Meanwhile, the steering is terrible; it's impossible to maintain a straight line for more than a wheel spin. The Jeep Wrangler is also highly affected by crosswinds and holding steady is unfathomable given the vague steering feel. As for handling, there is none.
The suspension is not suited for the road as it induces significant body roll anytime you turn the wheels. The brakes are so spongy, meanwhile, that the incoming winds have a better chance of slowing down the vehicle. A CN train running at full speed would probably come to a dead stop faster than the Wrangler. It's that bad.
Maintaining a Jeep is supposed to be a picnic; you take the hose, use a little soap and you're okay to go. However, as I found out, cleaning the Wrangler is a real nightmare. There are so many little corners and hidden recesses that you won't see the end of it unless you use a high-pressure washer. Of course, you can always turn to Q-tips, but then you would need to take a week off. Exterior build quality and finish are sub-par. I understand Jeep wanted to keep the macho image, but the result lacks execution and focus.
The cabin is also supposed to be a breeze to clean, but since the materials are porous and panel gaps are lined up, it's a dirt festival inside, too -- no matter how careful you are. I usually like to wash the cars I take for a road test, but I've never used that much foul language in all my past communions with a bodywork.
Competition
There are few SUVs out there offering genuine off-road capabilities. The short list includes the Hummer H3 ($35,445), Nissan Xterra S ($33,298) and Toyota FJ Cruiser ($30,350). My tester, a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, retailed for $29,195.
Wrap-up
The Wrangler is clearly not one of my favorite rides for day-to-day life. You can blast me all you want since I did the same with this Jeep. However, what seemed to me like irritating flaws will prove to be exceptional qualities when the Wrangler is used for its actual purpose, which is hitting uncharted terrain where the roads won't go. In these conditions, there simply isn't a more competent 4x4.
But since most of us work 9 to 5 at least 4-5 days a week, there's no way of avoiding pavement. The road is the biggest problem of the Jeep Wrangler. Owners have to live with every downside of every quality of this Jeep. From Monday morning through Friday night, I kept wishing for the weekend to arrive and save me.
photo:Bertrand Godin
The suspension is not suited for the road as it induces significant body roll anytime you turn the wheels. The brakes are so spongy, meanwhile, that the incoming winds have a better chance of slowing down the vehicle. A CN train running at full speed would probably come to a dead stop faster than the Wrangler. It's that bad.
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| Since the materials are porous and panel gaps are lined up, it's a dirt festival inside. |
Maintaining a Jeep is supposed to be a picnic; you take the hose, use a little soap and you're okay to go. However, as I found out, cleaning the Wrangler is a real nightmare. There are so many little corners and hidden recesses that you won't see the end of it unless you use a high-pressure washer. Of course, you can always turn to Q-tips, but then you would need to take a week off. Exterior build quality and finish are sub-par. I understand Jeep wanted to keep the macho image, but the result lacks execution and focus.
The cabin is also supposed to be a breeze to clean, but since the materials are porous and panel gaps are lined up, it's a dirt festival inside, too -- no matter how careful you are. I usually like to wash the cars I take for a road test, but I've never used that much foul language in all my past communions with a bodywork.
Competition
There are few SUVs out there offering genuine off-road capabilities. The short list includes the Hummer H3 ($35,445), Nissan Xterra S ($33,298) and Toyota FJ Cruiser ($30,350). My tester, a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, retailed for $29,195.
Wrap-up
The Wrangler is clearly not one of my favorite rides for day-to-day life. You can blast me all you want since I did the same with this Jeep. However, what seemed to me like irritating flaws will prove to be exceptional qualities when the Wrangler is used for its actual purpose, which is hitting uncharted terrain where the roads won't go. In these conditions, there simply isn't a more competent 4x4.
But since most of us work 9 to 5 at least 4-5 days a week, there's no way of avoiding pavement. The road is the biggest problem of the Jeep Wrangler. Owners have to live with every downside of every quality of this Jeep. From Monday morning through Friday night, I kept wishing for the weekend to arrive and save me.
photo:Bertrand Godin
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