According to Jeep executives, Wrangler owners have been asking for a four-door for years. It makes sense. Families grow, and the need for more space shouldn’t mean a switch to vehicles that are totally different and often don’t meet the core expectations of Wrangler owners.
However, the new, long wheelbase Jeep Wrangler Unlimited goes a few steps further. Firstly, especially with the removable hardtop, it looks a LOT like a mini Hummer. Which can’t be bad. Secondly, it’s a very comfortable vehicle on or off-road, both in terms of the quality of its seats, and the quality of its ride.
Thirdly, it comes in with brand-new engines, one a Dodge/Chrysler 146 kW 3.8-litre petrol V6 used previously in MPVs, the other a new 130 kW VM Motori four-cylinder 2.8-litre common rail turbo-diesel, updated from that found in the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee.
There’s a fourth facet that’s possibly the most important of all – it’s very competitively priced!
But it’s not all about the Unlimited, for Jeep has simultaneously launched brand-new two-door Wranglers which take the car to new heights, particularly the go-anywhere Rubicon model, which is also available in the Unlimited lineup.
The two-door models are 34 cm longer and 13 cm wider than before, with the wheelbase growing 5.2 cm, translating into more legroom for rear passengers and improved luggage space, plus extra shoulder and hip room for all occupants. There’s even a hidden storage space in the rear cargo area for valuables and accessories. The Wrangler Unlimited is 52.8 cm longer than the two-door and has  52.3 cm more in the wheelbase.
Daimler Chrysler New Zealand chose to launch the vehicles in Tauranga, and had a fair selection to choose from, although there were no diesels. We opted for the 3.8 V6 Unlimited four-speed automatic with removable hardtop panels, in almost an “army” green, and it looked great.
For the record, the petrol versions get either a 6-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic; the diesels get the same manual box but a more-modern 5-speed auto.
And what a change! First up, there’s a lot more elbow room than in previous Wranglers, and the seats are wider, hold your body better, and best of all, have longer squabs, extending right under your thighs. Especially important on a long journey.
There’s also a lot more room in the back – more, we suspect, than even the Grand Cherokee, though we couldn’t compare - and certainly more than any other 4WD in its price range. Lots of luggage room, too, and on top of that the seats fold forward split 60/40, creating more total storage volume than has ever been available in a Wrangler.
For the record, Jeep claims 94.5cm of legroom in the back. The rear seat is also wide, as we sampled later in the day when we were driven from lunch to the airport, with three big ‘uns wedged in place!
The dashboard is much cleaner and more modern, with the instrument panel featuring bright-rimmed speedo and revcounter in big analogue dials flanked by temperature and fuel gauges.
The four-spoke steering wheel has a traditional look, and is leather-rimmed on some models, with twin stalks for lights and wipers familiar Daimler Chrysler “parts bin” items, plus a separate speed control stalk.
The centre stack provides easy-to-reach controls for the audio system, HVAC, power windows and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) switches, and radios feature an auxiliary jack for portable MP3 compatibility.
There’s a big lockable glovebox, with a grab handle for the passenger above it, and lots of air outlets and speakers, big and small, as well as cupholders between the seats.
Rear seat passengers get switches for their electric windows in the tail end of the between-seats console.
The car also gets a lot of safety features, including dual airbags at the front (with side bags to be made available later), ABS brakes with power-boosting brake assist function, plus electronic roll mitigation and electronic stability programme with traction control.
Most of these latter functions are disabled when low range is selected to allow the engine to continue at full power when wheelspin is detected, and traction control still operates to allow the vehicle to continue when a wheel – or wheels, as in a cross-axle situation – is in the air.
The long wheelbase makes the car feel a lot more stable on the road than the two-door, solid and firm, and it really was a pleasure to troll along at the speed limit and not have to lift off the throttle for corners.
Latest Wranglers come with a heavily padded roll-cage onto which the plastic roof panels – or fold back canvas – are fitted, nicely weather and draught-proof.
The panels are easy to clip off, and you can take off either or both those over front seat occupants, as well as the rear one, virtually stripping the car into a real fresh air buggy. The panels are lightweight plastic and easily handled and stored in the cavernous load area..
The hard-top models are not too noisy either – something we appreciated when we swapped over to a two-door soft-top later – making this the sort of vehicle that would be a great everyday commuter/weekend leisure vehicle.
Naturally the vehicles are superb off-road. For starters there’s an upgraded Command Trac four-wheel-drive system – standard on Sport and Sahara models – which is smoother and stronger, as are the beefed up solid axles (Dana 30 on the front and heavy-duty Dana 44 on the rear).
The Rubicon model has an ultra low ratio Rock Trac transfer case, locking front and rear Dana 44 axles, an electronic sway bar disconnect, improved suspension and tougher tyres, and all Wranglers get at least three skid plates for maximum under body protection.
Summing up, Jeep has taken a quantum leap with this new range of Wranglers.
They have a completely new ladder chassis, 100 percent stiffer against bending and 50 percent more torsionally rigid, and the new engines are smoother, more powerful, and more economical.
All models are well equipped, with the standard package including power windows, remote door locking, air-conditioning and overhead soundbar.
The Sahara and Rubicon get the seven-speaker Infinity system, trip computer, alloy wheels, cruise control, fog lamps, premium Yes Essential anti-stain upholstery and leather wrapped steering wheel.
The Sahara has side steps and also painted fenders, while the Rubicon has
full length, bolt-on tubular rock rails and black fenders. .:

Two-door prices  
Sport Petrol Manual $39,990
Sport Petrol Auto  $41,990 
Sahara Petrol Manual  $43,990  
Sahara Petrol Auto  $45,990  
Sahara Diesel Auto $50,990  
Rubicon Petrol Manual $47,990 
Rubicon Petrol Auto $49,990 
Four-door prices   
Sport Petrol Manual  $44,990 
Sport Petrol Auto  $46,990 
Sport Diesel Manual $49,990  
Sport Diesel Auto  $51,990  
Sahara Petrol Manual  $48,990 
Sahara Petrol Auto  $50,990  
Sahara Diesel Manual  $53,990 
Sahara Diesel Auto  $55,990 
Rubicon Petrol Manual  $52,990  
Rubicon Petrol Auto  $54,990 
Specifications
Engines
3.8 litre V6 petrol
146 kW at 5,200 rpm
325 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Transmission
6-speed manual
4-speed auto
2.8-litre 4-cyl common rail diesel
130 kW at 3,800 rpm
410 Nm at 2,000 to 2,600 rpm
Transmission
6-speed manual
5-speed auto