2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

So, with baby boomers and the boomers' babies all walking through the showroom, what will they see in Wrangler Unlimited that they didn't see in Wrangler? Room, mainly. By pulling the wheelbase out a whopping 20.6 inches (to 116 in.), Jeep has stretched their smallest model into a size more usable for mainstream Americans. The added length pays dividends in many ways, like passenger room. The back seat is capable of comfortably handling a pair of people. Cargo gets an even better deal. Behind the second row is an impressive 46.4 cubic feet of space, expandable to 83 cubic feet, if you fold down the split seats. Accessing the cargo bay is a two-part process, opening the side swinging door and lifting the glass window. It's less convenient than a one-piece lift back would have been, especially when you've got your arm's full.


The front cabin has the same, new design interior as regular Wrangler models, with an all-analog instrument cluster and round airflow registers. Controls are close at hand, with rheostat style switches for climate controls, and buttons for the optional power windows. Rear visibility is hindered by back seat headrests that don't fold down (unless the seat is down), and drivers will find that there's a crescent shape slice taken out of their straight back view by the bumper-mounted spare tire. Every sound system choice includes an auxiliary jack for an MP3 player, and music options range up to a 368-watt Alpine stereo with navigation system. The nav system includes a wrinkle that will appeal to off-roaders: A special feature leaves behind a virtual trail of breadcrumbs on the screen, allowing the driver to retrace their tracks on the way back out. Spontaneous sun worshippers will appreciate the new "Freedom Top." The three-piece modular roof removes in sections and is far easier to convert to open-air mode than previous Wranglers were.

Power

Power is provided by a 3.8-liter V-6, rated at 205 horsepower (@ 5,200 rpm) and 240 lb. ft. of torque (@ 4,000 rpm). The motor has enough top end to cruise easily at highway speeds and it's strong enough to tug you through the muck off-road. Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 lbs. Buyers choose from a six-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. The shifter has a long throw, but the manual allows you to get the most out of the motor. The automatic gets from gear to gear easily though you need to kick down to maintain momentum on steep grades. With their stout undercarriages, all Unlimited models weigh in at 4,000 lbs. or more, and they've got a healthy appetite for petrol. A 4x4 Sahara automatic is EPA-rated at 16 mpg city/19 highway, while a 4x4 Rubicon with stick weighs in at 17 mpg city/19 highway. We averaged 18 mpg in the Sahara, 19 in the Rubicon.


Wrangler Unlimited is a win/win situation. The stretch version of the hardest core Jeep loses little of its off-road capability, and gains much in terms of room, comfort and stability. It's also gaining buyers, too. So much so that you wonder what took Jeep so long to think of this. (www.jeep.com)