Moab - What's the Purpose?

[oceanblue2019]

Prospective first-time Jeep owner here. I've been comparing trim levels for about a month and I'm puzzled by the Moab. I mean, aside from the hood decal and wheel options, it seems like its basically an well-optioned Sahara. Or rather, a Rubicon without the more-extreme off -road bits. Some trim comparison listings don't even seem to recognize the Moab. Why does the Moab exist? What am I missing here?

I will speak up as almost just bought one. None of the following is to start a flame war or undermine any models I mention. I also fully understand what you drive off the lot is just a starting point; any of these models can be upgraded to be as competent off road as any other.

The Sahara downside is it doesn't look rugged or brawny off the lot; but probably is the best for daily driving. The auto 4WD system and LSD is what most people want in a daily driver. It is a competent performer.

The Rubicon is a great factory package and very competent off road right off the lot. But that comes with some compromise as a daily driver, especially if you never plan to off road to see the upside from those compromises. Things like the auto 4WD and LSD are nice in a daily driver. Yes I get it the Rubi comes with Dana 44's, a brawny transfer case, and remote lockers - and those are great if you actually use them - but as a daily driver they don't make much sense and a step backwards from the auto 4WD and LSD's.

So the MOAB works as we get a package that has the daily driver features of a Sahara, the luxury options from a Sahara, and the rugged looks of a Rubi. So if you are looking for a daily driver that looks great it's a really nice package. It can go off road as well; but yes it's a compromise doing so over the Rubi.

I ended up buying a Rubi as the compromises in daily driving was worth it as we do enjoy going off roading. We also live in an area where lots of access to be able to do so.

I hope this helps; and at the end of the day we should be happy we have so many choices that makes a Wrangler accessible and usable for so many; as it ensures we should continue to see the Wrangler into the future as well as derivatives like the Gladiator.

I Jeep wave all Wranglers

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[DenaliDan]

....So the MOAB works as we get a package that has the daily driver features of a Sahara, the luxury options from a Sahara, and the rugged looks of a Rubi. So if you are looking for a daily driver that looks great it's a really nice package. It can go off road as well; but yes it's a compromise doing so over the Rubi.....

I agree...mostly. The two exceptions to this logic is the lack of engine choice and not being able to get the Advanced safety package which includes the Adaptive Cruise Control (which oddly I do not see available for any model on the Jeep.com build site at this moment).

 

[deweysjeep]

...Consider this thread closed.

 

[NTX Black Moab]

It IS NOT a separate trim level. Look at the window sticker. It is a SAHARA with an optional $10k package upgrade. For ME, I liked the look and when I saw mine (was looking at a Sahara), it was a no-brainer. That and the fiance said "buy it now!". So, I bought it right then and there.

 

[Sean L]

which oddly I do not see available for any model on the Jeep.com build site at this moment).

Are you on the 2018 builder?

 

[Bri01]

I will speak up as almost just bought one. None of the following is to start a flame war or undermine any models I mention. I also fully understand what you drive off the lot is just a starting point; any of these models can be upgraded to be as competent off road as any other.

The Sahara downside is it doesn't look rugged or brawny off the lot; but probably is the best for daily driving. The auto 4WD system and LSD is what most people want in a daily driver. It is a competent performer.

The Rubicon is a great factory package and very competent off road right off the lot. But that comes with some compromise as a daily driver, especially if you never plan to off road to see the upside from those compromises. Things like the auto 4WD and LSD are nice in a daily driver. Yes I get it the Rubi comes with Dana 44's, a brawny transfer case, and remote lockers - and those are great if you actually use them - but as a daily driver they don't make much sense and a step backwards from the auto 4WD and LSD's.

So the MOAB works as we get a package that has the daily driver features of a Sahara, the luxury options from a Sahara, and the rugged looks of a Rubi. So if you are looking for a daily driver that looks great it's a really nice package. It can go off road as well; but yes it's a compromise doing so over the Rubi.

I ended up buying a Rubi as the compromises in daily driving was worth it as we do enjoy going off roading. We also live in an area where lots of access to be able to do so.

I hope this helps; and at the end of the day we should be happy we have so many choices that makes a Wrangler accessible and usable for so many; as it ensures we should continue to see the Wrangler into the future as well as derivatives like the Gladiator.

I Jeep wave all Wranglers

Your words should just be copy and pasted in every thread that brings up this same discussion.... Couldn't have said it better myself.
There is a Jeep out there for everyone, just figure out what your needs are, what your price range is and you will find something you are happy with. You can always modify the darn thing down the line anyway....
I personally went in ready to buy a Rubicon, because I love the look and has always been highly regarded, but when I saw the MOAB, and did my research, I realized that was the right pick for me. I was looking for a daily driver that can navigate the New England weather here in the northeast. Will I take it on trails/sand? YES. Will I ever go rock crawling? NO. Any Jeep fits what I was looking for technically, but the rear limited slip diff/ all time 4 wheel drive is awesome in the snow/rain, so a great option for a daily driver. The fact that it is fully loaded, great safety features, and the better looking hood is a plus.
If you want a heavy duty off road vehicle - get the RUBICON. If you are looking for an offroad capable vehicle with all the comforts of a daily driver, get the Sahara/MOAB.

