Jeep Wrangler

Four years ago I drove a Jeep Wrangler and swore it was the worst car I'd ever driven. Thankfully, Jeep have pulled out all the stops on this new incarnation dubbed the 'Extreme', resulting in the second worst car on my list. Chrysler's maritime division must have had a huge input into the building of this version as it satisfies all the sensations of being at sea.

On a pot-holed country lane near my house it tossed and swayed around so much that I felt like Captain Hook walking the plank.

The Wrangler's problems are it's short wheelbase, elevated ride-height and Neanderthal chassis, resulting in a gravitationally challenged sardine tin. Come to a complete stop from just 50km/h and the 'Extreme' bounces up and down like a stoned seahorse. The cabin is also naff, lacking electric windows, central locking, limited adjustable seats, and bugger all room in the aft even with the seats down.

There are one or two bright spots. The straight-six four-litre sounds great, has good low-down torque, and shows an impressive 2,000rpm at 115km/h in fifth. It also had a decent user-friendly stereo.

Take off the rather fiddly canvas covers and you can pretend to be a Californian posing on Sunset Boulevard. Just remember to bring along plenty of barf bags.

Pete Trafford