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By Lori Wildrick
In an industry that makes its living creating the "next new thing" it’s great to know that sometimes a tweak or two is all that it takes. For the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, designers and engineers could have pulled out all the stops to create a brand-new SUV behemoth. They could have eliminated all of the trademark angles and exposed hinges. And, in an era of monster SUVs, they could have justified it all by saying that consumers wanted something with flowing lines, a monster engine and tons of rev.
Instead they stayed true to 65 years of design and created something Jeep-lovers and off-road enthusiasts alike will appreciate: a Jeep. Albeit a much more refined version. This Jeep has a lot going for it: stretched wheelbase. Improved handling. Changed up engine. New rag top. Rearranged dash. More leg room for backseat passengers. Greater cargo room. And the ability to trick this pup out in just about any variation conceivable. But, at its core, it’s still a Jeep.
Available in three trim levels, there’s a Jeep Wrangler for everyone: choose from the entry-level X, the more upgraded Sahara, or the hard-core 4x4 no guts-no glory Rubicon, which is a fully tricked out off-road beauty. Then, choose between two or four doors and pick a top option. If only it was really that easy.
On the exterior, the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited looks just like its brothers and sisters. The boxy exterior, exposed hinges, fold down windshield, radiator-style grille and rounded headlights are all the same. The biggest difference: those four doors.
Under the hood, hard-core Jeep enthusiasts are going to be a bit disappointed that the traditional in-line six has been replaced by a 3.8L V6. The new powerplant offers improved fuel efficiency (not a bad thing now that we’re creeping closer to that $3/gallon number) and pumps out 202 horsepower and 237 lb-ft of torque. Frankly, performance seems about the same as the original in-line. While flooring it up a slight hill, I would have hoped for a little more oomph, but I got to the top. Just not as convincingly as I might have wished.
Jeep claims that its all-new Wrangler has been off- and on-road tested more than 150,000 customer miles to ensure durability and I believe it. This new Wrangler offers amazing maneuverability and grace on the street and off road, even in two-wheel drive mode. On a particularly curvy downhill path I took the foot off the brake and just let the steering manage the road. And manage it did, quite beautifully, in fact, with best-in-class turning diameter, thanks to a new steering linkage and recirculating ball steering gear. And, if you need to brake, front and rear brake lock differentials (for 4WD versions) enable you to really hit ‘em hard.
That 20.6 inches of lengthened wheelbase does two things (in addition to those two handy rear doors): Passengers are far less cramped in the back row and there’s much more room for all of your stuff. A 60/40 split rear seat features a very convenient function that flattens out in mere seconds. Flip one side for a surfboard or two, the whole seat for boxes and bulkier cargo. And no need to remove those headrests before pushing down the seat, they fold automatically, too. And, speaking of surfboards, this Wrangler successfully corrosion-tested in 10-year/100,000-mile simulations.
And while we’re on the topic of wet and/or muddy conditions, the new Jeep Wrangler has a wash-out interior. Simply remove the carpet and pull the drain plugs to give it a thorough washing.
Handy safety features include an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), Traction Control and Hydraulic Brake Assist, an off-road/on road four-wheel disc antilock brake system, off-road and on-road brake lock differentials, a stronger sport bar, an off-road tested emergency brake system, multistage front and side air bags, and energy-absorbing front rail extensions.
Top it all off with the Freedom Top hardtop—a three-piece modular hardtop that enables the user to create several different configurations ranging from sunroof to full-on convertible—or the soft top. Just be advised that all that configuration changing is not as simple as pushing a button and you might even break a sweat the first time or two as you get used to moving the pieces around.
On the interior, the upgrades are noticeable and mostly appreciated. There’s the standard sound bar that houses two 6.5-inch weatherproof speakers directly behind the driver and the front passenger for instant surround-sound. There’s the optional Bluetooth integrated into the dash. There’s the optional navigation system. Basically all of the comforts of home, right at your fingertips.
One thing I didn’t much care for: the power window buttons are not on the door, instead positioned in the center of the dash. Frankly, it’s going to take some memorization to get through the drive-through and not be frustrated when you attempt to place an order. Who thinks to roll down the window by pushing a button on the dash?
Not every Jeep’s tire tread actually touches dirt, but if you’re a hard-core enthusiast, check out the Rubicon. Loaded with all of the goodies that make off-roading fun, like a front sway bar disconnect system that enables the driver to disengage the front sway bar when driving under 18 mph, so that the front wheels can drop and compress up to 33% further for improved articulation on those big, bumpy roads, the Rubicon is as nimble as a mountain goat in rough terrain.
The Rubicon features best-in-class ground clearance, thanks to its 32-inch BF Goodrich tires with a custom tread pattern; Tru-Lok locking front and rear differentials with electronic solenoids mounted in the axles to keep them safe from damage on the trail; a 4:1 low-gear ratio that allows it to crawl at a lower speed for greater control and increased torque; and next-generation Dana 44 heavy duty solid front and rear axles for greater durability and improved articulation.
With a sticker price starting at $21,000 and topping out in the low $30,000s, the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is an affordable and exciting option for both off-roading and street-hugging drivers. Customize it with any number of after-market accessories and you’ve got more than just a rugged little ride—you’ve got one of the finest Jeeps ever to touch pavement (or dirt). And that’s saying something.
Visit the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Accessories Page
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