Confusion on Models/Trim Levels

[cedxc2005]

That is what always confuses me. People talk about getting a Sahara vs a Rubicon like they are buying a Mercedes vs a Bronco. The ride and options overlap.

Sahara has chrome, which I consider aesthetics, not a luxury option.

Sahara has LSD optional, but not standard, correct?

I'm being genuine. Is there something I am missing that would make the Sahara feel like you are driving a cloud vs the Rubicon?

Biggest thing I can think of is the 5 position transfer case. Full time 4WD is nice...

Sponsored

 

[cedxc2005]

Being the owner of a Sport among Rubicon friends, we collectively determined that any stock JL will go just about anywhere a stock Rubicon model can. The difference is the amount of work the driver has to put in (technical finesse, maneuvering), and how often you'll contact the ground or your surroundings with something other than a tire.

Once you start lifting/modding, the game changes of course. But as far as stock models are concerned, there are very few places that a Rubicon can go that a Sport or Sahara cannot follow.

 

[MALL R8D]

Being the owner of a Sport among Rubicon friends, we collectively determined that any stock JL will go just about anywhere a stock Rubicon model can. The difference is the amount of work the driver has to put in (technical finesse, maneuvering), and how often you'll contact the ground or your surroundings with something other than a tire.

Once you start lifting/modding, the game changes of course. But as far as stock models are concerned, there are very few places that a Rubicon can go that a Sport or Sahara cannot follow.

I think very few Rubicon owners (myself included) will ever push their Jeep beyond a fraction of its capabilities.

My brother has Jeep friends who rock crawl in places where they regularly get sideways. I watch those videos where people do nearly vertical climbs and want to throw up.

 

[MALL R8D]

Biggest thing I can think of is the 5 position transfer case. Full time 4WD is nice...

Full time 4wd would be nice. Coming from driving a Grand Cherokee for 14 years, that was a mental adjustment for me in the winter.

 

[cedxc2005]

I think very few Rubicon owners (myself included) will ever push their Jeep beyond a fraction of its capabilities.

My brother has Jeep friends who rock crawl in places where they regularly get sideways. I watch those videos where people do nearly vertical climbs and want to throw up.

I am guilty of cringing when I've bottomed out my Jeep. Capability or not, there's something unsettling about hearing screeching metal on rock, knowing it's your $50k toy making that sound...

 

[MALL R8D]

I am guilty of cringing when I've bottomed out my Jeep. Capability or not, there's something unsettling about hearing screeching metal on rock, knowing it's your $50k toy making that sound...

Metal on rock would make me cringe in a $10k toy, let alone my daily driver!

 

[Sean L]

I think very few Rubicon owners (myself included) will ever push their Jeep beyond a fraction of its capabilities.

My brother has Jeep friends who rock crawl in places where they regularly get sideways. I watch those videos where people do nearly vertical climbs and want to throw up.

Yes I've heard plenty of Rubicon owners say, "I'm not doing that!" looking at some of the obstacles. Don't get me wrong, but I'll avoid it too if the modded guys don't want to try it, lol.

 

[cedxc2005]

Full time 4wd would be nice. Coming from driving a Grand Cherokee for 14 years, that was a mental adjustment for me in the winter.

I have to say, not having that as an option on the 2 doors was disappointing.

I was all set to get a 2 door Sahara back when I was getting ready to order. I had determined that it would be the perfect combination of capability and comforts (having come from a 2004 GC myself). Alas, 2 door Saharas do not exist in this market.

I settled for a preposterously loaded Sport S instead.

 

[Sean L]

I am guilty of cringing when I've bottomed out my Jeep. Capability or not, there's something unsettling about hearing screeching metal on rock, knowing it's your $50k toy making that sound...

Metal on rock would make me cringe in a $10k toy, let alone my daily driver!

Its definitely sounds a lot worse than it really is. I scraped the bottom all day on this trail, and didn't see any damage on the skid plates after.

 

[MALL R8D]

Its definately sounds a lot worse than it really is. I scraped the bottom all day on this trail, and didn't see any damage on the skid plates after.

Weird. It doesn't look like there would be anyplace to scrape at all

 

[Sean L]

Weird. It doesn't look like there would be anyplace to scrape at all

Those humps for erosion control are all along the trail, and most of them are just tall enough to rub up on the belly of the Jeep. I know of a guy with a Gladiator Rubicon that won't go to Uwharrie because of em. At least until he gets his lift and bigger tires.

 

[MALL R8D]

Those humps for erosion control are all along the trail, and most of them are just tall enough to rub up on the belly of the Jeep. I know of a guy with a Gladiator Rubicon that won't go to Uwharrie because of em. At least until he gets his lift and bigger tires.

My brother has the only non-Jeep in his offroad group. My Rubicon is definitely a luxury vehicle in comparison

(These pictures are also why I don't go offroad with him and his Jeep friends. I would die.)

 

[Sean L]

My brother has the only non-Jeep in his offroad group. My Rubicon is definitely a luxury vehicle in comparison

(These pictures are also why I don't go offroad with him and his Jeep friends. I would die.)

looks pretty cool! Just use the tree as a prop too!

 

[S2k Chris]

What luxury option is available on the Sahara that is not on the Rubicon?

Leather dash, side steps, full-time 4WD, lower ride, less aggressive tires...

It's more luxurious than a Rubicon for sure.

 

[S2k Chris]

I agree that the Rubicon is geared for heavier off roading than the Sahara and Sport models, but at the same time they're also pretty loaded with luxury features. Both of the Rubicons I've driven were far more luxurious than my Sahara. They had leather seats, 8.4 nav, subwoofers, heated seats, and one had the painted hard top and the other had the sky one touch. My Sahara? LEDs and the black hard top (when I have it on) are pretty much the only luxury options its got.

I mean, yeah, you can put most of the luxury stuff on a Rubicon too, but that doesn't really change the point that the Sahara is more aimed at the luxury side and the Rubicon is not, even though it can be filled with most of the same luxury stuff.

FWIW, my Sport S is basically loaded (all but the blindspot stuff) so it's even "nicer" than some stripped Saharas, but it still isn't aimed at the same market.

Sponsored