Jeep Wranger vs Rubicon

December 30th, 2022 by

It’s not too difficult to decide that you want to purchase a Jeep Wrangler. After all, this vehicle is one of the all-time leaders in terms of off-road capabilities, not to mention the reliable performance and rugged looks that it delivers. Countless people want to own a Wrangler if they don’t already, so it makes complete sense to add your name to that list.

But which Wrangler do you want to buy? That’s a little harder to determine. There are plenty of options, including the standard Wrangler and the Rubicon version. Milledgeville CDJR wants to make sure you pick the right one for your needs, so we’ve taken the time to create an article that will highlight some of the main differences.

What is a Jeep Rubicon?

To clear up any confusion you may have about these model names, the Rubicon is not a separate model within the Jeep lineup – rather, it’s a version of the popular Wrangler line. As with many other car makers, Jeep has taken to offering variants on popular vehicle models to give buyers more choices and control over what they drive home. Whether the Rubicon version of the Wrangler is the right pick for you will depend largely on what you will do with the vehicle once it is yours.

Where Are You Headed?

The choice between a standard Jeep Wrangler Sport and the Rubicon edition comes down to where you would like to drive. While all Wrangler models are at home after the pavement comes to an end, the Rubicon is specifically designed to handle such challenges successfully. If you opt for the Rubicon package, you’ll enjoy the Rock-Trac system that provides incredible four-wheel drive performance, along with an electronic front sway bar disconnect feature.

With all of this talk about the Rubicon, we don’t want to lose sight of how capable the standard Wrangler is when you ask it to go off-road. It’s not like you’ll be constrained to the city streets if you go with the Wrangler Sport – it’s still a Jeep and it is still up for many challenges. For standard off-road adventures, the Sport version will serve your needs beautifully. However, if you do plan on getting into some particularly tough spots while out in the wilderness, the Rubicon provides the features to keep you moving forward through nearly anything.

Paying for Performance

It won’t be a surprise to learn that the added features and capabilities of a Rubicon come at a cost. The extra equipment and added tech that help you stay moving require you to make an investment that is beyond what you’ll need to spend for a standard Jeep Wrangler. How much more will it be? With so many different options and packages available to add or subtract, we can’t say for sure – but $10,000 is a good starting point. That’s a notable difference and certainly worth factoring into your decision-making process. At the same time, that will seem like a small price to pay if it means the difference between getting stuck on a touch trail and making it through cleanly to the other side.

The Same Engine

Either way you go, you’ll be getting the same reliable engine in either vehicle. It’s a beefy 3.6L engine that comes with the manual transmission you would expect to be operating in a Jeep. With 285 horsepower, you’ll also have plenty of speed available on the pavement when you are done exploring for the day.

Speaking of driving on the pavement, it’s important to remember that both of these vehicles behave nicely on the roads and are suitable for daily use. No, they won’t be confused with a luxury sedan in terms of ride comfort and quality, but that’s not the point. For a vehicle that is all about utility and getting the job done in tough conditions, these Jeep Wrangler versions are also enjoyable to drive back and forth to work, to the grocery store, etc.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and consider the differences between the Jeep Wrangler and the Rubicon version. While these are both great vehicles, the information above – along with some direct assistance from the team here at Milledgeville CDJR – should help you make the right pick. Don’t wait any longer to get started!

Posted in Car Buying Tips, Safety