Autoblog

2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4X4

Michael Harley — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Jeep, Off-Road, Quick Spins

Ice skates are spectacular on frozen water, yet they are dreadful everyday footwear. I consider the Jeep Wrangler equally as specialized.

I recently spent a week with a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4X4. Introduced for the 2007 model year, the Wrangler Unlimited is a standard JK two-door with 20.6 inches added to its wheelbase and two additional doors bolted to its passenger compartment. While Jeep offers the Unlimited in seven different trim levels, the desirable Rubicon is the most capable when the pavement ends, as it boasts a slew of hardcore off-road tools including front and rear electronic locking differentials and a front sway bar that can be disengaged at the touch of a button for improved articulation. My I-Look-Like-A-Traffic-Cone test model started with a base price of $34,095 (plus $995 destination). Options including a five-speed automatic transmission, Uconnect, tow package and a premium soft top, drove the bottom line up to $38,630.

Driving Notes

On one hand, it would be difficult to find a new vehicle less competent on pavement. Despite its many improvements over the years, handling is still very sloppy, with initial turn-in delayed and mushy. The brakes felt strong, but stopping distances seemed long. Most of the blame is aimed at the aggressive BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A tires. The rubber is excellent for post-apocalyptic travel, but the tire's large tread blocks squirmed uncomfortably when tasked with changing direction on pavement. (To allay any concerns, stability control bundled with electronic roll mitigation is standard, so it would take real effort to actually get a wheel off the ground.)
On the other hand, few vehicles on the market are as competent off-road - and none are at this price point. Exploring Hungry Valley SRVA, an off-road park north of Los Angeles, the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon was all but unstoppable. I drove effortlessly through deep, soft sand, climbed steep hills like a mountain goat and danced through sticky mud. Generous approach and departure angles allowed the Jeep to go where other rigs only dream, and the electronic sway bar disconnect system allowed the live axles to articulate at obscene angles.
Thanks to its strong Pentastar V6 (new for 2012), the Rubicon had plenty of power. The off-road park is up near 5,000 feet in elevation, but the 3.6-liter pulled strongly and never felt out of breath. Fuel economy isn't impressive, but that is what Jerry Cans are for.
The ride quality of the long-wheelbase four-door is predictably better than on the two-door. My passengers found the second row fairly comfortable compared to the rear accommodations in a compact SUV or CUV. Some occupants, especially younger ones, complained about the lack of running boards as the step-in is high (in Jeep's defense, the low-hanging protrusions just get in the way off-road), and everyone complained about drafts from the soft top. Of course, it was nothing but smiles when the truck was flinging muddy water all over itself - kids love Jeeps.
I really enjoyed the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon when used as its engineers intended, and this recent engagement put me in the camp of true believers. Even so, it's important to mention that hardcore off-roaders should consider the standard two-door model for its greater agility on trails. The extended wheelbase on the Unlimited becomes an Achilles' heel, as it increases the turning radius (by about three feet) while reducing the truck's break-over angle.

2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4X4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition is a trail-eating off-road beast

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, SUV, Jeep, Off-Road

Difficult as it may be, the reality of the matter is that there are a lot of vehicles in the United States that can make it through the daunting stretch of dirt, rocks and elevation changes that is the Rubicon Trail. That said, there isn't a single production vehicle available today that can navigate the off-road playground with as much aplomb as the Jeep Wrangler.

And no Jeep Wrangler rolling off the factory production line has ever been as off-road-ready as the 2013 Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition.

What makes this rugged machine so capable? It all starts with the steel front bumper that is ready to accept a winch and features removable end caps that allow the massive BF Goodrich 265/70R17 tires unimpeded access to the ground below and in front. In other words, this Wrangler can climb like a mountain goat.

Also included is a half-inch ride-height increase for additional clearance, electronic-locking front and rear Dana 44 axles with 4.10 ratios and locking differentials. Rounding out the package are a dual-intake Power Dome hood, red tow hooks, Mopar rock rails and the buyer's choice of Billet Silver, White or 10th Anniversary Edition-exclusive Anvil paint and red leather inside.

Check out our live images above, and feel free to peruse the press release below.

Continue reading 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition is a trail-eating off-road beast

2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition is a trail-eating off-road beast originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeep Wrangler Rubicon wins Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off Road 4x4 of the Year

Chris Shunk — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Jeep, Off-Road

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler is one of the most capable off-roading vehicles on the planet, and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road has taken notice. The Wrangler Rubicon has been named 4X4 of the Year by the magazine, beating the Dodge Ram Power Wagon for the honor.

The award is the third for the Wrangler, and the 12th award in 30 years for the Jeep brand. The Rubicon took the trophy after acing a 1,000-mile trial that evaluates vehicles' performance in dirt, mud, sand, rocks, gravel and highway driving.

For 2012, the Wrangler lineup ditched its old, unloved 3.7-liter V6 in favor of the 285-horsepower Pentastar V6, as well as the various interior refinements that have been in place since the 2011 model year. The changes, coupled with the Wrangler's established off-road pedigree, were enough for it to take top honors from Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road.

Rick Péwé, the mag's editor-in-chief, called the Rubicon "the most competent 4x4 ever produced," adding that the Jeep "allows you to take the trail less traveled without worrying about the journey." Hit the jump to read Petersen's press release.

