Evaluations of the Jeep Wrangler two-door inevitably become paradoxical.
First there’s a recitation of perceived flaws: rough ride, noisy interior, wonky behavior on pavement, not the most comfortable seats, a shortage of cargo space and driver assistance features and whatnot.
Next comes a glowing declaration of Wrangler’s astounding off-road ability. Well, driving off road is what Wrangler was made for. When taking into consideration the equipment it includes to make that activity possible, the perceived flaws don’t carry much weight. Wrangler is the traditional favorite among drivers who prioritize driving in the dirt.
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler’s two-door lineup has a wide range of models and prices, from the humble Sport to the grand Rubicon 392. I drove the Wrangler Rubicon X model, powered by a 270-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. The High Velocity yellow paint color it sported is bright enough to read by.
An estimated 0-to-60 mph time for the Rubicon is 8 seconds. Not a breakneck pace but, again, the spirit of Wrangler is outdoor adventure, not racing. During highway driving, the Rubicon’s heavy-duty character makes itself known, but not to a level where merges onto I-5 can be faltering.
Wrangler’s behavior on pavement is eccentric. It likes to slalom rather than maintain a straight course in the middle of a lane, and to exaggerate large and small bumps along the way.
The standard infotainment system has a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability, SiriusXM, Jeep Connect, Wi-Fi hotspot, eight-speaker audio, two USB ports and an auxiliary port. The system is easy to use and the large screen has a fast response time. Helpful physical controls are included. Rubicon’s X Package adds an array of desirable features including eight-way power driver’s seat with four-way lumbar adjustment, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, Alpine premium audio system, 35-inch tire package, rear window wiper, washer and defroster, blind spot and cross-traffic detection, a parking assist system, integrated off-road camera and more.
Room inside the two-door Wrangler is something of a squeeze, especially trying to access the rear seats, which can only be done from the front passenger side and requires the agility of a squirrel. I didn’t need the rear seats during the week, so I folded them up against the front seats to create more needed cargo space in back.
One day along Highway 2, heading east near Gold Bar, I encountered a loose parade of muddy Wranglers coming the other way, presumably from the Reiter Foothills State Forest, a dream park designed for rugged off-road vehicle use. It was something to behold. The irresistible Jeep Wrangler styling, and the nearly non-existent sight of people in a four-wheel-drive vehicle actually engaging in what the vehicle was made for.
2024 JEEP WRANGLER TWO-DOOR RUBICON X
Base price, including destination charge: $48,690
Price as driven: $64,905
Mary Lowry is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. She lives in Snohomish County. Vehicles are provided by automotive manufacturers as a one-week loan for evaluation purposes only. Manufacturers do not control content of the reviews.
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