Is the JK really that uncomfortable?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Somerset, NJ
Okay so I can't help it notice how every single review online just bashes the Jeep Wrangler for its ergonomics and comfort. I happen to own the 14 Sahara Unlimited with leather trim and a few upgrade features like 430N radio, power everything, connectivity package and premium sound package and I think the Jeep is amazingly comfortable. My wife and I went on a trip across Ontario in August with it and we loved it. Even the fuel consumption was pretty good on country roads, we averaged about 10.5L/100km which translates to about 22-23 mpg. We really enjoyed the large trunk space and found the front seats very comfortable and man was it ever nice to cruise with the top fully retracted and enjoy the convertible experience in a truck. I used to own a fully loaded honda civic and my wife drives a loaded Acura TSX and we both agree that we find the Jeep much more comfortable and enjoyable to drive in. So I'm curious, how come it gets such horrible reviews online as a daily driver? Am I really that delusional that I love the car so much I put a blind eye to things that other people notice? I thought so too but my wife loves the JK also. I've been using it as a daily driver for the past 4 months and I couldn't be happier. What are your thoughts on this? Interested in seeing what others think.
If you ever drive ML you will understeand, but to me Jeep is army style all weather and tarrain vechicle. Wait until heavy snow or flood or some desaster and see how good Jeep is.
It is bumpy and I never get out without hitting some metal thing with my albow, it is noisy and hungry on gas, but it is unique and maybe last that kind.
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 8
From: The Dirty South
I think you summed it up right there.
We have taken both my wife's 2012 JKU loaded Sahara and my 2014 JK base model on the same 2500 mile round trip and the difference in seat comfort was noticeable. The factory added more padding to the seats in 13 or 14 but in the 2012 my back and butt were sore after a full day of driving, but not in the 14.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,800
Likes: 373
From: Midwest City, OK
If you're reading reviews posted to U.S. websites and magazines it's no wonder that they are super-critical of what they describe as comfort. The great mass of citizens of this country have no idea what auto-motoring is all about. Want absolute proof of this? The sales numbers of automatic versus standard transmissions. And if you're one of those who bought an auto, short of someone who intends to race his JK in the King of Hammers or Baja, then you're contributing to the pitiful U.S. movement to turn motoring from great fun into simply owning an appliance to get from point A to point B. Anyone who enjoys driving won't go on about the size of cupholders or the fact that the air conditioning doesn't have ducting to the back seat. But they will complain if the vehicle they test drove doesn't come with a standard transmission. You want decent reviews, read from the Europeans. At least they, as a society, have not wrung the pleasure out of owning and driving an automobile.
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 8
From: The Dirty South
If you're reading reviews posted to U.S. websites and magazines it's no wonder that they are super-critical of what they describe as comfort. The great mass of citizens of this country have no idea what auto-motoring is all about. Want absolute proof of this? The sales numbers of automatic versus standard transmissions. And if you're one of those who bought an auto, short of someone who intends to race his JK in the King of Hammers or Baja, then you're contributing to the pitiful U.S. movement to turn motoring from great fun into simply owning an appliance to get from point A to point B. Anyone who enjoys driving won't go on about the size of cupholders or the fact that the air conditioning doesn't have ducting to the back seat. But they will complain if the vehicle they test drove doesn't come with a standard transmission. You want decent reviews, read from the Europeans. At least they, as a society, have not wrung the pleasure out of owning and driving an automobile.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: 16648, PA
I've got an 08 JKU my average trip to work is 4 hours and I honestly enjoy the drive. My old truck or even the wife's CX-9 on long trips becomes boring and monotonous after the first hour because you don't have to read the road like you do for a manual transmission. Driving standard makes you think more while driving.
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
From: Northeast PA
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: 16648, PA