Jeep Wrangler review: 'I took a test drive in a new Jeep - and it's a thing of beauty'

Me? I’m an ardent admirer of both. Thanks to a garage-owning uncle, I spent a chunk of my childhood helping him tow breakdowns off the M62, often with an aged Land Rover long before health and safety was a thing.

But that didn’t stop me admiring the heritage of its distant cousin across the water. American design doesn’t do it for me generally but when it comes to cars, I’m hooked.

Just look at Jeep in general and Wrangler in particular. These vehicles evolve slowly with changes barely perceptible over the decades.

But don’t be fooled: the new version is the most capable Wrangler yet.

It is also that increasingly rare commodity, a cabriolet. I know, it doesn’t look like it but believe me it is. More of this later.

Jeep recently announced that its refreshed Wrangler will cost from £60,785.

Updated Wrangler gains a new grille with black textured slots, while a new ‘trail-ready’ antenna has been integrated into the windscreen to replace the ‘traditional’ steel mast of the previous version.

Jeep also says that this change prevents the antenna from snagging on leaves or branches when travelling off-road.

Inside, the Wrangler benefits from new 12-way power front seats and Jeep’s latest 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both integrated as standard.

In the UK, the Wrangler gets a single engine option – whereas several are available in Jeep’s native America – which is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

I know what you’re thinking: a 2.0 litre engine will struggle with such a chunky model, but fear not. It is no ordinary 2.0 litre engine and it feels to have plenty of power.

Wrangler is available in two specifications – Sahara and Rubicon. I’ve tried both but here I’m concentrating on the Rubicon, named after the famous off-road trail in America.

The entry-level trim level brings many standard features, including 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and leather seats, as well as a nine-speaker Alpine premium audio system and keyless entry and start.

Move up to off-road focused Rubicon and you’ll find a similar high level of standard equipment to the Sahara, with the addition of some go-anywhere features. These include a sway bar disconnection function which allows the wheels even more articulation and a Dana 44 HD full-float rear axle to help the Wrangler tackle challenging terrain.

It is, in my opinion, a thing of beauty. I love the famous seven-slot grilled (count down, all have seven slots, no matter what age the vehicle).

It has a refined interior with more technology and amenities, including 12-way power adjustable front seats, all-new instrument panel featuring Uconnect 5 system with state-of-the-art 12.3in touchscreen radio and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Wrangler now delivers standard Drowsy Driver Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Traffic Sign Information to keep you safe.

Wrangler can claim to be the archetypal adventure hero, embodying the spirit and the soul of the Jeep brand. Since its introduction, Jeep sold five million Wranglers around the world, setting new levels of 4x4 capability with each new generation.

You may be surprised to discover this Wrangler is a convertible. Unclip the two roof panels above the driver and front seat passenger and you can have wind in the hair motoring, which is coming a rare experience it seems.

British car buyers looking for the open-top experience now have the fewest models to choose from in nearly 20 years.

A report by automotive marketplace CarGurus has revealed a 41 per cent drop in choice of convertibles since 2005.

Drivers now have a total of 22 variants, compared with 37 less than two decades ago.

Currently, 18 of Britain’s 30 most popular car manufacturers no longer offer a convertible in their line-ups.

Within the past 12 months, Lexus, Smart and Audi have dropped their open-top models – the LC, Fortwo Cabrio and TT Roadster – whereas the Mazda MX-5 has been on sale in the UK for 34 years, making it the longest-running soft-top on the market, followed by Wrangler at 27 years.

This system works well in the Wrangler. It takes seconds to convert from a solid hard top to a funky open-air car.

Meanwhile, Wrangler is among the prizes.

The new 2024 Jeep Wrangler is the Best SUV of 2024, according to Cars.com in America. The editors considered all SUVs available in the US to determine which vehicle demonstrates the best combination of capability, versatility and value, selecting the expansive Wrangler family as the best of the best.

The award applies to the entire 2024 Jeep Wrangler lineup, including Wrangler 2.0- petrol and 3.6-litre models, the V-8-powered Wrangler Rubicon 392 which is not available in Europe and the plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid.

Bill Peffer, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America, said: “The Jeep Wrangler is the ultimate adventure vehicle and the icon of the Brand.

"Since Wrangler’s introduction, the Jeep brand has sold more than five million around the world, setting new levels of 4x4 capability with each new generation.

“The new 2024 Wrangler raises the bar once again, combining more capability, technology, comfort and safety features with the freedom to choose from four different powertrains, including our electrified 4xe.”

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: £63,125. As tested £64,010 because it came with Anvil Clear Coat finish at £965; a 2.0 litre petrol engine generating 272bhp via an automatic transmission; 23.7mpg combined; Emissions 269g/km