The big changes for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler are found under the hood.
Nobody doubts the iconic status of the Jeep Wrangler. It is, after all an “All-American” classic, with a distinctive bloodline that reaches back 70 years to the legendary Jeeps of World War II.
For 2012, however, the Wrangler gets better, much better, as it is equipped up with an all-new and more powerful 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with five-speed automatic transmission that enhances the Wrangler’s on-road performance without compromising any of its legendary off-road capabilities.
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler’s ride on ordinary pavement, which was traditionally rather rough, is instead quieter, smoother and less harsh with better fuel-economy as well as more power and torque.
Despite the on-road improvements, a first drive of the 2012 Wrangler revealed an SUV that is just as capable as ever of traversing unimproved forest trails and charging up hills through the most rugged terrain.
Wrangler gets an all-new Pentastar V-6 for 2012.
The new 3.6-liter V-6 engine delivers 40% more horsepower and 10% more torque and the increases — to 285 hp and to 260 lb-ft — are noticeable almost immediately after climbing behind the wheel of the 2012 Wrangler and pulling away from the curb.The fuel economy is also improved, delivering up to 21 mpg on the highway.
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler’s five-speed automatic transmission, which is shared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, moves through the gears quite smoothly, providing a more refined on-road performance both in traffic and on the freeway.
Indeed, the real improvements come in on-road performance, which is way ahead of that of the older versions of Wrangler.
the 2012 Jeep Wrangler shows its biggest gains in on-road driving.
For one thing, the 2012 Wrangler’s acceleration is much better thanks to the new V-6.
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler launches from zero to 60 in a respectable, if not neck-snapping, 8.4 seconds, 26% better than the 2011 Wrangler, according to Chrysler’s test engineers.
The Wrangler’s lower first-gear ratio in the new automatic transmission gives the Jeep more off-road capability with a lower overall crawl ratio. Three different gear ratios are also available depending on which of eight different Wrangler models, starting with the Wrangler Sport up through the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.
A six-speed manual transmission is available as on option of the 2012 Wrangler.
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler’s signature features – including those classic round headlamps, seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel flares, removable doors, exposed hinges, a fold-down windshield and innovative removable and convertible tops and half-doors — remain unchanged for 2012.
The updated Wrangler Rubicon, meanwhile, now shares body-color hardtop and wheel flares with the Sahara models.
The 2012 Wrangler's improved on-road manners don't require a trade-off in off-road capabilities.
The Wrangler’s interior, which was overhauled completely for the 2011 model year, also remains virtually unchanged.
Overall, however, the improvements to the engine and the enhanced on road performance are expected to enhance the vehicle’s appeal to a group of buyers that are emerging as a key audience for the four-door version of the Wrangler, young families that want a mid-sized sport utility vehicle and prefer the Wrangler’s body-on-frame construction and all-round capability.
The improvement to the Wrangler’s performance created by the new engine makes it into more of an all-purpose vehicle. The Wrangler is arguably the world’s best off-road vehicle but now has been given a new lease on life as an on-road vehicle, as well, without surrendering any of its rugged character.