Rank: 2 out of 3
Base prices: $20,000 to $28,000
Fuel economy: 16/19 with AWD and automatic transmission
Photos and details

The Wrangler is as straightforward a piece of machinery as you'll find anywhere. Unlike the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Hummer H3, there's nothing on the Wrangler that isn't there for a reason.

The door hinges are exposed so the doors can be easily removed. Inside, exposed body-colored metal is exactly that, not color-matched plastic.

The hard top - it's also available with a cloth top - is designed to come off in sections. Only the two panels over the front seats come off easily, though. (Relatively easily, that is. Working the awkwardly-shaped bolts in the top, designed to be hand-turned, can be difficult and painful.) The rest of the roof comes off in one big piece in a job that requires tools, some friends to help you and a place to store it.

With solid axles in both the front and back, the Wrangler rides hard. But it's not too bad around town - you have to figure a lively ride is part of the deal - and it's a big improvement over the previous generation.

With improved suspension, the new Wrangler lets you feel in control. It can weave easily through fast-running city traffic.

On the highway, the Wrangler is positively unpleasant, though. At speeds above about 50 miles per hour, the ride gets really choppy. There's lots of wind noise, too, even with the hard top.