Driving Impressions : 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4

By: Mark Moskowitz MD

Driving Impressions tested the 2018 Wrangler Sahara in 2019. No matter- there was little change over the year: a new color-Bikini blue, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning became available.

The big news and the Wrangler's third redesign had come with the 2018 introduction. The façade seemed remarkably similar at first glance; why mess with success? The windshield is a bit more slanted-better aerodynamics and less cockpit noise, the wheel wells and fender flares are bigger– larger diameter after-market wheels and tires can be fitted without chassis mods, the tail lights stick out facilitating camera placement and the front JEEP logo has disappeared – as if it was needed!

Inside and underneath almost everything is new. The four door (Unlimited) is an inch taller; the wheelbase has grown 2.4 inches to 118.4. A turbo four with more torque (295 lb-ft.), 285 horsepower, and better economy is now available. An 8-speed automatic replaces the 5-speed option. A-arms, shock mounts, axles, and suspension geometry have all been improved.

And there's little touches, too including a rear camera that emerges through the center of the spare; it's shielded to avoid damage during a tire change. The doors can be removed more easily and the onerous process of folding down the front windshield to rest on the hood had been reduced from 28 bolt to four bolt removal. The latter is accomplished with tools supplied and stored in the console.

An electric soft top, more of a soft moon roof, is now available. The retractable top on the model tested has side and back windows that can be slid in and out a place – a much more satisfactory process than on the 2017 Jeep JK. The rigid side windows used with the electric Sky-One Touch top come out by an easy process of turning inside levers and disengaging pins.

Traditional soft top removed

Sky One Touch Top

I drove the Sahara, an upscale model only available in a four-door configuration. The Sport is the baseline and the Rubicon is the high-end model best suited for rugged terrain. My Sahara arrived hours before the 385-mile trip to Amelia Island.

I was surprised by the level of comfort. Mine was leather trimmed. The seats were manual yet multi-adjustable. Driving position was a bit more upright than typical and it put me a bit close to the dashboard but I was comfortable just the same. The U-Connect was easy to use and the optional 8.4-inch touchscreen quite accessible but I found it difficult to get a complete view of the guages- especially that 60-80 mph speedometer segment.

Wind noise is much reduced as compared to previous models and phones calls, music and news were easy to hear. Even at the highest speeds, it tracked straight and did not dart. Over the local ruts and bumps, it was suv comfortable.

My biggest off-road adventures were in the sand. Sahara's come with a Command-Trac. You can shift on the fly for four-wheel drive and there's a low (2.72:1) gear for towing up a hill or rock crawling. An optional intuitive Selec-Trac 4X4 system adds awd capability when called upon.

Jeep's awesome off-road ability is a given. No one expects the 4 door (Unlimited) Jeep Wrangler to be as quiet as a luxury SUV but for the first time it's quiet and comfortable enough and carries enough modern safety aids to be enjoyed as a daily driver.

2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4 display- gen 4 u-connect)

Photo credit: Mark Moskowitz MD

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