Three Ways the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Bests the Two-Door Model

The Jeep Wrangler has long been a leader in the SUV segment, building on the legacy of the original military-spec Willys MB and paving the way for a new era of off-road models. Known for its go-anywhere attitude, robust selection of advanced 4×4 systems, and unmistakable styling that includes a removable roof and doors, the iconic Jeep has wrangled its way into the hearts and minds of adventurous drivers for almost 40 years. 

That said, the original Wrangler did have one downside that limited its appeal among those seeking a sensible daily driver: its two-door design. While the approach allows the midsize model to navigate tight off-road terrain effectively, the lack of rear doors made the Wrangler a tough sell for busy families or buyers looking to maximize comfort and cargo capacity. 

Jeep addressed this issue in 2007 with the introduction of the Wrangler Unlimited, a new four-door model featuring an extended wheelbase that added a second set of doors while more than doubling the SUV’s cargo-carrying capacity. The Unlimited significantly enhances the Wrangler’s appeal for a specific set of drivers, enabling Jeep to experiment with ambitious trims that are not available on the two-door model. If you’re in the market for a used Jeep for sale, but need a vehicle that balances off-road appeal with everyday practicality, the Wrangler Unlimited is hard to ignore. 

Jeep officially phased out the Unlimited name as a distinct badge after the 2022 model year. However, we still have a wide selection of high-quality pre-owned Wrangler Unlimiteds to choose from here at McHugh Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT. Join us as we cover some of the highlights and learn how the four-door Wrangler differs from the two-door model in a few important categories. 

Extra Cargo and Passenger Space 

We’ll start with the most obvious benefit of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited: improved cargo and passenger space. The two-door Wrangler can comfortably accommodate up to four passengers, while the four-door Unlimited models add an extra rear seat to fit five. However, this extra room provided by the four-door design does significantly enhance the comfort factor.

Firstly, passengers won’t have to squeeze past the first-row seats to access the back row, which can make the Unlimited a much more practical choice for those trying to accommodate a car seat, older riders, or those with limited mobility. Once passengers find their way to the back seat, they’ll also enjoy a more spacious experience, with the Wrangler Unlimited offering as much as 38.3 inches of rear legroom. That’s almost a 3.0-inch improvement over the standard model, making the SUV the logical choice for extended road trips or other scenarios where long-term comfort is a key factor. This extra space might come as a surprise, given that the two- and four-door Wrangler actually boast the same passenger volume at 104 cu.ft., but it’s the way the space is used that really makes the Unlimited such an alluring option. 

Second, there’s the improved cargo space. Extending the Wrangler’s wheelbase by 20 inches provides drivers with significantly more space to work with and a smoother ride. The Wrangler is actually on the smaller end of the midsize spectrum, but the Unlimited allows the SUV to better compete with some of the segment’s larger models, offering up to 72.4 cu.ft. of cargo space. The two-door version maxes out at 31.7 cu.ft., which means that the Unlimited offers more than double the space while still retaining the raw Wrangler attitude that has long drawn buyers to the Jeep.

The four-door design perfectly complements the Wrangler’s adventurous ethos, allowing drivers to bring along all the gear they might need for a weekend of hiking, biking, or exploring unique, off-the-grid locales. That’s not to say that the two-door Wrangler isn’t a legend in its own right, but the Unlimited model allows the SUV to play pack mule without the need for added storage solutions, such as roof racks, bike racks, and utility trailers. 

Unbeatable Towing

While the Wrangler Unlimited’s longer wheelbase and four-door design enhance the SUV’s appeal as an adventure-ready family vehicle, these qualities also offer a significant advantage in terms of towing. The standard two-door model can pull up to 2,000 lbs when properly equipped, but the Unlimited ups that figure by 75% to turn the Wrangler into a lean, mean towing machine. The four-door Wrangler boasts a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, which is perfect for smaller campers, boats, and trailers that can be used to haul powersports equipment like ATVs and dirt bikes. 

