| Year Make Model | 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 5A) |
| Vehicle Type | 4WD 4dr 5-passenger Convertible SUV |
| Base MSRP | $31,545 |
| Options on test vehicle | Flame Red Clearcoat; Body-Color Three-Piece Hardtop ($1,715 -- delete Sunrider soft top; includes Freedom panel storage bag, rear window defroster; Rear window wiper and washer); Quick Order Package 24G ($1,125 -- includes standard equipment, five-speed automatic transmission, chrome and leather-wrapped shift knob, hill descent control, tip start); Media Center 430N CD/DVD/MP3/HDD/NAV ($1,035 -- includes single-disc CD/DVD player with MP3 playback, 30GB hard disk drive, navigation system with GPS, Sirius Travel Link with 1 year of included service, 6.5-inch touchscreen display, audio input jack for mobile devices, remote USB port); Leather Seats ($900 -- includes leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats); Connectivity Group ($385 -- includes leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote USB port, UConnect voice-activated, hands-free in-vehicle communications system featuring Bluetooth connectivity and steering wheel phone controls, vehicle information center); Anti-Spin Rear Differential Axle ($295); Remote Start System ($200). |
| As-tested MSRP | $37,200 |
| Assembly location | Toledo, Ohio |
| North American parts content (%) | 86 |
| Configuration | Longitudinal, front-engine, four-wheel drive |
| Engine type | Naturally aspirated, port-injected, V6, gasoline |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 3,604/220 |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable intake + exhaust-valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.2 |
| Redline, indicated (rpm) | 6,400 |
| Fuel cutoff/rev limiter (rpm) | 6,400 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 285 @ 6,400 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 260 @ 4,800 |
| Fuel type | 87-octane recommended |
| Transmission type | Five-speed automatic with console shifter |
| Transmission ratios (x:1) | I = 3.59; II = 2.19; III = 1.41; IV = 1.00; V = 0.83; R = 3.16 |
| Final-drive ratio (x:1) | 3.06 |
| Transfer-case ratio (x:1) | 2.72 |
| Differential(s) | Front: open, center: locking, rear: limited-slip |
| Suspension, front | Non-independent solid axle, coil springs, monotube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Non-independent solid axle, coil springs, monotube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Hydraulic-assist, speed-proportional, recirculating-ball power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 14.7 |
| Tire make and model | Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S |
| Tire type | All-season front and rear |
| Tire size | P255/70R18 (112S) M+S |
| Wheel size | 18-by-7.5 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Painted cast-aluminum |
| Brakes, front | 11.9-inch one-piece ventilated cast-iron discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Brakes, rear | 12.4-inch one-piece solid cast-iron discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 3.4 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 5.6 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 8.8 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 13.0 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 16.4 @ 85.1 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 8.5 |
| 0-30 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 3.5 |
| 0-45 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 5.6 |
| 0-60 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 8.8 |
| 0-75 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 13.0 |
| 1/4-mile, trac ON (sec. @ mph) | 16.4 @ 85.3 |
| 0-60, trac ON with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 8.5 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 34 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 138 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 51.4 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) ESC ON | 50.8 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.63 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) ESC ON | 0.62 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 46.8 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 83.1 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 68.9 |
| Engine speed @ 70 mph (rpm) | 2,300 |
| Acceleration comments | Still a slug off the line, but the new V6 comes on strong from 3,700 rpm to its 6,400-rpm redline/shift point. It's 1.8 seconds quicker to 60 than previous V6/four-speed auto combo. New five-speed automatic upshifts very slowly but smoothly. Power braking is of no help, could go considerably quicker with standard six-speed manual. Manual-shifting ability of auto is via console lever (slap left to downshift). Will hold gears to 6,400-rpm rev limiter. Does not blip throttle on downshifts. |
| Braking comments | Long travel, slightly mushy pedal. Lots of nose dive and enough side-to-side squirm that countersteering was required. All things which are really not that surprising in a Wrangler. But stops were consistent and fade-free. |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: Overly intrusive ESC (whether on or off -- it's never fully off unless you're in 4WD) means you have to dance, yes I said dance a Wrangler, at the edge of ESC intervention. System loves to add brakes. Not much grip, lots of body roll. Slalom: Could not go as fast as last Wrangler because of an insanely aggressive ESC system. It's so intrusive, whether on or off, that it's actually dangerous because of how quickly and with how much force it stabs the brakes. I almost took out several cones because it wouldn't let me finish my turn, instead forcing me to drive straight while it jammed on the brakes. The Wrangler definitely has more to give, as it wasn't at a real sliding point. Suspension and tires would allow a far quicker time. Seats suck in terms of lateral support, letting you flop about big time. |
| Test date | 8/30/2011 |
| Test location | California Speedway |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 76.3 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 50.4 |
| Barometric pressure (in. Hg) | 28.7 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 1.75, headwind |
| Odometer (mi.) | 2,373 |
| Fuel used for test | 91-octane gasoline |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 16 city/20 highway/18 combined |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 14.9 worst/18.2 best/16.7 average (over 1,157 miles) |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 22.5 |
| Driving range (mi.) | 450 |
| Stereo description | AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3/HDD audio system with six Infinity speakers and subwoofer |
| iPod/digital media compatibility | Standard iPod via AUX input jack |
| Satellite radio | Standard Sirius with one-year subscription |
| Hard-drive music storage capacity (Gb) | Optional 40GB music storage capacity |
| Rear seat video and entertainment | Not available |
| Bluetooth phone connectivity | Optional |
| Navigation system | Optional hard drive with 6.5-inch display screen |
| Telematics (OnStar, etc.) | Optional |
| Smart entry/Start | Not available |
| Parking aids | Not available |
| Blind-spot detection | Not available |
| Adaptive cruise control | Not available |
| Lane-departure monitoring | Not available |
| Collision warning/avoidance | Not available |
| Night Vision | Not available |
| Driver coaching display | Standard |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 4,294 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 4,493 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 52/48 |
| Length (in.) | 173.4 |
| Width (in.) | 73.9 |
| Height (in.) | 70.8 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 116.0 |
| Track, front (in.) | 61.9 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 61.9 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 41.2 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 41.0 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 37.2 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 41.3 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 40.4 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 55.8 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 56.8 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Step-in height, measured (in.) | 24.3 |
| Trunk volume (cu-ft) | 46.4 |
| Max cargo volume behind 1st row (cu-ft) | 86.8 |
| behind 2nd row (cu-ft) | 46.4 |
| Cargo loading height, measured (in.) | 30.4 |
| GVWR (lbs.) | 5,337 |
| GCWR (lbs.) | 6,561 |
| Payload, mfr. max claim (lbs.) | 880 |
| Tow capacity, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 2,000 |
| Ground clearance (in.) | 10.2 |
| Approach angle (degrees) | 44.4 |
| Departure angle (degrees) | 40.7 |
| Breakover angle (degrees) | 20.9 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years/100,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 5 years/100,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | 3 years/36,000 miles |
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