2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

On a road trip to Las Vegas, Truck Trend editor Mark Williams took the Jeep out on some open 4x4 areas and found that, even with the BFG mud tires at full pressure (37 psi), they were digging and grabbing the loose dirt with ease.

Williams also appreciated the Wrangler's 4:1 low-range ratio, which gave him plenty of torque feel and quick revs, as well as the anti-roll bar disconnect button and the rear differential locker. Of course, as good as the Wrangler is off-road, it's less so on-road. "This is as much a single-purpose vehicle as any sports car, just in the opposite direction," opines Williams. "Not only is the vehicle twitchy on the highway on a good day, but combine the slab-sided body panels with mud tires and a lot of wind, and you have a tense driving experience."

OTHER MT VOICES:

It's amazing it took nearly 60 years for the original Jeep to morph into a four door, but it sure makes sense. Takes a bit of work to get the roof system to do what you want it all to do, but it's a better alternative than giant, heavy, removable hardtops, which just wouldn't work for a four door. I know this engine is more powerful, and probably more sophisticated, than the old 4.0-liter straight six in my Cherokee sport, but that one just feels lustier and torquier to me than the new one. Transmission is a big step forward, and if there was ever an SUV born for a nav system, this is it, although it isn't the easiest to see or read. The rumble from the off-road tires, especially right at take-off, drives me nuts, but that's part of what the Rubicon package is all about. I like the front end styling and the grille shape of the just-past Wrangler better, but over all, a good looking, tough, genuine rig this is--more than I can say for the slow, overpriced, cartoonish H3, which is none of the above. MATT STONE