Jeep Sahara vs. Rubicon: Which is Better?

The Jeep Wrangler is a true American icon that was born for the open road and uncharted wilderness. Since the Jeep first became available to the masses, it has undergone many upgrades. Today, lovers of the Jeep get to enjoy modern technology and various technical features that make it suited for the rough outdoors and everyday use.

If you are planning to get yourself a Jeep vehicle, it will most likely come down to the Jeep Sahara or the Jeep Rubicon. While the two Jeeps are both great, there are some important differences that you should know about to help you make your choice.

Here's a quick comparison of the Jeep Sahara and Jeep Rubicon, so you can decide which one is the best off-road vehicle for you:

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What is the Difference?

One of the main differences between the Rubicon and the Jeep Sahara is that with a Rubicon, you can upgrade to a powerful diesel engine. Another important feature that differentiates the Rubicon from the Sahara is that the Rubicon is a vehicle designed specifically for the outdoors. It comes with a Rock-Trac drivetrain that makes fun and easy to handle on rough terrain. The drivetrain features crawl-control with a 4:0:1 low-range gear ratio. Using this two-speed transfer case provides more torque at lower RPMs, which is great for crawling.

For Sahara buyers, there is the option to add a Track-Lok system that comes with a limited-slip differential. In the Rubicon, you will get the Tru-Lok differential that can lock and unlock the front and rear axles as required. Besides that, with the Rubicon, you will get a front axle Sway Bar Disconnect that is electronically controlled.

Besides that mentioned above, when you purchase the Rubicon, you will get some extra features that are not available with the Sahara. These are premium cloth bucket seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a universal garage-door opener, Apple CarPlay and AdnroidAuto, Sirius XM Satellite Radio, and rock rails. Another subtle difference is that the Rubicon comes with off-road tires.

Which is Right for You?

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Sahara are both capable vehicles that have a lot to offer drivers. They both offer good fuel economy, and they both offer great performance. At the base level, they both come with a powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to a 6-speed manual or 8- speed automatic transmission. The engine can deliver 285 HP. With the base engine, they can both tow up to 3500 pounds, which allows the driver to hook up a small camper when exploring the outdoors.

However, for those looking for a powerful vehicle that is truly designed for the outdoors the Rubicon is a great option. The Sahara is a more dual-use vehicle that is designed for everyday city driving and the occasional weekend getaway in the great outdoors.

Final Verdict

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Sahara have varying degrees of passion or adventure and outdoor exploration. They come with a powerful and capable engine with an option to upgrade to a powerful diesel engine in the Rubicon.

Ultimately, it will be up to you to choose the right one for your needs based on the features mentioned. If you are still unsure of which one is perfect for you, you should consider taking both for a test drive. By the end of it, you will be sure of which one you want to own.

RELATED: 8 of the Greatest Jeep Wrangler Limited Editions

References

[1] ^ YouTube: Why I Bought a Sahara and NOT a Rubicon Wrangler?

[2] ^ YouTube: Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro vs Jeep Wrangler Rubicon // Face-Off

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