Walkaround

Naturally, the new Wrangler looks just like a Jeep; the redesign for 2007 didn't mess with the classic round headlamps, seven-slot grille or upright fold-down windshield, although the windshield is slightly curved, for the first time on a Jeep, for better aerodynamics and reduced wind noise. Only a Jeep aficionado will be able to tell the all-new '07 Wrangler from the '06, but there are ways.

Identifying a new Wrangler Unlimited is easy: Just count the doors.

Although the wheelbase of the '07 Wrangler has been stretched by 2 inches, the vehicle is 2.6 inches shorter overall, thanks to reduced overhangs and new bumpers. And it's 5.5 inches wider, with a 3.4-inch wider track. Jeep says it's "dramatically brawnier," but we'd say that's a dramatic statement. The sheetmetal is new, with a slight crown. The halogen headlamps are brighter, and the new front bumper has integrated fog lamps near its center. For the first time, there are step assists under the doors to make climbing up into the Jeep easier, and the tail lamps are new. The fender flares are bolted on, so they can be easily taken off and replaced with cooler aftermarket flares. The bumpers, step assists and fender flares are all sturdy, flat-black plastic on the X.

The standard soft top is improved for easier removal and installation. The Sunrider soft top slides back half way, like a huge sunroof over the front seats. The new optional three-piece modular hardtop (Freedom Top) has two front panels that easily pop on and off like a T-top, and are stored behind the rear seat. The third panel over the rear seat can be removed separately and stored in the garage. The Freedom Top yields a total of six open-air possibilities.

Under the body, there's a new boxed frame that's 100 percent stiffer in bending and 50 percent stiffer in twisting, with seven cross members. This helps in crash results, and enabled a new suspension: steering geometry, shock absorbers, springs and control arms are all different. Wide spaced frame rails cradle the fuel tank between the wheels. Three skid plates protect the fuel tank, transfer case and automatic transmission oil pan.

Interior Features

The 2007 Jeep Wrangler two-door is a lot roomier inside than pre-2007 models, thanks to its increased width. The comfortable new high-back front seats, using a handsome stain-resistant gray or khaki-colored fabric in the Sahara and Rubicon, offer 5.1 inches more shoulder room and 4.6 inches more hip room. The removable rear seat provides 3.9 inches more shoulder room, 1.6 inches more hip room and 1 inch more leg room for each of the two passengers. There's also 2 more inches behind the rear seat, which now folds to provide nearly twice the cargo capacity as before.

The cabin is 20 percent quieter, thanks to better isolation from new body mounts, extensive use of something called PCL (polymer constraint layer), and new seals at the doors, along the A-pillar, and at the top of the windshield.

As for the larger Unlimited, Jeep claims that its 86.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded flat (the headrests flip back, so they don't need to be removed) is more than the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Hummer H3 or Nissan Xterra. In the rear seat, the Unlimited offers 1.6 more inches of leg room and a whopping 12 inches more hip room. That huge difference is because in the regular Wrangler, the rear passengers sit directly over the axle and between the wheel wells; in the Unlimited, the axle is located behind them. Think about how much that improves the ride for those passengers.

The layout of the clean instrument panel is excellent, against a background of dull (neither flat nor gloss) black plastic. The instruments, including the optional compass and temperature gauges, are easy to read, and the controls are soothingly simple. The solid square buttons look good and are easy to understand and operate. There's a nice leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel, with a short cruise-control stalk that's out of the way on the right side.

Our Sahara was equipped with the 368-watt Infinity sound system with Sirius Satellite Radio, and we bought a couple new CDs for the occasion, happily blasting ourselves with the new Bob Dylan. Seven speakers, including subwoofer, is a whole lot of speakers for the cabin of a Jeep, and we think this is a good thing. Located under the sound system controls are big climate control knobs, with buttons for the new power windows above that. (Power windows in a Jeep!)

Between the seats are the shift lever and short four-wheel-drive lever, two cupholders and emergency brake, and a console that's wide and deep, if not long. The locking glove box is about one-third larger than before, and there's a convenient grab handle above it. This is a Jeep, after all, so the grab handle will be used in the bouncy bits.

Our Sahara had the modular Freedom Top, and we tried out all its positions on a gorgeous drive all around Lake Tahoe on a cloudless day, and then for a couple days in San Francisco. The vinyl pieces above each passenger easily lift off after twisting a fastener, and a larger section over the rear seat can also be removed although not stored in the vehicle.