"BrownMiataDieselWagon" (opporamblings)
07/04/2014 at 09:00 • Filed to: review, jeep, jeep wrangler, oppositelock review
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"BrownMiataDieselWagon" (opporamblings)
07/04/2014 at 09:00 • Filed to: review, jeep, jeep wrangler, oppositelock review | 7
| 6 |
After my previous daily driver (my uncle's YJ) !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to the point of no repair, my parents and I decided that it was about time that I have my own car, my first car. I have always loved the great outdoors and camping, so I decided that I wanted a SUV capable of taking me to the places I want to go, but at the same time capable of being a daily driver. After days of researching and test driving various SUV models, I decided on this 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport S.
Haven taken it off-roading in the wilderness (an Illinois state park counts alright?) already in the first few weeks of ownership, I can say that I am completely satisfied with the vehicle's off-road abilities. It's unfazed by small bumps, rocks, and muddy trails. So far, it has taken me wherever I have wanted to go. There's no denying the legendary capability of the Wrangler; it can do much, much more than what I have so far put mine through.
However, like I said, this car doubles as my daily driver, so it will spend a majority of its time crawling through busy urban, Chicago streets. And it seems like every automotive magazine/blog has their version of Wrangler off-road praise already. So, here's my slightly-biased ON-ROAD review of my Jeep:
( Full Disclosure: Jeep sold this particular Wrangler Sport S to some guy in Pennsylvania in 2012. Two years later, my parents and I bought it in Indiana for my first car. Jeep didn't badly want me to drive it. I don't think Jeep really cares whether I own it or not.)
'MURICA
Exterior: (8/10)
The body of the JK-generation of the Wrangler has gotten significantly bigger and a bit bloated, compared to its predecessors. But with that said, it's still a Jeep. The exterior styling of this car is what you would expect: box on wheels. It's still one of the most recognizable vehicles on the road.
17-inch wheels and 32-inch tires make the Wrangler sit taller than most other small SUVs and crossovers. The optional tubular steel sidesteps that my Wrangler came with are practically cosmetic decorations as they do not assist with getting into the car at all because they are level with the floor of the car.
An overall length of 153 inches for the 2-door model makes the JK Wrangler shorter than the current generation of MINI Coopers, which means that parallel parking on these Chicago streets is slightly less of a hassle.
Interior: (6/10)
An interior overhaul for the JK-generation Wrangler came in 2011. This refresh completely changed the look of the cabin, as well as adding more premium materials all around, such as soft-touch plastics and a leather shifter boot. Leather-wrapped steering wheel and chrome-trimmed shift-knob were options for the Sport S trim, but the previous owner decided against it.
Nonetheless, both the steering wheel and shifter feels sturdy and well-constructed. Overall, the ergonomics of the 2012 Wrangler make sense; everything is where it's supposed to be. The knobs, buttons, and switches are gigantic and easily operable while wearing gloves. The interior doesn't feel cheap, which is a huge improvement over pre-2011 JK's. But it's far from being a luxury vehicle.
UPDATE: It will NOT knee. The steering wheel/seating position prevents you from doing so.
Acceleration: (7/10)
Another improvement made to the current-generation JK Wranglers came in 2012 when Chrysler replaced the old 3.8L minivan motor with the 3.6L Pentastar with variable valve timing. The Pentastar engine is the same one used in other Chrysler vehicles such as the Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Jeep Grand Cherokee, etc. except in the Wrangler, the alternator is reversed and mounted higher for better water-fording.
The new engine produces 285hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, with 96% of the total torque available at 2000 rpm. Paired with the six-speed manual transmission, the Wrangler can accelerate to 60mph in 8.4 seconds with the stock 3.21 rear axle gearing. Now 0-60 in 8.4 sec may seem underwhelming, but for a stock Wrangler, it's unheard of. I was certainly surprised by how quick it felt the first time I merged onto the highway. If you consider the fact that the Wrangler has the worst coefficient of drag (~.50) of any passenger vehicle sold in America today, 8.4 seconds is a miracle.
Braking: (5/10)
It stops eventually.
The good: pedal feel, 4-wheel disc brakes, 4-wheel ABS.
Ride: (7/10)
"Not as bad as you'd imagine" is how I would describe the ride. It goes over bumps/potholes in the road very well and you can do so with confidence. The off-road suspension soaks up most of the imperfections of the road but you're still aware of their existence.
However, the noise issue is pretty bad. The JK-generation Wrangler is the most refined in terms of sound insulation, but it's still pretty bad. With the soft top, you get constant road noise, wind noise, engine noise, and most annoyingly, the noise that the rear door makes every time you go over a bump. This is not the car to get if you have sensitive ears. At 50+ mph, passengers have to use their "outdoor voices" for conversation inside the Wrangler. With all of this said, the ride and noise is understandable and easily tolerable if you're a Jeep person.
Wrangler owners know exactly what they're getting themselves into.
Handling: (3/10)**
3700 lb. curb weight, RWD (sort of), 50/50 weight distribution, 95 inch wheelbase, 2+2 seating, 4-wheel disc brakes, 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission, fully defeatable traction control.
