Rubicon vs Sahara Trim

[cripton805]

The sot top alone is like $3k, $3k for a regear, $1500 for the steel box installed. $7500 is close enough to $10k for me. I'm pretty sure the OP isn't going to give the current one away, so there's a huge chunk of that $45k off the top. Even if you trust the JL electronics to 15 years, the new one will only be half way there by the time the current one is exceeding that.

Used soft tops in "new" condition go on sale around here for $1500 easily. The steering box is on a case by case basis. Not everyone had theirs replaced and they're doing fine.

In my opinion, $4500 is a whole lot less than $50k-$65k plus interest. Even if you got $20k for an 18' Sahara. Used values have tanked.

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[Ear Responsible]

I currently own a 2018 Sahara and looking for a new Jeep primarily for the sky top and possibly a different power train .

What are pros/cons of going to the Rubicon? I’m not sure it’d worth it but I do like the look.

Is it true that they gave a small factory lift? Wondering if I want to go to bigger tires down the the road, can I avoid a lift kit with Rubi vs Sahara?

I currently own a 2018 Sahara and looking for a new Jeep primarily for the sky top and possibly a different power train .

What are pros/cons of going to the Rubicon? I’m not sure it’d worth it but I do like the look.

Is it true that they gave a small factory lift? Wondering if I want to go to bigger tires down the the road, can I avoid a lift kit with Rubi vs Sahara?

 

[Ear Responsible]

So I also have a unique perspective . I am 67 and was into off-roading 40 years ago and recently in the last few years got back into it and have rented Rubicon’s , Sahara’s , 4xe’s in Colorado and Moab (which incidentally is a great way to compare. Avis rents them all at the Denver airport ) . I recently bit the bullet and purchased a 2025 Rubicon X . Full disclosure I’m a motor head and have multiple 4 wheel and two wheel vehicles. ( Rebuilding a transmission on my Dodge Viper this weekend) I have to say that the Rubicon X is the most fun , purpose build vehicle I have ever owned and kudos to Jeep for creating such a no excuses purpose built monster. The 12k package gives you so much incredible goodies in my opinion it’s the best deal in the automotive world .

 

[Cheyenne]

I'm in a 2021 Sahara after heavily shopping the two trims, as well.

For less than the cost of the upgrade, I put a 1" spacer lift and 33" Rubicon take-off wheels/tires on my Sahara and it's been perfect for my needs, both onroad and offroad.

Unless you're going to 35s or planning to do heavy off-roading, you don't need a Rubicon (IMO). I've done a half-dozen Badge of Honor trails in my Sahara on 33s with no issues whatsoever.

Especially since you're going to pay through the nose for that Sky One-Top.

The sky top is worth every penny

 

[JAC34]

The sky top is worth every penny

I MUST have it! Looking for a Willys with 35s and SOT if anyone has one!!!

 

[Jsmeltz]

I had a 2021 Sahara which was really nice. Had the I4 but blew a head gasket at about 15K miles. I only kept it for about 18 months then traded it for a Subaru Outback which I still have. Just recently purchased a 2024 Willys back in November. I loaded it up and liked it better than the Rubicon because I liked the yellow stitching better than the red. Just my personal preference. Only thing the Rubicon has over the Willys is integrated navigation and an auto dimming mirror. My Sahara had both. But I always use my Google maps even in my Subaru and that has navigation. I always use Android auto. You can get the Willys with the 35s minus the mirror and navigation and save at least $15K.. I ordered mine in Anvil this time with the V6. In the end, it's your decision.

 

[Ear Responsible]

I had a 2021 Sahara which was really nice. Had the I4 but blew a head gasket at about 15K miles. I only kept it for about 18 months then traded it for a Subaru Outback which I still have. Just recently purchased a 2024 Willys back in November. I loaded it up and liked it better than the Rubicon because I liked the yellow stitching better than the red. Just my personal preference. Only thing the Rubicon has over the Willys is integrated navigation and an auto dimming mirror. My Sahara had both. But I always use my Google maps even in my Subaru and that has navigation. I always use Android auto. You can get the Willys with the 35s minus the mirror and navigation and save at least $15K.. I ordered mine in Anvil this time with the V6. In the end, it's your decision.

