Picture Gallery: 2007 Jeep Wrangler | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
 Click Image to Enlarge |
I rarely get price sheets for vehicles so my first task is usually heading to the manufacturer’s website to dig up the price and option lists for the vehicle I’m driving.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
|
|
Jeep aficionados are probably laughing at me right now but that’s fine: my specialty is more along the lines of high horsepower, curve-hugging sports cars, and only so much information can fit into my tiny head.
The base model Wrangler starts at $19,995, my tester is a Sahara model which starts at $26,995, my tester has a few options such as seat mounted side impact airbags ($400), Dual Top Group ($675) and SIRIUS Satellite Radio ($250) bringing the price to just under $30,000 after Air Tax and Freight / PDI.
Unfortunately even though my tester is equipped with a removable hard top and a soft top, I have no place to put the hard top so it will be staying on the vehicle all week.
I also don’t plan on any off-roading let alone mudding or rock climbing, and the rubicon trail is a little far from my house, so Jeep fans may be a little disappointed in my city driving review, but you gotta work with what you have.
2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 2dr 4×4
MSRP as tested: $29,720
For more information on Jeep and the Wrangler visit Jeep Canada
 Click Image to Enlarge |
You won’t find a soft place to rest your elbow when driving or even a place to rest your foot when it isn’t on the clutch; I guess Jeep assumes you will be off-roading non-stop so why would you ever need to rest that left leg? All the knobs and buttons and switches are big enough and rough enough to take abuse, and for some reason the signal light stalk that I hated for being so hard to push in the Sebring works in the Jeep.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
But that’s where it kind of ends for me. The rough look works but geez; I would like some cushy surface to rest my arms. As it is I end up resting my hand on the gear lever only to have it flung off when I hit the slightest bump in the road.
So far, I find the Wrangler is really a tough vehicle to live with day in and day out. The interior is small and there isn’t much space to put anything. I don’t think the trunk is much larger than that in the Solstice, which everyone complains about. The back seat can be used for storage but then it will take you hours to get back there to retrieve anything as getting in and out of the back is darn near impossible.
All that aside, the driving position is the worst I have ever experienced — seriously. The steering wheel tilts but does not telescope which isn’t really the problem. I think the problem is the seat adjustment, it is either high or too high and the pedals are far away resulting in a driving position where your chest is pressed up against the steering wheel and you have to stretch for the pedals. If you have long legs and a short torso though I’m sure the driving position would be perfect — for me let’s just say it is not ideal.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
But how does it ride in the city? Well, two words can describe it, let’s make that three words. Rough, slow and like a Jeep. Totally anticipated, perhaps except for the slow part. There is a trade off to be made: if you want a vehicle to be able to trudge the Rubicon trail you need it to be rough and tough, and the Wrangler certainly is.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
Remarkably in four low you can pull away from a dead stop in fifth gear easily, and even sixth gear if you really slip that clutch; there is definitely a good amount of torque available right at idle.
You sit rather high in the Wrangler so visibility of the road is very good and sight lines around the vehicle are excellent as well. You really are able to see the edges of the Jeep, giving you a great sense of presence on the road. The turning radius of the Wrangler is also impressive making it a joy to maneuver around in parking lots.
If you don’t mind the bumpy ride the Wrangler drives well around town. I wouldn’t try to pull out in a tight spot in a hurry as it takes awhile to get up to speed and I find holding speeds above 80 km/h takes a little extra foot pressure to maintain. But it is one of the easiest SUVs to drive around town that I have ever driven, and I was expecting the opposite.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
I averaged 13.0L/100km with mostly city driving along my usual routes - yet again. This seems rather high for a vehicle of this size, which is unfortunate. It isn’t very aerodynamic and I’m sure that has something to do with it, but the engine does not seem refined at all; of course perception is not necessarily reality in these cases but the fuel consumption figure is disappointing.
I haven’t seen very many of these new two-door Wranglers on the road personally, although I have seen the four-door model around. The four door model would address some of the issues I had with this vehicle, particularly the ease ingress and egress from the rear seat and storage capacity, both of which would be increased with the extra access to the rear. But in the end this is a Jeep and if you want a Jeep you will buy a Jeep; if you don’t like Jeeps I really don’t think a test drive will win you over — they really are a niche vehicle and they fit that niche very well.
*Rating out of 5:
| 2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara | |
| Acceleration | 
|
| Handling | 
|
| Comfort | |
| Interior | 
|
| Audio System | |
| Gas Mileage |  |
*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 2dr 4×4
MSRP as tested: $29,720
For more information on Jeep and the Wrangler visit Jeep Canada
to our site.
