Reliability for the current generation has been miserable, and while antilock brakes and an electronic stability system are standard, the Wrangler is one of a handful of 2010 models that still don't have standard side airbags. (Click here for a full list of standard safety features.) Seat-mounted side airbags are optional, but the vast majority of 2010 Wranglers I found for sale nationally did not have them. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn't crash-tested the Wrangler with side airbags; without them, the two-door Wrangler scored Poor for side-impacts. The Wrangler Unlimited did only slightly better, scoring Marginal. Both models have IIHS' top score, Good, in front crash tests and Marginal in rear impacts. IIHS has not conducted its latest roof-strength tests on the Wrangler.

Pricing starts at $21,165 for a four-wheel-drive, two-door Wrangler Sport. Unlimited Sport models run $23,410 if you're willing to have rear-wheel drive, or $24,585 with four-wheel drive. Standard features include the Freedom Top, removable doors, a fold-down windshield and a CD stereo. An automatic transmission runs $825; it's standard on rear-wheel-drive Unlimited models. Side airbags are $490. Depending on trim, you can get half-doors with plastic windows, air conditioning, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, cruise control and a navigation system. Check a few boxes, and it's not hard to move the $28,775 two-door Rubicon past 30 large; check 'em all, and it can creep near $40,000.