Is the TJ Unlimited as capable off-road as the base TJ? While it would have been easier to tell if Jeep had made a regular
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| While up to the task, the longer wheelbase and lower ground clearance means you have to take a little extra care while off-roading. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
wheelbase TJ available to test back-to-back on the same course, it's pretty safe to speculate that its lower ground clearance, at 211 mm (8.3 inches) compared to 224 mm (8.8 inches), lesser approach and departure angle at 41.3 and 27.7 degrees respectively compared to the regular TJ's 41.8/31.3 degree rating, slightly lower breakover angle of 21.4 degrees compared to 22.3 degrees, and longer span between the two axles, will make the Unlimited easier to hang up when cresting ridges or traversing rocky, stump strewn roads. That was the complaint off-roaders gave when Jeep came out with the CJ-7, and that just based on the extended wheelbase. Also, its slightly larger turning diameter of 11.0 meters (36 feet) over the regular TJ's 10.2 meter (33.5 foot) radius, could make maneuvering extremely narrow roadways a little tougher, but not by much. Truly, if you're going to be tackling the Rubicon Trail on a regular basis, which all Jeeps are designed to literally pass through with flying colors, then you may want to opt for the regular wheelbase version. Still, the new Unlimited manages the 20 degree breakover angle threshold, a minimum guideline for serious off-road driving, which should suffice for all but the most ardent off-roaders. For me, choosing the much more versatile Unlimited would be easy. The extra 381 mm (15 inches) of length which translates into 330
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| With all the extra room, choosing the much more versatile Unlimited should be easy. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
mm (13 inches) of added cargo space would be reason enough. Then factor in that the remaining 51 mm (2 inches) has been used to lengthen legroom in the back, and it's a no-brainer - my single days are well over. I also like the way the front seats pop up and out of the way to make getting in and out of the rear seats easy. How much extra room does the new Unlimited offer over the regular TJ? From behind the rear seat, available space has grown from 337 liters (11.9 cubic feet) to 835 liters (29.5 cubic feet), which is well over twice as much. Fold and tumble the rear seat and the cargo area increases from 719 liters (25.4 cubic feet) to 1,218 liters (43.0 cubic feet), and with the rear seat removed a total of 1,812 liters (64.0) is available, which is a total of 478 liters (16.9 cubic feet) more storage space than when configuring the base TJ the same way. That, incidentally, is about the size of a midsize to large sedan's trunk.
