For decades,
the name "Jeep Wrangler" conjured images of
the cheeky-but-tough two-door, soft-top SUV that helped
us win World War II.
That was before the 2007 model year,
when Chrysler introduced the four-door Wrangler
Unlimited. Three years later, it accounts for the lion's
share of Jeep Wrangler sales.
For those who spend their lives in
urban jungles, it's difficult to understand the
Wrangler's appeal. Driven over anything remotely
civilized makes the Wrangler shimmy and sway like SUVs
of yore. With its removable doors, windows and roof,
exposed hinges, hood tie-down clamps and bolt-upright
styling, the Wrangler seems like something from another
era.
But its adherence to tradition, not to
mention its time-tested suspension, makes it the perfect
tool for off-road adventures.
The very things about the vehicle that
would cause your significant other to question your
sanity — its ride, its relatively small size, its
ability to crawl over rocks at a single bound — put
the Wrangler at a disadvantage when tackling a corner of
the highway cloverleaf.
But as the streets of many cities
start to resemble the canals of Venice, the Jeep's ride
height and four-wheel drive might come in handy.
For 2010, there are three grades: base
Sport, midlevel Sahara and range-topping Rubicon.
All models receive a 3.8-liter
overhead-valve V6 producing 202 horsepower and 237
foot-pounds of torque. A six-speed manual or optional
four-speed automatic transmission is available.
Unlike some SUVs, this one doesn't
scream off the line but offers a respectable amount of
grunt. It generates some noise initially but settles
down once cruising. Mileage was better than expected,
given the mix of highway, parkway and park land driving.
Even with four doors and a rear hatch,
the Jeep's tidy size made maneuvering easy, whether on
concrete or clay. The large steering wheel was welcome,
but the steering had a vague feel on-center.
Sport and Sahara models are equipped
with Command-Trac, a part-time four-wheel-drive system.
An optional limited-slip rear differential, which
provides extra grip during slippery situations, is
available.
Rubicon models also get electric
locking front and rear axles and 32-inch off-road tires.
Safety is a key part of the Wrangler,
and all of the expected features are here:
electronic-roll protection, stability control,
hill-start assist, trailer-sway control and antilock
brakes with brake assist. Those last two features can be
a hindrance off-road, but Jeep says they have taken that
into account when engineering them. Having never gotten
to serious boulder bashing, I can't vouch one way or the
other.
The Unlimited's changes are minimal
for the new model year. Power windows now lower
completely and feature one-touch operation. That means
you don't have to hold the button to lower it – just
one touch and you're good to go.
The windows unplug so you can remove
the doors if desired. In addition, Sahara and Rubicon
models now feature optional two-tone leather seats.
The Sahara test model has a screen for
navigation and satellite radio, activated by a
combination of buttons and a touch screen. A touch
screen might not seem like a good idea in a vehicle with
lots of suspension travel, but in practice it was easier
to use than expected.
The interior's ambience reflects the
vehicle's heritage. The instrument panel's design is
large and chunky. Plastics are best described as hard
and durable. Even leather seats wouldn't make this puppy
feel luxurious. The cloth seats were spongy but proved
perfectly absorbent when bouncing over rugged terrain.
Legroom was good in both front and
rear. The rear seats had a short seat bottom cushion but
still proved supportive. The same seats fold down to
expand the roomy cargo area further.
The Unlimited comes with a soft top,
which the company claims is easier to remove this year.
But the soft top lets in too much noise. Go for the
optional Freedom Top, a three-piece hardtop that's
easier to remove and better insulates the cabin from
noise and weather.
While other SUVs have tried to
cultivate a tough outdoors image, Jeep hasn't had to
bother. It's expected, and Jeep delivers.
While many "sophisticated"
media types blast the Jeep's on-road behavior, it's
those characteristics that make the Wrangler Unlimited a
sterling choice where the concrete ends.
———
What we say: Iconic American iron
Pro: The perfect tool for off-road
Con: Pitiful plastics
Engine: 3.8-liter V6
Wheelbase: 116 inches
Length: 173.4 inches
Weight: 4,294 pounds
Cargo space: 46.43-86.75 cubic feet
Towing capacity: Up to 3,500 pounds
EPA rating (city/highway): 15/19 mpg
Fuel consumption: 19 mpg
Fuel type: Regular unleaded
Base price: $28,945
As tested: $33,505