2001 Jeep Wrangler SE

The Wrangler is Jeep's rugged two-door SUV, built for off-road trails more than pavement, and it's the one people cross-shop with the Toyota 4Runner or the Ford Bronco. It's a blast to drive with the top and doors off, and the solid axles and short wheelbase let you crawl over rocks and curbs without a second thought. Expect a firm, bouncy ride and plenty of wind noise, especially with the soft top, but that's the trade for its go-anywhere capability. Cabin space is tight, with a small back seat that's best for kids or gear, and the cargo area is limited, so plan on removing the rear seat for bigger loads. The base 2.5L four-cylinder and manual-only transmission set the SE apart from the more powerful Sport and Sahara trims above it. With 120 horsepower from the 2.5L I4, the SE is best for slow trail crawling rather than highway merging, and it returns 17 mpg combined. The SE's lighter curb weight and smaller engine give it the best fuel economy of the lineup, but you'll want to downshift early on hills.