Sticking To Tradition

FRESH FROM ITS GLOBAL UNVEILING, WE JOIN THE U.S. LAUNCH OF THE NEW JEEP WRANGLER FOR A FIRST DRIVE.

- Chris Collard

WHEN the Wrangler made its debut in 1987 as the YJ, Jeep purists poked fun at Jeep’s new prodigy, casting derogatory insults such as “Yuppie Jeep” and “Real Jeeps have round headlights.” While I agree with them regarding round headlamps, the YJ retained the DNA of its venerable predecessors in the CJ line-up. It had live axles, a reliable six cylinder mill and traditional leaf springs. A decade later we met the coil-sprung TJ and, in 2007, the internationally acclaimed JK. When Jeep announced a new generation of Wrangler would replace the JK, the public, as well as those in the media, feared the brand would succumb to the soccer-mum factor and deliver a wind-tunnel-designed land sled sans proper chassis and live axles. 

I voiced my concerns with Jeep insiders during the last few years, that the Wrangler sets the bar for all four-wheel drive platforms and anything less would be the beginning of the end for the seven-slot legacy. They assured me, “We won’t screw up the Wrangler.” After spending time in the JL, I can comfort you in saying all is well in the world of the Wrangler. Let me walk, no, drive you through what’s new, what I love, and what I could do without.

TRADITIONAL VALUES