Staff Picks
Editor Douglas McColloch: Gotta be the Unlimited. Yeah, it's slightly down on power, but I'll live with that given the ample payoff: simply put, this is the most quiet, comfortable, stable, and streetable bobtail that Jeep has ever built. And as a special added bonus, on the trail it'll go anywhere, and conquer any kind of terrain that its little brother JK can, without breaking a sweat. I'll order mine with the Rubicon package and Sirius stereo, and pick up a Kia Sorento for the wife's daily driver.
Senior Editor Ken Brubaker: With the Chevy Suburban Z71 is how I roll. I was in my Happy Place behind the wheel. In my five-member-family world, it's mandatory that one vehicle must "do it all" and the new Suburban Z71 is the Swiss Army Knife of SUVs. The Z71 package enhances the vehicle by including an improved approach angle, more aggressive tires, a genuine rear mechanical diff locker, high-capacity air cleaner, and tow hooks-welcome essentials for family backcountry adventure. And it has room for the family. Super bonus points: a righteous 20 mpg on the highway.
Tech Editor Sean P. Holman: On this one, I am torn between the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (two-door) and the Hummer H3. If I can only have one and it has to fit all of my needs, I have to go with the Hummer H3. From the factory, it is nearly as well equipped as the Rubicon, but with a nicer ride on highway and better, more luxurious accommodations for five, making it more daily-driver friendly. However, the Jeep's fun-to-drive factor is an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10, and it just attacks the trails with reckless abandon. Heck, it even flies over whooped-out roads and is pretty darn comfortable on the road to boot. Anyone out there have a quarter I can toss?
Feature Editor Robin Stover: For 2007, I feel Jeep really went the extra mile with the new JK platform. If budget were no concern, I'd purchase a fully loaded Rubicon Unlimited next week. The vehicle simply abolishes all those little annoyances I found with the previous-generation Wrangler TJs. The ride quality is way better. The interior offers a distinct enhancement over TJs, and the wider stance greatly improves stability on mountain roads as well as side hills. It was the only vehicle of the group that I really wanted to take home with me (and did), after our weeklong test session.
Art Director Greg Smith: As part of the guilty party that put the Unlimited on its side during the trail portion of the test, I have to say I'm convinced the new four-door is one tough rig and earns my respect as the do-it-all vehicle. The newfound roominess, along with the much-improved highway manners, has won me over. Match those features with awesome trail performance and you can't lose.
Publisher Steve VonSeggern: The two-door Jeep is the rightful winner, but only because the minivan V-6 just doesn't have nearly enough huevos for the four-door. If you gave the Unlimited a Hemi, or a 3.0 CRD, or Jeep's own 4.7 V-8, or even DCX's new 4.0 OHC V-6, you'd have my winner of this smackdown in a heartbeat. That's sad because the Unlimited is the most significant new vehicle to come along for us in a very long time and will have implications for us for years to come; just imagine a rig as capable as the Rubicon Unlimited on 37s and still quite comfortable as a daily-driven family car. Let the aftermarketing begin.
Winner! Jeep Wrangler RubiconWhen the Wrangler JK was first announced, the Jeep community was ablaze with rumor and speculation about what it was, and what it wasn't going to be and whether or not the new changes diluted what this iconic off-roader was all about.