Jeep Wrangler Rubicon UnlimitedIf rockcrawling's your thing-this is your ride. The Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited is the result of 60 years of Jeep development and it is by far the most capable stock off-road vehicle to ever wear the Jeep name. The extra wheelbase of the Unlimited platform takes the Rubicon package to the next level to make it a much safer climber and gives it a better on-road ride as well as more space for your gear. A few of our judges feel that no one will buy a short-wheelbase Wrangler after they've driven an Unlimited.
It's no surprise that the low gears, locker, and off-road tires garnered points with our judges, but the Wrangler Unlimited was no match for the comfort, power, and conveniences of any of the other 4x4s in our test. Still, in many ways it offered the most pure off-road experience of any of the vehicles tested. Of course there was some side-to-side head toss when off-road, and the Wrangler is loud and somewhat slow to merge with highway traffic. But most of the judges can live with the trade-off-if only just on the weekends. The Rubicon Unlimited proved hard to beat around town with its small turning radius, but there were times we couldn't get the wheel around quickly without hitting our left elbow on the door. The full hard doors on our tester seemed to make the Jeep feel that much narrower.
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited had the only engine in the test that was more impressive at low rpm than it was at the top end. Until we compared it to the rest of the refined powerplants in the group we never realized how rough the Jeep 4.0L idles. Our judges were very pleased with the new six-speed manual and found we could skip-shift through Second, Fourth, and Sixth to get us up to speed easier. The gearing combinations available from a 4x4 with a 4.46:1 First gear, a 4:1 low range, and a 4:1 axle ratio are nothing short of amazing. And the judges took note of the bulletproof combination of dual Dana 44 axles and a 1-ton-sized NV241 transfer case. We are a little concerned that our particular test vehicle seemed to have a lot of lash in the transmission, and would echo with a grumbling noise at part throttle cruise from time to time.
If we could be so bold as to recommend a few updates for a future Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited we'd specify a higher-revving V-6 and a thicker soft top. That way we could burn through the dunes, crawl through the rocks, and still have a quiet enough ride to hear the radio on the way home.
Specifications
| GENERAL |
| Manufacturer | Jeep |
| Model | Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited |
| Base Price | $28,215 |
| Price as Tested | $29,420 |
| Options as Tested | Security Group |
| | (auto-dimming rearview mirror, lamps, compass, thermometer), leather-wrapped steering wheel |
| ENGINE |
| Type | OHV inline-six |
| Displacement (liters/cubic inches) | 4.0/242 |
| Bore & Stroke (inches) | 3.88x3.41 |
| Compression Ratio | 8.8:1 |
| Induction Type | Sequential, multiport |
| | fuel injection |
| Fuel Req. (octane)/Capacity (gal.) | 87/19 |
| SAE Peak Horsepower | 190 @ 4,600 rpm |
| SAE Peak Torque (lb-ft) | 235 @ 3,200 rpm |
| TRANSMISSION |
| Type | Six-speed manual overdrive |
| Model | NSG 370 |
| Ratios | First: 4.46:1; Second: 2.61:1;Third: 1.72:1; Fourth: 1.25:1; Fifth: 1.00:1; Sixth: 0.84:1; Reverse: 4.06:1 |
| Transfer Case |
| Type | Two-speed part time |
| Model | NVG 241OR |
| Low-range Ratio | 4.0:1 |
| Axles |
| Front Type | Dana 44 w/selectable locker |
| Rear Type | Dana 44 w/limited slip selectable locker |
| Hubs | N/A |
| Ratio | 4.10:1 |
| SUSPENSION |
| Front | Live axle, four-link w/track bar,and coil springs |
| Rear | Live axle, four-link w/track bar,and coil springs |
| Steering |
| Type | Power recirculating ball |
| Turns Lock-to-Lock/Ratio | 3.25/15.2:1 |
| Turning Radius (feet) | 35 |
| Wheels |
| Size (inches) | 16x8 |
| Material | Cast-aluminum |
| Tires |
| Size | P245/75R16 |
| Brand | Goodyear Wrangler MT/R |
| Brakes |
| Front | 11.0-inch discs |
| Rear | 11.2-inch discs |
| 60-0 (feet) | 200.44 |
| ACCELERATION |
| Standing 11/44-mile | |
| (seconds @ mph) | 19.28 @ 67.24 |
| Weight (pounds) |
| Curb Weight | 3,721 |
| Advertised GVWR | 4,600 |
| Mileage |
| EPA Estimate (city/hwy. mpg) | 16/20 |
| As Tested (mpg) | 10.14 |
| Dimensions (inches) |
| Wheelbase | 103.25 |
| Overall Length | 171 |
| Overall Width | 75.25 |
| Overall Height | 72 |
| Front/Rear Track | 60/60 |
| Front/Rear Overhang | 26.5/42 |
| Min. Front Ground Clearance | 8.875 |
LikesLike a Jeep with a British accentMakes the neighbors jealousMakes anyone an off-road hero
DislikesFuel gauge stopped workingLooks like it has a slide-in camper attached to itNeeds more aggressive tires
VerdictThe most intelligent off-road vehicle we've ever driven.