From snapshots of Marlboro Man-like cross-country adventurers, to being the peculiarly urban steer of choice in television’s Queer As Folk, the Jeep Wrangler is certainly a versatile vehicle in more ways than one. The problem with the outgoing TJ series is that such flexibility falls short if you want on-road refinement or even just enough back-seat space. Enter the JK Wrangler, a complete rethink that both improves and expands the concept as never before. Eyeing rivals as disparate as the Holden Commodore and Land Rover Discovery, Jeep may have reason to believe that the new four-door Wrangler Unlimited’s appeal is just that.

Jeep Wrangler
Released: October 1996
Ended: March 2007
Family Tree: WranglerThe fifth-generation Wrangler was only offered in two-door wagon guise in Australia (the two-door long-wheelbase Unlimited wagon released in America in late 2004 did not make it here). With its off-road focus, the TJ proved popular in the skyrocketing SUV segment, but that does not mean it competed with its rivals as far as comfort and refinement were concerned. The only engine on offer was a 4.0-litre in-line six-cylinder, tied to a three-speed automatic or five-speed manual gearbox, producing 130kW and 290Nm. An early 2005 upgrade saw the torque figure rise to 305Nm, while a four-speed auto and six-speed manual were also implemented.
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