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The Jeep Wrangler JK may well be one of the most iconic cars in the world. Based on the original Jeep that was developed for soldiers during World War II, the Wrangler is a tough, no-nonsense vehicle that is great in adverse conditions, whether you're taking it off-roading at Moab or just fighting through drifting snow on your way to work.
However, the modern 2016 Wrangler is more than a good four-wheel-drive system and rugged construction. It also brings plenty of amenities and options to bear, making the Wrangler comfortable and enjoyable to drive. This doesn't hinder performance, as you still get the tough Wrangler body parts and superior engineering. The new Wrangler is attractive to a much wider market segment. It can still often be found in the wild, climbing the side of a mountain or fording an icy river, but it's also a great vehicle for the daily commute or that summer afternoon trip to the beach, with the top and the doors removed.
Door Configurations: As with the last few years, Jeep offers the 2016 Wrangler with two door configurations: a traditional two-door and the newer four-door. The four-door design, largely produced as a replacement for the XJ Cherokee, is known as the Wrangler Unlimited.
Trim Levels: No matter which of the configurations you choose, the Wrangler comes in four basic trim levels: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon. The Sport is the base model, stripped of most options, but comes with a 3.6L V6 engine, Jeep's Command-Trac® 4×4 System, and skid plates. You can easily upgrade with Wrangler's aftermarket accessories, such as a winch or a lift kit, to make it even more capable.
Moving up through the trim levels provides you with more amenities and tech advancements. The Sport S adds 17-inch wheels, power outlets, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Sahara gives you more interior color options, a heavy-duty suspension, and body-color fender flares. The Rubicon, made for serious off-roading, provides an electronic front sway bar disconnect system, a performance suspension, and an upgraded four-wheel-drive system.
Special Trims: From time to time, Jeep puts out special trim levels. Many of the differences are cosmetic–adding optional graphics, for instance–but some are also more designed for specific types of drivers who want to hit the trails more than the highway. Examples of these special trims types include the Willys Wheeler (4×4), the Black Bear (4×4), and the Rubicon Hard Rock (4×4).
Power and Capabilities: As noted, the Wrangler always comes with the powerful V6 engine, but the capabilities should be noted from one model to the next. The Rubicon has the ability to tow 3,500 pounds, making it ideal for those who want to pull boats or trailers with snowmobiles. Though the engine always provides 285 HP and gets 16 and 21 MPG city and highway, respectively, other trim levels can tow less; the Sport, for example, tows just 2,000 pounds.
The manual transmission is the standard setup on any trim level, but there is an optional automatic transmission. The trailer tow package is also optional, and it provides a tow hitch and advanced cooling systems.
Upgrading the Wrangler: The real fun of the Wrangler is in personalizing it and upgrading it. Some of this can be done with Wrangler aftermarket accessories, such as Wrangler floor liners, specialty soft or hard tops, and light racks that mount on the roll bars. Jeep also offers plenty of options when you order, though, including heated and vented leather seats, a premium sound system, a body-color hard top, a backup camera, and polished mineral gray wheels. With all of the options and accessories, it's hard to find two Wranglers on any trail that are exactly the same. Each is unique and designed specifically for the use its owner has in mind.
The 2016 Jeep Wrangler is the best incarnation of the vehicle the company has put on the market to date. It retains the off-road toughness that Jeep fanatics love, yet it comes with so many amenities and upgrade options that even those who don't care about hitting the trails will find it a versatile, reliable daily driver. It sets the bar in its market segment.
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