Photo Gallery: 2007 Jeep Wrangler

Real Jeeps have round headlights … and four doors.

Although it doesn't look much different to the untrained eye, the Jeep Wrangler - which drops its Canadian TJ moniker in favour of the U.S.-market name - is an all-new model for 2007. It's bigger, its frame is stiffer and it's got more safety features. While it's still king of the unbeaten trail, its on-road manners have improved and its cabin is quieter. It's not a luxury SUV (and isn't meant to be), but it offers creature comforts for those more likely to tackle the urban jungle than the real one.

I drove the Wrangler in Unlimited configuration, which includes five-passenger seating and four doors. Its wheelbase is 52 cm longer than the two-door, four-passenger Wrangler, and while the second row is relatively tight, it's still more spacious than in the two-door, and naturally much easier to access. The larger version starts at $24,495, while the two-door bases at $19,995; most of the features are similar, but the Unlimited adds wider tires, leather-wrapped wheel, fog lamps, cloth seats, cruise control, tow hooks and aluminum wheels, and its standard soft top includes a sunroof.

2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X. Click image to enlarge

Despite its off-road prowess, I never got the chance to take it far off the asphalt. But before all the 4x4 clubs send nasty emails, let me say that I used it as a great number of buyers do: primarily as an urban get-around that also has superior go-anywhere capability.

The hard-core enthusiasts will want the rock-crawling Rubicon model; mine was the base Unlimited X, sent upscale with several convenience options including air conditioning, power locks and windows, and the new three-piece "Freedom Top" removable hard roof. (Jeep seems to be aiming over the top with its American jingoism, offering Liberty, Freedom Top, Freedom Drive, Commander and Patriot…I somehow doubt there'll be a Bushwhacker, though.)

Buyers in 2006 could choose a 2.4-litre four-cylinder or 4.0-litre inline six-cylinder. Both engines are gone now, replaced with a 3.8-litre V6 that makes 202 hp, more than the 190 hp produced by the outgoing 4.0-litre. My tester included the base six-speed manual transmission; a four-speed automatic can be added. The part-time, two-speed transfer case switches easily via a console-mounted lever.

2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X. Click image to enlarge

The Wrangler also gains some new standard safety features, including anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and anti-roll mitigation in all models, along with optional seat-mounted side airbags.

As tough as it is off-road, I was surprised at Wrangler's on-road manners: the ride is very smooth, no doubt due to the stiffer construction (Jeep says the frame is 100 percent stiffer and the body 50 percent stiffer than the 2006 model) and, on my Unlimited X, softer springs and shocks. The interior is also very quiet, even though the fibreglass modular hardtop is unlined, thanks to improved sound deadening.

It was too cold to doff the Freedom Top, which unlatches and removes in three sections for open-air motoring. I was grateful that the heater worked as well as it did, though, since without any insulation in the roof, the cabin gets cold very quickly.

Handling is more car- than truck-like, and while it isn't quite as agile as the smaller Wrangler, the stretched Unlimited is still an easy vehicle to spin around, with direct steering and a tight turning radius. The shifter moves into each gate easily, but the clutch pedal position is biased toward taller drivers, and I had to sit a bit closer than I would have liked to reach it.

2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X. Click image to enlarge

Visibility is good all around, but it was very difficult to adjust the mirrors, which only come in non-electric configuration; I had to press so hard on the glass to get them to move, I was afraid I was going to break them.

The simple dash includes a grab bar for the passenger, and the vents are easy to operate with gloves, but the heater knobs, while simple and straightforward, should be chunkier for ease of use.

The comfortable seats are cloth in the Unlimited X; you have to move up to the Sahara or Rubicon to get the company's fabulous YES Essentials stain-free fabric. But the rest of the Wrangler is very easy to clean: the carpet is removable, and once you pop out the drain plugs, the floor can be washed with a hose.

2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X. Click image to enlarge

The Unlimited's stretched frame affords considerable cargo space: with the seats up, the storage area is 95 cm long. The 60/40 rear seats fold very cleverly - the head restraints flip backwards and the seats fall flat - opening it up to 158 cm. But loading this Jeep would be much easier if the swing-out tailgate had a detent; it slowly closes by itself due to the weight of the spare tire mounted on it, which made for some choice words at the grocery store.

There's no question that when it comes to the great outdoors, Jeep is an ultra-serious contender (and, among 4x4s, the only one that lets you enjoy it sans roof).

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