2010 Jeep Wrangler Expert Review
Reviewed by Staff Writer
The 2010 Jeep Wrangler is probably the most recognizable and best known Jeep product on the planet. The Wrangler has been around for 70 years, starting life as a military vehicle, and made its way into public hands after troops came back from WWII singing its praises.
Though it has gone through many changes in its life, the core values have not changed: A solid vehicle that's good on-road and amazing off-road. Over the years consumers have become more particular of their vehicles, demanding comfortable seats, room for passengers and cargo, stereo, A/C. All the things you would find in your regular car must now be present in an off-roader and Jeep has accommodated, to a point.
There is, of course, only so much you can do when starting with a Wrangler. The soft top with its removable half doors and zip up windows do little to protect you from theft or in the event of an accident. They also do little to bring the noise level down from the engine and tires. There is also limited room for cargo and any more than one passenger. But, it's a Jeep and people love them.
Bodystyles: SUVEngines: 3.8L V-6Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 4-speed automatic Models: Sport, Mountain, Sahara, Rubicon, Islander
For 2010 the Jeep has introduced two new models, the Islander and Mountain. The Wrangler now gets foglamps, tow hooks and a compass standard as well as a much needed soft top revision, making it easier to remove. The base Wrangler Sport gets cloth seats in place of the vinyl ones and leather is now available on the Rubicon and Sahara.
The 2010 Jeep Wrangler looks like a Jeep should with a very rough and rugged style. The soft top is standard but the Freedom Top -- a three-piece modular hardtop -- comes with a rear window defroster and wiper, tinted windows and a storage bag.
The base Wrangler has a cheap, hard plastic interior but the available leather in some of the models is a nice touch. But this being a true off-roader, the plastic interior is easy to clean.
All 2010 Wranglers get the 3.8-liter V-6 with 202-horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque. You do get a choice of transmissions -- the standard 6-speed manual or the optional (and aging) 4-speed automatic.
The Wrangler gets four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), dual front airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, traction control, four-wheel drive, stability control.
Sport: 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway Mountain: 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway Sahara: 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway Rubicon: 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway Isalnder: 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway
- Amazing off-road capabilities
- Rugged Jeep look
- Optional navigation
- Weak engine
- Poor fuel economy
Best all around Jeep made
- Toyota FJ Cruiser
- Nissan Xterra
