Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2020 Review

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the benchmark against which many a 4x4 is measured. The Wrangler is Jeep’s most iconic model and the Wrangler Rubicon is top of the pops in Jeep’s three-model Wrangler line-up comprising Sport S, Overland and Rubicon.

The new JL-series Wrangler not only improved upon its rock-hopping abilities, it’s stepped up its refinement, which has rarely been an adjective matched to the Wrangler. The Jeep Wrangler will now appeal to a broader market than ever before – including folks like me.

I drove the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon for a couple of weeks over the Christmas break and it’s fair to say I’m a fan. As was the whole family. Its look-at-me road presence, robust character and versatile space offered something for everyone. The uneasy niggle of a three-star ANCAP safety rating was however, ever present.

You can get into a new Wrangler from $48,950 for the V6-powered Sport S two-door. The asking price escalates quickly from there.

The range-topping Wrangler Rubicon four-door took a hefty price hike over its predecessor (around $15k) and is priced from $63,950 for the petrol and $68,950 (plus ORCs) for diesel power. And yep, there be options! Most notably, the Rubicon Luxury Package ($2535) that kept me in the manner in which I’ve become accustomed – including heated leather bucket seats and a heated steering wheel. The Mopar all-weather floor mats were a God-send and I’d like to fit them throughout my whole house.

The new Wrangler is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty while capped-price servicing will see owners of the 2.2-litre diesel-powered model pay $499 ($299 for the petrol) each 20,000km service interval.

The Jeep brand is synonymous with dirt roads, gnarly rock-hopping adventure and can-do attitudes. Our off-road adventures were limited to some creative parking at Sorrento Couta Boat Sailing Club where it turns out the Wrangler is right at home.

A two-week game of Jeep Wrangler spotto found around 50 in the Peninsula’s most pricey postcodes. Second only to the Range Rover badge in that neck of the woods, I think. The Wrangler’s robust hose-clean credentials make it the perfect fit for rugged beachside duties.

We pulled the front two sections of the roof off numerous times to get that ‘I’m outdoorsy’ look combined with wind in your hair feelings. It’s simple to do and stows easily, but does so at the expense of some precious cargo space. I chose not to leave the roof in the garage, Melbourne’s hugely unpredictable weather a gamble I couldn’t fathom.

The Wrangler’s brakes grabbed perfectly as I executed an emergency brake in Rye’s hectic shopping strip when a large German SUV pulled an idiotic u-turn in front of me.

A comfortable and well-appointed cabin and the Wrangler’s improved ride quality were let down by a cramped driver’s foot well.

The JL-series Wrangler is available now. The three-model line-up includes petrol and diesel engines, three or five door body styles depending on the variant.

Fit for five occupants and their gear, the Wrangler is capable of lugging the family load in all its holiday-season glory. Take into account its 2495kg braked towing capacity and you can lug even more – trailers, boats and the like.

While some large SUVs are reluctant 4x4s, the Wrangler thrives off-road and is likely to spend a lot of time off the beaten track. Its buyers will exploit its iconic credentials as often as possible. It’s those buyers who will also likely forgive the Wrangler’s three-star ANCAP safety rating (recently upped from a dismal one-star).

For the time I spent behind the wheel of the Wrangler Rubicon I felt like not only king of the road and king of the kids. It’s proportions, on-road presence (the bright green paintjob on our vehicle) and a commanding view are contributing factors here.

Its size did bring challenges – namely getting in and out – and I had to use the grab handles every time, as did the kids. There’s nothing graceful or skirt-friendly about it, but just like a poorly-planned outfit, I made it work.

The Jeep Wrangler is the off-road hero in Jeeps six-strong offering made complete by the Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Renegade and newcomer Gladiator ute.

Its segment rivals (large SUV under $70k) are many, few of which can lay claim to the Wrangler’s 4x4 heritage and capability where outdoor adventure is concerned. Soft roaders and SUV cross-over’s are not a patch on the Wrangler’s resume which now counts a refined cabin and vastly improved on-road handling to its credentials. But no, it’s not a luxury SUV.

Bundling the Jeep Wrangler with the likes of the family-friendly Mazda CX-9, robust Ford Everest and tech-savvy Subaru Outback feels beyond reasonable and an unlikely cross-shop.

I want one. Let the judging begin.

How much does the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon cost?
Price: $68,950 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 219g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Three-star ANCAP (2019)