Continue reading Jeep Wrangler Rubicon wins Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off Road 4x4 of the Year

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon wins Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off Road 4x4 of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Jeep Wrangler [w/video]

Matt Davis — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Jeep, First Drives, Off-Road

New V6 Shows Us The Way Up The Mountain

Despite the global economic crisis and the effect it's had on recreational vehicle sales, the Jeep Wrangler is doing better than ever in the icon's 70-year history, selling a record 14,355 units in July in the United States alone. That trend should lead to sales of more or less 150,000 units in 2011, with the added benefit of creating over 1,000 more jobs at the company's famous Toledo, Ohio plant as Fiat-Chrysler pushes to make the Wrangler an international hot seller.

Even though the introduction of the four-door Wrangler Unlimited deserves much of the credit for this growing success (it now accounts for 60 percent of sales), we wanted to grab a two-door model, as it's the purest model in the line. If you want to know just how addictive really good off-roading can be, grabbing the short-wheelbase model is a no-brainer. Two-door Wrangler fanatics like us have willingly lived with the paved-road compromises inherent in a short wheelbase, ladder-framed, mountain-climbing dirt dog. But plans are afoot within Fiat-Chrysler to address these on-road issues as the next-generation Wrangler is readied for 2014 or so.

We began our test drive on road in northern Oregon with a Wrangler Sahara painted Retina-Singe Blue with a matching removable hardtop. Once off in the woods, we switched to a red Wrangler Rubicon with an open soft-top - the best configuration we can think of as we prepare for the promised Apocalypse in 2012. (Hey, we saw the movie and Hollywood never lies.)

Continue reading 2012 Jeep Wrangler [w/video]

2012 Jeep Wrangler [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee tackles Rubicon looking to become Trail Rated

Chris Shunk — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Chrysler, Jeep

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee tackles Rubicon Trail - Click above for gallery

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is creeping back into the news at a steady rate, meaning that Team Pentastar must be fairly close to releasing its first all-new product in some time (read: forever). Just yesterday, we received what appears to be an early peek into Grand Cherokee pricing, and now we have access to a cornucopia of pics of a pair of Jeep's finest traversing the fabled Rubicon Trail.

According to the Jeep Jamboree Facebook page, the 2011 Grand Cherokees were being driven by a group of Jeep engineers testing the vehicle before they go on sale later this year. Since the Grand Cherokee is supposed to be the chief of the Jeep lineup, we're guessing that the rough-and-ready SUVs need to absolutely ace the Rubicon to earn the all-important Trail Rated badge. Click on the gallery below to check out the two Grand Cherokees as they crawl up and over some inhospitable rocks, and head over to Jeep Jamboree's Facebook page to see even more pics.

Gallery: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee tackles the Rubicon

[Source: Facebook]

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee tackles Rubicon looking to become Trail Rated originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4x4

Chris Shunk — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, SUV, Jeep, New Car Reviews, Off-Road

2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4x4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Jeep Wrangler is designed to be one of the most capable vehicles on the planet. It can climb a 45-degree grade, tread through 30 inches of water and crawl down a rock-filled hillside - all with the top down and the doors off. Its shape hasn't changed much over the years, primarily because Jeep owners like the way the Wrangler looks and its aesthetic exists to support this rugged off-roader's functionality.

The Wrangler has stood the test of time, but an influx of capable and comfortable SUVs meant that the tried-and-true Jeep was in need of an update. To appeal to Wrangler enthusiasts who need more interior flexibility, Chrysler finally decided to pull the trigger on a four-door model. To the surprise of nobody, the Wrangler Unlimited has been one of the few hits from Chrysler in recent years, at one point prompting a dealer waiting list for the longest-running Jeep. We wanted to try the four-door Jeep for ourselves, so we welcomed a Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon into our garage for a week-long run.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4x4

Continue reading Review: 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4x4

Review: 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4x4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intrepid Chinese make their own Jeep Wrangler

Dan Roth — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:24:00 EST

Filed under: China, Etc., Jeep

Click the pic above to see a gallery

This faux Jeep gets a pass, because it comes out looking so close to the real thing, though Jeep faithful will likely pick it to pieces. Pieces is how the story begins, with a Bejing Jeep 2020 that has a tryst with a Sawz-all. Predictably, the 2020 gets all broken up after its torrid affair, and needs to be put back together. Two talented Chinese bodymen took up the mantle and reinvigorated this unloved, down and out conveyance.

The outcome sees the Jeep better than has ever been, which is the hope of anyone who ever partakes in an intervention, isn't it? While this facsimilie has been whipped up most of the way around the world, it's definitely got some Jeeper spirit going on. There's plenty of backyard-assembled CJs here in the homeland that don't look anywhere near as good as this totally fake Rubicon. Sure, the paint's not great (well, it does look shiny, that counts), and the mechanicals are a crapshoot, but the caution (and safety equipment) be damned attitude that these fellas show as they forge ahead and make something from nothing is true Jeep ethos. Besides, we'd much rather cruise the streets of China in the red faux Rubicon than the Chairman-Mao Green thing it started as. It's not the first time someone's made a replica out of a totally unrelated car, anyway. We're not generally fans of the practice, but we see the effort here and applaud the results.

[Source: China Car Times via Hemmings]

Gallery: Chinese Jeep replica

Intrepid Chinese make their own Jeep Wrangler originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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