Soft Top or SOT?

[Ratbert]

I've had both hard and now SOT. I can say the SOT is the best car "option" from any car I've ever owned. I use it constantly, all year round.

Hard vs SOT: Does a hardtop full removed look better? Sure. But the ease of use of pressing a button any time of year vs removing / storing the hard top meant I'd be going topless at least 10x as much.

Soft vs SOT: I don't particularly like the way soft tops look while up or retracted. The ease of use would likely have me choosing vs a black hard top, but not a painted hard top. The SOT gives you maybe 80% of the benefit and feel but just looks better.

Previous vs Current Pricing: My 2021 Willys came with the Sun and Sound package. For around $3700 it included SOT, largest screen, and premium audio. This was a no brainer. Now it looks like $3800 for ONLY the SOT.

I'm thinking it also included the color-matched roof. People tend to forget that price detail.

And yeah, lots of people don't like the looks of the SOT with the windows out. I rarely remove mine. You don't, however, hear many people claim that they like the looks of the soft top up in comparison to the SOT being closed. There's really no comparison since the SOT looks so clean when closed. That's IMHO, of course.

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[jo_xj]

the soft top is just sloppy & low rent looking IMO.

Well that might be the most ridiculous comment I've heard on a Jeep forum. The Wrangler is a vehicle that defies class distinctions. They don't apply like you think they do.

 

[sk00pie]

I'm thinking it also included the color-matched roof. People tend to forget that price detail.

And yeah, lots of people don't like the looks of the SOT with the windows out. I rarely remove mine. You don't, however, hear many people claim that they like the looks of the soft top up in comparison to the SOT being closed. There's really no comparison since the SOT looks so clean when closed. That's IMHO, of course.

I think it looks cool with the windows and doors off! One red flag for me is SOT warranty. I made sure to purchase a max care warranty specifically for this reason.

 

[Ratbert]

I think it looks cool with the windows and doors off!

It's definitely distinctive, which is a big plus in this world.

 

[GATORB8]

It's definitely distinctive, which is a big plus in this world.

Cop: Ma'am can you describe the vehicle
Karen: Of course, it was very distinctive, It looked like a Jeep from the front, and a 90s mid sized SUV from the back.

 

[PLaz]

For me the SOT is a hard pass because:
- $4,300.
- Top can't be fully removed (important to me when off-roading on inclines near rock walls).
- Soft-top can't be added.
- Roof rack can't be added.
- Looks funny when doors and side windows are off but top frame and rear window remain.

For me the best of both worlds for quick open air has been the hardtop with a Bestop sunrider.

"Looks funny when doors and side windows are off but top frame and rear window remain." - - I totally agree!

 

[devster]

I did the SOT in the '23 Willys because it was a $4k option as part of the "Sun & Sound" package that included the upgraded 8.4" display, the alpine sound system w/sub, the rear seat power/usb, and the upgraded alternator. I love being able to retract the huge sunroof (essentially) in a few seconds. With the windows down and the top back it is pretty open-aired. I haven't even taken off the freedom panels yet. Agreed this is not pure Jeep experience of a removed soft-top. Most of the soft-top Jeeps I see around here just have the front flap back and it looks like it would rip the rest of the top off at 60+ mph. Lastly, in South Carolina, it is HOT in the summer. The A/C has been able to keep up with the SOT, but I see a hot heads headliner in my future. I was excited when I first tried/saw the SOT, and I personally am happy with it.

 

[UniqueUserName]

Are we talking highway type of driving or offroading? loll

This_is_a Wrangler forum me thoughts? ?

Yeah, if it's a highway ride, then yeah, you win dude lol.

If rock crawling, you're toast!

You lose either way. The SOT driver is going to keep rolling, while you park, flip your shit, climb back in and get back underway. It's driver time and inconvenience that counts.

Why did you decide to pick such a silly, irrelevant point to argue?

 

[old schooler]

Sky One Touch. No questions asked. You have to have one to know.

 

[JLUCQ]

Really love the soft top. Ordered my 392 with the dual top option, took the hard top off the day I got it home for the soft top and haven’t switched it back after a year. Love how versatile it is.

I personally would never consider the SOT just for how goofy it looks with everything off. I run doorless (fronts always, sometimes back, have two kids in car seats) and back windows out of the soft top from May-October usually.

My low rent soft top Wrangler.

 

[Mtrctylarry]

Hey all,

Looking to build my 24 from factory this time instead of buying off lot to make sure I get everything I want this time

Just moved to south-central Texas and have been going back and forth from the Soft Top vs SOT and which I should choose

I don't want the hard top because it was such a pain to store/remove on and off during the summer. Since I am an warmer/sunnier climate, I want to take advantage of the weather as much as possible.

I only had a hard top on my Jeep last time so I don't know which one to pick this time. 4k seems like a lot but it is nice to just hit it and get that open air experience

Thoughts?

you should go and drive one with SOT roof. I couldn’t believe how nice it was. Had a 2015 Rubicon with hard top and hated it for all the reasons you mentioned. I now have 2019 JLUR with SOT and absolutely love it. You can’t beat the same open air experience , really feels like you have the roof off. Plus the peace of mind knowing if you get caught in a quick storm…One touch and you’re good.

 

[jo_xj]

Really love the soft top. Ordered my 392 with the dual top option, took the hard top off the day I got it home for the soft top and haven’t switched it back after a year. Love how versatile it is.

I personally would never consider the SOT just for how goofy it looks with everything off. I run doorless (fronts always, sometimes back, have two kids in car seats) and back windows out of the soft top from May-October usually.

My low rent soft top Wrangler.

Love the look in the first pic (safari mode). Your Jeep looks awesome in general.

 

[ag4ever]

With as much body structure there is above the belt line, even running topless is not a convertible experience.

I am in Houston, and topless season here is fall - winter - spring. Summer is miserable, hot and humid.

I have the SOT and love it. I can have an enjoyable experience at the touch of a button at speeds up to 60 mph.

If you really want the full open top experience, the SOT can be removed.

All the upsides to the hard top and most of the upsides to the soft top.

 

[Kfoo]

I think the choice falls on whether you are willing to put in the effort to open and close the soft top every time you want to open it up. The SOT is significantly easier to work with. As well, I am not sure of your preferred climate, but an open top in 80s and sunny is rather unbearable for me, so the ability to close the top at the press of a button could be desireable.

All that said, my Jeep is meant to be an all manual experience: MT, soft top, half doors during the summer. I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I've had both hard and now SOT. I can say the SOT is the best car "option" from any car I've ever owned. I use it constantly, all year round.

Seeing that you call your Jeep a car says it all. For those that use their Jeeps as a "car", the SOT is probably the best option for quick and easy open air. For those that use their Jeep for off-roading, soft top or no top is, in my opinion, the best option.

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