The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most widely recognized vehicles in the world. Its round headlights, jailhouse grille, and square-edged fenders hark back to the 1940 original.The exterior mirrors are made of plastic, which Jeep engineers say holds up better than metal when going off-road. Bumpers are black on all models. Fender flares are black or dark khaki on all but Rubicon and Rubicon Unlimited, where they are metallic gray.
Other visual cues distinguish the Rubicons as well. A 22-inch Rubicon nameplate is emblazoned on either side of the hood. Heavy-gauge diamond-plate sill guards are bolted to the body sides to protect the rocker panels from damage and dings from rocks and stumps in the backcountry. Goodyear Wrangler 31-inch tires are mounted on 16-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels with dished faces to protect them from debris and obstacles. Generous ground clearance helps the Rubicon traverse the trail.
One of the biggest decisions to make when buying a Wrangler is selecting the top. Purists prefer the soft top, a high-quality piece of equipment that can be configured according to the weather. If a screwdriver is handy, the windshield can be flipped down for breezy, low-speed touring in the backcountry. Doors may be removed for the maximum open-air experience. The Unlimited models have a multi-functional soft top called Sunrider, that folds completely or only from above the front seats in a sunroof-like configuration.