2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara new car reviews

The Jeep Wrangler has developed a following unlike any other vehicle. We've been privy to its performance before, and honestly we love it too. We know these things can manage off-road obstacles handily, but how practical is a stock one on the street? We received a four-door Sahara model to find out.

We also reviewed a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon earlier this year.

Other staff views

Ed Higginbotham
PunchyWrench - Ed Higginbotham
UberDork

Though I enjoyed this Wrangler for three straight days, I never once set a wheel off-road. I wish I had. And in this short review, you will learn just how little I actually know about off-roading.

Driving between the office and my apartment I couldn't help but point out objects that I may or may not be able to scale. This thing boasts a 42.2-degree approach angle, 10 inches of ground clearance and a 32.5-degree departure angle. Is that good? I don't know! But Jeep says those are all best-in-class numbers. So there you go.

Okay, so I didn't climb anything larger than a speed bump. Then how was it on the street? In a word: rigid. Not it a bad way. In a "this thing obviously is meant to take on more than this" kind of way. It doesn't provide the ride quality of most other modern cars, but it definitely gives you a sense of freedom.

These things do still have a relatively thirsty engine, with a 16 mpg rating for city driving. But you're in a Jeep. Other Jeepers wave and smile at you. Life is good.

If I owned one, I genuinely believe I would use it as it was meant to be.

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Comments
mazdeuce
mazdeuce UltimaDork
12/16/16 10:58 a.m.

I think we're all waiting for a Jeep truck reveal at the Detroit Auto show in a couple of weeks.

Driven5
Driven5 Dork
12/16/16 11:32 a.m.

If the Jeep truck keeps the Unlimited seating and open air experience, while adding a 5-7 thousand pound tow rating and diesel engine...It might actually be the ultimate do-it-all rig for my family's next purchase.

mazdeuce
mazdeuce UltimaDork
12/16/16 11:57 a.m.

I want a single cab a manual transmission and transfer case, and 7-8k lbs towing. I doubt the single cab will happen so I'm flexible, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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