It’s so different, you can tell what it is immediately. That’s right. It looks like the same old Jeep Wrangler on the outside, only bigger and badder. Once you sit inside, it looks and feels remarkably different, however, because Jeep people knew going into the redesign that the Wrangler had to grow up in terms of interior comfort and convenience. So the mandate was clear: leave the shell alone but dramatically improve the interior. As such, Jeep designers took a careful brush stroke to the sheetmetal, rounding off a corner here and there, snipping carefully and restyling the outside of the Wrangler with an emphasis on keeping that same ‘ol soldier look while improving aerodynamics. As a result, you’ve got the seven-slot grille and round headlights. The doors still come off – even the ones with power door locks, which have electric disconnectors built right in. And there are still more straps, tie downs and exposed hinges than in that famous scene from Pulp Fiction.

Significant changes to the exterior include a slightly curved windshield to reduce wind noise and improve aerodynamics. It’s still hinged and will fold down in the classic tradition, but this iteration has its hinge in the center of the window. Wrangler fans will also notice a slight curve to the sheetmetal; designers said that while they tried to make the new version as flat and straight as possible, stamping limitations required a slight curve to sheetmetal panels. It also helps the Wrangler slip through the wind a little better, which improves gas mileage. Also new to the exterior of the Wrangler are removable fender flares and new door handles. The handles actually poke out from the sheet metal – an off road no-no – but the extrusion still measures within fender width.

As for the Wrangler Unlimited, well – there’s never been a four-door Wrangler before. And this is gonna hurt, I know it, but here it is: driving around Lake Tahoe, we rolled down the window at the light, got the attention of a good ‘ol boy in a beat up old Chevy truck and asked – whatcha think? He tugged on his cap, screwed up his face, and said the words Jeep fans loathe:

It looks like a Hummer wannabe. Is that really the new Wrangler?

Ouch. Hey, he said it, not us – don’t shoot the messenger. And while there’s some truth to it, what are you gonna do when you’re Jeep and those darn Hummer people are bogarting that whole military vibe? You get better gas mileage, and who do you think will be saving whom on the rocks? The Wrangler looks exactly like what it is: a four-door Wrangler, which coincidentally looks like a Hummer. Our favorite design is the hardtop, with its clean lines and sharp, boxed-out look. The soft top, however, does look more like a Wrangler.

Ah. But you know what you get when you look at a Jeep. On the inside, Jeep designers have done a superb job of making significant improvements, to the point where the Wrangler will hold its own with other four-door competitors such as the Toyota FJ Cruiser and the Nissan Xterra. While we’re slightly more partial to the Xterra’s interior (though we like the expanded cargo room of the Jeep), the Wrangler soundly thumps the FJ Cruiser when it comes to overall comfort, drivability and interior usefulness. That’s a good thing, too, for the Wrangler Unlimited gets no points for being an American Icon in an SUV segment so competitive that it will eat a car company for lunch and order up another for dinner.

Altogether on three: Whew. Jeep saves the day with a much improved interior. And if you think that this means little to your typical hiking-boots-and-trail-mix-munching Wrangler dude and dudette, think twice: The charm of the two-door fades fast when they start populating the world with their own little trailblazers – which is where the Unlimited comes in, see? Even Yosemite Sam shudders at the thought of shoehorning his kid in the back of a two-door Wrangler, and gee, Yosemite really loves the Jeep, but this OTHER off-roader is way more civilized…

Here endeth the lesson.
Go now, and see the wonders of an interior that feels entirely new, from vents to seats and steering wheel. It’s usable, utilitarian, and comfortable, with plenty of leg and headroom up front. Compared to the 2006 model, there’s 5.1 inches more shoulder room and 4.6 inches more hip room in the 2007 model – that’s significant. An optional driver’s seat adjuster is a much-needed addition, and the seats themselves are solid and supportive. We spent most of our time in Rubicon models which feature the easy-clean Yes Essentials stain-resistant material. We didn’t test its repellent qualities, but the material felt comfortable, modern and durable – a big improvement. Elsewhere inside the cabin, there’s a classic Jeep aura. Consider the painted sheetmetal that carries over from the outside, the tough black sills, the four circular air vents, combined with more modern touches such as white-on-black instrument gauges and power windows. There is room for improvement, however. We’d like more versatile cupholders, and the steering wheel is a bit austere. The electronic differential button is difficult to activate when the going is rough. To turn it on, the driver must hit the button twice, which is hard to do when the Jeep’s bucking like a bronco.

In terms of cargo room and convenience, the Wrangler Unlimited offers plenty of room, just maybe not as much as Jeep officials trumpet. While it’s classified as capable of seating five adults, we strongly recommend that you avoid being the middle passenger in that back seat. It will, however, fit an adult and a child seat comfortably, and two grown-ups get oodles of elbow room. Cargo-wise, the Jeep offers more room with rear seats up than most of the competition, an important consideration for campers, as is the convenient 60/40 split rear seat. Also convenient is the 90-degree opening radius of the rear doors.