2001 Jeep Wrangler Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Jeep's tradition-bound compact SUV comes with a soft top and plastic side windows or optional hardtop with glass windows. Base SE model has a 4-cyl engine, uplevel Sport and Sahara models a 4.0-liter inline 6-cyl. Manual transmission is standard, 3-speed automatic is optional. All Wranglers have Jeep's Command-Trac 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. ABS is available on 6-cyl models.

Competition

Ignored in the past, compact SUVs are now some of the hottest-selling vehicles around. Though our Best Buy Honda CR-V doesn't offer true off-road ability and has milquetoast acceleration, it does mix ride comfort, cargo capacity, and versatility with all-weather traction.

Another car-based mini-SUV, the Subaru Forester, is our Recommended choice. Like the CR-V it doesn't have a low range for serious off-road use, it blends excellent on-road manners with SUV styling.

New this year are the Ford Escape and clone Mazda Tribute. We have been very impressed with early production models and may elevate these two to Best Buys after we get more seat time.

News

Year-to-year sales of G.I. Joe's favorite Jeep dropped nearly 8 percent in calendar 2000 to some 82,250. The current Wrangler design, now in its fifth season, will reportedly get a light restyle for 2002. Said to be included is a new-design accessory hard top made of lighter, composite-like plastic instead of fiberglass and having removable roof and side panels. A fully redesigned Wrangler, scheduled for 2005, will reportedly combine the current model's size and classic format with more exaggerated styling along the lines of the recent Ikon and Jeepster concept vehicles. However, the '05 could be postponed depending on how quickly Chrysler Group can dig out from its latest financial quagmire.

Tight money may also delay a planned engineering makeover of the current Wrangler. As things stand now, however, the 2003 model will borrow the new 3.7-liter V6 and independent rear suspension from Jeep's 2002 Liberty compact SUV. The V6 will oust the elderly 4.0-liter inline-6 now offered. The lack of a solid rear axle would be another first for Wrangler. With those changes, production will almost surely move to the new Toledo, Ohio plant that builds Liberty. Wrangler is now built at an ancient Toledo factory alongside the old Cherokee SUV, which is being phased out this summer, a year earlier than originally planned. Chrysler can't afford to run an old plant building just a single vehicle, hence Wrangler's transfer to the new facility down the road.

2001 Jeep Wrangler Road Test

Pros	Cons

Cargo room	Fuel economy

Maneuverability	Acceleration (4-cylinder w/automatic)

	Noise

	Ride

	Entry/exit

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

SE, 4 cyl, man.	Sport/Sahara, auto.	Class Average
2	4	3.5

The 4-cyl feels underpowered with automatic transmission. Must be worked hard most of the time, even with manual shift. Six delivers good go with either transmission, though it doesn't make a hot rod of Wrangler. We timed a Sahara with automatic at 9.8 sec 0-60 mph.

Fuel Economy

SE, 4 cyl, man.	Sport/Sahara, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4.8

A 5-speed Sahara averaged 15.2 mpg in our tests, an automatic averaged 17.6 in mostly highway driving. Both figures are slightly better than we've measured with 4-cyl.

Ride Quality

SE, 4 cyl, man.	Sport/Sahara, auto.	Class Average
1	1	3.4

Wrangler isn't the oxcart it once was, but a short wheelbase and off-road-ready suspension trigger abrupt vertical ride motions even on apparently smooth roads.

Steering/Handling/Braking

SE, 4 cyl, man.	Sport/Sahara, auto.	Class Average
3	3	3.9

Very maneuverable on-road and off. But rugged suspension causes skittish cornering on bumpy surfaces. Steering isn't very precise either. Optional ABS helps stop with fine control; too bad it's not offered with the 4-cyl.

Quietness

SE, 4 cyl, man.	Sport/Sahara, auto.	Class Average
1	1	3.2

Sound insulation is sparse, so wind noise is deafening in the convertible even with top up. Less brutal with hardtop, but that only allows copious tire noise to drum through.

