2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon on 2040-cars

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Happy 50th birthday, Jeep Wagoneer

The Wagoneer got the SUV on the radar of buyers looking for something capable, comfortable and rugged.
The Jeep Wagoneer was introduced 50 years ago, and it's that vehicle we have to thank for the herds of excellent crossovers and SUVs that make up our current automotive landscape. On a personal level, I have always loved the full-size Jeeps and their crisp Brooks Stevens styling, which aged well over their long tenure on the market. The SJs, as they're known among enthusiasts, were the Wagoneer and its two-door counterpart, the original Cherokee. The Wagoneers had become true luxury vehicles by the end of their run, which stretched form late 1962 as a '63 model all the way to 1991, when they were offered exclusively under the Grand Wagoneer nameplate.

2018 Jeep Wrangler Buying Guide | Answers to your SUV questions

There are few truly one-of-a-kind vehicles, but the Jeep Wrangler remains one of them. Available in traditional two-door form, or as the four-door Unlimited model, this proudly square-shaped SUV traces its origins back to the battlefields of World War II. While its shape seemingly hasn't changed much over the years, the 2018 Wrangler has been completely redesigned inside and out. A 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and all-wheel drive are standard across the extensive Wrangler lineup, including rock-crawling versions like the highly regarded Rubicon model. While it doesn't have any direct rivals, some buyers might prefer an SUV with more refined ride and handling characteristics. The Wrangler's solid front and rear axles' primary purpose is off-road adventure, not on-road comfort, no matter how much it's been improved over its predecessor. Here you'll find all the information needed to make an educated buying decision if you're considering a 2018 Jeep Wrangler including safety and reliability ratings, engine specs, horsepower, fuel economy ratings and pricing. We'll also summarize what Autoblog's professional auto reviewers think of the Wrangler. Is the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Safe? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not given the 2018 Jeep Wrangler an overall safety rating. However, the 2018 Wrangler is listed as scoring three out of five stars in frontal crash tests and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which provides ratings for new vehicles based on its own comprehensive crash tests, did not give the 2017 model year (previous generation) Wrangler, the last one fully-tested, a recommended rating. The 2017 Wrangler scored a "marginal" rating for driver side safety in the small overlap frontal crash test (a passenger side rating was not recorded). Side impact performance came in at a "poor" rating, as did overall headlight performance. One bright spot in an otherwise dismal safety score was the Wrangler's "good" rating in the moderate overlap front crash test. Ratings may differ for Wrangler models from other model years, so be sure to visit the https://www.nhtsa.gov/ NHTSA and http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratingsIIHS websites to review ratings on the specific vehicle you're researching. At the time of this writing, the 2018 Wrangler is subject to one ongoing recall involving 106 vehicles.

FCA believes thieves aren't getting into Jeeps with laptops

Last week, we reported on an incident where thieves stole a 2010 Jeep Wrangler from an owner's driveway in Houston, TX with nothing but a laptop. While the security footage made it seem like the perpetrator hacked into the vehicle, we had a conversation with FCA's senior manager of security architecture Titus Melnyk who set the record straight. According to Melnyk, the thief in the video isn't using the laptop to get into the vehicle, but rather as a means of coding a blank key fob and then using that fob to get into the Jeep. According to Melnyk, the suspects have gained access to a key programming tool, which allows them to pair blank key fobs to FCA vehicles. With the key fob now coded, the suspects can get into the vehicle and drive away. The thieves, believes Melnyk, have acquired the programming tool through a dishonest dealership or locksmith. Since the suspects are using a process designed to be used (honestly) by dealers, FCA doesn't consider this to be hacking and believes that there are no security flaws in the vehicles. How are the thieves getting key fobs? While Melnyk believes it is possible to recode an existing key fob, he points out that it's much easier to purchase a blank key fob on Ebay for less than $25. FCA is working closely with the Houston Police Department to apprehend the suspects. Related Video: Jeep Technology SUV Videos viral video hacking thieves