And this is important, as even
Jeep TJ buyers don't spend as much time battling the unknown wilderness as they do the concrete
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| Although not available with ABS, the Unlimited's standard 4-wheel disc brakes are up to the task, stopping the heavier Jeep quickly and without commotion. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
jungle. This is one of the reasons Jeep has steadily improved the TJ, much better than the old rectangular-headlight YJ that delivered a spine-jarring ride. I took the long-wheelbase TJ out for a spin on the racetrack too, as it was there and I figured, why not? Not the high-speed oval, as that wasn't available for our use and would have been a dreadful bore in anything less than the Viper as it was, but a twisting, turning little road course that winds its way through the treed grounds. OK, the stretched TJ didn't stimulate the go-fast senses like some of the other Chrysler Group products offered for testing, but just the same it handled the course with greater poise than any Jeep would have previously, proving that the model is quite well suited to daily driving. Its 4-wheel disc brakes also were up to the task, stopping the heavier Unlimited quickly and without commotion. Still, no antilock braking system (ABS) is available, which means stopping on wet pavement could prove less stable than in other SUVs which offer the popular safety feature.
It's even better suited for the daily grind, however, if you happen to work outside of city limits. The domestic automaker's
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| Steep muddy hills, rocky crags and long swampy puddles provided the opportunity to test the TJ Unlimited's mettle. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Proving Grounds would hardly be complete without a reasonably challenging off-road course, and such was provided. Of course, being that not all journalists were weaned on backcountry paths (my Dad taught me to drive on unpopulated dirt roads when I was, well, not exactly driving age), the trails were not overly taxing. Serious off-roading can be overwhelming enough for seasoned wilderness buffs let alone first-timers after all. Still, the chosen trail posed enough of a challenge. Steep muddy hills, rocky crags and long swampy puddles provided the opportunity to test the TJ Unlimited's mettle, and as expected the "Trail Rated" Jeep, complete with standard Command-Trac part-time 4WD, walked through all that was thrown in its way as if it was a park to be strolled through.
