Wrangler is a go anywhere vehicle. But for the crowd that never ventures off-road, the 2011 model year provides additional reasons to stay on-road or (finally) head for the hills. That’s because driver and occupants will feel a new vibe with an interior makeover that uses softer materials for touch spots on the center console and door armrests, adds stow spots, alters the instrument panel’s presentation, and dresses the steering wheel with controls for radio and other vehicle functions. And during cold treks, Wrangler now offers heated seats and heated power mirrors. Although the rear window gets a tad larger in this latest version, the view is still compromised from the tall stance of the rear seat headrests.

From a power perspective, Wrangler uses a 3.8-liter 6-cylinder producing 202 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 237 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. The engine is matched to either a standard six-speed manual transmission or a four-speed overdrive automatic transmission. Wrangler Rubicon 4x4 is the off-road-orientated model. Its beef-stock includes a two-speed transfer case that serves up a 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio, electric front and rear differentials, electronic sway bar disconnect, and grizzly 32-inch BF Goodrich off-road tires. Wrangler Rubicon 4x4’s suggested base price is $29,245. When fitted with the 4-speed automatic transmission, the mpg fuel economy estimates are 15 city/19 highway.