2003 Jeep Wrangler - Consumer Guide Automotive

Category	SE, man. Rating (See All Ratings)	Compact Sport-utility Vehicle Average Rating

Acceleration	3	3.7

Fuel Economy	4	4.8

Ride Quality	3	4.1

Steering/Handling/Braking	3	4

Quietness	1	3.5

Controls	4	5.2

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)	4	5.3

Room/Comfort (rear)	2	4.1

Cargo Room	6	6.7

Value within Class	3	5.7

Total Score:	33	47.1

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category

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2003 Jeep Wrangler Review

Jeep's tradition-bound compact SUV gains a new engine and transmission and available 4-wheel disc brakes for 2003. Wrangler is available with a soft top and plastic side windows or an extra-cost hardtop with glass windows. The base SE model has a 4-cyl engine, which this year is a 147-hp dual-overhead-cam 2.4 liter shared with Jeep's Liberty SUV. It replaces a 120-hp overhead-valve 2.5. X, Sport, Sahara, and Rubicon models continue with a 190-hp inline-6 cyl. Manual transmission is standard. A 4-speed automatic is optional; it supplants a 3-speed automatic for '03. All Wranglers have Jeep's Command-Trac 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard on Rubicon and optional on Sport and Sahara for '03; the SE and X stay with rear drums. ABS is available on all but the Rubicon and SE. A 30-inch tire package is standard on Sahara, optional on Sport. Rubicon is intended for severe off-road use and comes with 31-inch-equivalent off-road tires, front- and rear-locking differentials, and special low-ratio gearing. Also new for '03 are redesigned front seats, LATCH-type rear child-seat anchors, and an available rearview mirror with temperature and compass display.

Competition

Though our Best Buys, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Mazda Tribute don't offer true off-road ability, they do mix ride comfort, cargo capacity, and versatility with all-weather traction. The V6 Tribute/Escape offers more power, comfort, and space than any in its class. CR-V has a bit more on-road refinement and cargo space.

Another car-based mini-SUV, Subaru Forester is a Recommended choice. Like the CR-V it doesn't have a low range for serious off-road use, but it blends excellent on-road manners with SUV styling. The Jeep Liberty may lack some of the advantages of more-carlike SUVs, but it leads the pack in off-road ability. It's Recommended as an affordable, capable competitor.

News

In something of a surprise, Jeep says it's adding a Wrangler pickup for 2004. Called Scrambler, it revives an idea from the early 1980s that proved a sales dud, so we wonder why Jeep would want to try it again. Regardless, the new Scrambler is built on a stretched Wrangler chassis with a 4-foot-long cargo box but seating for two only. Jeep promises short- and long-wheelbase versions with 4- and 6-cyl engines, but hasn't provided further details. We expect those soon enough, though, so keep checking back.

The Scrambler suggests Jeep is going all out to boost interest in its classic SUV. Wrangler could use the help, as sales have been waning for several years, including a 6.5-percent drop in 2002.

A fully redesigned Wrangler has been rumored for 2006, but we think '07 is now more likely. Whenever the replacement appears, it should have the same general size and format as today's model, plus modernized styling on a modified version of Jeep's Liberty chassis, so Wrangler finally gets all-independent suspension. The new platform appears first under a second entry-level Jeep, the new car-like Compass, expected by 2005. (See Liberty "News" for more details.) Besides lower development and production costs, the Liberty connection will allow the next Wrangler to be built in the same modern plant. That should benefit assembly quality, never a strong point with the old factory that builds the current models.

2003 Jeep Wrangler Road Test >

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