Most vehicles have a lot of one and not much of the other, the new Jeep Wrangler 2012, on the other hand, has a wealth of extremes. The Wrangler 2012 truck has old-school solid axles at both ends and standard crank windows. The soft top is a puzzle to operate and is basically a big “break in!” sign to potential thieves. Indeed, measured against virtually any other new SUV, the Wrangler 2012 is in many ways, well, terrible.

Though more civilized than ever, the new Jeep Wrangler 2012 remains a no-nonsense American icon. Its quirky character and unique off-road abilities continue to hold appeal. It is redesigned in perhaps the most significant area that matters–under the hood. Jeep finally dropped the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 used in the Charger, the Grand Caravan, the 300 and seemingly everything even halfway important the company makes.

In simple terms, this engine is a big deal–and it has a big impact on the Jeep Wrangler 2012. After soldiering on with an antiquated engine for years, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler finally gets more modern power in the form of a 285-horsepower V6. A five-speed automatic is also now available, and every model year is now four-wheel drive.

And yet the 2012 Jeep Wrangler not only remains appealing but remains one of the best-selling SUVs in the country as well. Part of the reason why is because some of those foibles are actually indicative of an incredibly honest, back-to-basics off-roader. Of course, the Wrangler 2012 also looks pretty cool and can dive headlong into places where few other vehicles would dare dip their toes.

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler is available in two-door Wrangler and four-door Wrangler Unlimited versions. Each comes in Sport, Sahara and Rubicon trims. 2012 The Jeep Wrangler Sport comes sparsely equipped with 16-inch steel wheels, front/rear tow hooks, and a six-speaker sound system.

The Jeep Wrangler 2012 Unlimited gets a bigger gas tank, four doors, more backseat and trunk space, air-conditioning and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat while the Sahara adds the above optional items. The 2012 Wrangler Rubicon is not the most abundantly equipped trim level, per se, but rather the trim that boasts the most robust off-road credentials. It adds on top of the base Sport equipment while the Power Convenience Group is optional on the two-door, but standard on the Jeep Wrangler 2012 Unlimited.

The Jeep Wrangler 2012 comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 285 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque. Four-wheel drive is also standard and includes high- and low-range transfer case gears, though the 2012 Wrangler Rubicon features an upgraded transfer case with extra-low gearing. A six-speed manual transmission with hill-start assist is standard in the Jeep Wrangler 2012, while a five-speed automatic is optional.

In a performance testing, an automatic-equipped Jeep Wrangler 2012 Unlimited went from zero to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds. The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Gas Mileage is EPA-estimated for the two-door is 17 mpg city/21 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined regardless of transmission. The Jeep Wrangler 2012 Unlimited is 16/20/18 with the automatic and 16/21 with the manual.

The Wrangler also used to be described as slow, but no longer in the Jeep Wrangler 2012. It won’t be winning any drag races, but the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler Diesel V6 is a thoroughly modern engine that can actually get the heavy Wrangler moving briskly.

The Wrangler 2012 is pretty much unstoppable in off-road situations, especially in Rubicon guise, thanks to its specialized hardware. With the presence of the Jeep Wrangler 2012, it makes itself a rival to the 2012 Volkswagen GTI, 2011 Mazda CX-9 and 2012 Subaru Impreza.