Seat Time is a chance for us to share our impressions of vehicles being tested in the Autoline Garage and at media previews from around the globe.
Manufacturer: Fiat-Chrysler
Make: Jeep
Model: Wrangler Oscar Mike Freedom Edition
Type: 2-door SUV
Competitors: Toyota FJ Cruiser
Price: Base: $22,395. As tested: $33,165 (including destination charges)
Made in: Toledo, OH
Drivetrain: 3.6L V6 w/ 5-speed automatic, 4X4
EPA Ratings: 17 city/ 21 highway/ 18 combined. Observed 18.5 MPG
Read on for Sean McElroy‘s final impressions of this vehicle
Final Impression:
Sales of the Wrangler in the U.S. are neck and neck with the Cherokee and only slightly behind the Grand Cherokee, which are the two other top sellers in Jeep’s lineup. I find this interesting because while the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee have both been restyled and refined over the years, the Wrangler has gone largely unchanged. I just don’t get it and I’m willing to bet that either of those vehicles would likely fulfill most of the needs of Wrangler buyers.
When it comes to the exterior styling, it’s one of the few things that I like about the truck. I mean really, the styling is so classic and instantly recognizable how could you change it without losing something? The interior is bland, lacking styling and flow. And it does not have the amount of technology that I would expect to see in a $33,000 vehicle. Although I’m sure some buyers like the fact it does not have all those do-dads and gizmos and it probably makes it easier to use all the controls for those who actually off-road the truck.
And
I’m sure off-roaders like the suspension setup as well, but for everyday driving it feels unrefined. It’s a very bouncy ride, especially the short wheel base 2-door version that I drove. Not to mention that it’s a body-on-frame truck so you sit up kind of high and feel like you have to go slower around turns because of the amount of body roll. The other highlight of the Wrangler for me is its 3.6L V6 engine and 5-speed transmission. There’s ample power for that get up and go and it also returned better than advertised fuel economy. I did all city driving as was able to get 18.5 MPG, which is 1.5 MPG better than the EPA rating. And unlike the other 8- and 9-speed transmissions in Fiat-Chrysler’s line-up the 5-speed actually has a dip-stick and tube.
I get why the Cherokee is in the Jeep lineup. I get why the Grand Cherokee is there as well. But if someone asked me if I would buy a Wrangler, I would say HELL NO. However, after talking to a few people I know that owned Wranglers in the past and said they would go out and get another one in a heart beat, I came to the conclusion. It’s a Jeep Wrangler thing and I just don’t understand.
For those of you wondering what Oscar Mike stands for, it’s a military reference. The letters OM stand for “On the Move” or “On Mission” and in military talk the letter “O” is Oscar and “M” is Mike. For example, if the letters AZ had been used it would have been called the Alpha Zulu.
John McElroy is an influential thought leader in the automotive industry. He is a journalist, lecturer, commentator and entrepreneur. He created “Autoline Daily,” the first industry webcast of industry news and analysis.
