Except for maybe the Honda Accord, no vehicle has preserved its purity of unchanged essence like the Wrangler. For decades, Chrysler lacked any real change to a decent V-6 engine, in spite of the fact that as gas prices skyrocketed, just about every other manufacturer was able to showcase newly designed V-6 engines that produced even more power than earlier V-8s, yet got much better gas mileage. This year, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler can finally join the crowd.
Things have indeed changed with the 2012 Wrangler from within, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find any differences from without, as its off-road signature durability and toughness has remained steadfastly unchanged. Though a six-speed manual shift is still offered, the Jeep Wrangler’s automatic V-6 can now dash to about 60 mph in a much improved 8.4 seconds (7.7 seconds for the two-door).
Of course, Wrangler’s typically are bought for good old-fashioned four-wheeling experience. The high-tech four-wheel-drive system, the rugged body-on-frame chassis, solid front and rear axles, tough underbody and protective skid plates continue to wow, while consistently establishing Jeep Wrangler as the most capable off-road vehicle on the market. The Wrangler is also equipped with an electronic stability system for added safety and control, in addition to a power steering system and traction control for superb handling. The suspension is specifically designed to be firm at low speed for improved handling on rugged trails, yet provides a relaxed feel at higher speeds on the highway for optimum performance in both environments. Warranty includes:
• Basic - three year/36,000 miles
• Drivetrain - five year/100,000 miles
• Roadside - three year/36,000 miles
• Rust - three year/unlimited miles
The price is around $22,000, with an increase of about $36,000 for the heavy-duty Rubicon package features. The Wrangler is available in either two-door or four-two versions, which is more suitable for families. By vastly improving its on-road manners while preserving its off-road durability and functionality, Chrysler has finally made the 2012 Jeep Wrangler a vehicle people can truly be impressed with, not in spite of.
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