The Unlimited’s extended wheelbase may only make the four-door model 21.6 inches longer than the standard Wrangler, but it substantially enhances several of the SUV’s most important towing-related attributes. For example, the extended wheelbase boosts the Wrangler’s stability and control by offering better counterbalance. The larger build means that the Unlimited weighs more than the two-door Jeep. While this sort of extra heft often results in a vehicle shedding some of its towing capacity, the four-door model’s rugged, fully boxed frame actually improves the SUV’s towing ability. 

Best of all, drivers won’t have to upgrade to one of the Wrangler’s upper engines to enjoy the full 3,500-lb towing capacity. Every mill—from the entry-level 3.6-liter V6 and 3.6-liter Pentastar mild-hybrid engines to the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) 4xe model, and the rest of the six engine configurations introduced in 2021—can tow 3,500 lbs, giving drivers plenty of options when shopping for a pre-owned Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

If you want to get the most out of your Wrangler Unlimited, it’s essential to find a pre-owned model equipped with the available trailer towing packages. The package typically includes essential gear, such as a Class II receiver hitch, auxiliary switches, and a seven and four-pin wiring harness. 

Exclusive Trims 

In addition to improving the Wrangler’s towing ability, cargo, and passenger capacity, the Unlimited also allows drivers to access certain trims that aren’t compatible with the two-door model—looking for a more comfortable, stylish way to enjoy life behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler? The Sahara turns up the heat with a long list of standard goodies that range from 18-inch wheels and a body-colored grille and fender flares to an automatic climate control system, remote keyless entry, and more. 

Sahara Trim

The 2022 model features an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment display that improves on the standard 7.0-inch design and adds an integrated GPS navigation system, giving you one less thing to worry about when you hit the road. The Sahara trim also sees a substantial improvement to the Jeep’s off-road arsenal thanks to its Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. Ideal for drivers who enjoy both on- and off-road driving, Selec-Trac seamlessly switches between 2WD and 4WD modes when it detects slippage or loss of traction. This no-muss, no-fuss approach enhances the Wrangler’s safety resume and is sure to prove useful when harsh winter weather hits east-central Ohio.   

Rubicon 392 Trim

Then there’s the ready-made off-road rig, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 that joined the lineup in 2021. Introduced in the early 2000s, the standard Jeep Rubicon trim takes the already-capable Wrangler and transforms it into a no-holds-barred off-road champion, complete with all the gear needed to tackle some of the toughest conditions Mother Nature has to offer. The standard Rubicon can be optioned in both two- and four-door formats, and does the name proud with its electronic locking front and rear differentials, electronic disconnecting front stabilizer bar, and a set of heavy-duty front and rear axles with a shorter 4:1 gear ratio. Still, if you want to experience the Wrangler’s ultimate guise, the Rubicon 392 is ready to roll. 

Under the hood, you’ll find a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine, which equips the Rubicon 392 with an off-road arsenal that puts the rest of the segment to shame. From a 2.0-inch suspension lift and high-performance brakes to rugged Fox shock absorbers and the Selec-Trac 4×4 system, the Rubicon 392 offers a winning combination of off-road ability and everyday luxury. 

The range-topping model comes standard with genuine leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an Alpine premium audio system, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision mitigation. The Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392 is even able to pull off that classic Jeep trick with a standard three-piece removable hardtop that can be used to provide an open-air experience or effectively shield you from the elements, depending on the prevailing weather conditions.        

Go Unlimited at McHugh Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT 

There are no limits to the sort of fun you can have behind the wheel of the four-door Jeep Wrangler. From local off-road trails to desert scrubland, summer beach parties to slope-side chalets, the Wrangler Unlimited is your ticket to adventure. The SUV’s extended wheelbase improves cargo and passenger space, showing how the Wrangler has matured over the years. 

The Unlimited isn’t afraid to put in the work, offering up to 3,500 lbs of towing capacity—so drivers won’t have to make tough decisions about which gear to bring on their next weekend adventure. Throw in the ability to access exclusive trims like the Sahara and Rubicon 392, and it’s easy to understand why the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has proved so popular over the last two decades. 

Ready to experience the supersize Jeep for yourself? You’ll find your pre-owned Wrangler Unlimited here at McHugh Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT.

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