So what did I just describe? A sports car right?
Nope. It's the JK Wrangler, the antonym of "sports car", the furthest thing imaginable. This car does not like to do anything except go in a straight line, and it even has a tough time doing that. There is a lot of body roll through the corners due to body-on-frame construction and 2 solid axles. Making a turn at any speed above 25mph feels and probably is dangerous. However, the turning radius is quite small. On the highway, it drifts in and out of the lane if you don't pay close enough attention. Top speed is hypothetically 100mph but anything over 85mph is a bad idea. Steering is overboosted and feedback is nonexistent.
3.73 rear axle gearing and a limited-slip rear differential are optional.
Gearbox: (7/10)
The 2012 Wrangler came with a standard 6-speed manual light-truck transmission. It's the NSG370 made by Mercedes-Benz. The throws are long, somewhat vague, and it takes some effort to move the shifter around. However, the clutch is surprisingly light, a bit too light in my opinion, when compared to previous generation Wranglers. It's geared nicely and easy to drive around town. One complaint is that the clutch engagement point is very vague and very high up on the pedal travel. Overall, a good transmission.
Audio: (4/10)
If you are okay of listening to engine noise, wind noise, and road noise, you'll tolerate the Wrangler. Having the soft top means you'll hear a lot of that when the car is in motion. The Sport S came standard with a "6" speaker sound system, and I say "6" because this counts the two little sound pods mounted on the dash. It's not a bad system, it's just that you'll have plenty of unwanted sounds to go along with the music you're playing.
One of the 2 sound pod things
Toys: (3/10)**
All the toys are here.
Air conditioning, AM/FM/satellite(optional) radio, auxiliary jack, single disc CD-player, steering wheel mounted cruise control buttons, 4 cupholders, Sunrider convertible top are all the toys you get in the "Sport S" trim. Manual windows, manual locks, manual mirrors without defrost, etc. It's all part of the car's character and appeal to be so simplistic and utilitarian.
Value: (8/10)**
Not a lot of cargo room.
There's truly nothing else like the Wrangler. It just has the cool factor and it makes you feel like a total boss when driving around in it. That's one of the reasons why I picked it. It screams "'MURICA!" and that's something priceless. Aftermarket parts aplenty. Gas mileage is good; I'm averaging 14.5mpg city/ 20 highway. Resale value on Wranglers are also pretty darn good.
Only complaints so far: it takes roughly 45 seconds to break into (personal experience, locked my keys inside once). The Pentastar (Pentashit) engine has a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! which needs to be replaced soon. Thankfully it's under warranty.
Overall Score: (58/100)
"Except for the Porsche 911, no vehicle has preserved its purity of essence like the Jeep Wrangler, an original creation as American as jazz and Kim Kardashian's ass." –Justin Hyde, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport combines fun, utility, and off-road capabilities while having the attributes of being a great daily-driver. It is the perfect vehicle for me, a city kid that loves to explore the great outdoors. This review might have been a little biased but that's because this 2012 Jeep Wrangler is MY first car and I love it.
HAPPY JULY 4th!
Engine: 3.6L Pentastar V6
Power: 285 hp, 260 lb.-ft. torque
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
0-60 Time: 8.4 seconds
Drivetrain: Four-wheel drive
Curb Weight: 3760 lbs.
Seating: 4 people
MPG: 17 city, 21 highway (19 combined)
MSRP: $22,395 (USD)
*Pictures taken from my camera, I don't know how to get rid of the date in the corner
AM3R
> BrownMiataDieselWagon
07/03/2014 at 23:51 |
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my sister wants to get a wrangler (I talked her into at least getting a 6 speed!) but she was mainly looking at Unlimiteds. How usable are the rear seats in the 2 door JK's?
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BrownMiataDieselWagon
> AM3R
07/04/2014 at 00:03 |
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They're wide but there's not enough legroom for anyone 6'0" or taller (I'm 6'4" and I definitely don't fit in the back). The front passenger seat raises forward for easier access but getting in and out is still somewhat of a hassle. Completely different story for the Unlimited models.
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AM3R
> BrownMiataDieselWagon
07/04/2014 at 00:06 |
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yeah ive been in a fair share of Unlimiteds. I love jeeps, not sure if I could own one without having a second car like an S2k or miata. It's easier for me to carve up backroads than to off-road lol
Vicente Esteve
> BrownMiataDieselWagon
07/04/2014 at 10:11 |
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That is exactly how a Wrangler should be ordered. It is the Wrangler thats most true to its roots. New 4 door Wranglers with the leather seats, heated steering wheel and the HORRID 5 hole wheels (Like a GTI) is just for posers. Yours, is the real deal that gets to go to what it was designed for, very nice car and an experience people have to live.
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BrownMiataDieselWagon
> Vicente Esteve
07/04/2014 at 10:48 |
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Thank you, kind sir.
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Vicente Esteve
> BrownMiataDieselWagon
07/04/2014 at 11:04 |
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Oh, and fantastic wheel cover!