Jeep Wrangler is 2019 SUV of the Year

THE 2019 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon – the most capable sport utility vehicle (SUV) ever – has been named Four Wheeler “2019 SUV of the Year”.

The award is given annually by the editors of the off-road enthusiast publication.

“The Wrangler Rubicon is packed full of innovation and technology, fully modernising the Jeep experience, yet capability, comfort and user-friendliness have only been improved upon,” said Sean Holman, group content director for Four Wheeler.

Over the course of a week, the publication’s judges conducted a variety of tests spanning more than 1600km of terrain that included pavement, gravel, dirt, sand, rocks, mud and snow, at elevations ranging from sea level to more than 2700m.

During the off-road testing, judges evaluated visibility from the driver’s seat, four-wheel-drive system selection and performance, tyre performance and durability, engine power and cooling, transmission function and cooling, suspension tuning, and performance and traction control system function.

Judges spent time on the road evaluating driving characteristics such as handling, ride quality, interior comfort and steering feel.

Other factors taken into consideration included price, fuel efficiency, tyre size and ramp travel index, which tests suspension articulation.