The EFTM Garage – Jeep Wranger Dragon

A Jeep is hard-core off-roading and when you take it to work and back it’s a wonder that it handles the commute at all, but the modern Jeep is a surprise package.  Add to that some tight integration with a theme – in this case the “Dragon” and you’ve got something special.

Make: Jeep

Model: Wrangler

Variant: Dragon – Special Edition

Engine / Transmission: 3.6-litre V6 / 5-speed Auto

Vital Stats: P209kW/347Nm

Jeep Claimed Fuel Economy: 11.4 l/100k

EFTM Claimed Fuel Economy: 12.6 l100k

MRRP Price: $51,000 (plus on-roads)

Wow Factor: You’ve never seen a “special edition” vehicle which has this level of “theme” integration.  The Dragon’s aren’t just slapped on stickers, they are embroided into the seats, on the dash, in the instrument cluster and in the carpet in the boot.

Most Impressive: It’s every bit a Jeep – in fact it’s Jeep at its core and at its best – none of the total luxury of the Cherokee, it feels like a raw Jeep with modern trimmings, and on top of that it’s got your touch-screen infotainment and navigation, the impressive dragon design integration and it rides smooth and the feeling isn’t rough at all

Not So Impressive: The turning circle is appalling – you find yourself doing three-pointers even in the shopping centre car-park. But I guess when a car is built to drive on every surface and climb the steepest heights then something has to be compromised?