You are incorrect about the “only thing the Rubicon has over the Willys is integrated navigation and an auto dimming mirror “ lol. I suggest you go on your local Jeep dealer website and look at the stickers for the Sahara , Willys , Rubicon and Rubicon X.

 

[Jsmeltz]

You are incorrect about the “only thing the Rubicon has over the Willys is integrated navigation and an auto dimming mirror “ lol. I suggest you go on your local Jeep dealer website and look at the stickers for the Sahara , Willys , Rubicon and Rubicon X.

Im not considering leather interior, hood design, and more premium trim levels or a full floating axle. Just a good solid balance of something with you can get with the recon package that strikes a good balance between a Sahara and a Rubicon. Especially for the price difference. I like the factory rims with the 35s and Rubicon fender flares that came with package. Can't get that as a factory build on anything but the Rubicon or Willys. I like the yellow stitching over the red. I liked the center cap Jeep logo in white over the red center cap on the rims. Just my preference..

 

[Wabujitsu]

I'm actually in an interesting position for this thread, as I have a both a 2018 Sahara that I have loved and a 2024 Rubicon X Xtreme Recon we got last Halloween (literally delivered that day). I think in the end your decision will really be driven by what you intend to do with your Jeep, but from my personal experience, here are some pros and cons to consider for going with one model or another:

SAHARA
+ As mentioned by others, and based on my personal experience, the Sahara is more than capable in stock form to do a lot on- and off-road. I added 33s a couple of years ago and for my purposes that is a really good balance on the stock Sahara without a lift.

+- The resale value of a Sahara is typically lower than that of a Rubicon on average, but you typically do have a lot of nice trim extras standard vs some of the others.

+- A Sahara can be built up to whatever you want, but obviously for long-term 35" tires use I'd want to beef up components to handle that.

+ Not that we buy these for gas mileage, but the 4.10 gears on my Sahara, even with the heavier, wider 33s, is still ~20 mpg combined city driving, which is not too bad. I'll get up to ~24 mpg straight highway. On the original OEM smaller 32" tires I got more like 25-26 mpg highway.

WILLYS
+ As also mentioned by others, and again depending on how much off-roading you plan to do and at what level, a Willys is a nice balance, as it comes with some of the Rubicon goodies and you can get 35s, but it costs less than a Rubicon. It sits in an interesting place in the line, while still allowing for mods along the way to make it even more capable. It is a very enticing option, and with the 35s they look great, too.

- You don't get all the bells and whistles, and your options are limited for upgrades. Jeep did a nice job of trying to get you to buy a Rubicon instead if you want certain features.

RUBICON (Stock, X, XR)
+ In its three core forms (Rubicon, Rubicon X, and Rubicon X XR) you can pretty much find your balance of significant added capabilities while balancing price/amenities based on trim levels. I got our 2024 XR because a) I took advantage of the large markdowns going on due to dealer lot overstocking and b) the XR comes really capable with all the Rubicon goodies, beefed-up suspension, a small lift, and 35s right from the factory. For my purposes, I don't have to do anything to it from that standpoint. It is 3 inches taller than my non-lifted Sahara on 33s and looks huge next to it. Amazing the difference 35s and a small lift makes to stature.

- This thing is stupid expensive, as all of them are, but really, the XR is expensive, second only to the 392's ridonkulous premium. Mine listed at $71,600. I got it for $54,550 after rebates and incentives. Still a choker to me, but for the capability and bells and whistles on this thing it actually is pretty dang amazing. For the 2024s, the new axle, new center screen, and other lesser upgrades make it even better.

- Gas mileage suffers with larger tires, of course. The XR package has the 4.56 gearing, which makes it more responsive, but it does eat a little more gas. My combined city mpg is sitting at around 17 mpg.

BOTTOM LINE
Other than the base Sport , I think everyone can find something in their (relative) price range that meets their intended use and long-term upgrade (or out-of-the-box OEM ready) desires. I love both of our Jeeps, and I'm really glad we kept our Sahara, which is Mojito that I love and a nice balance to the really cool Anvil's gray understated look. It can do a ton of stuff on- and off-raod and has just been great.