September 25, 2007, 11:13:59 am
I agree..or have SUV/truck/off-road people test them.
September 25, 2007, 12:39:50 pm Construction site ? Gravel pit ? Farm road ? Local off-road club ?
Still, Wing might have a point...99% of these things never leave town.
September 25, 2007, 12:46:36 pm ..Just like 99% of the POpulation....whodaTHUNK.....
September 25, 2007, 12:57:19 pm I've always wanted a Wrangler but they just don't seem overly functional as a daily driver even though I'm single.
September 25, 2007, 01:06:39 pm ..as a Gay Farmer...i say hop on Meow...and i'll PLOW YA UNDER............
September 25, 2007, 01:30:37 pm You're a Fanny Farmer, Saf? I never knew...
September 25, 2007, 01:38:15 pm U should see my Rutabagas this year....Oh U did already.... at tha Ho_DOWN....
September 25, 2007, 02:55:50 pm geez Ovr no need ta Get TESTY cos he didn't like yer NEW BUICK......
September 26, 2007, 09:13:59 am Do the rear seats fold down flat?
September 26, 2007, 10:15:45 am Wing. I really don't understand you. You kick people off your site not for braking the rules, Just for not being like by 3 users and you sensor for no valid reason. when it does not make any sense you leave it. I really think you don't have a clue what your doing sometimes. please follow the rules you've laid out and stop making it up as you going along.
I like Jeeps, They are the Land Rover of Defender Of North American. (Can't really say what I like to say as the sensor police will be on my case and LOL its not even that sensitive. Just that happy people who carry rainbow flags really like these jeeps.
September 26, 2007, 10:25:38 am
Catman your a little off the mark... no one likes you
September 26, 2007, 10:31:56 am Ignore, ignore, ignore...
September 26, 2007, 10:50:01 am
Catman your a little off the mark... no one likes you
Basically true. Anyone with the slightest hint of sense would have long since left a site where it is abundantly clear that he is not welcome.
Having been repeatedly banned (for cause), WHY do you feel that you can now return as a guest (or as a new name) with impunity? Banned is banned, regardless of CURRENT behaviour. Go away, stay away.
September 26, 2007, 10:50:59 am Wing, you should have a seat in the previous generation TJ if you don't like the new Wrangler
September 26, 2007, 12:25:48 pm Actually Meow, yes you can see the last rule: The owners and moderators of this site reserve the right to delete posts and ban users at our discretion.
September 26, 2007, 12:58:49 pm I find Meow entertaining and I'm glad he continues to come back to bless us with his presence.
September 26, 2007, 03:20:44 pm Who are you, and what have you done with Fuzz?
September 27, 2007, 12:39:05 pm Wing, perhaps you have read that the new 4-door Wrangler now makes up 82% of the sales. The 2-door you have is actually a rare sight !
September 27, 2007, 01:42:11 pm I saw a 4 door today and was looking at the wheel base, it is much longer (or at least it looks to be) which should soften the ride a bit. The driver looked to be a mid 30's blond
September 27, 2007, 01:47:22 pm Tranny?
I quite like the 4 door model, especially in the Rubicon trim level. Perhaps a worthy descendent of the XJ Cherokee?
September 27, 2007, 02:00:36 pm
Couldn't tell if it was manual or automatic
September 28, 2007, 12:26:16 pm After reading your blog, I can see why this jeep would make no sense to you, you live in the burbs, I think if you live in a rural community and travel to and from the city, this is where these Jeeps start to make sense. I would like that extra piece of mind while traveling on snow covered roads or even loose gravel roads, the Jeep would give you that sense of security.
September 28, 2007, 01:46:29 pm Whoa! You need a Jeep to drive on snow and gravel? Sorry I don't buy that either. Lower centre of gravity is always better for low traction situation. Plus the cost of fuel would be insane!
September 28, 2007, 01:52:06 pm I really like the way the new Wrangler looks and I like the improvements made to the new model. For the the first time I would consider buying one but, I just cant see it being practicle as a primary vehicle. As a second family vehicle, that would be different, thats when I would actually go out and buy one.
I'd love to take the top off and go for some ice cream or a picnic with the family, and as the author says "Its great in the city".
For me. And in my opinion, I just dont find the Wrangler Unlimited attractive at all.
September 28, 2007, 08:23:18 pm
I see a lot of 4-doors out there. We would see even more if the Chrysler could enrich the 4-door mix over the 2-door. I don't think overall (i.e. total annual sales) it's quite up to 82% but sales of the unlimited are significantly higher than the 2-door sales.