Topic: First Drive: 2011 Jeep Wrangler

[Autos_Editor]

Though it has an all new interior and vastly reduced on-road noise, vibration and harshness levels, the new Jeep Wrangler 'hasn't gone all soft on us,' says Peter Bleakney.

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[jeep4life@gmail.com]

There is not much to say really.  If you are a rock crawler and can't build your own then this would be a handy, albeit, expensive piece. 

Otherwise this is a pile of expensive outdated metal.  I am not really sure why anyone would buy one of these.  I have not driven this newest model but have driven several Rubicon 4 doors in the past and WOW!  Probably the worst driving vehicle on the road!

I think at $17500 ish it would start to look attractive as a second vehicle, I sure wouldn't want to drive one of these everyday.   

For $30-35k give me a 4x4 crew cab pickup.

[paul246]

There is not much to say really.  If you are a rock crawler and can't build your own then this would be a handy, albeit, expensive piece. 

Otherwise this is a pile of expensive outdated metal.  I am not really sure why anyone would buy one of these.  I have not driven this newest model but have driven several Rubicon 4 doors in the past and WOW!  Probably the worst driving vehicle on the road!

I think at $17500 ish it would start to look attractive as a second vehicle, I sure wouldn't want to drive one of these everyday.   

For $30-35k give me a 4x4 crew cab pickup.

Different strokes for different folks. I've grown to love my Wrangler ( '98 TJ ) and now drive it at any excuse I can find. For the money I paid the return on my investment is huge, I just LOVE being in it!

As for comparing it to a pick-up truck, wtf?  I also have a pick-up, an old beat up Ford with an 8 foot box, in otherwords, a REAL pick-up truck!

With regard to the latest rendition of the Wrangler, I say "well done" to Jeep for keeping the Wrangler's spirit alive. I test drove the 2010 and can only fault the lack of grunt in the 3.8L V6. Hopefully the new V6 will address that issue.

[JRM]

The fancy expensive looking interior looks out of place in a rock crawler.  No doubt it has something to do with the hefty price too.  I remember when a truck was a truck, not a car wantabe

[mlibanio]

You have got to be kidding me people!  Does nobody understand this truck at all?  Those lousy driving dynamics you speak of are deliberate and make it the most capable 4x4 on the market for off-roading.  I really get irked when I read silly comments like that.  When you see a Wrangler scaling a 45 degree slope on its side, all of a sudden those lousy handling characteristics will save your life.  This is a tool for severe off roading, and a single tool can't do everything.  But apparently what you want is a hammer that will nail, drill, drive screws, fine tune your swiss watch and also fix your plumbing pipes too.  The Jeep is not meant to be an on road luxury car, it is a serious tool to do one thing only, and do it well.  Jeep engineers are beyond reproach, and I know from the inside that they have re-hired many of the engineers that were let go after Mercedes let them go.  This is an exceptional effort, and I can't wait to see the 2013 Wrangler!

Thanks Peter for a great review!

[aaronk]

The Wrangler remains one of the most unique new vehicles a person can buy. Where else can you find so many body styles, including a true off-road capable 'convertible', for reasonable money? Sure it sucks gas like a pig but it's unlikely it will find it's way onto most commuters' shopping list anyways. If the ride and NVH have been improved while maintaining off-road prowess, kudos to Jeep, this is still the real deal when you want to make a trail instead of follow it.

[tpl]

I always thought that reason roads were invented is so that people would not have to drive all over the countryside. Silly me.   

[paul246]

I always thought that reason roads were invented is so that people would not have to drive all over the countryside. Silly me.   

This country is a lot bigger than you can imagine. You should try to get out more often. 

[SJP]

Love Jeeps, lots of fun to drive, and certainly not for everyone. BUT-Why do they not offer a diesel??? in Europe you can get one with a diesel(of course) It would be the perfect vehicle for an oil burner, improved fuel economy, great torque, good at low crawling speeds. The previous gas guzzling  V6 was not even to be considered IMO, which was a shame.

[coast]

There is not much to say really.  If you are a rock crawler and can't build your own then this would be a handy, albeit, expensive piece. 

Otherwise this is a pile of expensive outdated metal.  I am not really sure why anyone would buy one of these.  I have not driven this newest model but have driven several Rubicon 4 doors in the past and WOW!  Probably the worst driving vehicle on the road!

I think at $17500 ish it would start to look attractive as a second vehicle, I sure wouldn't want to drive one of these everyday.   

For $30-35k give me a 4x4 crew cab pickup.

Yes it's true.  If your looking for a modern car that looks like a truck then it will feel out dated.  Perhaps something like a CRV, Outlander or Terrain would be more to your liking .