 

[jayd33]

I’ve come to the conclusion MOAB caters to buyers who typically max out every options on everything they buy. They’re also self-aware enough to not need what the Rubicon offers and I assume are financially comfortable enough to not really give a damn about other people’s opinions on financial prudence when buying a car that only costs $60k

 

[Cov]

After looking at more detailed build sheets, this Moab just makes less and less sense as a separate trim model. It seems you don't get an engine choice and you also can't get the advanced safety package. It's likely I overlooked something else you can't get on the Moab. Without debating our preferences for these options (which is done elsewhere), it just doesn't make sense. I agree with Covfefe and prefer the look but that's just our opinion. Why not just offer an optional Moab-style "appearance package" for the Rubicon and Sahara which would include blacked-out trim and wheels. I've worked in the automotive manufacturing world for a bit so have a little bit of insight into this stuff but I would love to talk to the marketing person that dreamed this one up and get to the bottom of this. My only hope is that maybe something about this will be one of the small changes for the 2020.

The 2019's have the Advance Safety available and most people swap out the MT's for AT's

 

[marek]

I agree...mostly. The two exceptions to this logic is the lack of engine choice and not being able to get the Advanced safety package which includes the Adaptive Cruise Control (which oddly I do not see available for any model on the Jeep.com build site at this moment).

Adaptive cruise control available on Moab

 

[xtopherm]

I'm wondering if anyone was this confused when the JK Chief came out. It wasn't a rubicon, but it had KM2 tires and a Rubicon hood... did that make heads explode in the JK community?

If you like all the luxury and daily driver features of the Sahara and want the rugged looks of the Rubicon but don't want the drivability trade-offs of the Rubi, then get the MOAB and enjoy it on the road - the auto 4wd and limited slip rear differential and creature comforts are great. If you later decide to do some off-roading that is beyond the capabilities of the stock MOAB, put a small lift, bigger tires and a single *front* locker on it. A Jeep with a front locker and a rear limited slip is going to be almost as capable as a Jeep with two lockers. It is certainly going to be capable of some pretty serious trails. That way you can have your Sahara/MOAB daily driver cake and eat it too, even if your Jeeping progress to more serious trails. (Important Caveat: just don't go rock-crawler extreme crazy with that set up - the Sahara/MOAB axles, transfer case and suspension are not as rugged as the Rubicon, and a locker adds a lot of stress on the CV joints, so, again knock yourself out on the trails, but don't go overboard with extreme rock crawling.)

 

[Cov]

Moabs have upgraded axles

 

[viper88]

The 2019's have the Advance Safety available and most people swap out the MT's for AT's

I daily drive on the street. Swapping out the M/T would be the first thing I'd do if I were considering a Moab. Personally I love the A/T K02s on my JLR, super quiet. Anyone who want's or needs a M/T can get them free when they order a Rubicon as a free option. I don't know why the don't offer the tire option for the Moab? Makes no sense not to. I would think most Moab buyers want a quieter tire.

I think bashing the Moab or any other JL is nonsense. I'm just happy there is something for everyone. Everyone should spend their hard earned cash the way they want.

 

[ads75]

Can someone make a sticky of one of the dozens of threads about why someone would want a Moab vs Sahara vs Rubicon? And also 2.0 vs. 3.6? And are the LED headlights worth it? A lot of repeat discussions going on.

 

[Sean L]

If you like all the luxury and daily driver features of the Sahara and want the rugged looks of the Rubicon but don't want the drivability trade-offs of the Rubi, then get the MOAB and enjoy it on the road - the auto 4wd and limited slip rear differential and creature comforts are great. If you later decide to do some off-roading that is beyond the capabilities of the stock MOAB, put a small lift, bigger tires and a single *front* locker on it. A Jeep with a front locker and a rear limited slip is going to be almost as capable as a Jeep with two lockers. It is certainly going to be capable of some pretty serious trails. That way you can have your Sahara/MOAB daily driver cake and eat it too, even if your Jeeping progress to more serious trails. (Important Caveat: just don't go rock-crawler extreme crazy with that set up - the Sahara/MOAB axles, transfer case and suspension are not as rugged as the Rubicon, and a locker adds a lot of stress on the CV joints, so, again knock yourself out on the trails, but don't go overboard with extreme rock crawling.)

I think you missed the point of my post. A non Rubicon model with Mud Tires seems to be blowing peoples minds even though Jeep did it all the time with JKs (Like the Chief) and I was wondering if people got as worked up over those as they do over the MOAB.

I fully understand the mechanical differences, and I like the Idea of the MOAB. Its one of the reasons I'm looking at getting MTs for my own Sahara, MOABing on a Budget.

 

[Sean L]

I would think most Moab buyers want a quieter tire.

Considering how the Sahara has all the same options available (minus the steel bumper) I would say the KM2s are a selling point of the MOAB. If one didn't want those, a Sahara with the All Terrain (or even HTs) would appeal.

A Jeep for almost any desire I guess.

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