As much a style and design icon as it is a hero within the off-roading community, the Jeep JK Wrangler bridged the gap between hardcore niche adventure vehicle and mass market appeal.
But while the JK was and is less painful to live with and drive than previous generations, make no mistake, this is fundamentally an incredibly capable off-roading machine softened slightly for the road and therefore, is compromised for it.
Throw in a very questionable reputation for reliability and mechanical longevity and you really must ask yourself, are you buying a Wrangler for the right reasons and are you willing to deal with not only its idiosyncrasies but its potential for financial and mental stress?
In Australia, the JK Wrangler range was based around 3 core models with various special and limited editions featuring throughout its lifecycle.
This, the third-generation Jeep Wrangler is considered the least dependable. It has the most complaints and lowest-rated reliability among consumers, with multiple issues affecting every part of the vehicle.
While Jeep updated the Wrangler every year, 2011 saw the Wrangler receive a mid-cycle restyle, receiving a redesigned interior and a host of tech and equipment upgrades. 2012 saw the introduction of the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6.
Which one do we recommend, if at all? Read on.
