2008 Jeep Wrangler

The 2008 Jeep Wrangler is the continuation of the new Wrangler, which was completely redesigned in 2007. With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of anywhere from $18,660 to $29,535 and a fuel economy of 19 miles per gallon on the highway and 15 miles per gallon in the city, the new version is both affordable and better on fuel.

The four-passenger 2008 Jeep Wrangler continues the tradition of being a very capable SUV for off-road pleasure. As New Car Test Drive put it, it is “still the hot setup for off-roading, the undisputed king of mud, swamp, and sand.” When comparing the Wrangler to the Ford Explorer, New Car Test Drive went on to say “[On] challenging dirt trails and rocky climbing sections…where an Explorer would have struggled, it was barely a test for the Wrangler.”

All versions of the 2008 Jeep Wrangler come with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, which provides it with 202 horsepower of power. Each version also comes with four-wheel disc brakes as well as ABS, but all of this engine power and braking power is good for more than just off-road adventures. In fact, the 2008 Jeep Wrangler provides for a surprisingly smooth ride on road as well. As Popular Mechanics put it, the new Wrangler has “...up-to-date technology... has improved ride and handling... [while maintaining] rugged and distinctive profile of an American icon.” New Car Test Drive adds, “It's the right choice for perilous off-road treks like California's Rubicon Trail. But it's also fun for cruising around the neighborhood.”

Despite its off-road capabilities, the 2008 Jeep Wrangler puts an emphasis on safety. In fact, it scored a perfect five out of five NHTSA Driver’s Crash Rating. Some of the safety features includes with this SUV include:

• Anti-lock brakes, which are capable of sensing if a tire has stopped rotating and then modulating the brake pressure in order to assist with turning while braking.
• Stability control, which automatically senses if the vehicle has reached its handling limits and then applies braking and reduces engine power in order to help the driver retain control of the vehicle.
• Front-impact airbags, which help protect the head of the passenger and the driver if a frontal crash occurs.
• Pretensioner seatbelts, which automatically tighten while also placing the occupant in the best possible position when a collision occurs.
• Security system, which disables the ignition and prevents the engine from starting if a key other than the original manufacturer key is used.

The rear anti-roll bar is also standard with the 2008 Jeep Wrangler in order to provide an extra level of safety.

The 2008 Jeep Wrangler is available in two-door models as well as four-door models. The two-door models include the Wrangler X, the Sahara, and the Rubicon. The Wrangler Unlimited, however, is the only four door model. Nonetheless, all of the models have the same trim options. All of the models offer 4 wheel disc brakes and all but the X RHD two door four-wheel drive models has a 6 speed manual transmission.

When it comes to shock absorption, the Sahara models all feature heavy duty front shocks. The same is true of the Rubicon models. All of the X models, including the X two door four-wheel drive, the X RHD two door four-wheel drive, the X Unlimited four door two-wheel drive, and the X Unlimited four dour four-wheel drive all have gas-pressurized front shocks. All of the models, however, have Dana 44 trailing link rear suspension as well as coil front springs.

The 2008 Jeep Wrangler also offers more storage capabilities than previous models. This is particularly true when taking advantage of the Add-a-Trunk option. As Automobile had to say about this feature, “A new molded plastic Add-a-Trunk option--for both the four-cylinder SE and the six-cylinder Sport and Sahara--makes the Wrangler's impractical rear-seat area a little more useful.”

Aside from its power and off-road capabilities, another of the attractive features offered by the 2008 Jeep Wrangler is its convertible capabilities. Of course, this SUV is not like any other convertible on the market. As Auto Reviews said, “….no other convertible lets you take off the doors and fold down the windshield.” Edmunds.com adds that it is “one of the cheapest convertibles around.”