2003 Jeep Wrangler Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

It has a stiff ride, offers about the same noise isolation as a motorcycle and has a soft top that's a nail-buster to operate. That said, the 2003 Jeep Wrangler also offers a visceral motoring experience like no other and the off-road ability of a mountain goat.

Pros

Cheap, fun to drive, classic styling, go-anywhere capability.

Cons

Soft top a handful to manipulate, difficult ingress-egress, slow steering.

What's New for 2003

The 2003 Jeep Wrangler gets a new trim level: the Rubicon. All trims have been bestowed with an all-new 42RLE four-speed automatic transmission which is supposed to provide smoother-shifting, better highway fuel efficiency and quieter engine operation at highway speeds compared to the previous three-speed automatic transmission. The SE trim gets a new NV1500 five-speed heavy-duty tranny, which promises to improve shift quality in cold weather, along with a new, more potent 2.4-liter Power Tech inline-four. Available four-wheel disc brakes debut this year, along with a new fold-and-tumble rear seat that can be more easily removed. Finally, the Wrangler's interior has been refurbished for 2003; it gets new front and rear seats, a new electrochromatic rearview mirror with map lights, temperature and compass display (standard on Sahara, optional on Sport and Rubicon trims), and a new four-spoke steering wheel.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Rubicon

Written by: mattv on 06/25/2008

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	7
Comfort:	7	Interior Design:	7	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	9	Exterior Design:	9

Vehicle

2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4WD 2dr Convertible SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I bought the Jeep back in January of 2007. It was not to a few little dings and soft top. I got it in Georgia and I dorve it to North Carolina and latter to Colorado. The thing gets about 18 to 20 mpg on the highway and 15 in town. Right now it has about 90,000 miles on it. The only problem I have had is the trakbar on the front axle. I have had to replace it twice but it happened within 5000 miles of each time it went out and the dealer replaced it free of charge the second time. The stock front bumper is a piece of junk also. I got a tube bumper that looks great and I am going to drive it back to North Carolina when I get back from my deployment.

Favorite Features

Rubicon edition no other jeeps compare to what you get stock. The gas mileage is great for a jeep. between 18-20 on the highway.

Suggested Improvements

The trak bars are not that great which I have heard of that as a problem on the TJs. The stock bumper is a piece of junk.

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Best Jeep yet

Written by: raiderdave on 04/02/2008


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	10

2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD 2dr Convertible SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5M)

I had a '83 CJ7 that was bulletproof, and was great to drive. My '03 Jeep, is just as reliable and great to drive, with more comforts of my '83. The fuel economy isn't great, but if I wanted that, I would've bought a Toyota.

The interior features and comfort

Come with a 3-4" factory lift.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Can't wait!

Written by: sailormom on 03/14/2008


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	7	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	4	Exterior Design:	10

Posting this comment to those who might be shopping for a jeep also. Have wanted one since I was 16 and now I am 41--been driving and paying for a Honda Accord for the last 5 yrs and can't wait to trade for a loud, bumpy, "wind in my face" jeep! Might have to work a 2nd job to pay for the jeep's drinking problem, but you won't here me complaining when my husband, Aussie, and I go to N Ga camping and hiking. We are going to get dirty,have dog hair everywhere and a smile on our faces! Thanks for all the consumer reviews-helps a lot in my decision to trade the Honda to a whining jeep owner.

Everything!

Don't buy one just to keep up w/your neighbors - it's a jeep thing!!

All you need in a Jeep

Written by: Trent Ford on 02/11/2008


Performance:	7	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	5	Interior Design:	7	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	1	Exterior Design:	10

2003 Jeep Wrangler X 4WD 2dr Convertible SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5M)

Bought the Wrangler brand new in '03 and have never, ever changed anything on it. Seriously, since driving it off the lot, it has not been back to the dealer. Even still has original brakes. I did change out the tires for 38" last year. Great reliability!

Security in the snow; fun in the sun

Horrible gas mileage; needs to come with 27" tires stock

Most fun I've ever had!

Written by: Ross on 02/10/2008


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	10

I never thought I'd own a Wrangler. I was actually looking for a Cherokee when I stumbled across this perfect 2003 X model. I've never had a vehicle more fun than this. I drive with a smile everyday. It actually rides quite well, the seats are fantastic, and the CD player with the factory subwoofer sounds great. I added stainless bumpers front and rear, a Magnaflow exhaust, and the K&N intake kit. It sounds excellent, and has better pick up. Driving it last summer, on a clear warm night, with the top off, I looked up to see the stars going by, and all seemed right in the world, if only for a few minutes. This vehicle is amazing... especially off road.

4.0 Inline 6, excellent seats, 4WD utility, tough as nails, smooth auto trans.

Better mileage would be nice, but you can't have it all. Wish it came in Olive Drab with stars on doors.

2003 Jeep Wrangler Consumer Ratings & Reviews