Controls

SE, 4 cyl, man.	Sport/Sahara, auto.	Class Average
3	3	4.9

Logically grouped, easy to see and reach. Outward vision is good. Workmanship is solid, materials more durable than fancy. Operating the soft top is a time-consuming struggle with zippers, fasteners, and struts.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

SE, 4 cyl, man.	Sport/Sahara, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4.9

Terrific head room with either top. Chair-height comfortable seats. Elbow room is tight, no door armrests. Entry/exit requires a big step over an intrusive doorsill.

Room/Comfort (rear)

SE, 4 cyl, man.	Sport/Sahara, auto.	Class Average
2	2	3.5

Two adults fit without touching shoulders, but knee room is tight and seat isn't very comfortable.

Cargo Room

SE, 4 cyl, man.	Sport/Sahara, auto.	Class Average
7	7	6.8

A few grocery bags fit behind the back seat, which folds or removes for steamer-trunk space. Optional Add-a-Trunk unit mounts in cargo area, provides lockable covered compartment.

Value within Class

SE, 4 cyl, man.	Sport/Sahara, auto.	Class Average
3	3	4.7

Wrangler isn't comfortable, but few vehicles have more personality or better off-road ability. The 6-cyl models can quickly top $22,000, but all versions have strong resale value.

Total Score

SE, 4 cyl, man.	Sport/Sahara, auto.	Class Average
30	32	43.6

Scores for all Compact Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		27
Average Score		43
High Score		60

2001 Jeep Wrangler Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 09/28/2000

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

SE 2-door convertible	$14,890	$14,343	$585

Sport 2-door convertible	$19,155	$17,543	$585

Sahara 2-door convertible	$22,435	$20,462	$585

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.

Safety

Dual front airbags, roll bar.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power steering, vinyl upholstery, front bucket seats, tachometer, front carpeting, mini floor console, cupholder, variable intermittent wipers.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Dual outside mirrors.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Skid plates, 205/75R15 all-terrain tires, styled steel wheels.

Sport adds to SE:

Powertrain

4.0-liter 6-cylinder engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Folding rear bench seat, AM/FM/cassette with rear sound bar and speakers, digital clock, rear carpeting.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

215/75R15 all-terrain tires.

Sahara adds to Sport:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth upholstery, full storage console, AM/FM/CD player, front floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, deep-tinted rear glass, bodyside steps.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Front and rear tow hooks, outside-mounted full-size spare tire, 225/70R16 all-terrain tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Pkg. 22N/23N
SE	$1,310	$1,153
AM/FM/cassette, rear sound bar w/speakers, folding rear seat, rear carpeting.

Pkg. 24D/25D
Sport	$620	$546
Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth upholstery, full storage console w/cupholders, courtesy and underhood lights, full-size spare tire.

60th Anniversary Edition
Sport	$595	$524
Special floormats, fender flares, badging. Requires air conditioning, AM/FM/CD player, additional speakers w/subwoofer, full-metal doors, Fog Lights and Tow Hook Group, 30-Inch Tire and Wheel Group.

ADC Convenience Group
SE, Sport	$165	$145
Full storage console w/cupholders, courtesy and underhood lights.

Fog Lights and Tow Hook Group
SE, Sport	$180	$158
Fog lights, front and rear tow hooks.

Powertrain
3-speed automatic transmission
SE, Sahara, Sport	$625	$550


Limited-slip rear differential
SE, Sahara, Sport	$285	$251
Requires full-size spare tire. Sport requires Tire and Wheel Group.

Dana 44 rear axle
Sport, Sahara	$595	$524
Requires full-size spare. NA with antilock brakes. Sport Requires Tire and Wheel Group.

