2003 Jeep Wrangler Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

It has a stiff ride, offers about the same noise isolation as a motorcycle and has a soft top that's a nail-buster to operate. That said, the 2003 Jeep Wrangler also offers a visceral motoring experience like no other and the off-road ability of a mountain goat.

Pros

Cheap, fun to drive, classic styling, go-anywhere capability.

Cons

Soft top a handful to manipulate, difficult ingress-egress, slow steering.

What's New for 2003

The 2003 Jeep Wrangler gets a new trim level: the Rubicon. All trims have been bestowed with an all-new 42RLE four-speed automatic transmission which is supposed to provide smoother-shifting, better highway fuel efficiency and quieter engine operation at highway speeds compared to the previous three-speed automatic transmission. The SE trim gets a new NV1500 five-speed heavy-duty tranny, which promises to improve shift quality in cold weather, along with a new, more potent 2.4-liter Power Tech inline-four. Available four-wheel disc brakes debut this year, along with a new fold-and-tumble rear seat that can be more easily removed. Finally, the Wrangler's interior has been refurbished for 2003; it gets new front and rear seats, a new electrochromatic rearview mirror with map lights, temperature and compass display (standard on Sahara, optional on Sport and Rubicon trims), and a new four-spoke steering wheel.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Its a Jeep.

Written by: Golf007 on 07/08/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	6	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	7
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	4	Exterior Design:	9

Vehicle

2003 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4WD 2dr Convertible SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Purchased the car new, and have used it primarily as a toy. It has been very reliable and has not required anything but normal maintenance. This is a great car for weekends and vacations, but I would not recommend it for everyday use. It is also great in poor weather conditions. The ride is not super comfortable, but that is expected for the type of vehicle. The hard-top is difficult to negotiate, and it becomes an ordeal to remove each season. The exterior metal is thin and dents easily, and the car burns gas at an alarming rate. I replaced the air filter with K and N, and that improved mileage about 2 MPG. All that said, I still love my Jeep.

Favorite Features

Taking the top down and jamming gears. This is a fun traveler for our mountain vacations. It handles great in poor weather conditions. This car can go almost anywhere. The car sits high, and seems very safe to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Both plastic doors cracked in the same spot on top. Fuel economy is poor. Manual transmission doesn't have enough power for a 4.0L V6 given the amount of fuel used. Starting to rust around the rear bumper.

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It's a Jeep Thing!!

Written by: sandlizzard on 06/10/2009


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	10

2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD 2dr Convertible SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5M)

In 1979 I purchased a '78 CJ5. I also purchased a 1944 willy that same year. I wish I still had both. My latest is a n '03 sport 4wd. I am still a jeepie at heart. I wish more of the jeepies' knew about the "jeep wave". Happy Jeeping!!

Top down, radio up!!

Duh!!

You cant go wrong with a jeep

Written by: JOHNNY on 06/10/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	9

2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4WD 2dr Convertible SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5M)

This is my second Jeep wrangler I had a 2001 sport and I loved it. Just when I thought Jeep couldn't get any better I bought the Jeep I've always wanted (well since 03) the Rubicon and I'm very impressed with its performance and capability.

Its go anywhere and all year round fun to drive.

probably fuel economy, but i'm putting some after market intake, muffler and chip to improve that.

I'm in Love! <3

Written by: Nishbot on 12/15/2008


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	5	Exterior Design:	10

Just bought a used 2003 Jeep, one-owner. Bought it with 36,000 miles on it. LOVE THIS SUV! Everywhere I go, it's great to drive in. Great ground clearance, great handling. Fuel economy is a problem (15mpg mixed). But wouldn't drive anything else! Love it! Really easy to work on!

Soft top, ground clearance, ruggedness, easy to work on, 4x4, handling, power,

Better fuel economy, center console speaker needs to be upgraded.

LOVIN IT!

Written by: adam on 11/03/2008


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	10

There is nothing like driving a Jeep! The Sport is amazing! There are countless clubs and everyone in a Jeep is part of the family. I will never be without a Wrangler in my driveway for the rest of my life, for those of you who don't have one yet, it's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand! ;)

Ability to customize everything, looks, off-road capability, the family that comes only with a Wrangler

Paint, very "squirrely" on the road, traction needs improved on, gas mileage, transmission knocks for some reason right out of factory and said it is normal. I am a mechanic and I don't know why it does that

2003 Jeep Wrangler Consumer Ratings & Reviews