2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and includes Jeep Wrangler Unlimited safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a four-door, five-passenger version of the standard Wrangler. The two SUVs are similarly equipped, and share the hardware that makes them among the most capable off-road vehicles in the world.

Jeep tucks a more powerful and fuel-efficient 3.6-liter V6 engine under the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited’s hood this year, and it’s bolted to a six-speed manual gearbox or a new five-speed automatic transmission. Sport models are offered with a new Sport S Package that adds 17-inch alloy wheels and cruise control, while Rubicon models can now be upgraded with a body-color top. There’s also a new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 special edition Wrangler Unlimited, equipped with 32-inch off-road tires, special graphics, a unique interior treatment, and several Mopar accessories.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport is the base model, and while it lacks creature comforts it includes everything you need for traveling far off the beaten path, and letting the outdoors in while doing so. Skid plates, 16-inch painted steel wheels, P225/75R16 on/off-road tires, and a full-size spare with a matching wheel are designed to tackle tough terrain, and the Wrangler Unlimited has a soft convertible top with a sunroof feature, removable metal doors, and a fold-down windshield to expose occupants to nature like no other vehicle on the road.

Additional standard features include a stereo with a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio input jack, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, and visor vanity mirrors, along with carpeting, floor mats, cloth seats, a 60/40-split folding rear bench seat, and a full-length floor console with locking storage. Manual swing-away side mirrors, a padded overhead sport bar with speakers and a dome light, tow hooks, cargo tie-down loops, and secure underfloor storage in the cargo area are also included. A compass is standard to help lead the way, while fog lights and variable intermittent wipers make it easier to see where you’re headed.

Equip the Wrangler Unlimited with the new Sport S Package, and enjoy an upgrade to 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, power heated side mirrors, dark tinted rear privacy glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a security alarm.

The Wrangler Unlimited Sahara builds on the Sport S Package with silver bumper and interior trim, body-color fender flares and top, tubular side steps, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Automatic headlights, satellite radio, Infinity premium sound, and a 115-volt power outlet are also standard on the Sahara model.

Rubicon models are made for serious off-roading. Dana 44 front and rear heavy-duty axles, a 4.10 axle ratio, Tru-Lock front and rear electronic locking differentials, heavy-duty rock rails, an electronic front sway bar disconnect system, and Satin Carbon 17-inch alloys equipped with LT255/75 Mud Terrain light-truck tires are standard on this model. Additionally, the Rubicon is equipped with the contents of the Sport S model plus satellite radio, and Infinity premium sound system, and a 115-volt power outlet.

Any Jeep Wrangler Unlimited can be equipped with a Trailer Tow Package that includes a receiver hitch, a four-pin connector, and Trailer Sway Control technology. All models are available with seat-mounted side-impact airbags, a Freedom Top modular hardtop, a navigation system, and an engine block heater.

The Wrangler Unlimited Sport can also be upgraded with tubular side steps, Infinity sound, satellite radio, and a 115-volt power outlet. Sport and Sahara models can be upgraded to a 3.73 axle ratio and a Rock-Trac heavy-duty transfer case, while Sport and Rubicon models are available with half-metal doors. Automatic climate control, Uconnect Bluetooth hands-free calling, two-tone leather seats, heated front seats, and remote engine starting are exclusively offered on the Sahara and Rubicon models.

If the Rubicon just isn’t manly enough to grace your driveway, check out the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Special Edition version. Built in collaboration with video game maker Activision, the Call of Duty: MW3 model is based on the Rubicon, painted Silver or Black, and equipped with semi-gloss black wheels, different gauges and seats, a serialized dashboard plaque, and more Call of Duty logos and graphics than you’ll probably want once the initial excitement wears off. This model also showcases several Mopar accessories, including slush mats, rock rails, winch-ready steel bumpers, taillight protectors, and a “power dome” hood.

