• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
• Photos & Videos

Jeep Wrangler - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Jeep Wrangler ranks 17 out of 21 Affordable Compact SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 65 published reviews and test drives of the Jeep Wrangler, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Jeep Wrangler is loved for its rugged off-road capabilities and boxy styling. However, its off-road chops come at a price -- on-road handling and comfort fall far short of other compact SUVs.

If you're looking for a fun, rugged off-roader, the Wrangler won't disappoint. On the other hand, if you need a daily driver, the Wrangler may not be up to snuff. Its ride on paved roads is far from comfortable, and the basic interior probably won't keep you happy on long commutes. Even worse is the Wrangler's very poor fuel economy -- its 15/19 mpg rating is the lowest in the small SUV class.

Regardless of its shortcomings, the Wrangler's off-road chops, distinctive styling and convertible top have helped it to build a dedicated following. Consumer Guide says, "Off road, it's a finely honed tool. On road, it's best considered a fun-in-the-sun runabout." With the four-door model, the Wrangler may even work as a rugged hauler for particularly adventurous families who can do without a lot of creature comforts.

But if you're not the adventurous type, there are more comfortable options. If you need an off-road vehicle that functions better as a daily driver, consider the Suzuki Grand Vitara or Kia Borrego. Potential buyers should note that while the Grand Vitara is even cheaper than the Wrangler, the Borrego costs more than $5,000 extra. Of course, what you'll be getting for the money is a well-equipped interior and better 17/21 mpg fuel economy. For an off-roader with even higher fuel economy, consider the Jeep Patriot. Its 23/28 mpg economy is among the best in the compact SUV class.

For 2010, the Wrangler sees minor changes to the base model. These include newly standard fog lamps, tow hooks, a compass, an outdoor temperature gauge and an indicator that shows when you're driving economically. In addition, Jeep has modified the standard soft top to make it easier to remove. If you can live without these extras, consider buying a 2009 model. You may get a discount since dealers are making room on their lots for the 2010s. Check out the Jeep deals that may be available.

The Wrangler comes in three trim levels -- the base Sport, Sahara, and top-of-the-line Rubicon -- in either a basic two-door or an Unlimited four-door version.

• "This off-roader emphasizes rock crawling over highway comfort, and when it comes to hardcore trailblazing, it's rarely matched." -- Cars.com
• "The Unlimited is pretty good by Wrangler standards, but holds little appeal if you're not a Jeep fan." -- USA Today
• "The...Jeep Wrangler can't be beat for heritage, image and no-compromises off-road ability. But compared to some other SUVs, it lacks refinement and power." -- Edmunds
• "I appreciate having a somewhat comfortable as well as ultimately capable vehicle to take me into the places most people will never see." -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
• "The beauty of the four-door Wrangler Unlimited is that it still packs the rugged looks of the iconic two-door, but in stretched form. As long-time admirers, we enjoy the Wrangler's looks, especially sans roof, and after driving it in its natural habitat (off the beaten path), the Wrangler's capabilities never ceased to amaze." -- Autoblog

Wrangler Performance - 7.5 (Good)

Few SUVs can match the Jeep Wrangler's rugged capabilities, which are perfect for serious off-roaders, but if you want smooth or comfortable daily driving performance, the Wrangler isn't for you. "We can't forget that most of the Wrangler's wrongs are necessary to make other things right," says Automotive.com. "Of the 77 vehicles calling themselves 'SUV,' try finding even one that the Wrangler won't walk all over when the pavement ends." Read More

Wrangler Exterior - 8.3 (Very Good)

Throughout the years, the Wrangler has preserved its classic Jeep styling -- which is a favorite among reviewers. In 2007, Jeep added the four-door Unlimited model, which is the largest Wrangler ever. "The Unlimited is longer -- almost 10 inches longer -- than the regular Wrangler; two extra doors will do that to a car," says Cars.com. "It doesn't look unnaturally long or oddly proportioned, though, which is interesting because it's only about a quarter-inch wider than the two-door version. Usually when a car gets longer but not wider it looks goofy, but the Wrangler doesn't." Note that reviewers have complaints about the rear tailgate on all models. Read More

Wrangler Interior - 6.1 (Mediocre)

While the Jeep Wrangler's interior has come a long way since its use as a WWII vehicle, it's still not up to par with the competition. "Much like the rest of the Wrangler, its interior is of the rough-and-tumble variety," says Edmunds. "Although niceties like power windows and a navigation system can be added, this is still a vehicle designed to play in the dirt and mud and then be easily cleaned. We're not sure if there is a cause and effect relationship at work here, but the plastics are subsequently hard and unwelcoming -- particularly those that make up the armrests." Another drawback is that the Sport base model is one of the sparsest SUVs on the market when it comes to standard features. Read More

Wrangler Safety - 6.9 (Mediocre)

The Wrangler comes with several accident avoidance features as standard equipment. It does well in frontal crash tests, but models without the optional side air bags fare quite poorly in side crash tests conducted by the federal government. Rear visibility could also pose a hazard. Read More

Wrangler Reliability - 5.0 (Mediocre)

The 2010 Jeep Wrangler reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Jeep offers a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. Read More