Unlimited joy

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a statement in fashion. This vehicle has ruggedness and a casual air about it, says Paolo Rossetti.

The Jeep Wrangler is an icon for off-roaders and one of the best 4x4 vehicles ever built, and the absolute fun car I've ever owned.

Up until the debut of the Unlimited; forget about comfort, forget about quiet highway rides, forget about cargo space – but welcome awesome off-road capability (and I mean real off-road, not SUV wannabe), welcome incredible fun, and welcome to the world of Jeepers.

In fact, owning a Wrangler is like joining a club of like-minded people – of adventurers, of connoisseurs of the outdoor lifestyle. I used to drive my 1993 YJ permanently without roof and doors, and absolutely loved it. My family also joined me for incredible adventures – gazelle-spotting, driving up wadis to look for the source of running water, our dog fitting nicely in the boot area... but, to tell the truth, we didn't even have room to carry our coolbox, and we had to shout to each other to get heard over the din, and my wife especially got tired real fast of eating dust ...

But times have changed, and Jeep has improved the Wrangler incredibly in its latest reincarnation. The new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has solved the shortcomings of the traditional 2-door Wrangler, while retaining all of the positives. I'm in love again!

Stretching the chassis by almost 21 inches and adding rear side-doors was an inspirational stroke of genius, but only because it did not take away from the "Jeep" feeling – anybody can design a 4-door vehicle, but it is not at all easy to take a best-selling truck, loved by millions, even of historical importance, which in past updates simply replaced the traditional round lights with square ones and prompted Jeepers around the world to protest loudly – pronto, its entire being was altered. That takes guts.

Luckily, the extra space was sorely needed, and not having to squeeze past the front seats to reach a little park bench in the rear is also very much appreciated. Additionally, losing the famed sharp and bumpy ride can only be an improvement and a little extra sound proofing has never hurt anyone – as long as performance off-road does not get compromised, comes the resounding chorus.

Believe me, the Unlimited is a sweet truck in all regards. You have your cake, can eat it all, and much on the cherry on top. The best invention since sliced bread. Here're a few reasons:

The lengthening of the wheelbase from 95.4 to 116 inches provides more space not only for passengers – five adults can fit in comfortably – but cargo as well. With the second row seats folded flat, interior cargo space is an ample 83 cubic feet, more than Toyota FJ Cruiser and Hummer H3.

The new, modular hard top is composed of three panels; one over each of the front seats, and a large rear component which includes the roof for the rear seat and cargo area as well as the rear side windows and backlight. Any one component can be removed independent of the others allowing for numerous top-down possibilities. My
9-year-old daughter removed the front ones for me unassisted.

It rocks!

The safety of a full roll-cage gives you the confidence you need to explore beyond the capabilities of 99 per cent of other 4x4 vehicles, and the Wrangler gearing is excellent for both rock-crawling and zooming up sand dunes.

It simply rocks! The feel and exhilaration is still there. It's a unique vehicle, one that speaks to the world of your personality, and the fun factor is tangible.

Further, its road manners are very good. Besides the lengthened wheelbase and what Jeep claims is a 100 per cent stiffer frame – and improvements to the instrument panel, HVAC controls and sound system (roof sound bar and boom box in the back, dudes!) – the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited automatic gearbox is smooth and refined. And the standard 3.8-litre, V6, 202-horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque engine achieves 17-mpg in the city and 19-mpg on the highway.

I did have one minor concern. Though in the UAE this one can weigh heavily on consumer satisfaction, the cab space increase has not been matched by an upgrade in the A/C system. I found that a combination of the black plastic top and the large interior made cooling the car a lengthy process. In fact, entering the parked car and putting your hand to the roof makes one realise just how hot it gets without insulation! When under way, the A/C was sufficient, despite the lack of rear vents.

The look, I thought, was fabulous for a family vehicle. Butch and square, conveying ruggedness and a carefree spirit, it is an unmistakable fashion statement as well as a real off-road vehicle.

I had the opportunity to test the Wrangler Unlimited on recently-revealed rocks following the rains and the performance along a rough river bed was stellar. I followed up with a zoom on a hard-track, rally-style, dust billowing out of the back and stability was excellent. Even turning off the Electronic Stability Control didn't unbalance the vehicle too badly (unlike the short wheelbase Wrangler which will spin out very easily) and the live axles and improved suspension made the most of the longer wheelbase to absorb bumps and ruts very effectively.

In the UAE the Sahara model is available, and I wonder why the full-blown hardcore Rubicon version, with its heavy-duty axles, extra-low gearing and electronically locking front and rear differentials is not scheduled to be launched.

Nevertheless, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited stock from the factory offers a high ground clearance, steep approach and departure angles, and a no-nonsense 4W-drive system with an aggressive low-range function – it's an awesome off-roader! Add to that an amazing choice of aftermarket parts, which allow you to personalise your vehicle even beyond the 100-or-so factory accessories and options, and you have a serious hobby on your hands.

Overall, whether you are a hardcore Jeeper, interested in off-road performance and modifications, or a Jeep lifestyler, attracted to a fun-filled vehicle second to none on the market today, or a family who will occasionally enjoy an outing, the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited now allows you to tick the box you want. One or all three.