Vehicle Tested
| 2011 Jeep Wrangler Sport
Base Price: $22,045
At-Tested Price: $26,310
Built in Toledo, Ohio.
Options
Customer Preferred Package 23S
-Air Conditioning
-P255/70R17 Off-Road Tires
-Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
-Chrome Shift Knob
Connectivity Group
-USB Port
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
uconnect with Phone and Voice Control
Satellite Radio
Black Freedom 3-Piece Hard Top
Engine: 3.8-liter V6
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Drive Wheels: Four-Wheel Drive
|
As Keith Jackson used to call the Rose Bowl the granddaddy of them all, the Jeep Wrangler is the granddaddy of all sport-utility vehicles. Wrangler's roots lie in the World War II Army jeep, which gained notoriety for it's unstoppable nature and simplistic design. Today's Wrangler is substantially more modern than the Army jeep, but stays true to its mission of providing basic transportation with unsurpassed off-road ability.
Wrangler was last redesigned in 2007, when it grew in size and gained a four-door sibling called Unlimited. All Wranglers are convertibles with removable doors and a windshield that folds down. The two-door seats four and rides a 95.4-inch wheelbase and is 153-inches long overall. The four-door has room for five passengers and sits on a 116-inch wheelbase and is 173-inches long. For 2011, Wrangler gets a new interior and additional features.
While Wrangler has true off-road abilities, most of its competitors have gone the soft-road route, meaning they are not intended for heavy-duty trail slogging. Competitors like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue and Toyota RAV4 don't even offer a four-wheel-drive system with a low range. Jeep's own Liberty, the Nissan Xterra, and Suzuki Grand Vitara are the sole remaining class competitors to offer a true four-wheel drive system.
Two-door Wrangler comes in three trim levels: Sport, Sahara, and Rubicon, which is named for a notoriously difficult off-road trail in the Sierra Nevada of the western United States. All models are powered by a 202-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
All models have four-wheel drive. Regardless of model, the four-wheel drive system should not be left engaged on dry pavement but does include a low range for serious off-road use. Maximum towing capacity on the two-door is 2000 pounds. Four-door models are rated at a maximum of 2500 pounds. A hill-holder clutch is offered on on manual-transmission models and trailer-sway control that activates the stability control to correct unwanted trailer movement is also offered.
Two top options are available. Sunrider is a single-piece soft top that is removable via snaps and hooks. Also available is a hard top called Freedom top, which consists of three detachable top sections that allow for different open-top configurations.
Standard safety features on all models include antilock four-wheel disc brakes, stability control with rollover sensors, hill-ascent control, tire-pressure monitor, roll bar, and dual front airbags. Front-side airbags are optional.
Two-door Sport models start at $22,045 and include tilt steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with digital-media player connection, compass, outside-temperature indicator, full metal door with roll-up windows, variable-intermittent wipers, carpeting, floormats, theft-deterrent system, fog lights, front and rear tow hooks, skid plates, outside-mounted full-size spare tire and P225/75R16 on/off-road tires.
The Sahara is intended to be the top of the line on-road model. It lists for $27,245 and adds to Sport air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, Infinity sound system, satellite radio, 115-volt power outlet, automatic headlights, side steps, rear privacy glass, heavy-duty suspension, P255/70R18 on/off-road white-letter tires and alloy wheels.
Intended to be the most off-road capable Wrangler in the lineup, Rubicon prices start at $29,245. It adds to the Sport two-speed transfer case with 4:1 low range, front and rear heavy-duty locking differentials, air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Infinity sound system, satellite radio, 115-volt power outlet, automatic headlights, front sway bar disconnect, off-road suspension, LT255/75R17 on/off-road tires and alloy wheels.
Jeep is offering for a limited time the Wrangler Sahara 70th Anniversary trim package. At a total cost of $29,055 it includes Dana 30 solid front Axle, Dana 44 heavy duty rear axle, deep tint sunscreen windows, fog lamps, tubular side steps, two front tow hooks, one rear tow hook, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and front and rear door entry guards.
As you might expect, Wrangler offers a number of unique options designed with off-road customers in mind. These options include a hard top, locking rear differential, and half metal doors. To please on-road drivers, Wrangler is also available with Chrysler Corporation's uconnect multimedia suite. It includes Bluetooth cell-phone connection, navigation system with real-time traffic information, six-disc CD changer, iPod adapter, and hard drive for storing pictures and music files.
All Wranglers are built in Chrysler's Toledo, Ohio, assembly plant and carry a $750 destination charge.
Get Up and Go Wrangler's tidy dimensions hide a 4400-pound curb weight that blunts any hope of quick acceleration. The 3.8-liter engine and six-speed manual-speed automatic team up to provide a zero-to-sixty mph time of about ten seconds. That's slow by any standard today. Passing response isn't all that impressive either, as the engine is tuned for off-road grunt.
Wrangler isn't intended to be an on-road rocket. It's engine and transmission are tuned to be both rugged and powerful when the going gets rough. Indeed, even the electronic throttle has two settings--one for on-road use and another that's significantly more forgiving for off-road slogging.
