Under-challenged on asphalt

The Jeep Wrangler is not a soft-washed SUV, but a real SUV. Asphaltbeläge he does not like that.

They still exist: real off-roaders. No more or less soft-washed SUV, but vehicles that dig through dirt and mud and with which you should have no fear of steep uphill and downhill even slippery stone paths and water-flooded passages. Such is the now available in the fourth generation Jeep Wrangler. It comes in a two-door short version and in a 55 centimeter longer version. This four-door bumper-to-bumper 4,88 meter is marketed as Wrangler Unlimited. In the equipment variant "Sahara" for at least 56.000 Euro, he should show what he has on it.  

Unlike the reference to the largest desert in the world suggests, the Wrangler in the Sahara edition is not the vehicle for the rocky-sandy-coarse, but in comparison to "Sport" and "Rubicon" the more comfortable companion. The Sahara dares to do the splits of giving a mobile home to hardcore SUV fans and comfort-oriented supporters of the Jeep brand.

Angular and edgy, the new, unmistakably a descendant of the legendary Jeep models. The grille with its seven upright slots, the round headlights, the eye-catching door hinges, the steep windshield and the spare wheel mounted on the outside of the rear door are design quotes from the company's history. Even a good, free-floating antenna is part of the authentic appearance. The fact that the Wrangler is a modern vehicle for all genealogy is shown, among other things, by the LED lights in the classic round headlights. And the rims are unmistakably modern. Chic 18 Zöller Alus cause a stir from the factory. For the purists: There are no all-weather tires, but all-terrain tires that are a compromise between road and off-road use.

Anyone who has pulled himself up on the handles in the interior, on the comfortable (extra charge) leather stalls settles and lets look at the dashboard, sees immediately that the Wrangler in 21. Century has arrived. Start button instead of ignition, a large display and a digital cockpit await the driver. Of course with a connectivity system including Apple Car and Android car and rear view camera. Also on board are a navigation system for the road and of course one for the area with information on inclination and roll angle, air pressure and altitude. The space of the four-door is more than tidy. The trunk (533 to 1.044 liter) is also suitable for larger transport tasks.

In order not to forget the Jeep roots, despite all the modern extras, every time "Jeep since 1941" lights up in the instrument display when starting the engine. On the head of the automatic lever is also a stylized original Jeep to see. This memory is not necessary. By means of the second shift lever located next to the shift lever, different drive modes from rear to four-wheel drive with additional terrain reduction can be selected. So you could, if for example a member of an off-road club, owner of a gravel pit or private forest owner, to your heart's content and as far as the ladder frame construction and rigid axles wear test the off-road ability of the Wrangler.

Since we can not tick off any of the above options, snowy and icy dirt roads had to be enough in wintry conditions. But even with these easy tasks, the Wrangler seemed to flourish. Finally a task, if not particularly difficult. Like a highly gifted child, who is under-challenged in the regular school and often acts annoyed and bockig, the off-roader seems to be bored in the street and is happy to show his displeasure with this demanding task. The steep dirt roads he took as a simple warm-up exercise playful.

On the street, on the other hand, he struggles to convey playful lightness. Just as the rigid axle with its robustness in the area is at an advantage, it shows its disadvantages on the road. The ride comfort is of course not comparable to that of a comfort-tuned SUV. In addition, loud wind, engine and tire noise penetrate into the vehicle interior. On the other hand, that's just part of a Wrangler, and there are other vehicles for Wimps.

The 2,1-liter diesel with 147 kW / 200 PS is a rough fellow, but offers plenty of torque. 450 Nm convey not only on the road pulling power, but are also in the field, guarantor for sovereign getting through. In addition, up to 2,5 tons of towing capacity are allowed here. Thanks to the somewhat inaccurate steering, it feels more comfortable on the highway than on winding country roads. The eight-speed automatic but always works inconspicuously in the background and changes the gears harmoniously. Until Tempo 120 gives the jeep a pleasant travel companion. If you drive faster, it will not only be really loud - the hardtop does not filter out the outside noise very well, but the engine is also thirsty. 12 liters then rush through the lines, a good four more than the standard pretends. With relaxed cruising, the consumption leveled off at 10,3 liters.

For fans of the brand who do not see themselves as inveterate off-roaders, the Wrangler offers another reason to buy. With him not only the hardtop can be removed, but also fold the windshield and remove the doors completely. This creates a kind of convertible with fresh air from all sides. That could also be the one or the other wimp liked.

Jeep Wrangler Sahara 2.2 CRD - Specifications:

Four-door, five-seater SUV, length: 4,88 meters, width: 1,89 meters (width with outside mirrors: not specified), height: 1,84 meters, wheelbase: 3,01 meters, trunk volume: 533 - 1.044 liters

2,1-liter diesel, 147 kW / 200 PS, four-wheel, eight-speed automatic, maximum torque: 450 Nm at 2.000 rpm, Vmax: 180 km / h, 0-100 km / h: 9,6 s, average consumption: 7,9 l / 100 km, CO2 output: 209 g / km, emission standard: Euro 6d-temp, efficiency class: B, test consumption: 10,3 l / 100 km

Price from: 56.000 Euro

Brief description:

Why: because he is a real Jeep

Why not: because you do not own a private forest and rather a sissy

What else: Mercedes G-Class, Toyota Land Cruiser, a used Land Rover Defender