Like all other 2006 Wranglers besides the manual-transmission SE, the Sport trim is powered by the 190 horses of a 4.0-liter, V6 and comes with a Quadra-Coil suspension and Command-Trac 4WD transfer case. The standard 6-speed manual transmission not surprisingly can take some getting used to.
Full-steel doors with tinted, roll-up windows came standard, as did air conditioning, air bags, sport bars with energy absorbing foam, fog lamps, and tow hooks. The options list included automatic transmission, ABS, step rails, hard and soft tops, Dana 44 rear axle, 15-inch wheels, security system, and a lockable trunk storage bin. Power locks and windows were not available.
Jeep, of course, has many loyal followers walking the earth repeating the mantra, "it's a Jeep Thing." They love the vehicle's distinct look and legendary capabilities off pavement, and they seem to share a camaraderie, as they celebrate the good taste they have in common by greeting each other on the road. Owners of the Sport praise it for its excellent handling and smooth shifting.
It would be unrealistic for there to be no negatives, though. As such, the Sport trim's EPA rating of 14-15 city and 18-19 highway hasn't impressed anyone, but its owners seem to accept the trade-off for what their Jeep gives them. Also, there is anecdotal evidence of a recurrent problem with the air conditioning drain hose clogging with dust, resulting in water collecting on the vehicle floor when the air is shut off.