2012 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON UNLIMITED: Nothing it can’t handle

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/12/2012 (4858 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Wrangler is a big sandbox toy that makes perfect sense the farther off the beaten path you go.

There is no other domestic vehicle that even comes close to the heritage, capability or brand loyalty of Jeep. To compare it to regular road vehicles or luxury four-wheelers does neither any justice. So how do we assess the Jeep Wrangler?

To understand a Jeep Wrangler, you have to love it for what it is and not hate it for what it isn’t. It isn’t beautiful; it’s rugged. It isn’t easy to get into; it’s got ample ground clearance for rocks and logs. It isn’t quiet on the open highway; it’s got a windshield as flat as the prairie that can fold flat, exposed hinges on doors that can be removed along with the canvas roof for the ultimate minimalist’s outdoor adventure.

Well, it’s a Jeep, and that brings certain design criteria with it: the round headlights, the seven vertical slots for the grille, four distinct fenders and an upright windshield. The Wrangler has all of these to please the enthusiasts of the Jeepsters.

The doors and hood are held in place by exposed hinges and rubber clamps. The hood has rubber bump stops on top to cushion the glass should you feel the need to fold the windshield flat, something I have resisted the urge to do so far.

The test Jeep was a Rubicon Unlimited model, the biggest dog in the pack with the most off-road prowess. That brings a higher ride height, a kind of badge of honour among Jeepsters, along with monster truck tires from BF Goodrich.

The Wrangler was equipped with the folding canvas soft top. Again, I will confess not taking the time to read the instructions and taking the time to fit, fold and secure the roof. It seemed more trouble than it was worth, and I’m lazy that way. Maybe if I lived at the beach, that’s when I would do it.

There are big black bumpers at each end. The front one incorporates a pair of projector-type driving lights, and there’s a full-size spare wheel and tire bolted to the rear door.

As Red Green was fond of saying, “If the women don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.” And the Jeep is as handy as a pair of rubber Billy boots in a muddy puddle.

The interior is far more refined and comfortable than the exterior would lead you to believe. The front seats are well-padded and supportive and the dashboard is simple and concise, with large dials, gauges and knobs. A padded roll cage encircles the occupants, lending an air of security, but it is a bolt-in style and not meant for off-road competition, so you will want to keep the Wrangler upright.

The big news around the campfire is the new engine under the hood for 2012. Chrysler has bolted in their new 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine, producing an impressive 285 horsepower, a significant jump compared to 202 on the previous engine. Even better is a 10 per cent hike in torque to 260 foot-pounds, very handy when rock-crawling in low-gear ratios.

The engineers at Jeep headquarters also replaced the old four-speed transmission and fitted a new five-speed unit, with the added gear allowing for better shifting and gear selection in a more fuel-efficient r.p.m. range. Off-roaders will also appreciate the lower first-gear ratio that allows the new automatic transmission to have a lower crawl ratio in off-road situations. Depending upon the Jeep model, 3.21, 3.73 and 4.10 rear-end gear ratios are available.

Even with this added power, fuel economy numbers have improved to 13.2L/100 km in the city and 10L/100 km on the highway. This is not bad for a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a toolbox.

There are tonnes of packages for 2012, with both Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited models available in Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon packages.

For those looking to do more serious off-roading, you will want the Rubicon package, with adjustable monotube shocks, front and rear Tru-Lok locking differentials, water-fording capability as deep as 76 centimetres, thanks to a raised engine air intake, sway-bar disconnection button and 32-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tires. These Rubicon models also feature a larger Dana 44 front axle paired with the Dana 44 rear and include a unique Rock-Trac NV241 two-speed transfer case, featuring a 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio. If you want any more capabilities than this, you need to buy aftermarket parts.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited is an incredibly capable off-road vehicle that deserves to take its name from the infamous trail that eats cars and trucks for fun. Driving in the urban turmoil of broken roads and heavy traffic brings mixed results. The high seating position offers good visibility and the Rubicon suspension handles the worst of Montreal’s roads and laughs it off. The tester came equipped with the manual transmission, which has a distinctly agricultural feel to it, with very long throws and a gearshift handle that shakes back and forth, threatening to kneecap you.

The extra power is very welcome in stop-and-go situations on and off the road. The long travel in the clutch pedal can be tiring when driving in traffic, but appreciated when crawling through the dirt when maximum control is required.

The rear-seat passengers have comfortable seats with a good view, but getting to them is difficult with the very narrow doors. There is some storage space behind the seats, but unless you unzip the clear vinyl rear window, you must slide items in through the short rear-door opening.

There’s nothing like a Jeep for a drive in conditions that would make most vehicles quiver in fear. Mud, rocks, snow or sand, it’s all in a day’s fun for the ultimate all-terrain Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited. Bring it on!

— Postmedia News

THE SPECS

2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited

Price: $32,495; $45,930 (as tested, plus taxes)

Engine: 3.6-litre V-6

Power: 285 hp, 260 lb.-ft. of torque

Fuel economy: 13.2 litres per 100 km (city), 10.0 litres per 100 km (highway)

Transmission: six-speed manual

Seats: five