Our managing editor recently spent time ‘wheeling the new Wrangler in the Arizona desert, finding it more than worthy of a Trail Rated badge. Now, we have learned more details about its pricing structure.

As Steve said, the new JL is not too good to be true, but it is too good to be cheap. Buyers will need to check the couch cushions for change and ante up at least $26,995 to play in the Jeep sandbox, a $3000 hike over the entry-level two-door Sport JK.

All the prices mentioned in this post apply to JL Wranglers equipped with the venerable 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 lashed to a manual transmission. We are keeping our ear to the ground for pricing news for the turbo model. None of the prices include destination fees which currently run $1095 and will probably go up a couple of hundred dollars.

READ MORE: Plug-In Hybrid Jeep Wrangler Slated to Arrive in 2020

The two-door Rubicon JL commands an eye-watering $10,000 premium over the base Sport, hiking the price of the cheapest Rubicon to $36,995. That represents a $3350 increase over last year’s model.

Do you have friends you’d like to take along on the trail? Be prepared to dig a bit deeper for the four-door as well. The JLU Sport has an MSRP of $30,495, the Sahara starts at $37,345, and the burly Rubicon check in at $40,495. Those are all hikes in the neighbourhood of about $3000 across the board.

Naturally, Jeep execs are quick to point out the myriad of additional features and gonzo levels of capability baked into the new Wrangler JL when compared to the outgoing JK. They have a point. With a better interior, vastly improved driving experience, and superb off-road creds, the JL marks a huge leap over the JK.

Let’s not forget Mopar’s new accessory catalog, with over 200 baubles and bolt-ons that will likely be able to be financed at dealer rates. This will surely drive the average transaction price of the new JL even higher than its MSRP may suggest.

The Build & Price tool is not yet live on the Jeep website, but we are furiously refreshing our internet browsers and will bring you a deep dive into the pricing and availability of option packages when that info becomes available.

Jeep faithful can get their JL fix in the first quarter of 2018 with any engine they want, as long as it’s the Pentastar. The 2.0-liter Hurricane turbo comes online later in the year, and the EcoDiesel V6 arrives later still. A plug-in hybrid is slated for 2020.