Jeep is the toughest 4 letter word in the English language and there is no one disputing it. Last weekend, AutoDrift.ae reviewers Atif, Jamal and I put the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sahara to the ultimate test.
We drove it on Dubai’s impressive highways, trekked the wadis & mountains of Fujairah and finally crawled through Sharjah’s majestic desert to bring you a comprehensive review. Things we do for you guys!
All three of us found this tough 4×4 classic better than ever. It looks great, dominates all terrains equally and feels nice inside. Purposely built for off-roading, Wrangler Sahara’s outer frame is lighter by 55 Kgs than previous models thanks to the high strength steel and other strong light weight aluminum-like metals.
By default the Jeep Wrangler Sahara drives on its rear 2 wheels but the improved engine & transmission technology allow you to drive this automatic 8 speed vehicle in an optional 4×4 mode whenever you want.
Acceleration on city roads is good enough. If you know a thing or two about gear boxes and gear to speed ratio, you’ll end up appreciating this car even more. It balances engine performance and fuel economy perfectly. You never feel a gear too high in the Jeep Wrangler Sahara.
Handling on city roads however, isn’t ideal. The steering wheel lacks response and turning the car at high speeds can become tricky at first. I eventually did get used to it but this is one area the Wrangler can improve on. Oh! and one more thing; the road and wind noise. It’s a bit too much to enjoy city driving or highway speeds.
Jeep Wrangler Sahara’s fuel economy is good for its class. Within the city, we are looking at approx. 8.5 km per liter. It obviously improves on the highway and dips when you go off-roading.
All said and done, off-road is where the Wrangler truly belongs. The five-link coil suspension setup and solid axles that make driving in the city bumpy, noisy and wayward repay the favor by owning any off-road terrain. I was able to turn the Wrangler on inclined, sharp mountain trails with confidence and ease.
The ground clearance of 10.9 inches makes the Wrangler glide through the desert and approach any dune with ease. We did have some fun in the desert thanks to Jamal, who has 12 years of professional dune bashing experience.
Specs:
Engine: 3.6 Liter V6 Horsepower: 285 Bhp Torque: 353 Nm Drive System: All Wheel Drive Transmission: 8 Speed Automatic Seating Capacity: 5Exterior:
Jeep Wrangler Sahara has a short and narrow hood. The iconic grille design is what you cant take your eyes off. Sahara’s hood, doors and windshield frame is made out aluminum while the rear tail gate is more magnesium than anything else. Our Wrangler Sahara was the “Freedom Top” hardtop with removable roof and rear glass panels. They are completely detachable and can be easily stowed away when the good weather calls. If you are overly adventurous, the windshield can be also laid flat on the hood. The Wrangler has an approach angle of 44 degrees, break-over angle of 27.8 degrees and a departure angle of 37 degrees. The impressive ground clearance of 10.9 inches is what makes this car dominate all terrains.Interior:
Interior space for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sahara is comfortable for the driver and front passenger but it is a different kind of comfortable. Not entirely relaxing yet nice and soft. The upright driver seating position provides a commanding view of the terrain ahead. Jeep’s windshield, windows and all controls are easily within driver’s reach. From tech and infotainment point of view, the Jeep Wrangler Sahara has a fairly limited offering. There is an 8.4-inch touchscreen that offers bluetooth Uconnect system, Standard radio controls and a reversing camera. Occupants in the rear have tight legroom and longer drives can become uncomfortable. No matter how short or thin you are, getting in and out of the rear is going to be a task. Cargo space is limited. At first glance, I was taken aback but then I ask myself, what possibly could I be carrying in my Jeep Wrangler other than life saving essentials when I am on an outdoor adventure?2019 Jeep Wrangler Sahara price in UAE: AED 156,000
You’ll find our another Jeep Review here.2019 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Review Rating
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Performance - 9.1/10
9.1/10
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Driving Pleasure - 7.8/10
7.8/10
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Looks and Style - 8/10
8/10
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Fuel Economy - 8.2/10
8.2/10
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Value for Money - 8.7/10
8.7/10
8.4/10
Summary
Built for people who want to leave roads far far behind.
Pros
- Excellent 4×4
- Fuel Efficient
- Powerful Engine
Cons
- Poor Handling on Roads
- Road Noise
- Cramped Rear Seating
- Limited Cargo Space