• Much-improved interior
• Rugged feel, but good quality
• Upright driving position

Once you’ve hauled yourself up into the cabin of the Wrangler (the sills are very high and Rubicons don’t have steps), you’ll find yourself in a much-improved interior compared with the previous-generation car.

There’s much more cohesion to the layout of the dashboard, with a bigger infotainment screen located high and within easy reach of the driver, a set of very crisp and clear dials and well-located controls for the heating and ventilation; as you would expect from an American car, the air conditioning is very effective and ferocious in summer and toasty-warm in winter.

Due to the squared-off nature of the Wrangler’s design, visibility is good and the high driving position feels well-suited to the car, though front-seat passengers are denied height adjustment for the seat.

Some may struggle to get the perfect driving position early on, as it’s quite upright compared with most other SUVs and there’s a limited range of manual adjustments on offer, but the seats themselves are very comfortable, and there’s now more adjustment in the steering wheel and seat to get settled.

Jeep’s vastly improved the interior quality of the Wrangler, with a high quality feel to the top of the dashboard, some nice rubberised textures around areas you’ll be touching regularly and a solid feel throughout.

Nothing feels brittle, with a reassuring solidity throughout that befits the Wrangler’s overall feel. It now feels like a few hundred miles behind the wheel could spent in peace and quiet, and comfort.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon interior

In Rubicon form, it’s well equipped. Jeep has done an amazing job of retaining the aesthetic of a painted dashboard (although sadly it’s always red rather than body colour) and minimal clutter while also providing all the gadgets drivers take for granted – a rugged touchscreen infotainment system, LCD information panel between the bold dials, and dual-zone climate control.

It’s an exercise in deceptive minimalism, and if it fits your taste, you’ll love it. It does feel cramped, and there are some ergonomic challenges like central electric window switches and rather crude seat adjustments, but it’s all very fit for purpose.

There are no side steps, so getting into this Jeep is an obstacle you’ll need to overcome if you’re much under six foot tall. Sahara and Overland models have integrated steps.

• Comfort depends on the model you choose
• Suspension feels bouncy on the road
• Seat comfort is excellent, though

The Wrangler’s comfort levels have improved over the previous-generation car, but the extent to which this is noticeable really depends on the model you go for.

Opt for the Unlimited Overland version and you’ll find yourself in the most refined and liveable Wrangler for on-road use. The leather seats are very comfortable despite a relatively small set of adjustments, and it’s easy enough to find a decent driving position behind the upright dash and large steering wheel.

Footwell intrusion for the driver can be a problem regardless of how big your feet are, though – the space around the pedals is surprisingly cramped and your left leg can feel a bit hemmed-in.

There’s much less road noise than the more serious Rubicon version too, as the tyres are more suited to road use.

We drove the off-road-focused Wrangler Rubicon fitted with off-road tyres, and the experience on-road was a lot more unsettled than in the standard Wranglers.

Motorway journeys in particular show the Rubicon’s compromises for off-road prowess, as tyre roar competes with wind noise to see which can deafen you first. As a Jeep buyer, this is part of the charm – but if you’re thinking of this instead of a Discovery Sport or even a higher-end pickup or Land Cruiser, we’re talking old-school heavy metal compared to slightly edgy adult-oriented rock. Or in the case of the Discovery Sport, Coldplay.

The tables are turned off-road, where the Rubicon’s detachable sway bar allows free movement of the front axle over bumps and ruts, giving a much softer ride on rough tracks at slow speeds.

Do all Wranglers handle the same way?

There’s a still a slight feel of fidgeting on all Wranglers, and though the off-road tyres dull the driving experience further, harsh bumps in the road can upset the peace quite easily. The ride on smooth surfaces is good though, thanks to big tyres, but the body-on-frame chassis means it can become unsettled and fidgety when you drive over a series of imperfections in the road.

Between the models, the two-door is slightly better in Rubicon form, less prone to sharp movements and easier to predict under power in corners. The Unlimited four-door is considerably better than the two-door overall, and best without the Rubicon’s off-road upgrades. Refinement is further improved with the Sky roof which removes the large gap between the door top and roll cage.