To say the Jeep Wrangler is extremely capable off-road is to state the obvious.
A more helpful piece of information is that the newest Wranglers do a dang good job on the highway, too.
The old downside to Wrangler’s supreme off-road worthiness was an on-highway ride similar to being inside a rock tumbler. Because of that, most Wrangler owners were insensate young people, or less unworldly owners who typically bought Wranglers as a supplemental vehicle – you know, for fun and adventure – not as their primary transportation.
Thanks to big improvements in its highway behavior, Wrangler has moved into primary vehicle territory. It can be a daily commuter as well as a partner on rugged all-season outdoor excursions. Kind of like having a lawnmower that also plays tennis.
Let’s be clear. Blindfolded passengers in a new Wrangler wouldn’t guess they were in a luxury sedan. A friend who took a short ride with me in my Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon tester said, “I didn’t know they still made buckboards.” But I must mention that he’s a Barcalounger enthusiast. After driving two freeway trips of nearly four hours each, at energetic speeds, my informed opinion is that the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is comfortable on the highway. Yes, comfortable. Not just bearable.
In the Jeep lineup, the Wrangler is a two-door; the four-door version is called Wrangler Unlimited. There are various trim levels between them, along with hard top or soft top options. The windshield folds down and doors and tops are removable on all versions.
My tester was a 2015 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock, the Hard Rock Edition being a new Rubicon trim level for 2015. It’s outfitted for the most challenging off-road situations such as rock climbing, and in that regard is the most capable model.
A robust 3.6-liter V6 engine is standard, generating 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It can be paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional five-speed automatic. EPA fuel economy ratings are 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway with a manual gearbox, and 17/20 mpg with an automatic.
Standard features not intrinsic to off-roading include air conditioning, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, tilt steering wheel with audio controls, and Chrysler’s Uconnect infotainment system with eight speakers delivering sensational sound.
The tester was embellished with almost $10,000 worth of options, including a profusion of appearance and technology upgrades, heated front seats, a five-speed automatic transmission, 4.10 axle ratio, three-piece Freedom hard top, and remote start system.
My off-road proving grounds for the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock were along California’s Central Coast, where my five siblings and I were having a reunion at a house right on the beach in Oceano, home of Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. I gave everyone Wrangler rides along the beach, and it was Grown-up Disneyland for all of us. Only one of my four brothers, Dave, is a genuine car guy, a gearhead, motorcycle aficionado (including dirt bikes) and all-around thrill seeker. When everyone else went back to the house for microbrews and merlots, Dave and I took the Wrangler Unlimited out to the sand dunes and lived it up. Bottomless soft sand is about as difficult as it gets. The only other vehicles we saw on the dunes were Wranglers and non-street-legal buggies.
The next day, Dave and I removed the Wrangler Unlimited’s three-piece Freedom hard top, which stows inside a protective sack and fits perfectly on the rear cargo area floor. Then we drove inland to Los Padres National Forest, where a steep, deeply rutted and rock-strewn trail was a snap for the Wrangler. And enormous fun for us.
My brother Rick, who lives in Tucson, wanted to write a few unsolicited words about his impression of the Jeep. As guest reviewer, here’s what he has to say: “My wife and I have always been owners of sedans. Our recent experience in a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has given us second thoughts. Its versatility, ruggedness, and just plain pleasure to be in have made the Rubicon a must-shop for us. We’ve never seen one vehicle so comprehensively suitable for our American way of life, blending comfort to ride in with fearlessness in enjoying our beautiful outdoors. And the many features were an ongoing surprise.”
2015 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED RUBICON HARD ROCK
- Base price, including destination charge: $36,390
- Price as driven: $46,345
Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who has been reviewing cars for more than 20 years. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a board member of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.
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