End of the Road in the 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4X4
So, how did the Wrangler fare in my little experiment? Could I live with a Wrangler as my sole means of transportation? For me, the simple answer has to be no. Your answer will depend on how much time you spend off of the pavement. The Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is a great starting point for an off-roader, with great bones and some fantastic features built right in. Serious off-roaders will want to modify, improve, accessorize and personalize their Wranglers to achieve the dirt performance of their dreams. But if you spend most of your time on the pavement and in traffic, the Wrangler is just a step above a motorcycle in terms of comfort and convenience. I haven't even mentioned the deafening road and wind noise you have to endure in the Wrangler, top up or top down, or the mediocre gas mileage (14 mpg city/18 mpg highway).So, which vehicles offer a better compromise between off- and on-road performance? Close in price to the Wrangler, Jeep's own Grand Cherokee is a great all-around SUV. Nissan's Xterra, Toyota's 4Runner and HUMMER's H3 all manage the road well, and have good off-road chops.
For pure off-roading, the 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4X4 is the king. For all-around everyday driving, I'd settle for the prince.
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The next Wrangler, the 2007 Wrangler Rubicon
