Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

What is it? It’s an off-road icon, it’s as simple as that really. But what exactly is an off-road icon? I guess a true 4x4 icon is a vehicle that is supremely capable off road first, then deals with tarmac afterwards, one that’s been around longer than I have and proven itself over and over again in a world full of harsh conditions. This niche collection of 4x4s would include the original Defender and Series vehicles, the Suzuki Jimny, Mercedes G-Wagen, and of course the Wrangler.

But these days, with modern technology and electronic witchcraftery, do we really need a hardcore 4x4 when something like a Discovery 5 or Grand Cherokee will take you to unfordidden places in comfort? Is there a need for the Wrangler Rubicon is todays motoring world?

On the road I think I need to make an amendment to a previous review. When I drove the SWB Rubicon around Cumbria earlier on this year, I remember thinking that it felt taut and secure, I was genuinely quite surprised by its on-road manners. On reflection, I was driving quite sedately along narrow Cumbrian roads so it wasn’t much of a test. Getting behind the wheel of the 5-door for a whole week with a large dosage of road miles thrown in, and I’ve to revised my conclusion a little.

There was a certain vagueness in the steering, and compared to my 1996 Toyota Surf which is shod with the same BFG KM3 mud terrains, it’s noisier too, and not just tyre noise. I found the 200bhp 2.0ltr diesel a bit on the loud side, and it isn’t the slickest from start, but driving at around 50mph and accelerating

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to 70mph, that’s where it’ll take you by surprise as the big Jeep picks up speed and momentum quite quickly for any overtaking manoeuvres.

Like anything in life, when you live with it for an amount of time, you get used to it, and adjust your way of thinking. After a week with the 5-door Rubicon its handling didn’t seem as bad, especially along twisty country lanes, in fact, it’s ruddy good fun throwing it around, and it became predictable to the point of it being quite fun.

Fuel wise, the onboard computer told me that after a motorway dash, fast B roads and a good couple of hours green-laning using both high and low ratios, it was returning between 27 and 30mpg, which I didn’t think was too bad.

Off road I don’t think I’ve ever had a press car that I’ve taken greenlaning as much as I have the Rubicon, maybe the Defender, but that was so long ago that I can’t remember. This is where the Wrangler comes into its own.

During our week I drove it up to Settle, then over to Scar House via various lanes and they didn’t trouble it at all. You’ve got anti-sway bar disconnect, you’ve got front and rear lockers and BFGoodrich KM3 Mud Terrain tyres, and to be honest, I didn’t find any lane worthy of the Jeep. I’ve driven, and seen Rubicons flex their way up of the most demanding green-lanes in Cumbria like they were negotiating an ASDA car park, so anything I could throw at it locally was a breeze.

Sliding the transfer lever into low box and I found the lowest first gear I think I’ve ever come across in a 4x4, in fact on some of the steepest inclines that the Yorkshire Dales had to offer I used third gear, first is too low for our gentle green lanes. I’d love to be clambering over the size of rocks and boulders that necessitate the need for the Rubicons ultra low first gear!

Interior I really like it, the new facia and layout works well, and it's a huge improvement on the outgoing model, though it took me all week to stop reaching to the door for the electric window switches as they’re in the middle of the dash.

The only major problem I have is the transmission tunnel that encroaches the footwell far too much to the point you simply can’t extend your left leg as there’s nowhere for you’re foot, it does make driving long distances a tad awkward and painful.

There’s plenty of legroom for back seat drivers, your luggage will get lost in the back, and that’s before you put the second row of seats down.

Want the fresh air experience? Well that’s easy enough, simply undo 4 clips from each Freedom Panel above the front seats and

you have fresh air, then there are 8 screws to undo and two people can easily remove the rear section of the roof within minutes. The doors can be removed too.

Essentially, the new JL Wrangler is a lot more user friendly than its predecessor.

Engine ’n’ transmissions You have two engines to choose from, either the 2.0ltr 272bhp petrol or 2.2ltr 200bhp diesel and one automatic gearbox.

Conclusion The Wrangler Rubicon, with its locking front and rear diffs, dislocating anti roll bars, mud tyres and incredibly low low-range transfer ‘box is an off-roader that’s built for a purpose and therefore occupies a unique space in the market.

Overall there’s a certain vagueness in the steering and it isn’t particularly quiet, but I still enjoyed it, and would buy one in a heartbeat. It reminds me of the new Suzuki Jimny in that it can be forgiven for a lot of its foibles, yes, I wrote foibles instead of faults!

You have to remember, the Rubicon isn’t supposed to be a car you buy for the commute, you buy a Rubicon because you want its off-road ability and flexibility, subsequently this comes with certain amount of compromises, and as long as you remember that you and your Rubicon will get along just fine.

5-Door Rubicon prices start from £49,455more at » www.jeep.co.uk