Driving Impressions: 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4X4

By: Mark Moskowitz MD

Reasons to buy the new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JL fall under three subtexts: Access, Naked and Nostalgia.

Access If you need or want to drive to those places where few others can go: rocky or rutty paths, snow and ice-covered trails, or remote sandy or muddy beaches, few street vehicles offer you a better chance of getting you there and getting you back. Jeep offers 10 different Wrangler JK models. Eight including the Willys Wheeler, Sport, Golden Eagle, Sahara, Altitude and Freedom editions come equipped with Jeep's time tested and capable Command-Trac 4X4 system. Only the Rubicon gives access to the Rock-Trac System. Features include much thicker and stronger Dana 44 front and rear axles, toggle activated front and rear axle locks, an electric sway bar disconnect for greater independent movement of the right and left front suspensions, and an 84:1 crawl ratio, the product of a lower (numerically higher) manual first gear of 5.13:1 and a 4.10 rear. The Rubicon also features a stiffer and lighter steel frame and a specially tuned suspension.

Naked As with all Wranglers top and doors can be removed and the windshield folded down. The open air experience allows maximal body exposure and a feeling of ….driving naked.

Nostalgia Jeeps, a product of WWII preparation, have been around for nearly 8 decades. It's rare to find anyone past adolescence who cannot recall a favorable or memorable jeep experience or the desire to have had one. .Jeep or more correctly Fiat Chrysler knows this and that's why the present Wrangler is easily, visually linked with its earliest forbearer the Willys MB and the subsequent CJ line. Add round headlights (which they did in 1996) and today's Wrangler is barely distinguishable from the Wrangler introduced a third of a century ago.

Only the most senior, experienced and influential journalists take their Jeeps over steep rocky climbs and risk injury to their mounts. I can only claim senior status but I did find deeply rutted roads, steep ascents and descents, logging trails and mud. The short wheelbase two-door jeep formed impeccably in every condition and engendered confidence. 34-inch tires and 13 inches of clearance enabled travel over big bumps and felled trees. Seat and suspension absorbed most of the shock.

Back on the highway, I found a few flaws. Even the most precise and gradual release of the clutch pedal resulted in a bit of a 'jerky start'. Other shifts were smooth and all six speeds were easily found though the length of the throws were more typical of a truck than a car. I was pleased to find pedals perfectly suited for heel toe downshifts. And even though it decreases the crawl ratio to 73:1, I shudder to say one might find the automatic a more comfortable choice.

Ride and handling comparisons with a standard street sedan or SUV are a bit unfair. They are not the same beasts. All Wranglers benefit from Electronic Stability Control and Electronic Roll Mitigation. Though I felt no ill effects or instability on interstates when wind blew or large trucks passed, I was always aware of my high center of gravity and felt a bit uneasy in high speed or sudden turns. The seats were supportive and comfortable and power steering offered easy maneuverability around town and in parking lots. While ride has improved over the years of Jeep production, one is still mildly disturbed by potholes and even lesser road imperfections.

All Wranglers come with a touch screen, backup camera, 8 speaker stereo with additional steering wheel mounted audio controls and a year of Sirius. As you go up the line, more features like Android Auto, larger touch screens, and nav are available.

My Rubicon came with an LED Lighting Package ($895) and a Trailer Tow and HD Electrical Group Package ($795). I recommend them. I am less desirous of and a bit confused by the combination of Leather Trim Package ($1395), the Black Freedom 3-piece Hardtop ($1095) and Hard Top Headliner ($495). With any top on the Wrangler, it will take extreme youth or a contortionist to access the back seats. The hard top can be removed but replacement is difficult and inclement weather could take the joy and pliability out of those leather seats. A soft top is available but deleted with the purchase of the hardtop adding extra expense and difficulty if one subsequently desires the flexibility of a Jeep or aftermarket canvas or vinyl replacement top and metal frame.

There's no question that Wranglers are popular. Record worldwide sales of greater than one quarter million cars were recorded in 2015. The vast majority of these were in the United States where sales have exceeded 190,000 each year since 2014. I see the Wrangler as a great second car for those who perceive the lure of the open road as going where there is no road at all. For most, less expensive Wranglers with Command-Trac will be satisfactory for the vast majority of natural impediments encountered.

And maybe the Wrangler can be the only transportation for those living in a mountain, beach or nature bound town with no need to venture great distances elsewhere.

Or it may be an appropriate car just to be enjoyed by someone young, middle aged or old like me.

Heated Front Seats and Wheel and engine block heater

Photo credit: Mark Moskowitz MD

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