The interior of the Jeep Wrangler emphasizes function over style.FAST FACTS
* Model: 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4X4* Exterior color: Baja Yellow* Interior color: Black* Engine: 3.6-liter V-6* Horsepower: 285* Transmission: five-speed automatic* Fuel economy: 20 mpg highway, 16 mpg city* Dealer: Moss Motors, South Pittsburg, Tenn.* Price (as tested): $34,520
There's something about a Jeep Wrangler - its doors and roof panels jettisoned - that's the automotive embodiment of the American dream.
Tough, unbridled and unapologetic, the Wrangler is a capable off-roader that might just be the best investment on the road. (If you can ever call a depreciating asset an investment.)
Unlike most new vehicles, which typically lose more than half their value in the first five years of ownership, the average Wrangler retains 74 percent of its original MSRP after five years, according to IntelliChoice, a company which tracks the used-vehicle market. That's an astonishing fact and a testament to the Wrangler's enduring popularity. Jeep still sells more than 130,000 Wranglers a year.
Our tester this week is a four-door Wrangler, which Jeep calls the Unlimited, from Moss Motors in South Pittsburg, Tenn. A two-door variant is available, too, but the Unlimited is a more practical option to spread the joy of owning America's No. 1 fun-mobile.
Jeep's new Renegade compact SUV will attract young buyers, and the popular Cherokee crossover series is a favorite of suburbanites. But the Wrangler represents the spirit of the company. Its DNA goes back to WWII, although today's Wranglers are a far cry mechanically from those old, mid-century military vehicles.
Our tester, equipped with four-wheel drive, stickers for $34,520 before discounts. A base, two-door Sport unit starts at $22,995, while a fully dressed Unlimited Rubicon lists for $40,995. Using the 74-percent rule, our $34,520 tester would still be worth $25,544 on the resale market in five years.
The Nissan Xterra and Toyota FJ Cruiser are the only rugged SUVs that play in the same league with the Wrangler, and neither of those offers the open-air options that define the Jeep.
STYLING AND FEATURES
Describe the Wrangler's styling?
OK, this won't take long. It looks like a vehicle designed by plastic Army men. A tall collection of right angles, squarish windows and bulging fenders, the Wrangler is a retro-mobile that's built for function, not style. Aerodynamic it's not. But styling is not the point. The Wrangler's stance gives it a rugged appearance that begs for weekends filled with boulder-hopping and creek jumping.
Our tester's one concession to style is its neon, yellow paint that says "look at me." The seats in our tester are covered in durable black fabric. The Wrangler Unlimited is a true five-seater, and there's 31 cubic feet of cargo area behind the second row. Flatten the second-row seats and the cargo space doubles.
You won't find as much high-tech gadgetry on the Wrangler as the more-refined Jeeps, but it has the basics: power door locks and windows, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, steering wheel mounted audio controls and an eight-speaker audio system that can connect to your smart phone or MP3 player. There's also a free six-month subscription to satellite radio.
The Wrangler is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that makes 285 horsepower. A manual transmission is standard, and a 5-speed automatic ($1,350) is optional. Fuel economy is rated at 16 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Thankfully, it also has a big, 22.5 gas gallon tank to extend its range between fill-ups.
Our tester comes with a three-piece hard-top which can be popped off when the weather permits. There are also roof panels that can be jettisoned to let the sunshine in. Our Unlimited tester also comes with deep-tint windows and 17-inch wheels.
Properly equipped, the Wrangler Unlimited can tow up to 3,500 pounds. There are three Wrangler Unlimited trim levels available: Sport, Sahara and Rubicon.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Wrangler drivers are the kind of people who are willing to give up a little refinement for a true, off-road machine. Because of its tall architecture and heavy-duty axles and suspension parts, the Wrangler is a bit floaty on the highway. Still, it is much quieter than we imagined, and strikes us as a perfectly serviceable daily commuter.
The on-demand four-wheel-drive system can be activated on the fly, and should be sufficient for just about any off-road challenge your heart (and courage) can handle. Off-roading tires are part of the Sport S option package ($3,200), which also includes most of the Wrangler's power options.
On our test drive around South Pittsburg, our bright yellow tester drew lots of attention. While we didn't take it off the road, the temptation to hop a curb and head for the woods was always there.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
If you drive a lot, the Wrangler comes with a nice perk, a five-year, 100,000-mile power-train warranty. We'd suggest you drive the heck out of one for five years, recoup 75 percent of your money, and get back in line in time for a new-generation Wrangler later this decade.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.