Time was, the Jeep Wrangler was the "wild child" of SUVs - a military-inspired war dog meant to kick up dust and rocks in a wholesale pursuit of happiness.
Well, it's still that - but more.
Jeeps like this week's tester, a gleaming Ocean Blue Metallic Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, are just as at home in a mall parking lot as in a rocky creek-bed. In fact it's possible for our tester to live a long and fruitful life without ever venturing down a dirt road.
It's hard to imagine someone driving this $51,215 SUV from the showroom immediately onto a back-country road, where rocks will chip its gleaming paint and mud may tarnish its plush tan leather.
Off-roading may ultimately be its mission, but - please - not until the new wears off.
When Jeep redesigned the Wrangler last year, it sanded off some of the vehicle's endearing, but rough, edges. The end result is a Jeep for a new generation of older owners. With an upscale interior, better build quality and a smooth, turbo-charged engine, the Wrangler has come a long way in drivability and refinement.
FAST FACTS
Model: 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4X4Exterior color: Ocean Blue MetallicInterior color: Black/TanEngine: 2.0-liter, turbo, four-cylinderHorsepower: 270Transmission: eight-speed automaticFuel economy: 24 mpg highway, 22 mpg cityLocal Dealer: Crown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat; Mountain View Chrysler Dodge Jeep (Ringgold)Price (as tested): $51,215
We get the idea that the life-cycle of a $50,000-plus 2019 Wrangler involves several years of pampering by an older upper-middle class owner, followed by decades of top-down fun and frivolity in the hands of a progression of younger drivers, until it lands in the driveway of a (not yet born) 16-year-old in about 2035.
Crown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat in Chattanooga and Mountain View Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Ringgold, Ga., are your local dealer for Jeeps. Late last week the two dealerships had more than three dozen Jeep Wrangler Unlimited models in their combined digital inventories.
WHAT IS IT?
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara is a fancy four-door, five-passenger version of America's original off-road SUV.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
The Unlimited comes in four trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon, in a price range of about $33,000 to $53,000. The top-of-the-line Rubicon is outfitted especially for off-road duty.
WHY IT'S GOOD FOR CHATTANOOGANS
Why not have the best SUV ever to explore the outdoors surrounding the Best Town Ever? Whether you're paddling the Ocoee or testing a hang-glider on Lookout mountain, the Wrangler Safari is your all-purpose outdoors companion.
WHAT WE LIKED
The radiant blue paint, the leather trimmed seats ($1,495), the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine ($1,000), and safety tech features such as adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with auto-stop ($795).
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ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Like a drafty house, the Wrangler Sahara takes a little extra time to cool off on hot days. The premium audio group ($1,595) competes with ambient noises inherent to a soft-top Wrangler.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
The peppy engine and composed ride make the new Wranglers better commuter cars. We could actually see our tester being a family-of-five's daily driver.
BOTTOM LINE
Our tester's bottom line ($51,215) is a lot of coin for a recreational vehicle. But the Wrangler's high price is mitigated by industry-leading resale values, making the actual cost of ownership much less than you'd think.
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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.