First Drive: 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Willys Wheeler

There are two types of Jeep people out there—okay, three, if you count Cherokee and Renegade drivers: Those that use their vehicles for more than just commuting duty; and the rest that simply can't bring themselves to punishing their $40,000 rides.

The folks that fall into the former category are generally pretty critical of the latter, affectionately referring to their vehicles as "mall-crawlers."

• Also: 2016 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock Edition: (Way) Off the Beaten Path
• Also: 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara: With a Touch of MOPAR

(As a side note, there are even a few websites where you can buy "Mall-Rated" badges to replace the "Trail-Rated" ones installed out of the factory.)

But the truth is, no matter how those "real" Jeep folks feel when they see a Wrangler without a speck of dirt on it, those "mall-crawlers" play a crucial role keeping their beloved four-wheeler around.

And the proliferation of Wrangler sales—FCA's plant in Toledo, Ohio, has pumped out more than one million JKs since 2007—has led to plenty of new versions, including the Willys Wheeler.

As the name would suggest, this particular Wrangler trim pays homage to the World War II-era Willys MB.

Positioned above the Sport and Sport S versions of the two-door Wrangler and the base Sport S in four-door Unlimited form, the Willys Wheeler adds a 3.73 ratio and limited slip capability to its Dana 44 rear axle, and performance shocks and 255/75R17 BFGoodrich off-road tires at all four corners, plus a matching full-size spare.

Otherwise it's little more than an aesthetic exercise, with 17-inch black painted aluminum wheels, black badges, and decals on the hood and tailgate.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, particularly when the Willys Wheeler is bathed in the drab green our tester came with, aptly called "Tank" by the good folks at Jeep.

There's not much inside to make the Willys Wheeler look and feel any different than a Sport S, which is a little on the disappointing side—particularly considering its $34,495 starting price in Unlimited garb.

In fact, the interior of the Willys Wheeler lists out with almost identical standard features as the entry-level Unlimited trim, which leaves a lot on the table despite the price point.

Even air conditioning is a $1,200 option in the Willys Wheeler, while the 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system in our tester runs another $775 and doesn't even include navigation.

Other add-ons in our tester include the three-piece Freedom Top hardtop, tubular side steps and an Alpine audio system, pushing the price of the options list to $6,985 including the $1,495 automatic transmission.

But back to what should matter most in a Wrangler, and that's the drivetrain.

Quick confession: When Jeep announced it was dumping the famed 4.0-litre straight six-cylinder I was bummed.

It's nothing against the Pentastar, which is available under the hoods of exactly 50 per cent of the former Chrysler Group's North American lineup and has proven to be a solid engine, but I loved everything about the 4.0-litre.

And while the Pentastar will never match the torquey PowerTech in sound, the 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque do a pretty impressive job of providing power on-demand in the same manner its predecessor was known for.

With the five-speed auto box filling the transmission tunnel—fear not, Jeep fans: A six-speed manual is still standard equipment—the V6-powered Willys Wheeler was happiest with the skinny pedal pressed down when booting around town and on the highway, proving responsive, reliable and predictable.

The Wrangler is still, however, about as aerodynamic as a brick building, so if fuel economy is a concern then it may be wise to look elsewhere.

The new five-cycle test method implemented by the feds turns up a combined average of 13.4 L/100 km—only slightly better than the 13.6 L/100 km showing on our tester.

If you're a true Jeep person you're probably going to opt for either the mild Sport or Sport S and build up a bruiser yourself, or the wild Rubicon and let the locking front and rear Dana 44 axles and Rock-Trac four-wheel drive system make even the most serious of trails look like a cake-walk.

Perhaps, then, the Willys Wheeler is better suited for the aforementioned mall-crawling duty, plenty capable, but more comfortable looking the part instead of playing it.

Base price: $34,495

As tested: $45,475 (freight included)