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Dash gauges are easy to see, but the center stack’s touch-screen for the radio and navigation screen is small and touchy. I had to constantly take my gloves off to get the screen to respond to my touch. Chrysler Corp. radios continue to be among the hardest to use and figure out while you drive. The touch-screen makes it all the harder.
There are power windows here too, with the buttons located mid-dash between the two center air ducts. But because you want to be able to unfasten those doors, the big outside mirrors are manual, a giant inconvenience in daily driving. If you want to adjust the passenger side mirror you’ll need to do it before you get onboard, or have a passenger do it.
Folks will like the three removable roof panels though. This is what makes a Jeep a Jeep, along with the 4-wheel-drive and major ground clearance. These come off easily and would make the Unlimited much more fun in summer.
Other pluses include a large storage box and armrest, two cup holders (better have lids on those drinks with all the rockin’ and rollin’ here), a power outlet, tilt steering column, leather steering wheel and tire monitoring system.
One negative - the horribly stiff sun visors. They’re hard to move and when swung to the side to block the sun sag oddly. They’re also too short to do much good.
I do, however, like the running boards that help driver and passengers climb up into the tall vehicle. These are tubular step rails though, so can get a little slippery in winter.
Seats are gray cloth and manual, which is fine. But I felt too close to the steering wheel once I got the seat set for my legs and the seat was not as contoured as I’d like in something that I could take bounding over the earth. Better seats are a must.
I’m also not happy with the rear storage access and rear visibility. The tailgate is split, which is wise, so you can open the glass to load cargo. But that big tire mounted on the back makes it hard to get into the cargo area. It also blocks a chunk of your visibility out the rear window. Another vision blocker is the rear wiper motor mounted atop the window. No other ute has that.
Good news in back? There’s more cargo room here than in the 2-door model, plus you can more easily carry four people in the Unlimited. Rear seat access also is easier through the full-size rear doors too.
More good news, the Jeep has a 5-star crash rating, due to copious airbags and good roll-over protection.
Less good news, gas mileage is low. I got 15.3 mpg and it’s rated 15 mpg city and 19 highway. I was heavier on city driving, but would expect a bit better than this. I mean I’ve gotten better in big sport-utes and pickups that are even heavier.
Pricing? The Wrangler Unlimited starts at $22,815 for the 2-wheel-drive X model, or $23,990 for the 4x4 version. The test ute started at $28,320 and ended up at a rather pricey $33,200 with all its options. Jumping up to the top-level Rubicon pushes the starting price to $31,840.
If you already love Jeeps, you’ll love the Unlimited. If you’re looking for a highway-friendly, suburban-lifestyle ute for the family, keep looking!