2008 Jeep Wrangler Review

The Jeep Wrangler off-roader emphasizes rock crawling over highway comfort, and when it comes to hardcore trailblazing, it's rarely matched. The 2008 Wrangler got a handful of changes, but for the most part it's identical to last year's redesigned model. Trim levels include the base X, midlevel Sahara and rugged Rubicon. The Wrangler is an icon and it can deliver inimitable fun. The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most capable off-road vehicles available today. Its four-wheel drive system also offers all-weather security and its convertible body style offers open-air fun. The Unlimited body style has greater cargo capacity, making the Wrangler more practical. You'll give up a lot of ride and handling prowess, as well as fuel mileage, but the Wrangler is fun.

Wrangler Power and Drive

The Wrangler continues to uses non-independent suspension (solid front and rear axles) and a part-time four-wheel-drive system with available dual locking differentials. A 3.8-liter V-6 is the sole drivetrain for the 2008 Wrangler. It produces 202 horsepower and 237 pounds-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard across all trim levels, while a four-speed automatic is optional. Compared to the last-generation Wrangler, the wheelbase has been increased by 2 inches and the track by 3.4 inches; the chassis has been stiffened and the suspension redesigned. All these things yield significant improvements in the ride and handling. On the open freeway the Wrangler is stable and surprisingly quiet, when the pavement was smooth.

Design of the '08 Wrangler

 Redesigned for 2007, the Wrangler looks very similar to the previous generation. The four-seat Wrangler is wider but shorter than its predecessor. An extended-wheelbase Unlimited edition adds 20.6 inches to the Wrangler's wheelbase, as well as two additional doors. Offroad features of the Wrangler include three underbody skid plates, an available tow package with Dana 44 axles for lower trim levels and an available electronically disconnecting front stabilizer bar for increased ground clearance. A longer wheelbase and shorter rear overhang increase the departure angle for the Wrangler Rubicon to 40.6 degrees, which is 6.7 degrees more than the previous generation. Ground clearance and the breakover angle remain about the same, but the approach angle drops slightly due to a longer front overhang. The Wrangler features such classic elements as a vertically slatted grille, removable doors, exposed C-pillars and a tail-mounted spare tire. Differentiating elements from the previous generation include shorter grille slats, clearly separated fenders, and fog lights incorporated into the front bumper. An available three-panel hardtop has removable sections above the driver, front passenger and rear passengers. Sixteen-inch steel wheels are standard, while alloy wheels in 16-, 17- and 18-inch diameters are available. A new appearance package on the Sahara adds the 18-inch wheels along with front and rear bumper overlays.

Jeep Wrangler Cabin

Inside the 2008 Wrangler, the overall feel is similar than previous models. The thin-spoke steering wheel has a circular hub, and a vertical center control panel features a high-mounted radio with circular air vents underneath. Newly available options include power windows and door locks - a Wrangler first - and an in-dash navigation system. The rear seats fold, leaving a maximum of 56.5 cubic feet of cargo volume in the regular-length Wrangler and more than 85 cubic feet in the Unlimited. Lockable storage spaces include the center console and a compartment integrated into the rear load floor. The current Jeep Wrangler two-door is a lot roomier inside than pre-2007 models, thanks to its increased width. The comfortable high-back front seats, using a handsome stain-resistant gray or khaki-colored fabric in the Sahara and Rubicon, offer 5.1 inches more shoulder room and 4.6 inches more hip room than previous-generation models. The removable rear seat provides 3.9 inches more shoulder room, 1.6 inches more hip room and 1 inch more leg room for each of the two passengers. There's also 2 more inches behind the rear seat, which folds to provide nearly twice the cargo capacity as before.

2008 Wrangler Trim Levels

 The Wrangler X comes with the basic soft top, vinyl upholstery, center console, theft deterrent system, folding rear seat, locking glove box, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, tilt steering wheel, six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, skid plates to protect the transfer case and fuel tank, and P225/75R16 all-terrain tires on steel wheels.

The Sahara is the premium model in the lineup. It adds the Sunrider top; Yes Essentials cloth upholstery; height-adjustable driver's seat; air conditioning; cruise control; fog lamps; 368-watt Infinity sound system with six speakers and subwoofer; leather-wrapped steering wheel; tow hooks; fog lamps; compass; outside temperature indicator; body-colored fender flares; tubular side steps; heavy-duty suspension; tinted windows; and P255/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires on aluminum wheels.

The Rubicon is the model for serious off-roading. To the X model, the Wrangler Rubicon adds amenities such as air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, height-adjustable driver's seat, floormats, compass, outside temperature indicator, and a 368-watt Infinity sound system with six speakers and subwoofer. It also adds off-road equipment that includes front and rear tow hooks, rock rails, off-road suspension, an electronic-disconnecting front stabilizer bar to enhance off-road capability, a Rock-Trac heavy duty part-time transfer case with 4:1 low range, Dana 44 front and rear axles, a 4.10 axle ratio, Tru-lok locking front and rear differentials, fog lights, and LT255/75R17 (32-inch) BFGoodrich all-terrain tires on aluminum wheels.

The four-door Unlimited X includes all that the two-door X offers, plus cloth upholstery, height-adjustable driver's seat, split folding rear seat, 60/40-split folding rear seat, Sunrider soft, top, Dana 44 rear axle, 23-gallon fuel tank, air conditioning, and a 60/40 split rear seat. It offers all the options as the two-door X and two-door Sahara.

Conclusions

Competitors of the 2008 Wrangler include the Nissan Xterra and Toyota FJ Cruiser. For more research, read a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon review. Standard four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS incorporate an offroad feature that allows sustained lockup over loose surfaces. Also standard is an electronic stability system with Chrysler's new rollover mitigation technology, which can pulse individual brakes in an attempt to prevent impending rollovers. Side-impact airbags are optional for the front seats. For the latest updates on this Jeep model, visit the official Jeep Wrangler site.