2007 Jeep Wrangler

The 2007 Jeep Wrangler represents an impressive advance over the 2006 model. This starts with even more off-road ability, and it extends to welcome improvements for daily driving. The 2007 Wrangler even sees gains in fuel efficiency.

A compact body-on-frame SUV, the Wrangler provides two- and four-door body styles with different wheelbases. The larger model is known as the Wrangler Unlimited. Both models have seating for five. Jeep also offers both body styles in X, Sahara and Rubicon trim levels. All come standard with a V6 engine and six-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic is available. For the Wrangler, four-wheel drive is standard. The Wrangler Unlimited is equipped with rear-wheel drive as standard and makes four-wheel drive optional.

This is the first model year for the Jeep Wrangler JK platform.

Exterior

The 2007 Wrangler still has the same basic shape as the original Jeep that originally debuted in World War II. That includes the classic round headlights, a slotted grille and a wide-open driving experience. Not only can you choose between removable soft and hard tops, you can also take off the Wrangler’s doors and fold down the front windshield. At the back of the vehicle, an exposed spare tire mounted on a swing-out tailgate adds to the Wrangler’s rugged look.

Standard content for the Wrangler includes halogen headlamps, manually adjustable mirrors and 16-inch painted steel wheels. Jeep offers a number of stylish and functional upgrades, too. Among the highlights are fog lamps, tow hooks, rock rails, side steps and 16- through 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Interior

A clean and simple cabin design is standard for the 2007 Jeep Wrangler. Key details include a distinctive four-spoke steering wheel for the driver and a grab handle for the front passenger. The Wrangler also shows its trail-friendly character inside with a padded “sport bar.” Designed to look like an off-road roll bar when the Jeep’s top is off, this holds two audio speakers and the dome light. In terms of space, the four-door Wrangler leads the way. It has noticeably more rear-seat legroom than the two-door Wrangler. Further, when you fold the standard 60/40-split rear seat in the Wrangler Unlimited, you get more room for cargo than in a 2007 Toyota RAV4.

The Wrangler is not a good choice if you’re expecting premium interior content. With the entry model, there are standard features such as vinyl seats, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, manual windows and manual door locks. Air conditioning and power accessories are optional. So is content such as cloth seats, separate stain-resistant fabric upholstery, a manually adjustable driver’s seat and a steering wheel with integrated cruise controls.

Performance

Although many crossover-style rivals provide a standard four-cylinder engine, the Wrangler comes standard with a 3.8-liter V6. This engine produces 202 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. For the two-door Wrangler X and Sahara trims, Jeep supplies standard full-time four-wheel drive and a part-time two-speed transfer case. The Wrangler Rubicon upgrades to a more capable transfer case then adds gear like standard front- and rear-axle lockers. In the Wrangler Unlimited X and Sahara, rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is optional. The Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon matches its two-door counterpart with 4X4 technology. The standard powertrain includes a six-speed manual transmission for both body styles, each of which offers a four-speed automatic.

The Wrangler Unlimited actually has the lineup’s highest fuel economy grades. Thanks to its standard rear-wheel-drive powertrain, that model is rated at 16/21 mpg city/highway.

Technology

The standard audio system for the Wrangler is competitive with what you find in crossover-style SUVs of the same size. With the Jeep, that means a system with an AM/FM stereo, CD player, auxiliary input jack and six speakers.

A “MyGig” infotainment system is available for the Wrangler with a 6.5-inch touch screen. The setup bundles navigation, a hard drive with room for 150 hours of digital music, satellite radio, a USB port and a seven-speaker sound system with 368 watts of power. It also allows DVD playback when the vehicle is in park.