2005 Jeep Wrangler
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Summary
The 2005 Jeep Wrangler lineup includes a new Unlimited model. Introduced late
in the 2004 model year in Sport trim, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is also
available in Rubicon trim for 2005, bringing added creature comfort to serious
off-roaders.
Full 2005 Review
Jeep Wrangler remains an icon, a symbol of go-anywhere adventure. A
four-speed automatic is available on all models. The interior is Spartan. For
the ultimate in off-the-shelf off-road capability, Jeep offers the Wrangler
Rubicon. Built along Jeep's "Go anywhere, do anything" design philosophy, the
Rubicon is a 4x4 gem. Front and rear Dana Model 44 axles with locking
differentials and a transfer case with a stump-pulling 4:1 low-range give the
Ruby trail capabilities far beyond those of the average SUV. 2005 Jeep Wrangler
models come standard with a new six-speed manual gearbox that replaces last
year's five-speed manual.
Trims and Styling '05
The 2005 Jeep Wrangler is available in six models: SE ($17,970); X ($20,280);
Sport ($23,140); Rubicon ($27,365); Unlimited ($23,895); and Unlimited Rubicon
($28,365). The Sahara is no longer available.
The Wrangler SE comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The 2005
Wrangler SE features a new six-speed manual gearbox; a four-speed automatic
($825) is optional. Air conditioning ($895), cloth upholstery ($130), and
full-metal doors with wind-up windows ($125) are extra-cost options.
The 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine comes standard on all the other Wrangler
models. The six-speed manual transmission is standard; the four-speed automatic
is optional.
Wrangler X upgrades to cloth upholstery. More options are available. Among them:
cruise control ($300) including leather-wrapped steering wheel); upgraded stereo
($295); hard top ($1,160).
Sport upgrades to air conditioning, full metal doors with wind-up windows, a
full-length floor console, courtesy and underhood lights, fog lamps, a
seven-speaker stereo, and other features. Options expand to include anti-lock
four-wheel disc brakes ($600), side steps ($150), and an auto-dimming rear-view
mirror ($295). Rubicon comes with diamond-plate sill guards, beefier front and
rear axles (two Dana 44s, rather than the Dana 30 and 35 used in the front and
rear, respectively, of other Wranglers), a heavy-duty transfer case with an
ultra-low 4:1 ratio, driver-actuated locking differentials, a special off-road
suspension and four-wheel-disc brakes. Also standard are 31-inch tall
LT245/75R16 tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels. The two Unlimited models mirror
the features on the Sport and Rubicon models, as appropriate, primarily adding
the extra interior room allowed by the lengthened wheelbase.
All models in the lineup include a fold-down windshield, removable doors and
top, and a weatherproof interior. Drivers may choose the standard soft top or
the extra-cost steel hard top or a package that includes both ($1,435) in
matching colors. The hard top comes with roll-up windows, a rear wiper-washer
and rear defroster.
The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most widely recognized vehicles in the world.
Bumpers are black on all models. Rubicon features neutral gray metallic fender
flares and other special features to distinguish it from its fellow Wranglers. A
22-inch Rubicon nameplate is emblazoned on either side of the hood. Goodyear
Wrangler 31-inch tires are mounted on 16-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels with a
dished face to protect them from debris and obstacles. Generous ground clearance
helps the Rubicon traverse the trail.
One of the biggest decisions when buying a Wrangler is selecting the top. The
optional hard top is more practical and offers better protection from weather
and thieves. The hard top comes with full-height doors and roll-up windows.
Interior Styling and Features
Getting into a Jeep Wrangler requires a tall step up. Seats and fabrics are
comfortable. The front seat offers enough rearward travel to allow taller
drivers to sit a comfortable distance from the steering wheel. The easily
removable, fold-and-tumble rear seat is equipped with the LATCH (Lower Anchors
and upper Tethers for CHildren) system for mounting child safety seats directly
to the structure of the seat. A dark gray or khaki interior, four-spoke steering
wheel and padded sport bar give the Wrangler its unmistakably utilitarian look,
while a simple dash with a 12-volt power outlet adds functionality. The interior
light continues to be managed by a switch in the door frame, so a fuse must be
pulled to extinguish the light when the Wrangler is operated sans doors.
The Wrangler remains miles away from luxurious. Rear-seat legroom is up by
two inches over the standard models, and the space behind the rear seat grows
lengthwise by 13 inches. The Unlimited's towing capacity is 3500 pounds compared
with the shorter Wrangler's 2000 pounds.
First Drive 2005
Few vehicles can match the Jeep Wrangler off road and certainly none in this
price range. Driving a Wrangler every day on the road, however, requires
concessions.
The tall tires and off-road suspension, which add capability in the
backcountry, become a liability around town. On the plus side, however, is a
torque-sensing limited-slip feature on the rear axle for better traction on the
road.
The Unlimited offers a smoother ride, a benefit of its longer wheelbase. We
sampled both the smooth-shifting four-speed automatic transmission and the
well-geared six-speed manual, and both match up well to the power of the inline
six-cylinder engine.
Jeep's inline-6 produces ample power in all conditions. The Wrangler SE with
the four-cylinder engine is an appealing vehicle. The low-cut doors and soft top
are cool. The SE's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is rated 147 horsepower at
5200 rpm and 165 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. We drove one at Jeep's
proving grounds in Michigan where it performed flawlessly.
The Rubicon model offers the ultimate in off-road capability. This specialty
model was named for the Class 10 Rubicon Trail on the California-Nevada border,
a location that has been part of Jeep's evaluation for all its vehicles. We've
found the Wrangler Rubicon to perform flawlessly in the rough and rugged. It
boasts a cadre of 4WD technology that includes a transfer case designed with a
4.0:1 low range (the low ratio in the standard transfer case is 2.72:1), which
delivers more torque at the snail-like speeds often required for off-road
driving. Boasting Big Foot stature in a mini footprint, the Rubicon wears
aggressive Goodyear Wrangler 31-inch tires that help it achieve 10 inches of
ground clearance on a short 93.4-inch wheelbase (93.4 inches). Added to that are
laudable approach angles (42.2 degrees, 43.1 in the Unlimited), departure angles
(31.5 degrees, 27.7 in the Unlimited), and ramp breakover angles (22.6 degrees,
21.4 in the Unlimited).
2005 Wrangler Conclusions
Jeep Wrangler is a classic symbol of summer cruising and off-road rambling.
Wrangler Rubicon is the ultimate off-road rig, as capable as some modified
rock-crawlers but available right off the showroom. For more info, and a
different perspective on the Wrangler, check out
Edmunds.com. Purists might decry the adoption of the Trail's mantel by the
stretched Unlimited, even though the long-wheelbase Jeep successfully navigated
the Trail before top management signed off.