What is it?

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most iconic cars of its type. Beloved by those who enjoy adventure - as well as those who like to make an entrance - it’s a car steeped in history, much of which comes from its lineage to the iconic Willys Jeep.

These days, SUVs remain a popular option but with its rugged approach and more off-road-focused design, can the Wrangler still remain a viable choice for buyers? We’ve been driving it to find out.

What’s new?

The Wrangler’s design might be quite traditional but over the years the interior of this car has become more in keeping with the times. For the latest model, we’ve got a large central screen, but there are still plenty of physical controls that give the Wrangler a very user-friendly air. It’s been equipped with some new engines, too, but you still get the same rugged four-wheel-drive system and low-range gearbox.

Jeep hasn’t lost sight of what the Wrangler has always been best at, either, which is going off the beaten path. It’s why you’ll find good departure and approach angles for the Wrangler - helped by its compact front and rear overhangs - which should ensure that this car finds no obstacle too great.

What’s under the bonnet?

You were previously able to get the Wrangler with a diesel engine, but that has been chopped out in the most recent version in favour of a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit with 268bhp and a healthy 400Nm of torque. It allows the Wrangler to do 0-60mph in a very reasonable 6.4 seconds, but it’s that torque figure which should enable this Jeep to tackle trickier conditions and still pull through.

As you might expect, efficiency isn’t the best. Jeep claims up to 27.2mpg combined while CO2 emissions are quite high at 250g/km.

What’s it like to drive?

The Wrangler brings a similarly old-school driving experience to match its exterior design. The steering is relatively vague and light, but with your raised-up driving position, you get a great view of the road ahead atop the car’s boxy wheelarches. There’s quite a lot of wind noise generated by the upright windscreen, too, but the engine itself is reasonably muted when you’re just cruising along.

The automatic gearbox is relatively smooth, too, and that engine does give you more than enough punch for most occasions. Of course, with a car as large as the Wrangler you do need to take extra caution when navigating tight parking spaces and multi-storey car parks but you soon get accustomed to this.

How does it look?

The Wrangler is the kind of car that everyone recognises. It’s got that traditional body-on-frame construction and though this might be underneath, it’s that rustic feel which carries through to the design. You’ve got a range of eye-catching colours to choose from, too, while chunky off-road tyres only add to the adventure-focused aesthetic.

With its large spare wheel slung out the back and its iconic seven-slot grille, the Wrangler is definitely for people who like to make an entrance, that’s for sure.

What’s it like inside?

Though the exterior dimensions of the Wrangler are generous, to say the least, this doesn’t entirely carry through to the interior. Still, there’s a good amount of headroom, though those in the back aren’t going to get all that much space to stretch out and relax. However, everything has a nicely robust feeling to it while all of the major controls are well-located to grab easily.

Open the side-hinged boot door and you’ve got access to a useful 533-litre boot, too, which means that there’s enough space for you to bring plenty of equipment along for your next adventure.

What’s the spec like?

All Wrangler models get plenty of equipment included as standard, including a premium sound system and a large central screen which gets all of your usual smartphone mirroring systems. There’s a greater range of assistance safety systems than you might expect, too with features such as a driver drowsiness alert, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition all being included as standard on the Wrangler.

You’ve got a full range of parking assistance features, too, including a good-quality reversing camera which makes positioning the Wrangler much easier.


Verdict

If you’re in the market for a more road-focused SUV option then the Wrangler probably isn’t the car for you. With its light steering, upright stance and reasonably chunky running costs, it’s not a natural rival for more ‘everyday’ models in the market today.

However, if you’re someone with a thirst for adventure - and are a driver who frequently finds themselves off-road - then the Wrangler will prove more than a match.