2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited

 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited

2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited

 Base Price: $25,695
Price as-tested: $31,915

Like the Mini or the Porsche 911, the Jeep has a shape so familiar and so distinctive that it could never be mistaken for something else.
It occupies a very distinct niche, a truly capable off-roader that is also quite capable as a daily driver. It is a sort of modular vehicle, too, with a removable roof that covers a full roll cage. Doors can also be removed with little difficulty, and there is a huge aftermarket for


modifications and accessories.
The 2013 Wrangler Unlimited differs only in detail from the 2012 model. In 2012, a whole new powertrain was introduced. The Unlimited is the four-door version of the Wrangler, and although there is a choice of four levels of trim, and wheel size and other options, they all share the same engine. The Sport, which is reviewed here, is a midrange trim—five-speed auto, optional 17-inch wheels.

First impressions: Fit and finish were very good, with surprisingly comfortable front seats and good visibility. The windshield is flat and almost vertical, which means that the dash is high and shallow, resulting in limited storage. Controls are large and simple, apart from some very small buttons for the radio. The rear seats are flat and thin but adequate for shorter journeys. The removable roof is unlined, and the full roll cage is covered in thick foam. Legroom is excellent and driving position is good, even for tall drivers. Externally, the Jeep projects its tough image with external hinges and large, simple door handles. Running boards, which are standard on the top-of-the-range models, are recommended for those who do not wish to step over the high sills.

2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited

There are a few things that could be improved:.
- The doors are free-swinging, each secured only by a nylon strap, which prevents them from slamming forward into the bodywork. However, there is no detente at the mid-opening point. So if the door is opened with the vehicle facing up a hill, it will slam back into the leg of the occupant, unless held open at all times.
- The rear seats fold flat and cleverly unlatch the headrests so that there is no need to remove them. However, when flat, there is a long open space behind them on the floor. This is not good for transporting dogs or small items. The purchase of a couple of plastic shoe trays to cover the holes worked well.

- The very flat doors need an unusually aggressive pull to close properly.
The first 500 miles included a long loop across one of the remotest stretches of Route 66 in western Arizona—a stretch so steep and with so many vicious switchbacks that people once had to scale it in reverse—running through the old mining town of Oatman to the California border. The Wrangler handled it without the slightest difficulty, though on long uphill stretches, it ran out of steam a little, dropping to fourth. On long highway stints, I was impressed with its comfort and relative quietness. The longer wheelbase eliminates the slightly choppy handling of the regular Wrangler. There is a certain amount of buffeting at the 75-mph highway limit, which is to be expected given the unlined, removable roof. It is not excessive though, and normal conversation can be carried out. After a long day of driving, I had no aches and pains. This was perhaps the greatest surprise, as I had expected compromised highway performance. Manufacturer estimates of fuel consumption are 20 mpg highway and 16 city. I achieved 17.8 MPG on a mix of highway and challenging roads.
The Southwest is a paradise for off-roaders, with hundreds of trails ranging from beginner tracks to terrifying challenges for the very experienced, and the Wrangler is the commonest choice for the purpose.

2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited interior

North of Scottsdale sits the hamlet of Crown King. Sitting at 6000 feet, it is surrounded by trails. This provided an opportunity to test the transfer case, and low-range performance on extremely steep hills and deep potholes in the rain. This is where the Wrangler is very impressive. It never had a problem in mud, dust or rock-strewn inclines. Given a reasonable amount of experience, it is a confidence-inspiring ride, even on primitive or nonexistent roads.
In summary, the biggest surprise for me was that it has retained exceptional off-road capability without unduly compromising highway performance or passenger comfort. Its no sports car, and with a 99-mph top speed, it is not going to be tearing up the autobahn. But at the normal 75 mph in Arizona, it is utterly unstressed.
The green paintwork (Gekko in Jeep terminology) caused a lot of comment, ranging from: "Yes, I want that Jeep so bad!" to an incredulous question from a security guard: "Did they give you a choice of colors? You actually chose that?” In the words of Gordon Gekko: "Green is good." Or something like that.