There’s really no rational explanation as to why the dare-to-be-different Jeep Wrangler continues to exist at all.
Yet the Jeep brand’s popularity in general, and the Wrangler’s in particular, is a major reason why parent Chrysler (now Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, or FCA) has seen record growth for the past five years.
The throwback Wrangler still doesn’t look all that different from the Jeep that made its bones on the Second World War battlefields more than 70 years ago. Subsequent versions were never sent to automotive finishing school to be made over, sanitized, civilized and modernized. Over the decades, while other more socially acceptable Jeeps have been fitted with comfy content, it seems that all that the Wrangler has ever received are a few styling and mechanical updates from time to time.
Still, the Wrangler — neé CJ for Civilian Jeep — remains an icon for the ages and its hardcore following continues to expand. In 2014, Wrangler sales of nearly 200,000 units in North America represented an impressive 21-per cent year-over-year increase. Even in the best of times, few automobiles can claim that kind of growth.
Of course not all owners go canyon crawling in their Wranglers (the Jeep, not the jeans, that is), but the fanaticism displayed by the ones who do spills over to those who are simply content in the knowledge that their Jeep possesses that capability. Simply put, the Wrangler sets the example for the Jeep line and it’s the undisputed standard for off-road ruggedness for all makes.
What has really helped popularity is the extended-length four-door Unlimited model. With more than 50 extra centimetres in length, all of it between the front and rear wheels, it’s easily the Wrangler’s best-ever product enhancement (it arrived for 2007). It has allowed the Wrangler to proliferate and become true family transportation and not just a second-vehicle off-road toy.
Another significant upgrade was the 2012 introduction of a more modern powerplant. The 3.6-litre V-6 puts out 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It’s the same engine used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and many other products, even the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan.
The 3.6 can be fitted with a six-speed manual transmission or optional five-speed automatic. The latter gives the Wrangler an l/100 km rating of 14.1 in the city and 11.1 on the highway (14.8/11.7 for Unlimited versions).
Both the two- and four-door Wranglers can be ordered with a new premium soft top that is easier to clean while its three layers add a degree of noise insulation. Also, the back seat of the four-door Unlimited model as well as the soft top both fold more easily using just one hand.
For greater convenience, removing the optional hardtop and doors on both two- and four-door Wranglers are also easier to remove with the new standard “Torx” tool kit.
For 2015, the Wrangler lineup consists of base Sport two-door and Sport S, Sahara and, Rubicon two- and four-door Unlimited models. The first three trims come with part-time four-wheel-drive with an available limited-slip rear differential.
The tougher-customer Wrangler Rubicon uses the Off-Road Rock-Trac unit with its extra-low-range gearing, front- and rear-locking differentials for greater agility, protective skid plates for the transfer case and 32-inch off-road rubber.
You would think that that would be enough, but for extreme rock crawling, mountain climbing and mud and creek crossing, the two- and four-door Rubicon models also come with special BF Goodrich off-road tires and Trak-Lok anti-spin rear differentials with available electronic rear lockup. When equipped with the manual transmission, the Rubicon has a crawl ratio of, incredibly, 73:1. If traction permitted, these Jeeps could crawl straight up.
Wrangler pricing begins at $25,400, or $33,900 for the base Sport S Unlimited, including delivery charges. That’s not an unreasonable price to pay for vehicles that are practically unstoppable in just about any weather situation and will take you wherever you want to go when there are no more tracks or trails to be found.
THE SPEC SHEET
Type: Two- /four-door, sport-utility vehicle
Engines (hp): 3.6-litre DOHC V6 (285)
Transmissions: Six-speed manual; five-speed automatic (optional)
Market position: Iconic doesn’t begin to describe the Jeep Wrangler. It is, in essence, the very definition of the term “sport utility vehicle.” Its popularity also continues to expand despite a minimalist approach to creature comforts.
Points: Loved for its go-anywhere ruggedness. Adding the extended four-door Unlimited model to the lineup for 2007 was a major game-changer, as was upgraded powertrain and interior for 2012; Rock-Trac 4x4 option makes this Jeep an almost invincible off-road warrior. Evolutionary refinement will continue, but wholesale changes, never.
Safety: Front airbags; anti-lock brakes; traction control; stability control; hill start assist.
Fuel economy: L/100 km (city/hwy) 14.1/11 1 (two-door AT).
Base price (incl. destination): $25,400