I will say, though, that I'm truly glad I bit the bullet and did the "buy once, cry once" move of going with the Rubicon X with the Xtreme Recon package for our second buy. It is just incredible, drives great, feels great, and, after I ran a basic shakedown cruise this past weekend off-road, just amazingly capable without any modding whatsoever. I would get one again in heartbeat, as long as I was wearing a blindfold so I couldn't see the sticker price...

My 2 cents

Matt, you said your Sahara was stock, except for the 33” tires. How did you purchase one with 4.10 gearing? Stock is 3.45 for the Sahara.

 

[JAC34]

I had a 2021 Sahara which was really nice. Had the I4 but blew a head gasket at about 15K miles. I only kept it for about 18 months then traded it for a Subaru Outback which I still have. Just recently purchased a 2024 Willys back in November. I loaded it up and liked it better than the Rubicon because I liked the yellow stitching better than the red. Just my personal preference. Only thing the Rubicon has over the Willys is integrated navigation and an auto dimming mirror. My Sahara had both. But I always use my Google maps even in my Subaru and that has navigation. I always use Android auto. You can get the Willys with the 35s minus the mirror and navigation and save at least $15K.. I ordered mine in Anvil this time with the V6. In the end, it's your decision.

That is a beauty!! That was ordered from Jeep that way? Love the wheels and tires.

 

[Wabujitsu]

I had an 18 Sahara, sold it in 2021 and got a 2023 Rubicon after coming home from Kuwait. A big difference in the two not really mentioned here is how they handle on road. The Sahara certainly handled better at highway speeds. The Rubicon's gear ratio doesn't allow it to drive as fast on the interstate. Mine were/are both manual transmissions. They had very similar specs as close as possible for the two. I loved my Sahara but couldn't get a manual when it was time to order it's replacement so I went with the Rubicon. I also love it but I miss the highway performance but love the off roadiness it has. It's awesome!

Tim, thank you for your service! I retired from the Army in 2018, after 30 years of service. Hooah!

With all due respect, I have to disagree strongly with your post.

We have a Sahara and a Rubicon. Stock, they handled IDENTICALLY on the road. Also, as far as the Rubicon 4.10 gearing limiting highway speeds, please tell me why you say that. My Rubicon, pre and post build, easily cruised/cruises at 80-90MPH. I’ve had both vehicles up to 100+ a few times. Last fall I drove my Rubi from SW FL to Phoenix, AZ and back. I cruised at 75-85 MPH, easily. Perhaps it has more to do with your manual transmission; both of ours have the 8spd auto.

 

[Jsmeltz]

That is a beauty!! That was ordered from Jeep that way? Love the wheels and tires.

Thanks! Yea! I waited about 2 months for the build. Really wanted the Extreme tire package and the Willys had everything I wanted. Safety package and what not...

 

[JAC34]

Thanks! Yea! I waited about 2 months for the build. Really wanted the Extreme tire package and the Willys had everything I wanted. Safety package and what not...

Does the Extreme tire package only come in gas models? I don't see it in the 4xe.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Im not considering leather interior, hood design, and more premium trim levels or a full floating axle. Just a good solid balance of something with you can get with the recon package that strikes a good balance between a Sahara and a Rubicon. Especially for the price difference. I like the factory rims with the 35s and Rubicon fender flares that came with package. Can't get that as a factory build on anything but the Rubicon or Willys. I like the yellow stitching over the red. I liked the center cap Jeep logo in white over the red center cap on the rims. Just my preference..

Not to speak for the other guy but I'm guessing he's talking about things like the 4-1 transfer case, front locker, and sway bar disconnect? Sure you could add all those things, spending thousands (probably close to the price difference as it's more like $5k than $15k once you add the xr package etc) while simultaneously voiding the warranty on half your drivetrain.

 

[cansberry]

Does the Extreme tire package only come in gas models? I don't see it in the 4xe.

Yep. No free float axle or 35s from the factory for a 4xe

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