We review the Jeep Wrangler (2007) from price to economy and all its features
IN an ever-changing motoring world the Jeep Wrangler has defiantly refused to conform to the trends.
The Wrangler has consistently done things the hard way just like the original Willys Jeep, which took centre stage in the Second World War.
A small all-terrain vehicle, the Jeep instantly impressed everyone with its ability to punch well above its weight on the hostile front line.
Since then the Jeep has proved its extraordinary off-road capabilities in some of the toughest places in the world.
In 1987, it evolved into the Wrangler and has remained pretty much unchanged since.
Thats because its owners loved the vehicles blunt, no-nonsense approach to motoring — it was an old-school 4x4 that could take you to the parts trendy 4x4s could get nowhere near.
They accepted without complaint the complete lack of luxuries and an interior that refused to pamper even modestly. Conversation at speeds above 70mph was impossible without shouting.
On the road it was bouncy and uncomfortable and accommodation for four was a squeeze, but something Wrangler fans accepted like a badge of honour.
But it appears that even the Jeep Wrangler has now reluctantly decided the time is right to make life a little easier and reward its owners with a few 21st Century luxuries.
Jeep, however, refuse to do more than tinker with the rugged exterior design, which makes the Wrangler one of the most instantly-recognisable vehicles in the world.
The Wrangler is the modern cowboys trusted workhorse with more power under the bonnet — you only have to glance at it to know its a machine capable of surviving in the wilderness of Brokeback Mountain.
And that is why all the classic Wrangler design cues remain, like the seven-slot grille and the round headlamps, which have more powerful halogen bulbs so you can pick your way across the Wild West in the dark.
There are subtle changes — such as a blow-moulded bumper with integrated fog lamps and an air dam that improves aerodynamics. For the first time, there is also a curved screen to reduce wind resistance and improve interior noise levels.
And theres another first with a four-door version to answer the demands of customers who want a genuine five-seater so all the family can enjoy the Jeep experience.
The four-door Wrangler Unlimited is more than 5in wider and 13.4in longer than the standard version and looks even more macho.
It can also be converted for open-air motoring thanks to a three-piece plastic roof that features left and right front panels that can be removed in a couple of minutes.
Removing the rest of the roof is a two-person affair that takes a little longer, but as I experienced on a beautiful sunny day in Scotland, it turns a drive in the Wrangler into an even more enjoyable affair.
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Of course, hardcore fans will go the whole hog and remove the doors and fold the windscreen flat for the full off-road adventure as they roam the range.
All of which makes the Unlimited the most practical Wrangler ever, especially as the rear seats fold flat so the outdoor family can take lots of gear with them or tow it on a trailer.
The big surprise is inside, where the Wrangler gets a much-needed lift in everything from the quality of the plastics to a better laid-out cabin. It is still rugged, but now its a bit more refined too, with Wrangler owners finally experiencing everyday motoring toys like air con, electric windows and a sweet sounding music system with an auxiliary input point for an MP3 player.
Theres also a new analogue instrument cluster, a 32-per-cent-bigger glove box, armrests on the doors, all of which make the cabin a much more family-friendly place to travel.
Completing the modernisation programme are two new engines — a 3.8litre petrol and the 2.8litre turbo diesel I tested. This will be the big seller.
You cant escape the diesel clatter at low speeds but the 2.8litre proves surprisingly refined once you get it moving. It also moves fairly impressively for a big 4x4 that will return slightly less than 30mpg.
But the most noticeable improvement to the Wrangler has to be how much better it handles and rides on the road, making it perfectly acceptable as day-to-day transport.
As our pictures show, its still one of the most capable off-roaders in the world — the more testing the conditions become, the more formidable the Wrangler is.
Jeep have just celebrated their 100,000th sale in the UK since arriving in 1993, and more than 1.5million Wranglers have been sold globally since its arrval in 1987.
With prices starting at £17,995 for the three-door diesel Sport and going up to just more than £23,000 for the four-door Sahara Unlimited auto, the new Wrangler has more than enough extra going for it to attract a lot more buyers to the Jeep brand.