MOTORING

THE JEEP WRANGLER THE ENVY OF THE TOWN

The Jeep Wrangler

If we judged the Jeep Wrangler purely on how much everyone we met loved the way it looked and how many good things everyone has heard about this particular Jeep, then we can only imagine that the Wrangler would win car of the year every time it enters. People love this car and so did we. Although, it isn’t perfect, it has elements that make it great and the offroad capabilities would astound even a fool-hardy 4x4 nut. What makes the Wrangler so appealing is definitely the uniqueness in its design. It stands out on the road, it stands out in the bush and this is because since Jeep came onto the scene during the Second World War, they have done very little to change their formula. That formula works and people respond well to familiarity. Jeep haven’t let the Wrangler go completely unchanged and have evolved the exterior design to keep up with modern trends, but it is under the bonnet, or hood as the American’s would say, where this Jeep stands apart from the competition.

The massive diesel engine does everything with purpose. It drives aggressively, it climbs hills with vigor and it cruises the open road effortlessly. However, all that purpose means the engine gets very thirsty and the consumption is unbelievably high. A full tank, which will set you back upwards of R1,000, will only just get you 600km of open road diving. We took the Wrangler from Johannesburg to the Natal Midlands, and on our trip home we filled the tank to the brim and had to refill it once we cruised back into town. The astronomical fuel consumption aside, the Jeep is actually a fantastic car to drive. Despite the bulk, it moves rather quickly, even off the line. It sits comfortably at 120km/h and is comfortable enough on a long journey. The diesel engine is very loud, tractor loud even, which is strange considering the advancement in diesel technology recently, but with a booming sound system, you barely notice the roar of the powerful engine.

Even with the fantastic drive, the Wrangler is more than just a rugged 4x4. The interior of this car is comfortable, well laid out and well finished. Everything is just a mere button push away and you can set the climate control, satellite navigation and check the drive system in operation all from the onboard control centre and the sound system, Bluetooth telephone and cruise control can all be operated from the steering wheel. The leather seats with cloth trim are elegant, yet practical and the space for five passengers is ample. The luggage compartment is awkward, but large, so with creative packing you should be able to get the family down to the coast with little or no worries at all.

The Jeep is a great looking car and will let people know that you have taste and brains. One is often lost on the other as many people substitute style for practicality, or power for comfort. The Wrangler is a mix of all of it. It is spacious, good looking, powerful and practical. It can go off road, although most owners won’t take it there, but where it looks the best is just sitting in the parking lot attracting looks.

FACTS

Engine Sizes: 2.8l - 3.6l Power: 147kW Torque: 430Nm Top Speed: +- 160km/h Colour Choices: Silver Metallic, Crush (Orange), Flame (Red), Dozer (Mustard), White Chill Pearl, Cosmos Blue, Deep Cherry Red, Bright White, Black Forest Green, Sahara Tan

The Wrangler is something very different and a brilliant accessory to anybody looking to make a statement to people around you. It costs between R450,000 and R544,000, and would definitely be an investment in your soul. This 4x4 is fun to drive and great to own.