![]() ![]() This is essentially a variant of the same engine used in Alfa Romeo’s Giulia and Stelvio, and by god does it make the Wrangler scoot. It made great power to the tune of 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Not only was it remarkably smooth, but also extremely quiet. The new turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 engine with eTorque was all-around impressive. It's the real thing - just in a very nice suit. The information given is clear and informative and gives both drivers and passengers reassurance that this isn’t some watered down version of a Wrangler. Everything from a vehicle operation guide, to a suite of technical readouts, can be found in the Off-Road Pages via the UConnect infotainment system. Instead, I see the Sahara as something for the 25 to 35 crowd who will use it for cruising to the beach, top retracted, and a radio blaring, its 32 cubic-feet of cargo space stuffed with coolers and inner tubes.įor those who do venture off-road (and it would be a shame not to), the interior electronics and readout screens that the Sahara provides are nothing short of spectacular. Can the Sahara do it? Absolutely, but in this trim, I just can’t see its owners doing so. For instance, I doubt I’d want to take a chance mucking up those nice leather seats or hosing out the carpeted interior after slogging through the mud. ![]() The Sahara is a fully optioned package that lends itself more to on-road comfort, than sheer off-road madness. Gone are the days when the Wrangler was simply a vehicle for climbing through the mud, as now it seems it’s grown into a mature adult for the 21 st Century. We’re talking double-stitched heated leather front seats, a heated steering wheel, a killer Alpine stereo that comes as part of the UConnect 4C infotainment system, leather covered rear seats, one-touch front and rear windows, dual climate controls, and enough auxiliary charge ports to keep your mobile devices at peak performance for an eternity. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t prepared for just how well appointed the interior of this 2019 Sahara was. Now granted, the bumpers, with their inset fog lights, the gloss painted running boards and the power top, maybe a bit too luxurious for some, but all-in-all, the Sahara manages to pull-off the uptown look very well - especially for a vehicle a that can still behave like a mountain goat when necessary. ![]() Obviously, a Wrangler has to be true to its heritage, which is why the windshield still folds flat to the hood, and the roof and doors are still removable. Then there’s the spare wheel and tire, a signature part of any Wrangler, which fits neatly in the notched out rear bumper. The Sky One-Touch power top, while removable, seats beautifully to the body and gives the illusion that it is a permanently mounted piece. The spokes of the polished 18-inch wheels, for instance, match the body and fender flares. Think of the Sahara as more of a luxury-oriented Wrangler and you’ll then begin to appreciate how it’s outfitted. Our Granite Crystal painted Sahara is positioned dead center in the Wrangler lineup between the Sport and Sport S, and the Rubicon and MOAB. With its root embedded in the original Willys-Overland WWII Jeep, the new JL platform manages to move forward with an evolved flare while still making its great Grandfather proud. Unmistakably American, and undeniably Jeep, the Wrangler (or a variant of it) has been a staple on our roads for over 30 years. That said? I just got done spending a week with a brand new 2019 Wrangler Sahara, and I’m happy to say that two decades of progress makes quite a difference. Its 4.0-liter I6 was bombproof, but as a whole, the Jeep drove with a grace and agility of a Conestoga wagon. My younger brother bought one new, and then for the next four years, he and I proceeded to beat it like it owed us money. The last long-term relationship I had with a Jeep Wrangler lasted from 1999 until 2003. ![]()
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