The Jeep Wrangler has been a dominant model amongst all the variants that the SUV brand has produced so far. It is extremely resilient, adventurous, and a shoulder that one can rely on when they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, both literally and metaphorically.
One of the better and more equipped models that the founders of Jeep have manufactured is the Jeep Rubicon, which is often mistaken as a whole new genre of Jeep despite being another one of the fantastic versions of the Jeep Wrangler.
When purchasing a Jeep, contemplating the thought of buying a Wrangler over a Rubicon and vice versa is extremely common, and while the SUVs are extremely similar in almost every way possible, they are also immensely different to one another.
In this article, on top of revealing to you just how important it is to take into consideration the specifications of both Jeep models mentioned above before making a purchase, we will also examine the differences as well as reveal to you everything that both Wrangler and Rubicon have in common. We will also provide a table on which we will do a face-off of both the SUVs and reveal the multiple scenarios that each may cater to. Make sure to keep reading, especially if you’re one of the many devoted fanatics of the beloved brand!
Contents
The Jeep Wrangler: A Brief Summary About The Most Dominant Jeep Model
The Jeep Wrangler is the most dominant model in the Jeep franchise. On top of being a reliable partner on rocky and tough surfaces, the Jeep Wrangler is extremely convenient to use in the city. The first installation of the Jeep Wrangler was created and released almost a century ago. While it is mostly seen as a reliable companion for road trips these days, the Jeep Wrangler was mainly used for war back then due to its unbeatable durability.
The Jeep Wrangler is definitely the best type of Jeep one can invest their money in. Although it is often criticized for being fuel inefficient and also for its maintenance cost, the Jeep Wrangler has models that don’t just provide safety to the consumers, but also offer affordability to any fanatic out there.
The Jeep Rubicon: A Short and Simple Guide About The Towering SUV
The Jeep Rubicon, when simplified, is one of the models of The Jeep Wrangler. Yes, even though it is often compared to Jeep Wranglers, the model, at the end of the day, is nothing but just another installation of the Jeep Wrangler.
As opposed to the Jeep Wrangler, the Jeep Rubicon is more enhanced, which could explain the reason that many people often dub the SUV as a “maxed out” Jeep Wrangler. When it comes to specifications, the Jeep Rubicon has every feature that could be absent in a Jeep Wrangler, however, all of them are available as add-ons when it comes to the Jeep Wrangler. The Rubicon has bigger tires, and convenient attributes that will typically cater those that are seeking the perfect vehicle for road trips.
What Are The Similarities?
Despite being different in multiple ways, the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Rubicon have loads of things in common. On top of having the same pattern and the iconic hard top roof, both Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Rubicon have the same horsepower, which stands at 285.
They also have a 3.6 liter engine and are 4×4 vehicles, which makes both vehicles unbeatable under harsh weather conditions and excellent companions in off-road situations.
In addition, both Jeep Rubicon and Wrangler have the same towing capacity and can carry 3500 lbs worth of equipment at a time, which can be music to your ears if you happen to be a camper!
The Difference Between The Wrangler and Rubicon
Although the Jeep Rubicon is just another model of the Wrangler itself, it typically caters to a different demographic and has certain abilities that might be missing in the rest of the variants amongst the Jeep Wrangler franchise.
In contrast to the Jeep Wrangler, the Rubicon is massive. This is due to the fact that they have larger lights, wheels, and plates. They’re also heavier than the Jeep Wrangler due to having relatively sizable equipment.
Furthermore, since the Rubicon has features that are usually available as add-ons on the Wrangler, they are more expensive than them.
Although both are somewhat fuel inefficient, the models cater to different kinds of people.
Wranglers could satisfy the taste of those that prefer vehicles that don’t just offer them safety, but also have the looks to stand out amongst the crowd. In contrast to the Rubicon, the Wrangler brings to the table a comfortable experience with a soothing interior.
The Rubicon, on the other hand, is a good purchase for those that are hardcore vehicular specialists. It will offer safety even under the most inconvenient scenario possible with its maxed out statistics, and provide protection with its massive body kit during collisions.
The main difference between the two, however, is the fact that the Wrangler is a type of Jeep, whereas the Rubicon is a type of Jeep Wrangler, making them a part of the same team.
A Simple Overview: Jeep Wrangler Vs Jeep Rubicon
Although we have already covered a segment on which we discussed the differences and a portion where we mentioned their similarities, here’s a summary of all of it, just in case you zoned out or dozed off multiple times when skimming through the former portions.
Features | Jeep Wrangler | Jeep Rubicon |
Engine | 3.6 Liters | 3.6 Liters |
Horsepower | 286 | 286 |
4WD Systems | Command Trac System | Rock-Trac System |
Suspension | Heavy Duty Suspension | Performance Suspension |
Towing Capacity | 3500 Lbs | 3500 Lbs |
Performance | Is a classic Jeep | An enhanced version of the Wrangler |
Key Difference | Is a type of Jeep | Is a type of Wrangler |
You Have Questions, We Have Answers: Jeep Wrangler vs Jeep Rubicon
Although all the differences, similarities, as well as the crucial points have already been covered in the former portions, playing it safe is also a priority of ours. To prove that principle, here are some questions regarding the Jeep Wrangler and Rubicon that we would like you to look into before moving on to the final segment.
Question: Is a Jeep Rubicon more expensive than a Jeep Wrangler?
Answer: Since a Rubicon usually has maxed out features that are often an optional installation for the Wrangler, purchasing a Jeep Rubicon is typically more financially straining than investing in one of the other models of the Jeep Wrangler.
Additionally, due to its massive size and components, the maintenance cost for Jeep Rubicons is significantly higher as opposed to other variations that the Jeep Wrangler has released so far.
Question: What is the meaning behind the Jeep Rubicon?
Answer: The Jeep Rubicon was named after The Rubicon Trail, a 22-mile long route situated in the Sierra Nevada. It is associated with confidence due to its massive physical characteristics in addition to being one of the best off-road SUVs that is currently available on the market.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the Jeep Wrangler and the Rubicon are a part of the same team. In fact, the Rubicon is actually a model that was created, and released as a Jeep Wrangler model. The only difference lies between their features. Since the Rubicon is mostly for off-road driving, it is more sizable, durable, and well equipped in contrast to the Jeep Wrangler under unfavorable weather conditions.
Additionally, due to the added features that it has, investing in a Rubicon could require you to spend more money in general and even more if you take into consideration its maintenance cost.
All in all, if you have a slightly bigger budget and want durability at all times, going for a Rubicon could be a great decision to go forward with. However, if you want a Jeep model that has a luxurious aura, offers comfort, is cheaper, and is a tad bit lighter, invest your money in one of the other models that the Jeep Wrangler contains.