The enduring Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has elevated itself to cult traditional standing

We’ve beforehand described the Jeep Wrangler as admirable albeit ‘butch’ (once we drove the eightieth Anniversary Wrangler in 2021) however wish to mildly revise that barely pejorative verdict. For, regardless of its lengthy and storied historical past, its navy origins and subsequent affiliation with warfare, trauma and violence, in the present day’s Wrangler is a surprisingly pleasant machine.

We’re not speaking about Jeep’s different merchandise, which incorporates the Compass and the Avenger (each of that are much more typical in look and intention). Like different retro-infused modern designs (Morgan’s sports activities automobiles spring to thoughts, naturally), there’s a component of wilful stubbornness at play, from each firm and clients.

But not like the bare aggression on show throughout many of the SUV market, the Wrangler’s traditional seven-slot grille, spherical headlights, outstanding wheelarches and uncovered door hinges are actually a logo of a friendlier, much less monumental and overtly slick strategy. When one considers that the Jeep is virtually the one automotive available on the market with a heritage that may be traced again to an precise weapon of warfare, it’s much more outstanding (we’ll depend the Mercedes G-Class on this choose however barely infamous group).

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: pretty much as good an off-roader as any manufacturing automotive available on the market

What’s it that makes the Wrangler so accommodating? Europe doesn’t get the total vary of Wrangler machines accessible to the American market and the UK solely will get one, the automotive proven right here. Out there in two specs, Sahara and Rubicon, it has a modest 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an automated gearbox. For devoted off-roading, there’s a two-speed switch case, an extra gearbox that sends energy to all 4 wheels when required, with chunky mud-terrain tyres fitted as customary.

Thus far, so excessive. Climbing up into the Jeep’s high-riding cockpit, you get the total advantage of the SUV expertise, trying over hedgerows, by means of bends and above the site visitors forward. For 2024, Jeep has upgraded the Wrangler’s inside tools, throwing in an enormous quantity of substances to make it really feel as modern as attainable. These embrace Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, driver warning methods, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, energy seats, and a devoted Jeep app that retains observe of gas effectivity and distant unlocking, amongst different issues.

All this innovation can’t disguise the Wrangler’s innately unorthodox driving place and scale, nor the vaguely agricultural manner through which the throaty 272hp engine and huge tyres propel and steer you down a daily street. It’s not remotely as tough as an old-school Land-Rover, however it’s a world other than the cossetted, car-like atmosphere of a contemporary SUV.

That’s very a lot a very good factor, for not solely does it add character for the driving force, nevertheless it units this automotive other than the herd. You get nods and waves from different Wrangler drivers, principally since you’re in a extremely slightly choose membership, not like the large variety of typical SUV homeowners, all of whom appear to have an innate understanding of the hierarchy implied by their numerous fashions and specs. 

Additionally, not like the sleek, seamless flanks of up to date Vary Rovers, and even the brand new Defender, the Wrangler’s chunky panels would in all probability be improved by a dent or two. The Rubicon rides barely greater than the Sahara mannequin and has choices reminiscent of a detachable roof and doorways. You may even fold the windscreen flat, do you have to so want.

The inside could be stuffed with tech, nevertheless it’s additionally stuffed with reassuring buttons, dials and seize handles; no flush-fitting door handles right here. Doorways shut with a metallic thunk, slightly than the hiss and click on of a soft-closing mechanism, and there are little Jeep Easter eggs scattered across the inside for the eagle-eyed. Design parts just like the contoured ground mats might sound a bit twee in much less competent palms, however with the Wrangler these touches don’t really feel compelled or inauthentic.

While the remainder of the Jeep vary is a part of the Stellantis blob of platform and tech-sharing, the Wrangler stands alone, excessive off the bottom and defiantly old style in outlook. The Rubicon mannequin is called for the well-known 4×4 path within the Sierra Nevada, nonetheless utilized by Jeep as a proving floor. Because of this, the Wrangler is pretty much as good an off-roader as any manufacturing automotive available on the market, a traditional machine that has no must cloak its uncooked potential in a modern and glamorous shell.