Jeep’s Wrangler is one of the few remaining no-frills off-road vehicles around. Beyond its unmistakable look, the Wrangler offers unsurpassed capability when the road ends thanks to its tough suspension, proper two-speed transfer case, and standard all-terrain tires. If you’re in need of all this and a bit more space for people and cargo, the long-wheelbase four-door Wrangler Unlimited could be the right ride for you. As a bonus, the Wrangler Unlimited is also the only four-door convertible on the market.
An all-new Wrangler is set to arrive in 2018, but the final year of the current-gen Wrangler Unlimited doesn’t go by without some equipment level changes. New to the SUV this year is an LED Lighting Group package that adds auto on-off LED headlamps and LED fog lamps, and a new Cold Weather Group which is available on Sport S and Rubicon trims, which adds knobby tires, an engine block heater, all-weather floor mats, heated seats, remote engine starter, and the Convenience Group.
The Wrangler Unlimited is also available in several new colours, including Gobi (sand beige), Chief (bright blue), and Xtreme Purple.
If you’re considering the Wrangler Unlimited, take it for a long test drive. Its high ride height and upright body structure provide good visibility, but, the driving experience is unlike any regular SUV or crossover. While smoother and more stable than the two-door Wrangler, the Wrangler Unlimited’s non-independent suspension and body on frame platform give it an old-fashioned, bouncy feel.
Standard on all Wrangler Unlimited models is a 3.6-litre V6 engine featured in everything from the Ram 1500 to the Chrysler 300. Here, it produces 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Unlike other vehicles to use this engine, the Wrangler is available with a six-speed manual. A five-speed automatic is optional.
The Wrangler Unlimited is available in four trims: Sport S, Willys Wheeler, Sahara, and Rubicon.
Standard equipment on the Sport S includes a fully retractable cloth roof, removable doors, 17-inch silver alloy wheels, air conditioning, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift knob, satellite radio, solar tinted glass, and a 60/40 split folding rear seat.
The Willys Wheeler adds gloss black finish wheels, 3.73-inch rear axle, anti-spin rear differential, trip computer, power door locks, power windows, alarm, Bluetooth, off-road tires, performance suspension, underbody protection, tire pressure monitor display, and black exterior decals.
The Sahara adds a 115-volt power outlet, 18-inch alloy wheels, auto-dimming rear-view mirrors, automatic headlights, power heated exterior mirrors, body-colour fender flares, bright interior trim, bright grille and headlamp accents, heavy-duty suspension, Freedom Top (hardtop), power windows, alarm, tubular side steps, 6.5-inch touchscreen display with navigation, and remote keyless entry. If equipped with the optional automatic, remote engine start is also included.
The Rubicon features 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in off-road tires, black bumpers and fender flares, Dana 44 heavy-duty front axle, electronic front sway bar disconnect, performance suspension, upgraded front and rear axles, part-time 4x4 system, rock rails, and the Sunrider soft top system which can be folded back like a sunroof or fully lowered.
