It’s not an easy trick, to give the Jeep Wrangler manners. But for the most part, Jeep has been able to do it, thanks to a $300 million investment from its suppliers, a new assembly plantand the tireless efforts of the Jeep crew. As a result, the 2007 Jeep Wrangler is better than ever before, more than capable of delivering a comfortable ride on pavement while still retaining its vaunted status as one of the best off-road vehicles ever built. It’s more powerful but heavier, stiffer for a more controlled ride, and more spacious for little piggies and noggins. Our limited on-pavement drive of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler revealed all of these things, and more: it showed that the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, with four doors and a two-wheel-drive option, can be as mild-mannered and convenient as just about any ladder frame SUV available.

Granted, most of our miles were highway miles, but it was noticeable how the stiffer frame and revised suspension soaked up many road imperfections. The typical truck-based bounce is still there, but muted enough that most of the time it’s not intrusive, especially in the longer wheelbase four-door. While driving around Lake Tahoe, we were able to tax the brakes a few times, and though the pedal felt a little soft with some excess play, the four-wheel ABS stopped the vehicle promptly. Because the Wrangler has a recirculating ball steering setup, it has a barely perceptible dead spot, but all-in-all the steering obeys commands with an accurate response and an impressive turning radius. With the top up, outward visibility was a bit dicey, but far better than what you get from the likes of the Toyota FJ Cruiser and the Hummer H3. We did, however, feel compelled to twist around and check traffic, in addition to using the rearview mirrors.

Where the Wrangler falls a little short is in the power department. Granted, the 202 horsepower and 237 lb.-ft. of torque that the 3.8-liter V6 engine outputs gets the job done smoothly, and it’s an improvement in power and efficiency over the outgoing inline six-cylinder. Whether mated to the standard six-speed manual or the optional four-speed automatic, power is regulated nicely by the gearing. The manual shifter is easy to click and clack into place, and we appreciated its high placement, though some may need to get used to it. Despite the improved powertrain, however, the Wrangler is still a bit light on power, thanks to a weight gain of about 300 pounds and only 13 added horsepower and 2 lb.-ft. of additional torque. So – the Wrangler’s power isn’t what will wow drivers. It’s better than the old model, to be sure, and we got 17.4 miles per gallon during the highway driving part of our testing. But shoppers should note that there are more powerful alternatives on the market, such as the Nissan Xterra.

What will turn heads toward the Wrangler is the improved ride and interior. Against comparable four-doors, the Wrangler places well. While the Xterra is more powerful, the Wrangler offers a smoother ride and gives a far better driving experience than the FJ Cruiser. And though the H3 may be more comfortable, the Wrangler is easier to see out of and is sprightlier.

Inside, the new Wrangler is positively polite, virtually all-new and superbly designed – if still slightly rough around the edges. It is, after all, a Wrangler, so you get painted sheetmetal as door inserts, lots of plastic pieces and durable seats designed for wear and tear. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, and strongly consider moving up to the Yes Essentials stain-resistant fabric, as it reportedly cleans up easier and feels very durable. The Wrangler’s back seats are a little flat, perhaps leaving adults on a long trip with a slight case of numb-bum.

Elsewhere, there are new grab-me door handles and circular vents that rotate and flip to easily direct hot or cool air throughout the cabin. Graphics are also well done, with white lettering on black faced gauges in order to balance out sun glare and make it possible to see how fast you’re going, how much gas you have left and how hot the engine is. Cupholders were too shallow for off-roading, but fine for cruising on pavement. The center console controls are simple and easy to figure out, with large buttons and intuitive knobs that operate the radio and the optional navigation system. With tweeters positioned on top of the dash – in the far corners – you can really hear the music, even with the top off. What also helps your listening experience are the improved aerodynamics and sound deadening materials in the 2007 Wranglers: there’s plenty of tire noise, but not much wind whistling or vibration around the vehicle, in the hard top model.

Behind the back seat, there’s plenty of cargo room, and with the seats raised, Jeep says the amount of space is class leading at 46.4 cubic feet. Liftover height with the rear gate open is low enough to save your back, but the gate swings out toward the curb, meaning the Wrangler is hard to load when parallel parked. And if you’re on a hill, the gate will close fast and hard with barely a nudge, so watch out for fingers, parents! The back window also opens, with two hinges located at the top but the supports are weak so if you’re not careful it may try to close while you’re loading the vehicle through the opening .

Overall, the 2007 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited offer a powertrain that just about gets the job done, a stiff frame and revised suspension that maintains its composure on pavement, and a significantly improved interior. With a low price, those improvements are likely enough to sway buyers into taking a good, hard look at the Wrangler – especially the Wrangler Unlimited.