2012 Jeep Wrangler Review
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler is a convertible SUV that is offered as the 2-door Wrangler or the 4-door Wrangler Unlimited and each has the same 3 trims; Sport, Sahara and Rubicon. A Six speed manual transmission with hill-start assist comes standard and a 5 speed automatic is optional. The Wrangler 2 door in the base S trim is sparsely equipped with the higher trims offering the additional convenience and off-road capabilities.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
If you’re looking for an off-road vehicle that can travel where most fear to go, then the iconic 2012 Jeep Wrangler should be your top consideration.
What’s New For 2012:
In 2012 the Jeep Wrangler received a brand new, more powerful 285hp V6 engine and all Wranglers are now equipped with 4WD. A 5 speed automatic transmission is now an available option.
What is the Predicted Reliability:
In an initial quality study performed by J.D. Power and Associates the Jeep Wrangler received an overall initial quality score of 2.5 out of 5, with a score of 4 for features and accessories design quality and 3.5 for powertrain mechanical and design quality. A recent survey of current owners showed an impressive 72% responding that they would definitely buy the Jeep Wrangler if they had it to do all over again.
Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler is equipped with safety features including hill start assist, stability and traction control and antilock disc brakes . Side airbags for the front are also optional. IIHS gave the Jeep Wrangler a high score of Good for front crashes and poor for side crashes when not equipped with the optional side airbags.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+ Exceptional off-roading abilities
+ New modern more powerful engine
+ 2 and 4 door models available
Cons
– Noisy interior
– Rides rough
– Standard soft-top is security risk
Head-To-Head Competition:
The Jeep Wrangler has a starting price a few hundred dollars higher than the Ford Escape, and both are a few thousand dollars higher than the Kia Sportage. However, the Wrangler will give you more power than either with its V6 285hp/260lb-ft torque compared to the Escape and its inline-4 rated at 171hp/171lb-ft, and the Sportage that also has an inline-4 rated at 176hp/168lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler comes standard with 4WD, while both the Escape and Sportage are equipped with front wheel drive. The Wrangler and Sportage have max towing capabilities of 2,000lbs and the Escape is rated for max towing of 1500lbs.
What Others Are Saying:
"Off road, the Wrangler is as capable as ever. With electronic diffs locked and the transfer case in low range, the Rubicon model I drove up a rocky, rutted hill in the Tillamook National Forest barely broke a sweat." – Road and Track
"Steep grades, sandy beaches and tight-radius corners are a cinch in both the two-door and four-door Wrangler, while the Rubicon’s lower gearing and lockable front and rear diffs enable it to crawl out of even the slipperiest situations." – The Motor Report
"To hard-core loyalists, there is just one true Jeep-and the Wrangler is it. Sure, most of the Jeep lineup can keep going when the pavement ends, but not with the aplomb and determination of this gritty rig." – Car and Driver
Read more about the Jeep Wrangler at the Jeep manufacturer site.
