I like to think of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon as the four-wheeled equivalent of a mountain bike: It’s capable of serious off-road use, yet it is civilized enough for city streets.
The four-door Wrangler is better suited for everyday use because it has four doors and a 116-inch wheelbase that gives it a smoother ride. The Rubicon model, named after the famously rugged Rubicon Trail in California, adds heavy-duty front and rear axles and a Rock-Trac two-speed transfer case with a 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio. Off-road prowess is further enhanced by electric front and rear locking differentials, disconnecting front sway bar and 32-inch tires.
The big news for 2012 is the 3.6-liter, 285-horsepower V-6 and five-speed automatic transmission. This new engine, shared with the Grand Cherokee, delivers 40 percent more power and 10 percent more torque than the previous 3.8-liter V-6. Fuel economy is up slightly, to 16 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway
The 3.6-liter is smoother and more refined than the 3.8, plus the additional horsepower gives it way more zip for city use.
Although I did not test the car in off-road situations, the Rubicon’s extra-low gear is bound to be good for rock crawling and climbing. The four-door Wrangler is bigger than it looks but it doesn’t feel big or bulky. The longer wheelbase that makes it more usable on an everyday basis may be a handicap in some very tight trail situations, but for the most part it should handle anything you attempt.
Courtesy of Kansas City Star
