along the windward side. We passed Hauula at 6:20 p.m., Kualoa about 20 minutes later and Kaneohe just before 7, then crossed the Koolau Range and parked in Waikiki at 7:34.
Folding the Sunrider Top Back
I’ve reviewed Jeeps before, and this was the first one I’d driven with a top that folds back like this. The Sunrider position opens only the section over the front seats. You fold both sun visors forward, pull the two header latches down off the windshield frame, lift the front bow, then walk to the side and use the side link to fold the fabric rearward.
The rear and quarter windows stay in, and Jeep permits driving with the top in that position.
Folding the top all the way down is a longer job, because Jeep’s owner’s manual says the rear and quarter windows have to come out first to avoid damaging the top. I drove the North Shore in the Sunrider position.
With the top back, the wind comes straight into the cabin. That was the point of renting a Wrangler, and it was super fun. Plenty of other Wranglers on the island were out top-down too, most of them obviously rentals.
Closing the Top Takes Reach
Closing it reverses the steps. From the side of the vehicle you lift the side link and push the folded section forward until it reaches the windshield, then get in and pull each header latch down so its hook catches the receiver, and lock it.
The front edge of the top sits above the windshield of a vehicle that is about 6 feet tall, and the latches only engage when the top is pulled all the way forward.
I had to stand up nearly on the center console to reach the latches and hook them. If you’re under average height, ask the host to show you the closing sequence at handoff, and fold the top back somewhere you can raise it without traffic waiting. The manual also warns about pinch points at the lift-assist mechanism and side bows, so keep your fingers clear while the bows move.
How the 2.0 Turbo and 8-Speed Drove
Oahu’s speed limits run well below what I drive in California, so I never got to push the turbo four. The 8-speed shifted smoothly the whole day, on H-1 and H-2, on the climb up to Wahiawa between the Waianae and Koolau ranges, and in the small towns where I squeezed into cramped parking spots.
Steering takes little effort, and the Wrangler didn’t wander at highway speed. Ride and noise are what you’d expect from a Jeep with a fabric roof: you hear the road with the top up and feel the wind with it open. If you want a quiet cabin, rent something else.
Headlights and Cabin Lighting at Dusk
The light faded on the windward leg, and the Wrangler’s controls got harder to use. The headlight switch is a rotary knob on the left side of the instrument panel, with a thumbwheel beside it that dims the gauges and interior lights.
Figuring out how to turn the headlights on took longer than it should have, and the cabin stayed dim however I set the headlights and the dimmer wheel.
I count that as a safety shortfall. I’ve spent enough time in Stellantis products and Jeeps to find my way around their switchgear, and a renter meeting this cabin for the first time at sunset would have a harder go of it. Find the headlight knob and test the dimmer before you leave the hotel.
Taking the Doors Off a Turo Jeep
The Wrangler’s doors come off, and Jeep reworked the hinges for 2026 to make removal quicker. On Turo, plan to arrange doors-off with the host when you book, because the doors need somewhere safe to wait while you drive. Mine stayed on.
Highs
- Sunrider top opens the front section with the windows still in
- 8-speed automatic stayed smooth on freeway, climb and town streets
- No wander at highway speed
- Hotel delivery and pickup with unlimited miles
Lows
- Latching the top meant standing nearly on the center console
- Headlight controls and cabin lighting hard to use at dusk
- Road noise through the soft top
- Fees and protection more than doubled the $89.25 day rate
Should You Rent a Jeep on Oahu?
I’d rent a Wrangler on Oahu again. Rain turns many of the island’s back roads to mud, and for a visitor who has never driven in those conditions and is planning an adventure day, the Jeep is a good fit. Oahu’s streets are narrow and parking is tight in a lot of places around the island, so if your plans stay on pavement, a smaller car with more advanced parking sensors will be easier to live with than a Wrangler Sport.
Before you book a Wrangler on the island, look up the complaint record for the current Wrangler generation.
