Back in 2006 when Jeep and its Chrysler parent were still under the watchful eye of Germany's Daimler-Benz, the sturdy, go-anywhere two-door Wrangler inherited a larger, all-new, 2007 model year running mate. Joining the ranks was a four-door Unlimited complete with the off-road, open-top mind set of the Junior version.
Later in 2007, Daimler would unload the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands to private equity firm Cerberus LLC, who in two short years would drive the company headstrong into bankruptcy court before a fire sale to French automaker Fiat. Luckily, Cerberus chose not to mess with Jeep's success, leaving Wrangler Unlimited alone.
Wrangler runs counter clockwise in a clockwise world. What Wrangler boasts in spades is style and attitude. Wrangler Unlimited is the only four-door convertible on the market with rugged good looks matching its off-road character. Unlike Nissan Xterra or FJ Cruiser, its two closest competitors, Wrangler is built in the United States.
Changes for 2010 mostly involve cosmetic tweaks. Front tow hooks and fog lights are now standard, larger sun visors now includes a sliding feature and three new exterior colors have been added while three others retired.
The compact Wrangler is a true sport utility, not a fashionable on-road crossover pretending to enjoy the mud. Both Wrangler and larger Unlimited include manual part-time transfer cases to switch from two wheel high to four-wheel high (on-road choices) and a four low setting for off-road adventures. Unlimited's three trim levels (Sport, Sahara, and off-road-inspired Rubicon) feature a 116-inch wheel base, 20 inches longer than the two-door edition, allowing for the second row and decent front leg room. Truck-like, body-on-frame construction takes precedent over a car-like unibody design.
Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited play out as real-world transformers, with dozens of different open top, hard top or half-top configurations available. The Hollywood flick Transformers 3 filmed in downtown Chicago during our Wrangler testing, and the synergy was catching. A removable "Sunrider" soft-top comes standard in all trims. Our tester sported the optional multi-sectioned removable "Freedom" hard top. Removal of side doors is another Wrangler quirk for open air experiences of a different kind. Scant few rivals boast this perk.
One person can handle removal of the Freedom's small, lightweight front dual panels requiring unlatching and turning of fasteners. The operation takes less than three minutes. Taking off Unlimited's bulky rear hard top requires a friends and family plan; one is advised not to go at it alone. Come prepared since a suitable storage spot needs scouting as does a number 40 torx head driver for removal of eight screws.
Wrangler Unlimited targets to specific off-road enthusiasts with passions for lower speeds. Remember, when traveling at Interstate speeds, don't expect conventional coupe or sedan niceties. Wind noise rushes by thanks to an un-aerodynamic design and the off-road suspension adds to a bouncy experience. Give yourself enough braking distance; these are not performance orientated rotors. Secondary radio controls on the four-spoke steering wheel are no where to be found, but the large size of the wheel is a welcome addition.
Wrangler's thirst for fuel remains unmatched in the V-6 category. The sole powertrain available in all two and four-door models is a 3.8-liter V-6 with 202 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and four-speed automatic transmission optional. Our 4 x 4 tester with automatic averaged 15 miles per gallon city and 19 mpg highway (regular unleaded recommended). Add one mile better on the highway with rear-drive. By comparison, a recently tested Corvette V-8 pumping out 436 horses generated 15 mpg city and 25 highway with six-speed automatic.
Two-door Wranglers start at $21,165. Our test, four-door, 2010 Unlimited Sahara four-wheel drive checked in at $28,905. A gaggle of options including a $1,625 Freedom hard top brought the bottom line to $37,305 including a $750 destination charge. Other notable options in our Sahara included a $1,550 in-dash navigation system/media center, $490 front-seat mounted side air bags and $825 four-speed automatic transmission. By comparison, Toyota's two-door FJ Cruiser starts at $24,180.
Satellite radio, cruise control, power windows and leather-wrapped steering wheel come standard in Sahara and Rubicon editions (optional in sport). Side curtain air bags are not offered but anti-lock brakes, stability control, side-impact door beams and anti-lock brakes come standard. Manual transmission models include hill start assist standard.
A high 8.7-inch ground clearance provided amble ability to cross a gently flooded Suburban Chicago road (executed during the test drive), but also makes ingress and egress a challenge. This vehicle requires a step up when entering. Once inside, drivers have great command of the road save for the full-size spare tire mounted on the rear hatch running interference with rear-view mirror perception. Storing the full-size spare underneath would compromise ground clearance, so it's a trade off. Square side-view mirrors operate manually so prepare settings before lift off.
Wrangler takes a different direction with exterior cues. No hood release lever is found under the dash; instead, two manual hood latches get the job done. Large, black side door grab handles include a huge rear-positioned push button. An old-school mast antenna protrudes up from the side fender. Although rear side doors swing open an impressive 90 degrees, narrow widths cramp leg entry. The iconic seven bar grill and round headlights tell the world this is a Jeep. Small, square tail lights accent the rear. Flared fenders extend out and over wheels, aside from the torso. The circular, chrome fuel door (part of an optional chrome package) contrasted nicely with the blue exterior. A tubular running board extends between fenders along side the lower frame of Sahara models and is optional in Sport trims.
The utilitarian interior includes a large, thick grab handle above the small glove box, useful when lifting oneself in to the passenger side front seat. This interior is fully washable, designed for garden hose cleaning after a play date in the mud pit or sandbox. An upright front windshield limits the size of the dash top, but contributes mightily to Jeep's never aging box design. The flat instrument panel includes two larger and two smaller circular analog gauges with digital information along the inside bottom of the center two. Four circular air vents stretch across the dash, in style with three circular ventilation functions along the center stack's bottom. Power window controls are found on the center dash stack, not the doors (since doors can be removed). Cloth seating comes standard while two-tone leather seats are optional in Sahara and Rubicon. Second row seatbacks fold onto cushions with a 60/40 split. Three adults in back would be a crowd; two travel most comfortably in back.
Since it's built for outdoor play, a towing package is optional allowing for up to 3,500 pounds of towing fun. Wrangler's powertrain warranty is for five years or 100,000 miles, the new industry average.
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