• List price: $31,230 • Price as driven: $35,985 • Average MPG - 17.4

Likes:

• Spacious interior • Safety features • Nifty features/options

Dislikes:

• Navigation system • Cramped third row seating.

Introduction The venerable Jeep is now in its seventh decade having first been produced for use in World War II. Originally called GP (quickly say the letters together, you'll get it): G for government and P because it's an 80" wheelbase reconnaissance car and just happened to fall on the letter "p" in the alphabet when naming various models. Few vehicles are as instantly recognizable as Jeep, and the Volkswagen Beetle. The Wrangler isn't about the luxuries required on certain upscale SUVs that are unlikely to be seen off road, intentionally getting muddy. No, the Wrangler is about weekends rambling in the White Mountains or rock climbing in Box Canyon.

Model lineup For 2003 five models of the Jeep Wrangler are available: SE ($16,825); X ($19,845); Sport ($21,655); Sahara ($25.245); Rubicon ($25,420). Our tester the X is a step up from the base SE and comes with the much more powerful 4.0-liter 190 horsepower six-cylinder engine. At a minimum, I recommend choosing the X model for the six-cylinder and added comfort features. All models include fold down windshield, removable doors and top, and weatherproof interior.

Exterior styling Exterior appearance is classic Jeep Wrangler. Little has changed over the years including the six-bar vertical grille, high ground clearance, rear mounted spare tire and round headlights. The X model is attractive and comes standard with a soft-top and flimsy doors. Our tester was upgraded with the optional hard top which included full metal doors with roll-up glass windows, a rear window wiper, and a rear window defroster for an additional $920. I recommend you spring for this option.

Interior features Getting in and out of the cabin requires a big step over the doorsill. My wife found it difficult at best. Inside, the cabin is simple, plain and tight for space. Wrangler X comes with cloth upholstery and upgraded front bucket seats, which were firm but generally comfortable. Two adults will sit comfortably but knee and legroom is at a premium. With the 5-speed manual transmission, there is little legroom to operate the clutch pedal. Headroom, however, is in the 10-gallon class. The back seat folds or easily removes for more cargo space, but anyone over the age of 8 using the seat won't find enough room. A very limited amount of storage fits behind the rear seat. Visibility is commanding with all glass windows seemingly oversized. My only visibility complaint was the large rear window mounted wiper motor that blocks a good deal of rear visibility.

The X adds carpeting to the front, rear seat, wheelhouse and rear cargo area. Dash and gauges are simple and easy to use. Workmanship seems solid, however plastic materials throughout the cabin screams economy. Sorry, no armrests. There is a 12-volt power outlet, fully padded roll bar, four speaker AM/FM cassette and a floor mounted center console with a cupholder. Our tester added the Convenience Group ($165) that ups the console to full length, adds courtesy door lights and an underhood light. Other options on our test Wrangler included spare tire cover ($50), cruise control ($300), air conditioning ($895), tow hooks ($60) and floor mats ($30).

Performance/Test drive On the highway the Wrangler wiggles and wobbles around like a sea lion out of water. The short wheelbase, small tires, off-road suspension and high profile seem to be the culprits.

Once the Wrangler leaves pavement it becomes as capable as a mountain goat, taking you places other vehicles will never see. It's here that Jeep earns its respect and helps you forget about its other shortcomings. At 3,235 pounds Wrangler is a fairly heavy vehicle and, combined with non-aerodynamic flat surfaces, average fuel economy suffers with ratings at 16 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. I averaged just over 15 mpg during my test week. Brakes are excellent and steering precise, a nice feature for parking in tight spaces or turning in narrow areas.

Safety & security Other than dual front, next generation airbags, Wrangler is generally devoid of safety features. There isn't much vehicle around you and with flimsy side doors not much protection for side impact, I never felt comfortable driving in traffic. Given the standard roll bar, Jeep must expect the vehicle will tip over. I prefer a vehicle with side and head protecting curtain airbags. None are available on the Wrangler. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Wrangler as "acceptable" for front collision impact and "marginal" for side impact crashworthiness.

Summary Jeep Wrangler, with its classic styling, is a fun vehicle to drive. It is surprisingly affordable, even with options, and well-equipped. Jeep has always enjoyed a strong resale value.

In my opinion.. If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel or if this will be your only vehicle, I recommend you consider something else. This is a vehicle for off-road use rather than daily commuting. The ride is noisy, space limited and, given the lack of available safety features, the Wrangler is better suited for being towed behind a motorhome to use at the campground.

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