Jeep Wrangler - My Review
Discussion
Hi all,
After trying out the new defender I wanted to have a play with a Jeep, luckily I managed to borrow one, here are my thoughts.
Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4 Door (2.0 petrol)
Price as tested (£48,350)
First impressions, I love it’s boxy shape. This Lego styling plus removable doors/roof/windscreen show the world that SUV’s can be fun.
The interior is more functional than luxurious. Tough plastics, big buttons and simple controls. Its comfortable but utilitarian.
On road manners are interesting. The ride is harsh and although you can launch over speed bumps you will feel the weight of the chassis on compressions. Steering is vague and indirect, you saw away in the hope of keeping it straight. The car never really settles down, requiring constant inputs.
In the below image I found I had this much play in the wheel at 30mph in a straight line!
The 2.0 petrol engine is punchy yet smooth, there’s plenty of torque to move you around and the gearbox programming is nicely done. I spent most of my time in 2H for two reasons. Firstly the strength required to move the lever into 4H is somewhat un human and secondly it’s actually quite fun. On a wet/loose surface you can slide this thing around 😆
NVH is a real problem,around 30mph I found a particular eardrum rattling resonance. At motorway speeds the flat windscreen creates lots of wind noise and there’s enough vibrations to make long journeys a chore.
I didn’t get chance to test it off-road (sorry 300bhp/ton) but I doubt there’s much terrain in the UK that this car couldn’t handle. Solid axles, beefy diffs and chunky tires all help to give “trail rated” performance.
I do think it’s too expensive for the quality you get. But there’s deals to be had (I found a pre reg Rubicon with £10k off). If you can get a car around £40k it’s much better value.
I’d sum this car up as fun but flawed. It’s got way more character than anything in this sector, but it’s lacking a whole lot of refinement. I absolutely love it, but it’s just not daily driver material. If you want a modern car that behaves like an old Defender, this is the car for you.
Thanks for reading!
After trying out the new defender I wanted to have a play with a Jeep, luckily I managed to borrow one, here are my thoughts.
Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4 Door (2.0 petrol)
Price as tested (£48,350)
First impressions, I love it’s boxy shape. This Lego styling plus removable doors/roof/windscreen show the world that SUV’s can be fun.
The interior is more functional than luxurious. Tough plastics, big buttons and simple controls. Its comfortable but utilitarian.
On road manners are interesting. The ride is harsh and although you can launch over speed bumps you will feel the weight of the chassis on compressions. Steering is vague and indirect, you saw away in the hope of keeping it straight. The car never really settles down, requiring constant inputs.
In the below image I found I had this much play in the wheel at 30mph in a straight line!
The 2.0 petrol engine is punchy yet smooth, there’s plenty of torque to move you around and the gearbox programming is nicely done. I spent most of my time in 2H for two reasons. Firstly the strength required to move the lever into 4H is somewhat un human and secondly it’s actually quite fun. On a wet/loose surface you can slide this thing around 😆
NVH is a real problem,around 30mph I found a particular eardrum rattling resonance. At motorway speeds the flat windscreen creates lots of wind noise and there’s enough vibrations to make long journeys a chore.
I didn’t get chance to test it off-road (sorry 300bhp/ton) but I doubt there’s much terrain in the UK that this car couldn’t handle. Solid axles, beefy diffs and chunky tires all help to give “trail rated” performance.
I do think it’s too expensive for the quality you get. But there’s deals to be had (I found a pre reg Rubicon with £10k off). If you can get a car around £40k it’s much better value.
I’d sum this car up as fun but flawed. It’s got way more character than anything in this sector, but it’s lacking a whole lot of refinement. I absolutely love it, but it’s just not daily driver material. If you want a modern car that behaves like an old Defender, this is the car for you.
Thanks for reading!
I have a 2004 Wrangler TJ. Obviously I'm biased but I think the older models look so much more cool than the newer ones. Another benefit of the older models is that there's no much interior noise, wind noise and road noise as it thunders down the road on mega chunky tires with a burbling 4.0 litre straight 6 engine that you couldn't possibly hear any smaller, irritating noises. I'm a fan.
Edited by renmure on Sunday 16th August 20:05
Looking at one of these for sometime in the future as a 2nd vehicle.
Went up to Storm Jeeps in Hull to have a look at what they did to them as an oem one wouldn't be for me.
Took the one below out for a short test drive and ended up very impressed how it drove, thought it would be quite agricultural but it was anything but.
Went up to Storm Jeeps in Hull to have a look at what they did to them as an oem one wouldn't be for me.
Took the one below out for a short test drive and ended up very impressed how it drove, thought it would be quite agricultural but it was anything but.
"This is certainly the most rugged dual-purpose 4x4 you can buy – and it’s among the best."
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/jeep/wrangler
cheddar said:
I REALLY want to like these but unless you're spending lots of time seriously off-roading then I don't see the point.
And, nearly £50k !
This is my main issue, it’s a very specialised vehicle. I can imagine spending hours off road, but the thought of an hour on a motorway makes me shudder.And, nearly £50k !
moktabe said:
Looking at one of these for sometime in the future as a 2nd vehicle.
Went up to Storm Jeeps in Hull to have a look at what they did to them as an oem one wouldn't be for me.
Took the one below out for a short test drive and ended up very impressed how it drove, thought it would be quite agricultural but it was anything but.
I thought there was some kind of monster jeep parked behind then realised it’s the spare wheel on the open back door Went up to Storm Jeeps in Hull to have a look at what they did to them as an oem one wouldn't be for me.
Took the one below out for a short test drive and ended up very impressed how it drove, thought it would be quite agricultural but it was anything but.
It is quite specialised, maybe edging towards a bit extreme even, however, some people like extreme vehicles and are quite happy to put up with the foibles they present.
Personally I'm a fan of what might be called extreme (or maybe extremely impractical) vehicles so to me one would be perfect to sit alongside my Clio
Personally I'm a fan of what might be called extreme (or maybe extremely impractical) vehicles so to me one would be perfect to sit alongside my Clio
Gassing Station | Yank Motors | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff