2007 Jeep Wranglers

Welcome to the Driving Range with Dave Jordan - Your Auto Guide to the South Shore of Nova Scotia. All you need to know about Nova Scotia's South Shore Auto scene.

This week, Dave Jordan checks the 2007 Jeep Wranglers:

When you think of iconic vehicles, names such as the Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Mustang might come to mind. Think a little harder and such greats as the Mercedes SLs of the mid-50's or any number of Ferrari models start to invade your "best of" mental list. A number of fine marks have survived through oil crises, stringent safety and environmental regulations and even a recession or two. If your thoughts turn to tough, off-road, four-wheel-drive legends, however, then the Jeep Wrangler should be at the top of your list. Ever since the early Willys Jeep era of the mid-'50s, and throughout its nomenclature variations (CJ, YJ, TJ and now JK), the Wrangler - the name penned with the YJ version of the mid-'80s - has had a singular purpose that remains to this day. Off-road adventures are the forte of this stiffly sprung, high-ground-clearance vehicle. Unlike most of today's SUVs whose entire lives are spent on paved roadways bringing to use their four-wheel-drive systems only when the weather gets nasty and Mother Nature throws a white snowy mess at them, this Jeep is meant to be driven off-road. Yes, you can easily live with the Wrangler as a daily driver once you get used to the firm suspension settings, high seating position and new-found refinement, and many people do just that. But why buy this thing if you're not going to use it off-road? Maybe it's the rugged look owners like or simply that Jeep legend people want to be a part of. Thanks to Saunders Motors for the opportunity to review the first-ever four-door Wrangler Unlimited X.

Even though the underpinnings of the Wrangler have evolved over the years. As have its safety features and creature comforts, one look at the exterior and you immediately know which vehicle this is. The trademark ventricle grill slots, prominent fenders and boxy proportions make this Jeep's identity unmistakable. The classic upright windshield, round single-lens headlights and rubber hood latches are carry-overs maintained since the earliest days of the CJ-2A. You'll find no fancy aerodynamic add-ons here, just that pure, rugged, classic Jeep appearance. Now the look of my tester has some Wrangler purists miffed. "It's not supposed to have four doors," they cry. Well, folks, you can now have your Wrangler in family-friendly four-door layout with plenty of room for your kids or fishing buds. The four-door has obviously been stretched - by 20.6 inches - over the two-door model (which has larger dimensions itself) to accommodate the new layout. Head, leg and shoulder room are impressive with five adults easily accommodated inside. The over 46 cubic feet of cargo room is nearly triple that of the two-door and increases to nearly 87 cubic feet with both pieces of the 60/40 rear seat folded down. A Wrangler with room? Now that's a good idea.

All 2007 Wranglers have experienced major safety, performance and comfort upgrades intended to enhance the on-road appeal of this hardest core of Jeeps. A softer suspension improves paved-road comfort although the overall ride is still firm by today's SUV standards. Such convenience features as A/C, power window and doors, tilt steering, security system, a compass, side airbags and Chrysler's awesome MyGIG audio/navigation system keep today's Wrangler on par with competitors in the "coddle me please" categories. Of course, one of the most appealing features of this Jeep is the open-air driving experience and for this year a new three-piece Freedom Top is available with two separate front panels that are easily removed by one person. The larger one-piece section covering the second Sunrider Soft Top is standard on all Wranglers but both hard and soft tops can be specified if you're looking for the ultimate in both fine and foul weather transport. Of course, the removable - even with the power group - full and half-frame doors are classic features still available on current models.

If you want a four-cylinder of inline-six-powered Wrangler, then you'll have to start shopping the used car lots. All 2007 models are powered by a 3.8 litre V6 engine developing 202 horsepower and 240 lb ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with a four-speed automatic as an option. On the safety front, all models come with Electronic Stability Control, Roll Mitigation - if an extreme dynamic manoeuvre occurs, ABS and dual front airbags. A multitude of optional equipment is available with two-door 4x4s stating at a reasonable $20Gs with prices increasing for the Sahara and Rubicon trim levels. The Unlimited X four-door lists for just under $25,000.

Most of my driving was on paved roads where the Wrangler handled itself admirably considering its off-road intentions. The six-speed manual is well-suited to the new engine and cruising along at highway velocities is quite comfortable, with the great seats and adjustable steering wheel providing a relaxed driving position. You will never mistake the interior of the Wrangler for that of a luxury car, but all materials are of good quality and well put together. Even though improvements have been made for a better on-road experience, the Wrangler shows its true colours when the going gets tough. My single off-road excursion was relatively mild and limited to trundling along some dirt roads, with a minor gravel pit foray complete with large water holes and steep embankments. Traversing this challenge was a breeze in low-range first gear with this Jeep not even breaking a sweat. Hard-core off-roaders will likely opt for the Rubicon version with its 4:1 low-range gear ratio, true off-road tires, Dana solid front and rear axles with locking differentials and heavy-duty rock rails.

The Wrangler has grown and evolved over the years, but its heart and soul remain. Yes, you can live with one as a daily driver and never take it off-road, but in doing so you will never realize why this oldest of Jeep models has survived for so long. Do yourself a favour and take your Wrangler through the nastiest, muddiest, steepest hole in the wood and only then will you know the true purpose of this phenomenal automotive icon.

Dave's Auto Archive - The first ever "Jeep" was the Willys MA built in 1941 for the U.S. Army, which was looking for a _ ton, 4x4 "light reconnaissance vehicle." Today the MA is the rarest of all pre-production Willys with only about 30 surviving models known to exist.