Safety
Antilock brakes
Sport, Sahara	$600	$528


Comfort and Convenience Features
Hard top
SE, Sport	$920	$810
Sahara	$1,160	$1,021
Includes full metal doors with roll-up windows, rear wiper/washer, deep-tinted glass (SE, Sport), rear defogger, cargo light.

Soft and hard tops
SE, Sport	$1,560	$1,373
Sahara	$1,800	$1,584
Includes hard doors.

Full metal doors w/roll-up windows
SE, Sahara, Sport	$125	$110


Air conditioning
SE, Sport	$895	$788


Cloth reclining front bucket seats with rear seat
SE	$745	$656
SE w/Pkg. 22N/23N, Sport	$150	$132
SE includes rear carpeting.

AAC Convenience Group 1
SE, Sport	$190	$167
Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Cruise control
SE, Sport	$300	$264
SE/Sport w/Convenience Group 1, Sahara	$250	$220
Includes leather-wrapped steering wheel.

AM/FM/cassette
SE	$715	$629
Includes rear sound bar with speakers.

AM/FM/CD player
SE w/22N/23N, Sport	$125	$110
Includes rear sound bar with speakers.

Additional speakers w/subwoofer
SE, Sport	$200	$176
Requires ADC Convenience Group. SE requires Pkg. 22N/23N. Std. Sahara.

Front floormats
SE, Sport	$30	$26


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system
SE, Sahara, Sport	$75	$66


Add-A-Trunk lockable storage
SE, Sahara, Sport	$125	$110
SE requires rear seat.

Deep-tinted rear glass
SE/Sport w/hard top	$240	$211
SE/Sport w/soft and hard tops	$365	$321


Tinted soft top windows
SE, Sport	$125	$110


Bodyside steps
SE, Sport	$75	$66


Engine block heater
SE, Sahara, Sport	$35	$31


Spare-tire cover
SE, Sport	$50	$44
SE requires Pkg. 22N/23N. NA w/Tire and Wheel Pkg.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Full Face Tire and Wheel Group
SE	$700	$616
Sport	$425	$374
Sport w/Pkg. 24D/25D	$310	$273
Full-size spare tire, 225/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires, full-face steel wheels.

Grizzly Tire and Wheel Group
SE	$965	$849
Sport	$690	$607
Sport w/Pkg. 24D/25D	$575	$506
Full-size spare tire, 225/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires, alloy wheels.

30-Inch Tire and Wheel Group
Sport w/5-speed	$785	$691
Sport w/Pkg. 24D and automatic	$670	$590
Sport w/Pkg. 25D and 5-speed	$850	$748
Sahara w/automatic	$360	$317
Sahara w/5-speed	$540	$475
Five alloy wheels, full-size spare (Sport), heavy-duty shock absorbers and rear axle, Dana 44 rear axle (w/5-speed), 30x9.5R15 all-terrain white-letter tires.

Full-size spare tire
SE, Sport	$115	$101

2001 Jeep Wrangler Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Jeep Wrangler 2-door convertible

Wheelbase, in.	93.4

Overall Length, in.	155.4

Overall Width, in.	66.7

Overall Height, in.	71.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	3105

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	55.2

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	19.0

Seating Capacity	4

Front Head Room, in.	42.3

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.1

Rear Head Room, in.	40.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	34.9

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv I4	ohv I6

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.5 /150	4.0 /242

Horsepower @ rpm.	120 @ 5400	190 @ 4600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	140 @ 3500	235 @ 3200

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	19/20	16/19

3-speed automatic	16/18	15/17

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Jeep Wrangler 2-door convertible

Collision	4

Collision (HLDI)	71

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Injury	4

Injury (HLDI)	73

Theft	2

Theft (HLDI)	156

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	5/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive

< 2001 Jeep Wrangler Photos

Also in the 2001 Jeep Wrangler Review:

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Jeep Wrangler Road Test

Jeep Wrangler Prices & Equipment

Jeep Wrangler Specs & Safety

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