The biggest news to come out of Toledo, Ohio (where Jeep Wranglers are manufactured), this summer is that the 2012 Wrangler has a new powertrain – gone is the old 3.8-liter V6, replaced with a Pentastar dual-overhead-cam 24-valve aluminum block V6, which maxes out at 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque (an improvement over the former engine’s 202 hp and 237 lb-ft of torque). The gearboxes available are either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or a brand new A580 5-speed automatic (upgraded from the former 4-speed). Gas mileage remains poor for the 2012 Wrangler, which rates at only 17 mpg city/21 highway, on the low end for similar vehicles of its size.

Jeep offers two body styles – the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, which are each available in three 4-wheel-drive trims for 2012: Rubicon, Sahara and Sport. The Rubicon remains the only 4-door convertible SUV on the market today. The differences between the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, besides the number of doors (3 for the Wrangler and 5 for the Wrangler Unlimited) are seating capacity, which is 4 for the Wrangler and 5 for the Wrangler Unlimited; the wheelbase, which is 95.4 inches for the Wrangler and 116 inches for the Unlimited; and body length (152.8 for Wrangler/173.4 for Unlimited).

In addition to a new powertrain, other improvements for 2012 include a redesigned steering wheel, armrests and a locking glove box. The soft-top mechanism has been improved for easier attachment and removal and allows for either a targa setup or full convertible.

Standard equipment for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler includes several information gauges, such as a compass, external temperature gauge and gas mileage performance monitor, as well as front driver and passenger airbags, rollover protection bars, tire pressure monitor, fog lights, tow hooks, heated seats and heated mirrors. The Jeep Wrangler is available in eight exterior colors for 2012: Black, Bright White, Natural Green Pearl, Mango Tango Pearl, Cosmos Blue, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl, Bright Silver Metallic, Flame Red and Sahara Tan.

Options for the 2012 Wrangler include Bluetooth connectivity, Sirius XM satellite radio (with a 90-day free trial), navigation, automatic climate control and steel alloy wheels. Also available is a hardcore off-road package, which includes heavy-duty axles, locking differentials, a Rock-Trac transfer case with the sway-bar disconnect, extra-low gearing and knobby BF Goodrich tires (available on Rubicon versions only).

Safety features remain a sore spot for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler. Never a darling of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Wrangler is rated as only Good for frontal impact crashes, Moderate for rear-impact crashes and Poor for side-impact crashes. In fact side-impact airbags are an option only for Wrangler Unlimited trims and are not available for 2-door Wranglers. Other safety features are present, however, including antilock brakes, stability control, Hill Start Assist and Trailer Sway Control.

With the addition of the Pentastar drivetrain, the Wrangler has a surprising amount of pep and is able to reach 60 mph in 8.4 seconds in Unlimited versions (and 7.7 in the 2-door Sahara and Sport trims). However, keep in mind that Wranglers are built for handling bumpy terrain first, so don’t expect much comfort when driving in the city. You will know you're riding in a Wrangler when you attempt to navigate winding roads or rough pavement due to the live front axle setup and recirculating ball steering. New for 2012, however, is the addition of sound baffling inside the cabin, which makes this the quietest Wrangler in recent memory.

The Jeep Wrangler’s ruggedness is what attracts most buyers to the line, and it remains the top selling point for 2012. The Wrangler has a rugged underbody protected by skid plates and can handle rough terrain as well as any other off-road vehicle, if not better. The Wrangler has 10.2 inches of ground clearance, which help it maneuver well on rocky terrain.

Overall, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler feels and rides like a Jeep – which is a good thing when off-roading and not quite as good when tooling around the city. However, the powertrain improvements alone should continue to keep the Wrangler far ahead of its competition, which includes the Dodge Nitro, Suburu Forester and Nissan Xterra.