2008 Jeep Wrangler: Off-Road Fun and Style 

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Introductions

Just as Jeep has expanded its lineup, it's also expanded its classic Wrangler. It gains two more doors, better road manners and more creature comforts, but remains a capable off-road vehicle.

The Wrangler was redesigned for the 2007 model year. At the same time, a four-door version was introduced and named Wrangler Unlimited. A tire-pressure monitor is now standard, remote engine starting is available, and the Sunrider soft top becomes standard on more models.

Full Review 2008

Style

The standard six-speed manual fits the Wrangler's personality, but the optional four-speed automatic is convenient. The 2008 Jeep Wrangler and four-door Unlimited come in Wrangler X, Sahara and Rubicon trim. Two-door and Rubicon models are only available with four-wheel drive (4WD). The Unlimited X and Unlimited Sahara come with rear-wheel drive (2WD) or 4WD.

The Wrangler X ($18,660) comes with the basic soft top, vinyl upholstery, center console, theft deterrent system, folding rear seat, locking glove box, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, tilt steering wheel, six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, skid plates to protect the transfer case and fuel tank, and P225/75R16 all-terrain tires on steel wheels.

It adds the Sunrider top; Yes Essentials cloth upholstery; height-adjustable driver's seat; air conditioning; cruise control; fog lamps; 368-watt Infinity sound system with six speakers and subwoofer; leather-wrapped steering wheel; tow hooks; fog lamps; compass; outside temperature indicator; body-colored fender flares; tubular side steps; heavy-duty suspension; tinted windows; and P255/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires on aluminum wheels.

Available Options 

Options include many of the X options, plus Options Jeep's MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment system with 20-gigabyte hard drive and navigation system ($1,275) and remote engine starting ($185).

To the X model, the Wrangler Rubicon adds amenities such as air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, height-adjustable driver's seat, floormats, compass, outside temperature indicator, and a 368-watt Infinity sound system with six speakers and subwoofer. It also adds off-road equipment that includes front and rear tow hooks, rock rails, off-road suspension, an electronic-disconnecting front stabilizer bar to enhance off-road capability, a Rock-Trac heavy duty part-time transfer case with 4:1 low range, Dana 44 front and rear axles, a 4.10 axle ratio, Tru-lok locking front and rear differentials, fog lights, and LT255/75R17 (32-inch) BFGoodrich all-terrain tires on aluminum wheels.

The four-door Unlimited X comes with either 2WD ($20,580) or four-wheel drive ($22,580). Standard equipment includes all that the two-door X offers, plus cloth upholstery, height-adjustable driver's seat, split folding rear seat, 60/40-split folding rear seat, Sunrider soft, top, Dana 44 rear axle, 23-gallon fuel tank, air conditioning, and a 60/40 split rear seat. It offers all the options as the two-door X and two-door Sahara.

The Unlimited Sahara two-wheel drive ($25,490) and four-wheel drive ($27,490) is equipped like the two-door Sahara, except its power doors, power windows and remote keyless entry are standard. 

Safety features that come standard include dual front airbags, tire-pressure monitor, anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control with rollover mitigation.

Exterior

The Unlimited is longer almost 10 inches longer than the regular Wrangler; two extra doors will do that to a car. Thanks to the standard off-road tires on our Rubicon model, though, it rides quite high.

Traditional Jeep styling remains. That zip-off roof is probably the feature that most clearly says "Wrangler"; thanks to consistent rain, I never had a chance to drop the top, but it's the same multi-step process Wrangler devotees are used to.

Interior

As with past Wranglers, the Unlimited values function over form. It's not designed to be a luxury car, so there's a fair bit of exposed metal. The interior surfaces are all hard to the touch, to facilitate cleanup.

Rear seat space is OK, but the cargo area is huge. The soft-top can occasionally slap like a sail at highway speeds, but it didn't happen as consistently in the Wrangler Unlimited as I've experienced in older Jeeps. If that bothers you, there's a hardtop version of the Unlimited that solves that problem.

Driving

The Jeep felt pretty pokey, both when driving around the city and especially when on the highway. The Wrangler Unlimited gets the same mileage estimates as the two-door version, and it's not great: 15/19 mpg city/highway.

I stuck to pavement for the majority of my drive, so I can't speak to the Wrangler Unlimited's credibility as an off-road vehicle. The Wrangler Unlimited lacks the pinpoint response of other vehicles, but I got used to it.

Features

A navigation system and the optional Infinity sound system. I didn't notice any need for a boost in sound when cruising at highway speed with the soft-top attached, but I did notice all the room the subwoofer ate up in the cargo area. A truly nice touch was the YES Essentials odor- and stain-resistant seat material.

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, our preferred source for crash-test data, ranks the Wrangler Unlimited Good in frontal-offset crash tests. Models without side-impact airbags are rated Marginal in side-impact tests. (The front-seat-mounted side airbags are a $490 option, and the Wrangler Unlimited was not tested with them.) IIHS has not tested the Wrangler Unlimited for rear crash protection.

All Jeep Wrangler Unlimiteds come with antilock brakes and an electronic stability system.

Competitive in the Market

The Wrangler holds a rare space in the market. Caranddriver.com praises its mountain goat-like off road skills. For some, those abilities and its cool factor forgive all other Wrangler sins. U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman explains: "People put up with it, because Jeeps represent freedom and nonconformity. In a Jeep, you're not like other people." This car is an off-road niche vehicle, and it's hard to find fault with how it fills that niche.