2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara: More Mature

Phil Floraday | | Automotive News / December 7, 2006 - 1:20 pm

2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara AS-TESTED: $31,075 DRIVETRAIN: 3.8-liter V6; 4wd, four-speed automatic OUTPUT: 202 hp @ 5000 rpm, 237 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm CURB WEIGHT: 4294 lbs. FUEL MILEAGE (EPA/AW): 17/15.4 OPTIONS: dual-top group ($1,585); four-speed automatic ($825); front-seat side air bags ($490); six-disc DVD/MP3 player ($350); limited-slip differential ($285); red-rock paint ($225); trailer tow group ($220); satellite radio ($195); 18-inch wheels ($165)

As the resident collector of all things Jeep, I couldn't not comment on my night in the new Wrangler. I have to admit I was almost hesitant to grab the keys to this four-door example. Sure, there have been plenty of lengthened examples in the CJ/Wrangler lineage, but they always made do with two-doors. The very thought of an extra set of doors certainly has some die-hard fans cringing and fearing for the future of this body-on-frame dinosaur and its trademark live axles. Would the extra doors push the Wrangler into some new poseur arena where comfort could eventually trump utility? Will independent suspension and low profile tires destroy an off-road legend? I had a hard time figuring out what to think about this strange creature sporting the familiar seven slot grill. It took a few miles of (comfortable!) driving and a visit with a fellow Jeep owner to figure everything out. What Jeep really did is replace the Cherokee a few years too late. Naturally, the new Jeep has grown in dimensions and weight. The Cherokee weighed in around 3200 lbs with an 101.4-inch of wheelbase, while the four-door Wrangler tips the scales at nearly 4300 lbs and has a full 116-inch wheelbase. Toss in coil springs at all four corners, compared to the Cherokee's coil front and leaf sprung rear, and you get a more comfortable ride to go with your extra room inside. The V6 underhood, a sight not seen in a stock Jeep since 1971, offers more ponies and torque than the legendary 4.0-liter I6 that so many had come to love, but this is negated by the enormous curb weight. Acceleration has never been a strength of Wranglers, but this short-bus sized beast has just has enough to get by. Perhaps this is why there is no four-cylinder option for 2007. There appears to be more than enough room to drop a Hemi in the engine compartment at first glance. If DCX doesn't provide us with a factory option, AEV will surely be glad to help you figure the swap out. The advantages the JK Wrangler gives you over the old Cherokee are certainly worth noting. You can finally buy a stock four-door vehicle with a top and doors that are easily removed. Cherokee owners have been known to modify their doors for quick removal, but few were willing to take a sawzall to the roof. Now an entire family of five can ride in one open-top off-road vehicle and take in the panoramic view that so many trails offer while maintaining forward motion. Jeep owners are notorious for modifying their vehicles to fit larger tires-even before the ink dries on the loan agreement. The design of the fender flares on the JK allow for bigger tires to fit with less lift than before. You can easily fit 35-inch tires on a JK. To do the same on a Cherokee takes a lot more time and money. And a good chance of pulling out that sawzall again. The usual suspects have complained about the price of this particular example. I priced out a stripped-down model and was pleased to see that you can get a four-door with four-wheel drive and a limited-slip rear end for $22,705. I'm also happy to see that Jeep has not moved the price of a basic Wrangler as up-market as some of the options might suggest. A basic two-door model comes in well under $19k. Since I'm still young, single and stupid I'll stick with my old CJs and their rather brutish nature. But one day I'm afraid I'll be old, married and stupider. The four-door Wrangler will be perfect for hauling a family to the trail and back in comfort while enjoying open-top freedom.