Car group tests

Jeep Wrangler 4dr

Classic’s a hit in space race.

By:Auto Express team

3 Dec 2008

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And the winning 4x4 is... the Jeep Wrangler 4dr. While you might have expected a budget SUV such as the Chevrolet Captiva to steal the space-per-pound crown, the all-American favourite’s enormous dimensions are enough to claim victory.

The Wrangler measures nearly five metres in length, and is longer than most executive cars – with that size being put to good use inside.

The key figure is 1,310 litres. That’s the huge capacity offered by the double-decker boot, even with five occupants on board.

Fold the superbly engineered seats (the headrests flip, so you don’t have to remove them), and there’s even more room.

In the front, the Jeep feels less spacious. It’s more comfortable than a Land Rover Defender, even if the cabin is old-fashioned.

Be prepared for a unique driving experience, too. Moving the steering wheel eventually has an effect on your direction of travel, but it takes some time. The turning circle is huge, limiting the Wrangler’s use around town.

Even though it’s a space-per-pound class leader on paper, we reckon most buyers will be better off sacrificing some load space and going for a tarmac-biased compact SUV. Only those who want to head deep into the wilderness with a huge load will find fortune with the Jeep.