2004 Jeep Wrangler Review

Is there any vehicle more American than the tall, boxy Jeep Wrangler? It still looks as if it just stepped out of World War II. However, the new stretched mid-2004 Unlimited model makes this Jeep a lot more comfortable.

The rugged Jeep was made a household word by its prowess during World War II. The Wrangler designation actually didn't arrive until 1987. Before that, the Jeep was called the Willys MB and Jeep CJ-2A and CJ-7.

The Jeep evolved at a glacial pace after World War II. It last was given major improvements for 1997, when it got a coil-spring suspension for a better -- but still uncomfortable -- ride.

The pre-1997 Wrangler had great off-road abilities, but was uncomfortable for anything but short, low-speed, top-down drives on summer pavement -- preferably to the beach. However, it looked like a classic sporty World War II military vehicle, and there never has been anything else like it. It's always been a two-door convertible, which adds to its appeal.

The stretched $24,385 Unlimited looks virtually the same as other Wranglers. But I found it's the first Jeep that's fairly comfortable to drive on a daily basis. That's because its wheelbase (distance between axles) has been increased from a short 93.4 inches to 103.4 inches.

The additional inches do wonders for smoothing out the jerky ride found with other Wrangler models; they start with the entry $16,330 SE and go to the $25,145 Rubicon, which is a very serious off-road-oriented model.

The Unlimited also is approximately a foot longer than other Wranglers. The extra length allows more cargo and rear-seat passenger room, although a tall driver will wish his seat moved back farther.

The Unlimited is the first Wrangler with enough room in the back seat to comfortably accommodate two 6-footers, although its back seat doesn't have a comfortable design; it's best to flip that seat forward to increase the cargo area -- although the Unlimited has good cargo room with the rear seat in its normal position.

The Unlimited also comes with an unusual soft top, which has a forward section that can be folded back to uncover the front-occupant area.

All Wranglers have a four-wheel-drive system. It must be disengaged on dry roads, but has low-range gearing for tough off-road driving. The Wrangler's sturdy body-on-frame construction and strong ladder chassis help out here.

My test Unlimited had the Wrangler's optional removable hard top, which costs $795 for the Unlimited, Sport and Sahara models and $920 for the SE, X and Rubicon versions.

The top is well worth the money because it comes with full metal doors with roll-up glass windows, rear wiper/washer, defogger and a cargo light.

Otherwise, you get plastic side windows, such as those found in vintage 1950s British sports cars, such as the MG and Triumph.

Manually cranking the windows up or down is a chore, and the metal doors are held open by straps -- not metal hinges.

The Wrangler is fun to drive -- up to a point. Its very maneuverable at lower speeds, but there's marked body lean during abrupt maneuvers or when taking curves. Also, the suspension gets skittish on bumpy curves. While quick enough, the steering feels dead.

The entry SE has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower. It provides the best performance with the standard five-speed manual gearbox. Other Wranglers have a 4-liter inline (not V-shaped) six-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower.

The Wrangler Unlimited is heavy for its size. Thus, while it has lively acceleration up to 60 mph, its 65-75 mph highway passing time is strictly average. At least it comfortably cruises at 65 mph with the hard top, despite poor aerodynamics. Such a speed is uncomfortable with other Wranglers that have a soft top.

The manual transmission is standard on all models except the Unlimited, which has a responsive four-speed automatic transmission that costs $515-$825 for other Wranglers.

One might expect good fuel economy because of the fairly compact size of even the Wrangler Unlimited -- but you don't get it: The four-cylinder provides an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 20-21 on the highway, and the six-cylinder delivers 16 city and 19-20 on highways.

The entry SE doesn't have much equipment, although power steering, tilt wheel, front bucket seats, variable intermittent wipers, tachometer and outside-mounted spare tire are standard.

Besides the six-cylinder engine, the X adds an AM/FM/CD player. The Sport adds metal doors with roll-up windows and the Sahara adds such items as air conditioning, cruise control and bodyside steps. The Rubicon adds heavy-duty off-road components, and the Unlimited has four-wheel disc brakes.

The brake pedal has a nice feel. Anti-lock brakes are optional for $600 on the X, Sport and Sahara, but not on other Wranglers.

Getting in and out of the Wrangler calls for a high step over the door sills, making the available $150 bodyside steps worthwhile. (They're offered for the Unlimited and Sahara.)

Occupants sit high, making top-down driving more fun -- at least at lower speeds. However, it's a hassle to lower or raise the soft top. The Wrangler has little sound insulation, but the hard top helps keep noise levels down.

Gauges can be easily read, but there isn't much elbow room and there are no armrests. Radio controls are small, but climate controls are larger and thus easier to use. All controls are nicely arranged.

The Unlimited is a definite breakthrough Wrangler model in terms of comfort and space. Like other Wranglers, it remains true to its rugged heritage.

2004 JEEP WRANGLER

Prices
$16,330-$25,145

Likes
More comfortable new long-wheelbase model. Rugged. All-American look.

Dislikes
Jerky ride with standard models. Lazy highway passing. Low fuel economy.