Best for: Tackling the beaten track
That Jeep has carefully preserved the much-loved design, whose circular headlights, famously seven-slatted grille and strict geometry are still recognisable from the original Willys MB Jeep.
The interior is spacious and less cheaply and sparsely finished than you might think, and that goes hand in hand with the improved efficiency of the car’s downsized engines and better road manners (everything is relative, mind).
Of course, the Wrangler is still spectacular off the beaten track, especially in Rubicon trim with its ladder-frame, locking differentials, knobbly tyres, specialised articulating axles, underbody bracing and outstanding approach and departure angle statistics.
It isn’t as nice to live with every day as the Land Rover Defender, hence its second-place ranking. That’s partly down to on-road manners that are considerably less salubrious than those of its British rival, with far less accurate handling, a more hyperactive ride and ear-bashing levels of ‘refinement’.
Still, if you’re handy with a spanner, you can remove the Wrangler’s doors and sections of its roof for some wind-in-the-hair thrills.
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