Jeep Wrangler 4×4 (2007 – ) expert review

1. Exterior

The Jeep Wrangler is a motoring icon, a vehicle that really can trace its roots back to the WWII machine that transported allied troops. Pronounced wings cover big knobbly tyres, with a spare one hanging off the back, too. The upright, boxy cabin with a removable hardtop and exposed door hinges and the seven-bar front grille are all Jeep design signatures. It’s all pleasingly-rugged looking, which is the point really.

Our rating: 3

2. Interior

If you think the rear is rugged and basic looking on the outside then the interior only reinforces that. The plastics are hard and the Jeep’s interior doesn’t attempt to look upmarket. There’s an appealing honesty in its basic, shapeless dashboard, exposed screw heads, wiring and simple instruments. Most of the crucial controls feel like they could be operated even if you’re wearing thick gloves. In short, it feels like a working vehicle. It’s utilitarian then, but that’s what this car is about. It’s arguably more user-friendly and more comfortable than its key rival the Land Rover Defender.

Our rating: 2

3. Practicality

The Jeep’s strength is its practicality – in five-door guise at least. The three-door’s short wheelbase means the rear seats eat up the boot space, leaving a tiny load area. That’s not so with the five-door model, which offers decent space for five adults and a good-sized boot. It’s possible to remove the roof, but it requires tools, time and muscle. Just pray if you do remove it the rain stays off while you’re out. If you need a basic, tough vehicle to get you almost anywhere, then it’s either this, the more expensive Land Rover or a pick-up truck.

Our rating: 3

4. Ride and handling

Given its phenomenal ability crawling over rocks, wading through streams and rivers and axle-deep in muck the Wrangler isn’t too bad on the road. However, vague steering needs constant attention to keep the car pointing straight, while bends require lots of wheel-twirling. The suspension is bouncy, meaning it’ll skip and shake you down even flat-looking tarmac, but it’s not without its charm. It’s no worse here than its rugged rivals, either. Take it to its natural off-road environment and that suspension’s long travel and the lack of kickback through the steering are things to be welcomed.

Our rating: 2

5. Performance

A lusty 2.8-litre turbodiesel is the workhorse under the Wrangler’s rubber-hook clipped bonnet. The diesel unit delivers 174bhp and 302lb/ft and is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission as standard. It’s not particularly quiet – nor is it very rapid – but 13.5 seconds to 62mph isn’t so bad all considered. Torque is the key to the engine’s performance, and there are masses of it at low revs. Which is where you’ll want it, both on and off-road.

Our rating: 2

6. Running Costs

The Jeep Wrangler is significantly cheaper to buy than the Land Rover Defender and should be less expensive to run too. It’s in the highest tax band, so your tax disc will be an annual sting. Servicing should be inexpensive and insurance won’t be too bad either. Average fuel consumption of 29.7mpg (30.1mpg on the three-door) isn’t too punishing for something as big and capable as the Wrangler.

Our rating: 3

7. Reliability

The Jeep Wrangler doesn’t sell in big enough numbers to register on reliability indexes, but it’s so basic it should prove reliable and relatively easy to maintain.

Our rating: 4

8. Safety

The body on frame construction is basic but tough, though we’d avoid crashing one if at all possible. Electronic stability programme and roll-over mitigation are fitted as standard. It has got airbags too, something that Land Rover doesn’t offer on its Defender.

Our rating: 3

9. Equipment

The Jeep Wrangler 4×4 might be rugged, but it hails from the USA, which means lots of standard equipment. It comes with air-con, alloy wheels, electric windows, cruise control and leather seats – again significantly bettering its Land Rover rival.

Our rating: 3

10. Why buy?

You have to love the Jeep Wrangler 4×4 for its go-anywhere mentality. It feels utterly indestructible plus is relatively inexpensive, given its ability and the amount of kit you get.

Our rating: 5