You can't tell by looking at it, but the Jeep Wrangler has undergone a transformation. The iconic shape remains -- seven-slot grille, round headlights, short wheelbase, soft or hard top -- but Jeep has made huge improvements to the off-roader for 2012. Jeep invited us to drive the 2012 Wrangler on the Rubicon, one of the hardest 4x4 trails around, used almost exclusively by modified vehicles. We also got to drive on the two-lane asphalt roads that wind around Lake Tahoe.

                                                              2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport

        Consider this the second part of a major overhaul to the Wrangler and four-door Wrangler Unlimited. Part one happened for the 2011 model year, when the JK (the current generation's code name) received a new interior, plus, on the Sahara, a body-color hard top and fender flares. The hard top is of the same composite material as it was before, but what sounds like a minor change actually has a major effect on the Wrangler's appearance. In addition, the rear windows are larger as of 2011, improving visibility. For 2012, the body-color hard top and fender flares are optional on the Rubicon, too.

                                                             2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport

        The 2012 Rubicon’s approach and departure angles have been slightly improved; the 2012 Wrangler is available with 3.21, 3.73, or 4.10 final drive axle ratios, depending on model. The Command-Trac NV241 is standard; a limited slip differential is optional. Rubicon includes electric front and rear locking differentials, disconnecting front sway bar, and 32 inch tires.

                                                                2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport 

Pricing Information
MSRP: $22,045
Invoice: $21,461

Technical Specs
Engine
Standard Engine: 3.6L V6
Standard Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
Cylinders: 6
Horsepower @RPM: 285@6400
Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy: 17/21
Combined Fuel Economy: 18
EPA Class: Four Wheel Drive SUV
Number of Valves: 24
Torque @RPM: N/A
Fuel Type System: Gas Engine / Sequential Electronic Fuel Injected, Sequential Port Fuel Injected Sequential, Multi-Port Fuel Injected
Turbo (Yes/No): No
Overdrive Transmission: Yes
Battery Output: N/A
Compression: 10.2:1
Displacement: 3604/220
Bore X Stroke: 3.78×3.27
Cruising Range: 334.8 miles
Final Drive Gear Ratio Opt: 3.73
Power to Weight Ratio: 13.5
Final Drive Ratio: No
Valves Configuration: Dual Overhead Cam/Twin Overhead Cam
Supercharged: No
Electric HorsePower RPM: N/A
Electric Torque Feet Per Pound: N/A
Electric Torque RPM: N/A
Electric HorsePower BHP: N/A

Standard Features
Anti-Theft & Locks
Vehicle Anti-Theft Via Sentry Key(R) Engine Immobilizer

Braking & Traction
Automatic Locking Hubs
Hill Start Control
Traction Control
Command-TRAC(R) Part-Time 4-Wheel Drive
Front Power 302-mm X 28-mm Vented Disc and Rear Power 316-mm X 12-mm Solid Disc Brakes
Command-TRAC(R) 2-Speed Transfer Case
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
Electronic Stability Control Vehicle Stability Control System
Brake Assistance

Electrical
600 Cold Cranking Amp Battery
Audio and Towing Pre-Wiring
Front Power Outlet

Engines & Emissions
3.6-Liter Pentastar(R), 60 Degree V6, VVT 24-Valve, DOHC, SEFI Engine; Front/Longitudinal Mounted With Horsepower Of 285@6400, Torque Of 260@4800, Alloy Block and Alloy Cylinder Heads
Oil Cooler

Entertainment, Communication & Navigation
Front Auxiliary Audio Input Jack
Radio Antenna
AM/FM Radio With 6 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3/WMA Player

Exterior Lighting
Halogen Headlights
Front Foglights

Exterior, Design, Paint & Finish
Metallic Paint (If Selected)
Black Fender Flares
Skid Plates Located On Fuel Tank and Transfer Case
Accent Color Fender Flares
Sport Badge
Front and Rear Black Bumpers

Instrumentation
Cruise Control
Exterior Temperature Gauge
Tachometer
Compass
Battery Gauge
Audible Warnings Include Headlights-On, Key-In Ignition and Seatbelts Unfastened
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls For Audio and Cruise Control
Oil Pressure Gauge
Tire Pressure Monitor

Interior, Design, Decor & Floor Covering
Cargo Mat
Carpet Located In Passenger Cabin and Cargo Area
Front Carpeted Floor Mats

Safety
Passenger Airbag With Multi-Stage Deployment
L A T C H
Crumple Zones
Fixed Hoop Safety Rollbar
Front Seatbelt Height Adjusters
Passenger Airbag Cutoff Sensor
Front and Rear 3-Point Seatbelts
Front and Rear Automatic Locking Retractors
Front Pretensioners
Driver Airbag With Multi-Stage Deployment
Electronic Roll Mitigation Rollover Sensor
Side Guard Door Beams

Seats
Front Dual Reclining Bucket Seats With Driver Adjustable Seat Height and Adjustable Headrests
Theater Style Rear Seating
Easy Entry Seat
Cloth Seats
Rear Folding Removable Bench Seat With Manually Adjustable Headrests

Steering
Power Recirculating
Ball Steering
Tilt Steering Column

Storage
Front Dual Door Mounted Storage
Rear Covered Lower Console Storage Located On Floor
Coinholder
Cargo Area Tiedown Hooks
Lockable Glovebox
Front Locking Storage
Glovebox
2 Front and 2 Rear; 4 Cupholders Total
Front Dual Seatback Storage Pockets
Cargo Organizer
Front Covered Lower Console Storage Located On Floor

Sunroof/Moonroof & Removable/Convertible Top
Sunrider(R) Manual Soft Removable Top

Suspension
Front Stabilizer Bar
Live Front Suspension With Coil Springs and Gas Charged Shock Absorbers
Rear Stabilizer Bar
Live Rear Suspension With Coil Springs and Gas Charged Shock Absorbers

Towing/Trailering & Payload
Front and Rear Tow Hooks

Transmission
6-Speed Manual Transmission With Overdrive

Wheels & Tires
SBRP225/75R16 BSW Goodyear(R) On/Off Road Tires
Exterior Rear Mounted Tire Carrier
Full-Size Spare Tire
Steel Wheels, 16-In. X 7-In.
SBRP225/75R16 BSW Goodyear(R) Wrangler ST On/Off Road Tires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
Front Dual Vanity Mirrors
Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Front Dual Sunvisors
Dual Black Folding Manually Adjustable Exterior Rearview Mirrors
Front Tinted Glass