Now at the end of its first decade, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the iconic brand’s most rugged option. It features the standard seven vertical slat grille and round headlamps of all Jeeps, but it’s named after the 22-mile Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Nevada that begins about 80 miles east of Sacramento.
The famous trail has road segments, but the rocky sections are where off-road vehicles can quickly shine or fail. if you name one of your vehicles after the trail, it should probably thrive on rutted, rugged terrain, water crossings and the unexpected proverbial fork in the road.
Since its debut in 2003, off-road enthusiasts have often commented that for handling trail adversity, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon does it best.
Key Takeaways
- Test car: the 2012 Wrangler Rubicon, with off-road tires and a part-time four-wheel-drive system.
- 285 horsepower for 2012, a massive increase, with a new five-speed automatic transmission.
- 17 mpg city and 21 highway in the review’s figures.
- $29,995 MSRP and $34,625 as tested.
- Likes: Superior sound system.
- Dislikes: Fuel economy should embarrass Jeep.
Yet, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has been criticized for its plastic interior parts, under-powered engine and lack of industry standard equipment. For 2012, Jeep took notice.
The interior has been redesigned and there has been a massive increase to 285 horsepower. A five-speed automatic transmission is also new. As a result, many industry leaders call the new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon the brand’s quietest, best-equipped offering to date. And therefore it’s most adept at negotiating off-road tasks, like the Rubicon Trail.
The Weekly Driver Test Drive
The Jeep Wrangler is part of the small off-road segment of vehicles likely best suited for trail use but still sold as daily drivers. The Toyota FJ Cruiser, Nissan Xterra and Land Rover LR4 are the Jeep Wrangler’s main rivals.
I’ve only driven the Nissan Xterra and the now the Jeep Wrangler, and neither in off-road testing. The Wrangler has a lot to offer its in specialty environment, but it doesn’t transfer well in city or highway driving, at least not for me.
With its new optional additions like heated leather seats, satellite radio and heated mirrors, Jeep has decided to offer upscale car luxuries in a working class vehicle. The options are noble upgrades.
But driving the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with its off-road tires and part-time four-wheel drive system as a road vehicle defeats the purpose. It’s big and powerful. It guzzles gas. It’s noisy and weighs more 3,760 pounds. That’s plenty to get the job done off-road, but rather cumbersome otherwise.
Likes and Dislikes
Likes
Heated seats on a Jeep. Nice.
Superior sound system.
Sturdy build. Lots of locks, pulleys, toggles, detachable parts.
Dislikes
Fuel economy should embarrass Jeep.
Rough, sometimes unsteady ride on the freeway.
Poor rear vision with top up.
Doors attach and detach with simple hinges and cloth harnesses, and don’t lock into a secure open position.
What Others Say
“This completes a two-year makeover that saw the interior redone for the 2011 model year, transforming the Wrangler into a rather premium entry that maintains its still affordable $22,845 base price – despite the gains in power and fuel economy.” AutoWeek. “Really, the difference is just the way this dash looks and feels over the previous generation. Jeep underwent a small overhaul for the 2011 model year, but critics called it half-baked. Now, it’s finished. The materials feel high-grade, and there’s a completeness the previous model lacked.” The Detroit News “The 2012 model confidently surges forward with a light press of the right pedal. Nice. With 285 horsepower, the new 3.6-liter wastes the old 3.8 and its measly 202 horsepower.” Automobile Magazine.
What The Wife Says
like that fact that the doors and hood and roof can be detached. I also like the compass on the dash and the clean design of the instrument panel and other gauges. But it’s not my favorite for daily road use.
2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Verdict
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler is ideally suited for off-road rambling. And it’s arguably the best of class for negotiating terrain like the Rubicon Trail. It shouldn’t be purchased for any other reason, and certainly not as a daily driver.
Facts & Figures: 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price | $29,995 |
| As-Tested Price | $34,625 |
| Engine | 3.6-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 285 hp |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic (new for 2012) or 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Part-time four-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph | 6.7 seconds |
| Fuel Economy | 17 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| Curb Weight | More than 3,760 pounds |
| Airbags | 7 |
| Warranty | Bumper to bumper 3 yr/36,000 mi; powertrain 5 yr/100,000 mi; corrosion 3 yr/100,000 mi |
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.