The 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Motor Trend

Exterior looks aside, the distinctly familiar Wrangler has “undergone a transformation” over the past two years. Upgrades in 2011 focused on the interior, including higher-quality materials all around and more soundproofing. This year, Chrysler’s impressive Pentastar aluminum engine has replaced a V6 that was “universally considered a dog.” This umpteenth descendent of the military’s original 1941 4x4 has sacrificed none of its go-anywhere legacy, but it’s now “a lot more fun to drive on-road.”

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Comfort options like leather seats, satellite radio, and just about “everything a buyer might seek in a small SUV” are available in the new Wrangler. Yet it’s still the only passenger vehicle that can shed its doors, windshield, and roof when adventure calls. The thoroughly updated 2012 edition represents “the pinnacle” for this iconic brand.

Car and Driver

Jeep die-hards needn’t worry: The new Wrangler retains many signature charms, including “its classic lane-wavering nature.” But this model is “just as capable on dirt” as its predecessors and “no longer as horrifying on the pavement.” Increased power, a smoother gearbox, and better handling help lift this prototypical sport ute “up and into the realm of legitimate on-road vehicles.”