Her and His Reviews
February 2012
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4x4
There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that!
To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle –
Her and His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate,women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| MSRP: $33,480 | MSRP: Our test drive Sahara with Premium package came to $33,480; base is $27,970 |
| Performance | |
|
The 2012 new 2-door Wrangler Sahara is a four-wheel drive. A more powerful engine than it's predecessor, the 2012 kicks in with 290-horsepower and a new 3.6-liter V-6 engine. It's also available in a standard transmission six-speed manual. Smart and quick acceleration. Steering occurred to me as loose on occasion, but generally it handled well - especially in the snow storm that arrived mid week of our test drive. |
The Sahara is equipped with a 3.6 liter V-6, with 285 horsepower and a five speed automatic. It had a base price of, and equipped with start, the price came to $33,480. The pitching and bucking that you have to endure when you hit a rough patch or a pothole with the Wrangler Sahara, which has live axles front and back, aren't exactly enjoyable either. And the steering felt uncertain and required correction often, too. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 17 city /21 highway | The fuel mileage rating is 17/21 - but we were hard-pressed to get 14 to 15 miles per gallon in city driving, and an average of 17 miles on the highway. The fuel consumption was a problem for our staffers, and the resulting expenses would make it a rather costly proposition for families that travel on a daily basis. |
| The Car | |
|
Ok, so I needed a pole vault to get in the vehicle - that is a mere technicality. I found a new patented way to grab the steering wheel and hoist myself inside. Then there was the task of reeeeeaaaaching over to shut the door - entirely another matter. Not smooth. Not smart. Doesn't work so well. I thought a remote control to shut the door could be in order. Electronic stability control with roll control, traction control, brake assist, tire pressure monitors, air conditioning and Hill Smart Assist are standard on all Wranglers. Other safety features include remote keyless entry, power window, and a security alarm. When I put my yoga gear in the back 'trunk' there was no light to see the space allotted and how and where to put my things. So I just pushed and prodded till everything fit; a light would certainly assist. |
It's so much better than its predecessors in many ways. Like all cars and trucks, it should be judged on its merits in comparison to its peers on the market, and on that basis, we think it's one of the best buys you can make if you're into off roading, and don't require it to be useful for everyday purposes for a family. Still, we concentrate heavily on how products perform on a daily basis, not on just one mode of operation like off-roading. We expect our test vehicles to meet the needs in a way that would be expected by most people, and on that score, the Wrangler Sahara just simply did not work. The four door Jeep products, and there are several, make far better choices for those of us with kids. The positives of the Wrangler Sahara were many: It was far quieter than any Jeep Wrangler we've ever driven, as long as you were on a fairly smooth surface. Secondly, it was much better built than any Wrangler we've driven in the past. There were way fewer rattles, loose threads and flimsy material issues than we've experienced with other Wranglers. Luggage space? Behind the back seat, you may be able to get a duffel bag or two or perhaps a couple of grocery bags, but that's about it. |
| Technology | |
| Technology on this model include a device that shows how eco-friendly the vehicle is driving (which isn't so eco), and an outdoor temperature gauge. Great connectivity and beach music can all be afforded with Bluetooth, My GIG music storage and Sirius Satellite. All enjoyed through Infinity's 7 surround sound speakers. | The premium package options include the connectivity group, heated seats , a body-color three piece hardtop, a media center with navigation and a remote starter. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
|
Brighter colors really work for this unique, boxy and very rugged vehicle that has a look all to itself. For the outdoor enthusiast, the doors are removable and the windshield folds down; as well as the top. Chrysler really amped up this classic for 2012. The flashy colors and functional, on-trend interior really work. The instrument panels are designed and colored well, not so military like. I appreciated the elbow rests and ability to move the seat and the steering wheel to accommodate me - rather than in years past having to find creative ways to make my size work when driving this model. It has the appearance and feel of a very comfortable sedan on the inside. |
The interior is much more pulled together, more durable, and more attractive too. The design and look of the dashboard-except for the relatively small, narrow glove box-was a particular strong point, looking way more upscale and being much more functional than past models. The hard work put in by the Jeep team was clearly obvious in this 2012 model. However, getting in and out of the vehicle was a challenge. Even with a running board, the narrow door openings on this two door, the steep and rather obstructive step-down you have to negotiate to even get in the seat, and the contortions you have to go through to get two small children in the back seat, much less to get them buckled in which requires turning completely around in your already narrow space, and the balkiness of the handles to fold the front seats forward just made every trip a chore. |
| Warranty | |
| 5 Year, 100,000 Power train Warranty | 5 years - 100,000 Powertrain |
