AS TOUGH AS IT LOOKS

Jeep fettles the Wrangler to excel off-road and polishes its on-road manners — at a premium

The wild child of the off-road SUV club has learned some manners. Jeep’s Wrangler has long been the benchmark for extreme four-wheel drives but until now that ability has come at the price of civility around town. The very traits that made it so good in the bush — long suspension travel, solid axles and ladder-frame chassis — also compromised its on-road behaviour.

Wranglers of the past drove like a truck on the tarmac with a pogo-stick ride and constant steering wheel inputs required to stop the 4WD wandering in its lane.

Buyers didn’t care: Jeep’s research highlights style as a key driver for 24 per cent of Wrangler customers.

Simply put, the single largest group of Jeep Australia buyers want to identify with its tough looks and tougher reputation, even if they have no intention of venturing beyond a beach access road.

That’s why you’re more likely to see a Jeep in Bondi than Birdsville (although genuine 4WD enthusiasts are the second biggest buyer group for the American brand).

The JL Wrangler that’s now on sale will more than satisfy both groups, though you pay almost $10,000 above its predecessor’s sticker for the privilege.

Beyond the extra interior bling, Jeep has invested in mechanical smarts and software to temper the Wrangler’s on-road manners and make it a much more tractable beast. That has had no effect on its ability to go pretty much anywhere, especially on the chunky offroad tyres laced to the most expensive — and off-road capable — Rubicon grade.