• Sahara specifications call for remote keyless entry.Keys with key chain image by Sujit Mahapatra from Fotolia.com
  
  Jeep Wrangler, introduced in 1987 as the successor to the World War II jeep vehicles and known simply as a "jeep," provides its owner with an off-road vehicle that's known for its ability to tackle most terrains. Sahara, introduced the same year as Wrangler, is one of several Wrangler models.
  
  

Engine

• Equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 Sequential Multi-Port Injection (SMPI) with 202 hp at 5,000 rpm and 237 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, Sahara's engine delivers an EPA estimated miles per gallon of 15 city and 19 highway. According to "Motor Trend" magazine, the engine has an overhead valve with a compression ratio of 9.6:1, with two valves per cylinder, and runs on regular 87 octane fuel. Accompanying the engine is a six-speed manual transmission with a Command-Trac, shift-on-the-fly 4WD (all wheel drive) system. Another feature of engine control involves the electronic stability program, a system that assists the driver in keeping Sahara on its intended course by applying the brakes and activating engine control as needed, which applies to bad weather and off-road driving.
  
  

Wheels and Tires

• Sahara comes with 18-inch aluminum wheels painted satin silver for its on- and off-road Bridgestone tires, along with a full-size matching spare tire attached to the vehicle's swing gate. If there's a problem with one of the four tires, Sahara comes with a tire pressure monitoring system that alerts the driver to an underinflated tire. According to two opinions in "Grassroots Motorsports" magazine, the wheels and tires are more suited for off-road than for driving to work.
  
  

Capability Tour

• Sahara, like all jeeps, meets the "trail-rated" specifications, which means the vehicle has met the standards set in five categories: traction, ground clearance, water fording, maneuverability and articulation. Traction involves the ability of the Sahara to stay in touch with the road or trail by keeping the wheels on the ground. Ground clearance refers to the process of driving over rocks and other obstacles with the Sahara clearing them with no damage. Water fording proves the Sahara can cross water, such as a stream, by going slow enough to navigate the water and fast enough to make it to the other side. Maneuverability gives Sahara the ability to avoid obstacles that cannot be cleared. Finally, articulation is the ability to keep the tires on the road when going over obstacles.