Two 2026 recalls are worth running the VIN for: one covers 641 Wranglers and Gladiators with steel wheels that may crack, and the other is a rearview camera software fix covering 844,027 Stellantis vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to rent a Jeep on Oahu through Turo?
My rental of a 2026 Jeep Wrangler Sport through Turo in August 2026 cost $240.03 a day. The day rate was $89.25, and the rest was a $24.80 Turo trip fee, $50 for delivery to my hotel, $58.01 for Premier Protection and $17.97 in sales tax.
Does Turo deliver Jeeps to hotels on Oahu?
Some Turo hosts on Oahu deliver. Aloha Rides brought my Wrangler to my hotel at 10:30 a.m. and picked it up there at 8 p.m. for a $50 delivery fee.
Can you drive a rental Jeep Wrangler with the top down?
Yes. The 2026 Wrangler Sport’s Sunrider soft top folds back over the front seats with the rear and quarter windows still installed, and Jeep says it can be driven that way. Folding the whole top down requires removing those windows first.
How hard is it to put a Jeep Wrangler soft top back up?
Closing the Sunrider top means pushing the folded section forward by the side link and then latching two hooks to the windshield header from inside. As a shorter driver I had to stand up nearly on the center console to reach the latches. Ask your host to demonstrate before you drive away.
Can you take the doors off a Turo Jeep in Hawaii?
The Wrangler’s doors are removable, but on Turo you’ll need to arrange it with the host ahead of time so the doors can be stored safely while you drive. I kept mine on.
How much does a 2026 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4-door cost new?
Jeep lists the 2026 Wrangler Sport 4-door at $39,040 plus $1,995 destination. Adding the 2.0-liter turbo with the 8-speed automatic costs $2,500, and Joose paint is $595, for $44,130 before packages as of October 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Jeep Wrangler 2.0 turbo get?
The EPA rates the 2026 Wrangler 4-door with the 2.0-liter turbo, 8-speed automatic and 4×4 at 20 mpg city, 22 highway and 21 combined. It is rated on regular 87, Jeep recommends 91 octane for best economy and performance, and the tank holds 21.5 gallons.
Is a Jeep a good rental car for Oahu?
A Wrangler is a good pick if you want open-air driving and plan to see muddy back roads after rain. If you’ll stay on pavement in towns with narrow streets and tight parking, a smaller car with more advanced parking sensors is easier.
How long does a drive from Waikiki to the North Shore and back take?
My loop from Waikiki to Haleiwa by H-1 and H-2, along the North Shore and back down the windward coast covered 94 miles. The drive out to Haleiwa took about an hour; the windward run from the North Shore pullout back to Waikiki took about an hour and 45 minutes.
Is the headlight switch on a Jeep Wrangler hard to find?
The Wrangler’s headlight switch is a rotary knob on the left side of the instrument panel, with a thumbwheel beside it for gauge and interior lighting. I found it slow to work out at dusk, and the cabin stayed dim on every setting.
Are there recalls on the 2026 Jeep Wrangler?
Yes. NHTSA campaign 26V456 covers 641 Wranglers and Gladiators whose steel wheels may crack, and 26V531 is a rearview camera software update covering 844,027 Stellantis vehicles, including the 2026 Wrangler. Check a rental’s VIN at NHTSA.gov.
Disclosure: this article contains an affiliate link to Booking.com. If you book through it, The Weekly Driver may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Michael Kahn
Michael Kahn is the writer, photographer, and publisher behind The Weekly Driver. He cares about how cars drive and what they're like to own. He covers automobile industry news, car shows and events, and new car reviews. The reviews come from behind the wheel: day trips that favor back routes, treating a good meal as half the reason to go. He directs and produces the visual media, matching each car to a setting and mood that fit it. When he's not reviewing new cars, Michael races paddleboards, camels, and ostriches, along with the occasional exotic car on the racetrack, and has driven in every state and country visited.
https://theweeklydriver.com