2007 Jeep Wrangler Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our road test for the 2007 Jeep Wrangler includes a full evaluation of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2007 Jeep Wrangler, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2007 Jeep Wrangler help you decide if a 2007 Jeep Wrangler is right for you.

2007 Jeep Wrangler Road Test

Pros	Cons

Maneuverability	Entry/exit

Off-road performance (w/4WD)	Noise

	Rear-seat comfort (2-dr model)

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

4WD X, auto.	4WD Sahara, man.	4WD Rubicon, auto.	4WD Unlimited Sahara, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4	4	4.6

With manual or automatic transmission, Wrangler has no abundance of power from a stop or during highway passing and merging. There's also little difference in acceleration between two-door and four-door models. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 lb for Unlimited, 2000 lb otherwise.

Fuel Economy

4WD X, auto.	4WD Sahara, man.	4WD Rubicon, auto.	4WD Unlimited Sahara, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4	4	5

Test two-door Wranglers with manual-transmission averaged 17.5-19.5 mpg in city/highway driving, 21.3 with more highway use. With the automatic, a two-door Wrangler averaged 16.8 mpg in city/highway driving. Test Unlimited averaged 16.1 mpg in mostly highway use. Wrangler uses regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

4WD X, auto.	4WD Sahara, man.	4WD Rubicon, auto.	4WD Unlimited Sahara, auto.	Class Average
3	3	3	4	5

Bumpy pavement can trigger a bouncy feel and wayward body motions, but the Wrangler is surprisingly cushioned on sharp ruts and ridges. The Unlimited's longer wheelbase smooths out the ride somewhat. There's little difference among available tire sizes. Even the Rubicon's off-road treads and suspension tuning feel reasonably absorbent on broken pavement.

Steering/Handling/Braking

4WD X, auto.	4WD Sahara, man.	4WD Rubicon, auto.	4WD Unlimited Sahara, auto.	Class Average
3	3	3	3	4.8

Wrangler shows some body lean in even during moderate cornering. Steering is light and slow, though Wrangler's tidy turning radius makes parking chores a breeze. Off-road testing shows Wrangler in its best light. Its suspension design and array of traction-assisting technology subdues most every obstacle.

Quietness

4WD X, auto.	4WD Sahara, man.	4WD Rubicon, auto.	4WD Unlimited Sahara, auto.	Class Average
2	3	3	3	4.5

The engine sounds gruff while accelerating and in quiet cruising. With the soft top, wind, road, and traffic noise intrudes. The available hardtop calms things, but by no large measure, and its lack of a headliner leaves the cabin vulnerable to echoes.

Controls

4WD X, auto.	4WD Sahara, man.	4WD Rubicon, auto.	4WD Unlimited Sahara, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4	4	5.6

Wrangler's gauges are unobstructed, but some of our testers find them slightly undersized. Climate, audio, and navigation controls are easy to reach and use, though the switches for off-road aids are set too low for easy operation. Sunlight and dust obscure the navigation screen. The stalks for the windshield wipers, turn signals, and headlamps are a bit far from the steering wheel. Power window buttons are located on the central dashboard and rear of the center console. The cabin is devoid of padded surfaces--even on the console and door armrests--and most materials look and feel cheap.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

4WD X, auto.	4WD Sahara, man.	4WD Rubicon, auto.	4WD Unlimited Sahara, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	6.1

Wrangler's seats are firm, and some of our testers find them uncomfortable for even short trips. The two-door's driver seat doesn't slide far enough back for the long of leg. High step in hurts entry and exit. The soft top is a chore to raise and lower. The hardtop's panels are removable, but there's no obvious onboard storage, meaning that they must either be left at home or stored in the cargo area, reducing space there. Visibility is obstructed by the rear headrests, spare tire, and on hardtop, by the center roof pillars and rear wiper motor.

Room/Comfort (rear)

4WD X, auto.	4WD Sahara, man.	4WD Rubicon, auto.	4WD Unlimited Sahara, auto.	Class Average
2	2	2	3	4.8

In any Wrangler, the rear seat is hard, uncomfortably upright, and short on thigh support. Foot space is also stingy on all. Knee room is especially tight in two-door. The Unlimited has 1.6 inches more rear leg room, but space is still not generous. Entry and exit is tough in two-dr. The Unlimited's small doorways disappoint.

Cargo Room

4WD X, auto.	4WD Sahara, man.	4WD Rubicon, auto.	4WD Unlimited Sahara, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6	7	7.2

There's not much cargo room behind the two-door's rear seat. The Unlimited has about as much space as a compact wagon. On both, the rear seat tumbles forward for added room. It removes for generous volume but is heavy. The flat load floor is high off the ground. The swing-out tailgate's hinges lack detents to keep it open on slanted surfaces. In-cabin storage is meager.

Value within Class

4WD X, auto.	4WD Sahara, man.	4WD Rubicon, auto.	4WD Unlimited Sahara, auto.	Class Average
3	3	3	3	5.5

The 2007 redesign is the first in a decade for this SUV icon. While it improves Wrangler in many important ways, this Jeep remains a limited-purpose machine. Off road, it's a finely honed tool. On road, it's best considered a fun-in-the-sun runabout.

Total Score