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2013 Jeep Wrangler Moab Edition Review By Holly Reich


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2013 Jeep Wrangler Moab


Editors Note: Holly is a regular contributor on the Auto Lab NY radio show, which has been simulacast here on The Auto Channel since July 3, 1999.

By Holly Reich
Special to The Auto Channel

If you drive around in a 2013 Jeep Wrangler two-door with a canvas top you can expect to get a lot of second looks. The experts agree. For the third year in a row, the Wrangler was the ‘Hottest 4×4 SUV’ at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas.

Our test vehicle was a glossy black Wrangler Moab Edition. On the outside, the Moab is super confident looking. Features like the iconic round headlamps, a bold seven-slot grille, removable doors, exposed hinges, a fold-down windshield and 17.5-inch black painted aluminum wheels and flat black fender flares, are what separates the Jeep Wrangler from any other auto on the road.

Style carries into the simple but eye-catching cabin of the Wrangler. Our Moab edition had cushy black leather seats and high-end additions including a chrome and leather wrapped shift knob. As for the back seat— it was totally do-able if you don’t mind hauling yourself up and in. Obviously, the two-door version Wrangler is not your ride if you have kids with car seats.

This is a vehicle to have fun in. The three-section canvas top offers a choice of open-air experiences. Peel off the front portion and have a sunroof, or heft the whole top back to make your Jeep into a convertible.

While you can’t expect the Jeep Wrangler to ride like a luxury SUV, you can expect it to cover all kinds of ground, from crowded city streets to uncharted off-road areas. The Wrangler is not your sedan-like cushy ride. It would not be my choice if I wanted a low mileage ride (mpg is 17-mpg city and 21-mpg highway) and I drove long distances on a daily basis. So, it’s not my choice for a vehicle that I would drive long distances on a daily basis.

However, if you crave adventure, want a vehicle that is easy to load up with groceries or gear, and you desire the joy of a convertible with the heft of a Jeep, the Wrangler rules.

Pricing starts at $22,195 for the Sport and goes up to $30,495 for the Rubicon.