NHTSA Frontal Crash Test Ratings NHTSA rates crash-tested vehicles by assigning them one to five stars, with five stars indicating the most injury protection and one star indicating the least protection. IIHS FRONTAL OFFSET CRASH TEST RATINGS IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. Rear Passenger Head Protection Driver Head and Neck Rear Passenger Head and Neck These are the least reliable cars in America Best-selling automobiles of 2016 New Car Buying Guides Most and least efficient car companies Fastest-depreciating cars in the United States Find and compare 2017 Models Please login using one of the following services:Read the expert review On-road ride and handling aside, safety is perhaps the most significant red flag for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler.
While the Wrangler hasn't yet been tested by the federal government new, tougher crash-test system introduced last year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn't rated this Jeep very well. The two-door Wrangler is rated 'good' for frontal impact, 'moderate' in the seat-based rear-impact test, and just 'poor' for side impact; the four-door Wrangler Unlimited has the same frontal and rear ratings but a better (though still worrisome) 'moderate' rating for side impact. Another surprise shoppers might find in this respect is that side-impact bags remain an option ($490) on the Wrangler Unlimited and aren't even available on the two-door Wrangler. Otherwise, the Wrangler does come with quite a few safety features—including anti-lock brakes and stability control, plus two off-road aids: Hill Start Assist (HSA) to prevent rollback on graded surfaces, and Trailer Sway Control (TSC), which monitors vehicle movement relative to the intended path. Read reviews & get prices
2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser2012 Jeep Wrangler: New Car Reviewwide variety of trims and price ranges; it's a JeepCons: Average fuel economy; marginal side-impact crash tests; lots of plastic bits; uncomfortable rear seatThe Jeep Wrangler is one of the best known, most recognizable American cars. Okay, it isn't very sophisticated, it doesn't get great fuel economy and it's not the safest family vehicle on the market. But none of that matters to Wrangler owners or those who aspire to be Wrangler owners, because more than any other vehicle we can think of, the Wrangler represents freedom. A Jeep Wrangler means freedom to go wherever four wheels can take you; freedom to travel topless, doorless, and even windshieldless if you choose; freedom from being entrapped in a boring, four-door sedan.The 2012 Wrangler's shape bears a strong resemblance to the original Jeep CJ but is much larger in both length and width. In addition to the two-door model, there is a four-door model dubbed the Wrangler Unlimited.
Both are available with removable soft or hard top shells. The Wrangler comes in a number of flavors, all adept at handling off-road adventures, so opting for the most affordable Wrangler requires only sacrificing creature comforts, not capability. There is a Wrangler to suit just about everyone. fort & UtilityThe Wrangler is still a rugged beast, but it has been tamed over the years to become a rather civilized 4x4. You won't find a highly useful interior space or a whisper-quiet cabin, but many things once thought of as luxury are considered necessities for the modern off-roader. Thus, the Wrangler now has power windows, a GPS navigation radio and Bluetooth hands-free cell phone connectivity. Heated seats, leather upholstery and automatic climate controls are options.The Wrangler's front seats are actually quite comfortable, with tall backs and wide seat bottoms, but the rear seats are a bit upright and narrow. However, the rear seat does feature a fold-and-tumble feature that makes it easy to increase the cargo bay without having to pull the seats out and store them.
The interior gets a heavy dose of hard plastic, good for durability but not terribly attractive or comfortable for resting one's arm. Four-door Unlimited models ride on a longer wheelbase that offers more rear-seat legroom and space for more gear. But the Wrangler's greatest versatility is found in its numerous roof options. Opt for the softtop, and you'll get a sliding front panel that can be opened to create a sunroof-like opening; the top can also be folded back completely and stowed behind the rear seat or removed. The Freedom Top option includes a hard shell top with removable roof panels, a glass rear window with wiper and full metal doors. For a custom look, both Sahara and Rubicon trims can be ordered with a body-color hard top.TechnologyAlthough the Wrangler isn't exactly a paragon of technology, it does offer some fairly advanced electronics. The UConnect option brings with it Bluetooth, Sirius satellite radio, iPod and USB integration and on-board navigation radio with maps by Garmin.
Audiophiles will be thrilled by the 368-watt Infinity sound system that includes an overhead speaker bar so you can take your music with you even when you leave the top and doors behind. On the Rubicon model, the standard Command-Trac 4x4 system is replaced by the Rock-Trac option that includes lower gear ratios for slower rock crawling, electronic locking differentials and an electronically disconnecting front sway bar. Also standard on the Rubicon is a Dana 44 front axle, additional skidplate protection and 32-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tires.Performance & Fuel EconomyNew for 2012 is the Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine, which is now standard on every Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. With 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, the new V6 represents a 10 percent improvement in power over last year's 3.8-liter engine. The new engine also gets better fuel economy, with an EPA mileage rating of 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, regardless of whether you choose the six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.
SafetyDespite its removable top and doors, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler has performed well in crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Wrangler Unlimited a "good" rating in its frontal offset crash test, with a "marginal" rating in the side-impact test for models without the optional side airbags. Standard safety equipment for all Wranglers includes electronic traction and stability control, electronic roll mitigation, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control. Driving ImpressionsConsidering its solid front and rear axles, 10-inch ground clearance and off-road tires, the Wrangler can't be expected to handle well by modern SUV standards. However, the Wrangler is easy to manage under normal driving conditions, with good feedback from the steering and fairly level cornering at reasonable speeds. The ride is still rough and there's not much shelter from wind and road noise, but that is to be expected.Where the Wrangler shines is off the pavement. The base 4x4 system is remarkably adept at tackling snow, mud and sand.
Unfortunately, unlike more modern 4WD systems, the Wrangler cannot operate at highway speeds with its 4WD system engaged. Serious off-road enthusiasts will love the Rubicon, which features an electronically detachable front sway bar allowing for maximum wheel travel, a Dana 44 front axle and a 73:1 crawl ratio providing the ability to crawl at speeds as low as half a mile an hour. Other Cars to ConsiderToyota FJ Cruiser - The FJ Cruiser is a fairly competent off-road vehicle, but it's not as flexible as the Wrangler, comes only in a two-door version and has a fixed roof with plenty of blind spots.Nissan Xterra - A nicely equipped Xterra is less expensive than the Wrangler, and it is pretty good for modest off-road adventures. But the Xterra lacks the adept suspension and the slow rock-crawling capability of the Rubicon, and like the others in this group it doesn't offer the option of a removable top.Jeep Grand Cherokee - If you're looking for great off-road ability in a vehicle that carries the legendary Jeep name but offers better safety and a more carlike ride and interior, you might be happier in a well-equipped Grand Cherokee Laredo.AutoTrader RecommendsIf all you need in a vehicle is the basic 4x4 ability and the open-air cockpit of the Wrangler, then you can't go wrong with the Sport S trim.