2010 Jeep Wrangler

 The Jeep Wrangler carries on its long standing tradition and name for 2010. This off road beast has some minor changes for the model year; Jeep has renamed the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited base model "Sport." Now standard in the Sport are fog lamps, tow hooks, a compass and an outdoor temperature gauge. It also comes equipped with a soft-top that Jeep says is easier to remove, plus an indicator that shows when you're driving economically. The Wrangler is configurable in Sport, Sahara and Rubicon trim with standard four-wheel drive. Electronic stability control with roll control, traction control, brake assist and hill hold control are standard on all Wranglers. The available Freedom Top three-piece modular hardtop allows panels to be removed above the driver or passenger. Other options include Dual Top Group, half doors, remote start system, front seat-mounted side air bags, and a multimedia infotainment system with 30-gigabyte hard drive and navigation system. The Sport trim replaces the X trim for 2010. This off-roader emphasizes rock-crawling over highway comfort, and when it comes to hardcore trailblazing, it's rarely matched. A four door model, the Unlimited, is also available for more cabin versatility.  Competitors include the Nissan Xterra and Toyota FJ Cruiser. EPA Fuel Economy for the 2010 Wrangler is 15 /19 mpg. It has a starting MSRP of $21,165 - $28,775.

Wrangler Capabilities

 The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most capable off-road vehicles available today. Its four-wheel drive system also offers all-weather capability and its convertible body style offers open-air fun. The Unlimited body style has greater cargo capacity, making the Wrangler more practical. You'll give up a lot of ride and handling prowess, as well as fuel mileage, but the Wrangler is fun. The Rubicon features equipment that off-road enthusiasts usually add anyway, including heavy duty axles, front and rear electronic locking differentials, 32-inch BF Goodrich mud tires, sway bar disconnect system, rock rails and a heavy-duty transfer case with 4:1 low-gear ratio.  Off-road mainstays include a non-independent suspension (solid front and rear axles) and a part-time four-wheel-drive system with available dual locking differentials. Other features include underbody skid plates, an available tow package and an available electronically disconnecting front stabilizer bar for increased ground clearance. The Wrangler Sport uses a standard four-wheel-drive system incorporating a two-speed transfer case for part-time use.

Powering the Wrangler

 A 3.8-liter V-6 is the sole drivetrain for the two-door Wrangler. The Unlimited gets its own 3.8-liter V-6 with slightly more horsepower and torque. The standard 3.8-liter V-6 engine produces 202 horsepower, and the standard transmission is a six-speed manual with overdrive. An optional four-speed automatic with overdrive is available. Compared to the last-generation Wrangler, the wheelbase is longer and the front and rear tracks are wider, the chassis has been stiffened and the suspension redesigned. All these things yield significant improvements in the ride and handling, but still, on city streets, the Wrangler is pretty bouncy, and out on the freeway it can feel squiggly over pavement changes. On rougher surfaces the driver needs to pay attention to keep the Wrangler going in a straight line. The only limitation with the Unlimited was its turning radius of 41.2 feet versus 34.9 feet with the two-door

2010 Jeep Wrangler Design

 The Wrangler has not changed that much over the years in appearance. An available three-panel hardtop has removable sections above the driver, front passenger and rear passengers. The standard soft-top has been redesigned for 2010 and now can be removed more easily, according to the automaker. The side doors, available as full or half-size, are removable, and the windshield can be folded down. The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most widely recognizable vehicles in the world. The latest generation looks quite similar to the previous version, which ended production with the 2006 model year. Most important, Wranglers have always had a distinct family resemblance to the original Jeep of World War II fame. Along the sides, all Wranglers have assist steps under the doors to make climbing in easier, and fender flares that are bolted on, so they can be easily taken off for repair or replacement.

Inside the Jeep Wrangler

The current Jeep Wrangler is a lot roomier inside than pre-2007 models, thanks to its increased width. The larger Unlimited offers more than 80 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded flat. The headrests flip back, so they don't need to be removed, making it easy to switch between cargo and rear-seat-passenger modes. The thin-spoke steering wheel has a circular hub, and a vertical center control panel features a high-mounted radio with circular air vents underneath. The Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited feature a floor-length console with front and rear cupholders, plus locking storage.

Conclusions

The Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited have a standard electronic stability system with Chrysler's rollover mitigation technology, which can pulse individual brakes in an attempt to prevent impending rollovers. Side-impact airbags are optional for the front seats. The Wrangler is one of the most fun-to-drive, off-road-capable Jeeps ever made. For open-air driving at the beach, on the trail or even the just on the street, the standard soft top can be folded down or the available hard top can be taken off, the doors can be removed and the windshield can be folded down.