In addition to the Mopar accessories upgrades listed above, Jeep dealers can help you personalize your new Wrangler Unlimited with a variety of extras including an off-road Jeep camper, a tent that connects to the vehicle, classic-design wheels, a spare tire-mounted bike rack, and Uconnect Web service that turns a Wrangler Unlimited into a mobile wi-fi hot spot.

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler’s new 3.6-liter V6 engine is Chrysler’s “Pentastar” V6, the same one that’s installed in everything from a Dodge Avenger family sedan to the Chrysler 300 luxury sedan. In the Wrangler, it makes 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, and a five-speed automatic transmission is optional. Fuel economy ratings are 16-city/21-highway if you choose to row your own gears. Get the automatic, and you can expect 16-city/20-highway according to the EPA.

The new five-speed automatic provides a lower first-gear ratio, which Jeep says translates into a lower overall crawl ratio for improved off-road capability. On Sport and Sahara models, Dana 30 front and Dana 44 rear axles are standard, along with a 3.21 axle ratio. A 3.73 ratio is optional. The Sport and Sahara are also equipped with a Command-Trac part-time two-speed transfer case and a Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential for greater traction in mud, sand, and snow.

The Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is ready for serious rock-crawling action with Dana 44 axles front and rear, a 4.10 axle ratio, a Rock-Trac two-speed transfer case equipped with 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, electronic front and rear locking differentials, a disconnecting front sway bar, and 32-inch off-road tires.

Jeep equips the Wrangler Unlimited with four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with different calibrations for on- and off-road use, brake assist, and brake traction control. Hill start assist is also standard, as well as stability control with roll mitigation. Add one of the available Trailer Tow Packages, and this Jeep also gets a Trailer Sway Control system.

What the Wrangler lacks are airbags. Two of them come standard, stuffed into the steering wheel and the dashboard in front of the passenger. Side-impact, seat-mounted airbags are optional, and side curtain airbags are unavailable at any price.

Based on the Wrangler Unlimited’s 3-Star rollover resistance rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Marginal side-impact rating (without side airbags) from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), we’d say getting the optional side airbags is a good idea. While the NHTSA offers no further guidance on Wrangler crashworthiness, the IIHS says the SUV’s performance in the offset frontal-impact test was Good, but in the rear-impact injury prevention assessment the Jeep received a Marginal rating.

Reliability, at least historically, isn’t a bright spot for the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Consumer Reports expects the Jeep to perform at below average levels, while J.D. Power and Associates is a little bit more optimistic, giving last year’s Wrangler a slightly below average dependability prediction.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is the only four-door convertible for sale, and features doors that can be removed and a windshield that folds down for an open-air experience like no other short of a roller coaster.

Jeep sells a right-hand-drive version of the Wrangler Unlimited. It includes basic features plus a hardtop, and is designed for rural mail delivery service.

Like the standard Wrangler, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited’s towing capacity is 3,500 pounds and its payload capacity is 1,000 pounds. The Unlimited has much more interior space, however, and cargo room measures 46.4 cubic-feet behind the rear seat and 86.75 cu-ft with the rear seat folded.

The Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, like the standard Wrangler Sahara, actually offers the best angles of approach, breakover, and departure thanks to its standard 18-inch wheels and tires. On this model, the measurements are 44.4 degrees for approach, 20.9 degrees for breakover, and 40.7 degrees for departure.

It’s fitting that one of America’s enduring vehicular icons is made in America. The Wrangler is built in Ohio using an engine made in Michigan. Michiganders also assemble the optional automatic transmission, while Germans build the standard manual gearbox.

Want a four-door convertible but can’t roll Entourage-style in a vintage Lincoln? The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is the only game in town. Last year’s new interior and this year’s new V6 engine have transformed the Wrangler, and while it’s still a rough-and-tumble machine built for off-roading adventures, it’s more refined than ever. Just make sure to get the optional side airbags. And maybe an extended warranty.

-- By Christian Wardlaw