America has been making cars since 1893 when the first gas-powered automobile was built and won the American Car Race two years later. Since then the automotive industry has changed drastically.
The title of “Most American Car” is highly debated. From the classic Model-T Ford and the Mustang, to the Corvette and Camaro, if nothing else this country certainly makes some of the most iconic cars.
But you can’t get any more true-blooded than American Motor Company’s CJ, or Civilian Jeep. Since the close of World War II, the Jeep has been a centerpiece of our culture — and it shows. In its first form, the Jeep Wrangler was a bare bones troop transport vehicle designed to get our soldiers across the battlefield as quickly as possible. In its most recent iteration for 2018, the Wrangler has evolved again into the ultimate off-road transportation for the modern American.
Redesigned for 2018, the Jeep Wrangler is more than just a dominating force off-road. Updated with refreshed styling, new engines, and a roomier and higher-quality interior, this year’s Wrangler is a more practical SUV that can still go anywhere — it’s the ultimate off roader.
It also comes with locking differentials, aggressive wheels, and even a redesigned front bumper for the best approach angles when pushing the Wrangler to its limits.
The interior of the Wrangler is no longer a spartan place to spend your drive. Front and center is an 8.4-inch display with navigation paired to an Alpine stereo system, and the leather seats with upholstered handles and dash are quite nice indeed. It even has advanced forward collision warning.
While the Wrangler is equipped with all these creature comforts, the doors still can be taken all the way off and the interior hosed down after you take in the trails. Both the hardtop and soft top can be removed simply and with a convertible option with a power roof, the new Wrangler really is for every season and location.
The exterior of the 2018 may not look entirely different, as each panel has been redesigned to help with durability as well as fuel economy. The engine has also been put under Jeep’s microscope and has been redesigned. The two engine options for the new Wrangler are a 3.6-liter V-6 and a 2-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder.
The V-6 engine makes 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque and gets 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. The turbo 4-cylinder gets 22 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway and produces 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
Driving the 2018 Wrangler on the road feels tight and controlled despite its larger size. I felt like I knew where my wheels were pointing at any given moment and could maneuver through parking lots with ease. I can imagine why this is so important for going rock crawling and mudding for which these cars are so desired. This is such an importnt part of the Jeep culture that there are hundreds of brands that make thousands of modifications for the Wrangler to help their off road capabilities.
Personally I don’t know if I could take a new car into a situation like that, especially a car that costs upward of $50,000 like the Unlimited Rubicon 4×4 I had. The Wrangler does start at a much more attractive $31,000 which gets you a unbeatable base to modify.
Grant Miller is the publisher of Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277 or via email at Grant@CommunityNewspapers.com.