I fail to see how it's expensive.  Name a cheaper convertible, a cheaper 4x4 or any truck that holds it's value better.

[PlanB]

Otherwise this is a pile of expensive outdated metal.  I am not really sure why anyone would buy one of these.  I have not driven this newest model but have driven several Rubicon 4 doors in the past and WOW!  Probably the worst driving vehicle on the road!
I think at $17500 ish it would start to look attractive as a second vehicle, I sure wouldn't want to drive one of these everyday.   

For $30-35k give me a 4x4 crew cab pickup.

I do not understand this comment.  A Jeep is a specific tool made to do a specific job.  No one complains about a Corvette's lack of off-road ability because they understand fully what the intention of the vehicle is.

IMO, people who buy Jeep's fall into two categories.  The people who buy them as posers wanting to look like care-free minimalists and want to be associated with the brands image, and the serious in-the-know people who buy the vehicle because they know full well there isn't a single vehicle out there available in NA that can do what this vehicle can do - neither type really cares about the day-to-day driving dynamics I don't think? 

[SJP]

PlanB-Very well put, I agree on all accounts. Except the Corvette being no good at going off-road. I have seen several out in the middle of fields.

[pg2676]

Want a reason to drive one of these?  Just take a drive around any city in Alberta right now after the dump of snow we've just had.  Snow and ice aren't a big deal, but the ruts and craters in the road right now will beat the crap out of anything not built to take it. I used to have an 03 Liberty and yes, it drove like a lumber wagon, but I never had a suspension issue even after 7 Northern Alberta winters.

The only thing that would prevent me from buying one would be the lack of power and low towing capacity.  Drop the new Pentastar V6 in there and that should boost the Rubicon 4-door tow capacity to about 6K-7K lbs.

[robsaw]

A good off-roader, not so great as on on-roader.  Got given one of these as an Avis renter at Halifax airport.  Don't know why anyone that doesn't need its off-road capabilities would want one.

Like others have said, I understand its appeal to a certain market segment and applaud Chrysler for letting Jeep remain as a capable off-road vehicle supplier.

[jeepsrule!!!]

I guess my point wasn't quite clear.  Majority of people never take these capable off road vehicles off road.   If I had the cash I would buy one as a 3rd vehicle and have some fun with it off road and wouldn't care if it got trashed.  For the majority who buy these as a commuter or family vehicle to try and look the "outdoorsy" part they are a waste of money.  Point is for the money I think one of the new crew cabs would be a much better value (safer, larger, more comfortable, and even more versatile for the average joe).  

A few other people in Canada feel the same - In 2010 The Ford sold 98000 trucks, Chev/GMC 87000 trucks and Ram sold 55000 trucks.  Jeep wrangler sold 11000, up from 7000 in 2009.

I just don't understand how these cost over $30000.  

[rrocket]

I just don't understand how these cost over $30000.  

Unions...

[PlanB]

 Point is for the money I think one of the new crew cabs would be a much better value (safer, larger, more comfortable, and even more versatile for the average joe).  

A few other people in Canada feel the same - In 2010 The Ford sold 98000 trucks, Chev/GMC 87000 trucks and Ram sold 55000 trucks.  Jeep wrangler sold 11000, up from 7000 in 2009.

By that flawed logic, everyone on the planet would only buy a crew-cab pick-up because it is obviously safer/larger/more versatile/higher sales volume than any other car/SUV available .

[johngenx]

My Forester has lots of scars from various off road and barely-a-road adventures, so the Jeep (in four door version) really appeals to me.  As for them being priced $30K, it's more than possible to drive a two door off the lot for not much more than $22K with AC.

The thing that kills me is the dismal fuel economy.  My mountain trips are typically around 1000km in length, and an extra 3-4L/100km (or worse) adds up to 40L of extra fuel consumed every trip.  That's a lot!  Add in the huge city penalty, and my fuel consumption becomes a serious issue.

[PlanB]

The thing that kills me is the dismal fuel economy.  My mountain trips are typically around 1000km in length, and an extra 3-4L/100km (or worse) adds up to 40L of extra fuel consumed every trip.  That's a lot!  Add in the huge city penalty, and my fuel consumption becomes a serious issue.

I guess that is why you see any serious off-roaders using Jeeps mounting spare gas-cans all over the vehicle wherever they can. 

Serious off-roaders buying the Jeep will know that fuel economy is a trade-off with unparallelled off-road capability.  You can't really expect the best of all worlds can you?   

[johngenx]

... fuel economy is a trade-off with unparallelled off-road capability.  You can't really expect the best of all worlds can you? 

It's 2011, and I don't want to compromise.