2009 Jeep Wrangler
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Summary
Few vehicles are better off-road than a Jeep Wrangler. Traceable
to the original Jeep, the Wrangler is the very symbol of off-road
capability. The Wrangler was redesigned for the 2007 model year. At
the same time, the four-door Wrangler Unlimited was added to the
lineup. It's much more comfortable and convenient, offering more
cargo and rear-seat passenger space.
Still, the traditional two-door Wrangler has its charms. All
Wranglers have a 3.8-liter V6 engine; there is no four-cylinder
engine available. The standard six-speed manual fits the Wrangler's
personality, but the optional four-speed automatic is more
convenient. We can't imagine getting a Wrangler without the highly
capable four-wheel-drive, a part-time system that includes low-range
gearing, but there are two-wheel-drive Unlimited models available.
2009 Lineup
The 2009 Jeep Wrangler and four-door Wrangler Unlimited are
offered in Wrangler X, Sahara and Rubicon trim. In all versions, the
3.8-liter V6 engine develops 202 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of
torque. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard. A four-speed
automatic transmission is optional ($825).
All two-door models come with four-wheel drive (4WD). The
Unlimited X and Unlimited Sahara are available with rear-wheel drive
(2WD) or 4WD. Rubicon models come standard with four-wheel drive.
The Wrangler X ($20,460) comes with the basic soft top, vinyl
upholstery, center console, theft deterrent system, folding rear
seat, locking glove box, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, tilt
steering wheel, six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, skid plates to protect
the transfer case and fuel tank, and P225/75R16 all-terrain tires on
steel wheels. Options for the Wrangler X include air conditioning
($895), a Black Appearance Group ($620), a Chrome Edition Group
($920), and a 3.73:1 axle ratio ($50) instead of the standard ratio
of 3.21.1.
The Wrangler X S trim level ($23,445) adds P255/75R17 tires on
alloy wheels, and its options include a limited-slip differential
($295), the Dual Top Group ($1,695), Sirius Satellite Radio ( $195),
tubular side steps ($395), Infinity sound system ($395), front
seat-mounted side airbags ($490), tinted windows ($300), the Power
Convenience Group (power windows, power door locks, and remote
keyless entry; $585), an AM/FM six-disc in-dash DVD/MP3 player
($350), and trailer towing ($320).
Wrangler Sahara ($26,045) adds a height-adjustable driver's seat,
front-seat map pockets, monotube shock absorbers, stain-repellant
fabric, air conditioning, Infinity sound system, and P255/70 R18
tires on machined alloy rims. Wrangler Rubicon ($28,565) is the
model for serious off-roading. To the Sahara, it adds an
electronic-disconnecting front anti-roll bar, the Rock-Trac
heavy-duty transfer case, a heavy-duty front axle, Tru-Lok
electronic locking front and rear differentials, a 4:10 axle ratio,
rock rails and other equipment intended for the serious off-roader.
The four-door Unlimited X has either 2WD ($22,815) or 4WD ($23,990).
Standard equipment includes all that the two-door X offers, plus
cloth upholstery, height-adjustable driver's seat, split-folding
rear seat, Sunrider soft top, heavier-duty Dana 44 rear axle,
21.6-gallon fuel tank, and air conditioning. It offers all the
options as the two-door X and two-door Sahara.
The Unlimited Sahara 2WD ($27,520) and 4WD ($28,695) are equipped
like the two-door Sahara, except power door locks, power windows and
remote keyless entry are standard.
Safety features that come standard include dual front airbags,
tire-pressure monitor, anti-lock brakes, traction control,
electronic stability control with rollover mitigation. Seat-mounted
front side airbags for torso protection are optional.
The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most widely recognizable vehicles
in the world. Most important, Wranglers have always had a distinct
family resemblance to the original Jeep of World War II fame.
The standard soft top is relatively easy to remove and install.
The optional three-piece modular hardtop (Freedom Top) has two front
panels that easily pop on and off like a T-top, and can be stored
behind the rear seat. The third panel over the rear seat can be
removed separately and stored in the garage. Wide-spaced frame rails
cradle the fuel tank between the wheels.
Features and Interior Styling
Wranglers have traditionally been known as cramped inside. The
current Jeep Wrangler two-door is a lot roomier inside than pre-2007
models, thanks to its increased width. The comfortable high-back
front seats offer more shoulder and hip room than
previous-generation models, and the removable rear seat provides
more shoulder, hip and leg room for each of the two passengers. The
larger Unlimited offers more than 80 cubic feet of cargo space with
the rear seat folded flat. In the rear seat, the Unlimited offers
1.6 more inches of leg room and a whopping 12 inches more hip room
than two-door models. That also greatly improves the ride for
rear-seat riders in the Unlimited.
The materials are made of sturdy plastic that works well in the
utilitarian Wrangler.
Located under the sound system controls are big climate-control
knobs, with buttons for available power windows above that.
Between the seats are the shift lever, a short four-wheel-drive
lever, two cupholders, emergency brake handle, and a console that's
wide and deep, if not long. The locking glove box is pretty big and
there's a convenient grab handle above it. The modular Freedom Top
for the Unlimited features sections that easily lift off and can be
stored behind the rear seat. Cargo space is not unlimited in the
Unlimited. We couldn't fit four carry-on-sized bags behind the rear
seat.
First Drive 2009
If you've never owned or driven a Wrangler, you might think it's
twitchy and choppy. Compared to the last-generation Wrangler, the
wheelbase is longer and the front and rear tracks are wider, the
chassis has been stiffened and the suspension redesigned. The
Wrangler X uses 16-inch tires, also on/off-road, but the shocks are
low-pressure, so that combination might offer a slightly smoother
ride.
The Wrangler Unlimited would have been a different animal on this
road. When we drove the Unlimited around Lake Tahoe, there were a
lot of other Jeeps on the road, and our four-door never failed to
turn heads. The two-door Wrangler should be even more capable.
2009 First Conclusions
The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most capable off-road vehicles
available today. Its four-wheel drive system also offers all-weather
capability and its convertible body style offers open-air fun. The
Unlimited body style has greater cargo capacity, making the Wrangler
more practical. You'll give up a lot of ride and handling prowess,
as well as fuel mileage, but the Wrangler is fun.