Compared to other compact SUVs, Wrangler isn't going to win any fuel economy competitions. The two-door manual is EPA rated at 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. Those numbers fall well short of class leaders like the Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota RAV4.
Still, Wrangler isn't as thirsty as you might expect, and it sips less-expensive regular-grade gasoline. In routine driving expect to average about 17 mpg. If your commute includes lots of easy highway driving, you might be able to crest 20 mpg.
Wrangler's off-road-ready four-wheel drive system is operated by a stiff-shifting, floor-mounted lever. It has three settings, two-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive high, and four-wheel-drive low. Neither four-wheel setting is intended for dry-pavement use. Off road or in the snow, Wrangler's four-wheel drive system and tall ground clearance make it virtually unstoppable.
On the Road As you might expect Wrangler isn't the most civilized on-road vehicle. Bumpy roads trigger lots of bouncing and bounding. Surprisingly, the suspension does an excellent job of softening sharp jolts. The longer wheelbase of the Unlimited reduces some of the unwanted bouncing, but still doesn't compare to more on-road friendly competitors.
When the roads grow twisty, Wrangler drivers will want to slow down a bit. Though body lean is only modest, there's plenty of noseplow in even moderate-speed corners. In addition, the tall build/short wheelbase stature leads to a tippy feeling in fast corners.
The steering is light and very slow, requiring lots of hand-over-hand turning in parking lots. Brakes seem to have good stopping power but are hampered by mushy pedal action and longish overall stopping distances.
Off road, Wrangler shines. There the soft brake pedal, multi-step throttle, and slow steering combine with the soft springs and long-travel suspension to create a vehicle that will turn even a novice off-road driver into a wilderness hero. In snowy conditions, Wrangler is virtually unstoppable.
Wrangler isn't as crude as you might expect, but it is still quite a bit noisier than any competitor. The hard top helps quell wind noise, but it can't hide the coarse engine and rumbling tires.
Behind the Wheel Utilitarian on the outside, Wrangler's new-for-2011 interior is contemporary and user friendly. New gauges are larger than before and much more readable. Climate, audio, and optional navigation controls are easy to reach and use. Power window switches are mounted high on the center of the dashboard.
Materials are sturdy and serviceable. Most panels lack any sort of padding. The look gives the interior a rugged and tough appeal.
Even when fitted with the optional hard top, front-seat occupants have ample headroom. The same can't be said for leg room, though, as the front seats don't have much rearward travel. The seats are upright and offer decent comfort. Step in is quite high, but the tall build does give passengers a commanding view of the road ahead. Visibility to the rear is obstructed by rear-seat headrests, spare tire, and rear windshield-wiper motor.
The soft top can be difficult to raise and lower. The hard top has removable panels that offer an open-air feel without much fuss. The hard top also offers a good deal more security.
Two-door models treat rear-seat passengers like second-class citizens. The bench seat is hard and uncomfortable and the backrest is bolt upright. Leg room is tight and it's difficult to get past the front seats when climbing in. Four-doors offer both better comfort and more leg room, though the doors openings are quite small.
Two-door models don't offer a lot of cargo space behind the rear seat. In addition, you have to swing open the tailgate and then flip up the rear window to access the cargo area. Unlimited models have more space. Thankfully, both rear seats flip and fold to expand cargo area. Interior storage is fairly basic and the door-mounted map pockets are quite small.
Bottom Line Despite it's rugged exterior and hard-nosed demeanor, Wrangler isn't as crude as you might expect. That's not to say it isn't without drawbacks. The ride is bouncy, the interior is basic, and the back seat isn't very roomy.
Wrangler does offer acceptable on-road performance and is unmatched off road. Prices are on the steep side, as a nicely equipped Sahara can easily cost more than $27,000.
Buyers should ponder why they are considering Wrangler. Are you looking for a cute and fun little summer commuter or are you serious about heading deep into the woods for four-wheel fun? Those considering the former, would be best suited with a softer compact SUV like the Honda CR-V or Kia Sportage. If you are holding court in the later camp, then Wrangler is an excellent choice that's even more appealing now that is has a fresh interior.
Specifications 2011 Jeep Wrangler Sport
| Dimensions
| 2-door wagon
| Engine
| OHV V6
| Wheelbase, in.
| 95.4
| Size, liters/cu. in.
| 3.8 / 231
| Length, in.
| 152.8 | Horsepower @ rpm
| 202 @ 5200
| Width, in.
| 73.7
| Torque (lb.-ft.) @ rpm
| 237 @ 4000
| Height, in.
| 70.9
| Transmission
| 6-Speed Manual
| Weight, lbs.
| 3760
| EPA Estimates, mpg
| 15 city / 19 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 56.5 |
|
| Fuel Capacity, gals.
| 18.6
| Manufacturer's Warranty
| Seating Capacity
| 4
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 41.3
| Powertrain
| 5 years / 100,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 41.0
| Corrosion
| 5 years / 100,000 miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 40.3
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 35.6
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
|
|
|