JEEP has gone for the long game with its new Wrangler Unlimited. took to the wilds of Scotland to find out whether size does make a difference.

The top of a windswept mountain deep in the Scottish Highlands and Jeep’s new Wrangler Unlimited is in its element.

Deep water, impossibly steep inclines, bogs, ditches - nothing can stand in its way.

The low-end torquey-ness of the engine coupled with off-road tyres make light of the wet, boggy conditions. And that’s fair enough if you are a Scottish sheep farmer. But I’m not. And nor, I’m guessing, are you.

The nearest we have to wilderness here in Kent is the Romney Marshes - a habitat the Wrangler would be quite at home in. But would one of our hardy sheep farmers prefer the Wrangler over and above, say, a Land Rover Defender? I’m not convinced they would.

Moreover, would non-farmer types who live in some of our more remote villages choose the Wrangler over and above the plethora of other 4x4s on the market for when the weather turns nasty? That’s a tough one.

Because to be honest, on the tarmac the Wrangler has its faults.

For a start the suspension is stretched tighter than a weightlifter’s vest so the ride is a little less than comfortable.

Pick the diesel engine and you’ll be a little aghast at the sheer lack of oomph which makes overtaking slow moving vehicles on country roads something of an alarming experience.

Plus when you do eventually get to anything approaching a reasonable motorway cruising speed, there is a seriously annoying wind whistle from the removable roof.

Oh, and removing that roof is a two-person and not particularly quick job.

But it’s not all bad news. Jeep gripped the bull by the horns when deciding that the new model would include a four door version and added something like 50cm to create a longer wheelbase.

That means there is a decent amount of space in the back, making the four door version a genuine five-seater.

But given the problems outlined above, this really isn’t a good choice for someone looking for a practical family car suitable for the school run and a trip to Tesco.

So who would want one? Devoted off-roaders who like a little history and pedigree, that’s who.

There is no doubting the fact that the Jeep badge and history make up for an awful lot of the car’s shortcomings to those who love to be up to their door handles in the muddy stuff.

And the Wrangler has always been the model in the Jeep line-up which most resembles the Willys GP from way back when.

Be in no doubt that it is seriously capable out in the boonies. I’m struggling to think of somewhere in the UK more inhospitable to cars than the Scottish venue Chrysler Jeep chose for their launch event.

Just getting there would have defeated many a rival with a good couple of miles of mountain track, mud and water between the last stretch of Scottish tarmac and the off-road course.

The interior of this latest Wrangler has been refined when compared with the outgoing model - but that’s not saying much so don’t expect luxury and top-end materials.

The chassis has been beefed up, with stiffer subframes for better off-road rigidity, but the knock-on effect that has on-road should be noted.

The Wrangler unlimited comes only with 2.8-litre CRD diesel power: you’ll have to buy the two-door short wheelbase Wrangler if you want the 202bhp 3.8-litre V6 petrol unit.

You may not see too many Wranglers on the roads over the coming months - but watch out for them out in the woods!

FACTFILE:

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited range

PRICES: £19,995-£22,075 - otr

INSURANCE GROUPS: 13-14 [est]

PERFORMANCE: [3.8 V6] Max Speed 112mph / 0-60mph 9.7s

FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.8 CRD] (combined) 34mpg [est]

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, ABS, ESP, anti rollover mitigation

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width, 4379/1803mm