Auto: Two doors or four? The Jeep Wrangler appeals to choice

In Colorado we are no strangers to the Jeep Brand – nor to the Jeep Wrangler given our state’s abundance of off-road trails, outdoor activities and, of course, snow for all our skiers and snowboarders.

In 2007, Jeep announced the all-new JK platform, which included the introduction of the four-door configuration. I have to admit that I have a bias here: I purchased a brand new, 2012 model four-door Jeep Wrangler this year. I always wondered if Jeep really needed to produce a four-door or if it was just the company’s need to cover something for every niche.

The original two-door seats four (if you can climb behind the front seats to get in) and has very little cargo room with the rear seat in place—just 12 cu. ft. Fold and roll the rear seat forward and you get what Jeep lists as 55 cu. ft. of cargo room. With the rear seat in place it is possible, with some pushing and shoving to get two 24-inch rectangular rolling suitcases in the back, but visibility out the back will be lacking. If you fold the rear seat and roll it forward for maximum capacity you can fit in more luggage or goodies from your holiday shopping in – but, oh, you can’t recline your seats very far as the folded rear seat sits up against the front seats.

The four-door Unlimited Wrangler justifies its namesake – you can take the doors off, remove the roof and conquer even the most challenging Colorado terrain while taking a couple people and stuff along for the ride. Moreover, it allows you to have a vehicle that can handle day-to-day loading and unloading of kiddos, groceries and those package filled trips to the mall during this holiday season. The four-door adds 19.5 cu. ft of cargo room with the rear seats in place over the 2-door. And it adds 15.6 cu. ft of total cargo volume. The 4-door can also hold five passengers not just four and is still Trail Rated® and as capable as the 2-door. In fact, it even gets the same gas mileage with the new for 2012 Pentastar V6 boasting 285 hp. So no matter two or four you will get an EPA estimate 17/21 mpg city/hwy.

So how do you pick two or four doors? Likely it will be what you need out of your vehicle. However, it might also be image – or price. Our 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was priced at just under $38K as tested, and included navigation, leather seating, heated seats and the color keyed freedom hard top. My 2012 Unlimited Wrangler Rubicon with the manual, navigation, leather seating, heated seats and the black hard top was just over $39K.

The difference in options can really change the economics, but at the base MRSP buyers will be looking at about a $3,500 up-charge for the 4-door Unlimited Wrangler. We needed the room, but truly personal preference will make the ultimate decision about the number of doors you might need on your Wrangler.