Planning to climb the 300-foot Big Red or tackle the dunes around Fossil Rock? You’ll need serious machinery—purpose-built to float over soft sand and conquer steep, cascading terrain. Enter the Jeep Wrangler, a perennial favourite in the Middle East. For decades, it’s served both hardcore off-roaders and eager amateurs alike.
Not having driven one in a while, we borrowed the latest to see if it’s kept pace with the times or just traded on past glory. So, what’s it like to own and drive? Here’s our take on the 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door Rubicon.
Exterior: Iconic, rugged off-roader with a towering stance and chunky 35” off-road tyres
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is instantly recognisable as the quintessential off-roader, an icon of rugged adventure that has carried forward the Willys Jeep legacy for generations. Its boxy silhouette, flat panels, and exposed door hinges nod to its heritage, while modern touches add toughness and refinement. The upright seven-slot grille flanked by round LED headlamps signals strength, and squared-off arches, 35-inch off-road tyres, red tow hooks, a vented bonnet, and rock rails all underline trail-ready intent. Short overhangs and an upright stance give it a muscular, go-anywhere presence, while removable doors, a fold-down windscreen, and roof options transform it into an open-air cruiser.
The oversized spare wheel hanging off the rear speaks to its recreational purpose, and with some worn paint, rust, and grime, it could easily pass for a Mad Max machine. In a glitzy city like Dubai where people come to be seen, the Rubicon is as conspicuous as it gets.
Interior: Rugged functionality with a high score on ergonomics; 12.3″ touchscreen; average rear comfort
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon stands tall, and getting in requires a climb — fun for the young, less so for middle-aged passengers. Once aboard, you’ll find that the interior blends rugged functionality with modern comfort, all with an off-road focus. Inside, the cabin feels purposeful yet inviting, built to withstand the elements with rubberised surfaces, washable floor mats, and drain plugs for easy clean-up. The upright dashboard houses large, glove-friendly controls, while the instrument cluster combines analogue dials with a 7-inch TFT display. The JL generation marked a leap over the JK, upgrading from the functional 8.4-inch Uconnect to today’s Uconnect 5 with a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
The three-spoke steering wheel has a well-judged rim thickness, with intuitive buttons and hidden rear controls for audio and channel selection. Up front, leather seats with red stitching are supportive, offering 8-way power adjustment with 4-way lumbar for both driver and passenger. As with many American cars, the front seats are broad and comfortable, but the rear seats are firm with short bottom cushions — not ideal, though unlikely to matter when passengers are busy bracing themselves on a dune.
Drivetrain & Drive: V6 power is potent, not prodigious; built for the off-road; thirsty
The Wrangler Rubicon is built as much for raw capability as for everyday drivability. Power comes from a tried-and-tested, naturally aspirated 3.6-litre V6 with 285 hp and 352 Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic. The mighty 6.4-litre HEMI V8 with 470 hp and 598 Nm is also available in the Rubicon 392, priced at an exorbitant AED 400,000. Its hallmark Rock-Trac 4×4 system with a two-speed transfer case underpins serious off-road ability.
On-road, the Rubicon offers a commanding view over nearly everything except rivals like the Bronco, but its wide fenders demand care in tight spaces. The reasonably soft suspension makes daily driving manageable, but ride quality is a bit rickety, and you can almost feel all the knobs on the tyres, partly due to the recommended 42 PSI tyre pressure. Acceleration is more than adequate. You can feel the V6 working hard to pull, but it pulls, so there is satisfaction there. Regardless of whether you’re puttering away in town or on the highway, open up the throttle and it’s ready. Give it the full monty, and it will hit the 100 km/h mark from a traffic light in about 7.5 seconds. Electronic Power Steering is reasonably accurate, but the body wallows from side to side if quick directional changes are made. The raised ride height and the offroad tyres exaggerate that effect. The brakes are punchy, but the front dives and the tyres screech under hard braking. Wind noise is also noticeable on the highways; after all, it is shaped like a brick.
Off-road, however, the Rubicon comes into its own. Its high ground clearance, 35-inch tyres, short overhangs, and robust suspension allow it to conquer steep climbs, deep ruts, and sandy stretches with ease. The controls for the locking differentials and electronic sway-bar disconnect are right there where you want them, visible and accessible. Although you only need to make these selections if the terrain is very challenging, the vehicle is so capable in default mode. For loose sand, the 17-inch x 8-inch beadlock-capable wheels ensure you don’t have to worry about tyres popping off the rim at low pressures, while the steel bumpers provide high impact resistance when tackling steep approaches. In addition, the occupants get handgrabs on A- and B-pillars to hold on as they experience quick variation in pitch-and-roll, which is also information (and more) available on the infotainment system.
Fuel economy averages around 7 km/l (16.2 mpg), with a 21.5-gallon tank giving a range of about 450 km. Overall, it’s built for adventure first, civility second.
Features & Functionality: Large boot, remote starter, and Alpine audio; lacks Android Auto and 360° camera
The Wrangler doubles as both a recreational vehicle and an everyday family driver, offering features and technology to keep you safe, entertained, and functional. On the safety front, it comes with Emergency Stop System (ESS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), and TPMS, which is essential when tyre pressures need adjusting for off-road terrain. It also has front (Integrated Off-Road Camera) and rear cameras, though the absence of a 360° view at this price leaves you wanting.
The Alpine audio system impresses with clarity, revealing notes and instruments you may never have noticed before. Music streams via Bluetooth or Apple CarPlay, though Android Auto is missing. Under the media flap, you get USB-C and USB-B ports, plus two USB-C and two USB-A ports in the rear. Four auxiliary switches allow you to connect accessories like a winch, lights, or even a fridge. A remote starter on the key fob lets you pre-cool the cabin, while strong rear air-conditioning adds comfort for passengers. The two-part tailgate opens to a large boot, big enough for three suitcases, expandable with 60:40 split-folding rear seats. Cabin storage is rounded out with a cube-like glovebox and central cubby.
Verdict: Iconic off-roader with proven hardware and daily-friendly features, but the lacks rear seat comfort, and it’s thirsty
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is an icon built first and foremost for adventure. With its high ground clearance, locking differentials, rugged hardware, and weatherproof cabin, it’s happiest tackling dunes, rocks, and trails where few others dare to go. Inside, it blends toughness with surprising touches of comfort—an Alpine audio system that uncovers hidden layers in your music, USB-C and USB-A ports for all passengers, and a handy remote starter. The two-part tailgate and foldable rear seats make it practical too, with AUX ports ready for winches or fridges. Cameras help, though a 360° view is missing at this price. On-road, it’s less refined than rivals, so if most of your driving is on tarmac, the Sahara or Sport trims may suit you better. For true off-road enthusiasts, though, the Rubicon remains the ultimate statement of freedom.
Rivals
Its most direct rival is the Ford Bronco and its many variants. But in the UAE, the Bronco has been priced higher than expected, thereby allowing the Wrangler to sit just below. It also competes with the formidable Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. Then there are a host of new Chinese vehicles such as the popular Jetour T2 and its slightly smaller sibling, the T1, the Tank 300, and its brother from another mother, the BAIC BJ40 and BJ60. The latest entrant, the 212, is also something to consider. But perhaps the dark horse, and its real competition, is the INEOS Grenadier.
GOOD – Iconic off-roader looks; off-road performance; well-equipped; removable roof and doors; resale demand
BAD – Fuel economy; on-road dynamics; average rear seat comfort; lacks a 360-degree camera; average reliability
EDITOR’S RATING – 8/10
SPECIFICATIONS
Body type – 5-seater; 5-door high-performance mid-size SUV
Engine – Front-engine; 3.6-litre V6; four-wheel drive
Transmission – 8-speed automatic
Peak output – 285 HP @ 6,400 rpm; 353 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
0 to 100km/h – 7.5 seconds (estimated)
Top speed – 180 km/h (drag limited; estimated)
Price – Starting at AED 207,999; AED 289,999 (as tested)
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