2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: Does Anyone Give a Duck? originally appeared on Autoblog.
That waterfall grille is legendary
When you drive one, you get the friendly Jeep wave from other “Jeepers," and if you’re lucky, someone leaves a rubber duck for you. In short, driving a Jeep Wrangler is fun, and driving should always be fun. But a Wrangler is not right for just everyone. I spent a week with a bold, Mojito green Wrangler Rubicon and left with some strong impressions. But did anyone leave me a duck? The verdict: strong opinion on the Wrangler and no ducks given.
Let’s get a little mud on the tires
What makes the Wrangler so good? You should know the answer to this question. It’s in its off-road prowess. There’s not a vehicle on the road today that can boast better ruggedness than the Wrangler. With 33-inch knobby all-terrain tires, it has a robust stance and is ready for any conditions. The Wrangler is designed for mud, muck, snow, and sand.
The off-road capabilities are numerous and check all the boxes. There’s the Rock-Trac 4x4 system, which features a 4:1 low gear ratio and a class-leading 100:1 crawl ratio for superior control on challenging terrains. There’s also an Electronic Sway Bar Disconnect and Rock Rails, which enhance the articulation and protect the vehicle’s underside during off-road adventures. My off-road adventures were limited to a gravel trail, which led to a beautiful photo shoot and some mud on the tires and side panels. They say you should always leave a Jeep dirtier than you found it. Mission accomplished!
Powertrain and performance
Under the hood is a 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine. This is a tried-and-true engine from Stellantis, and there are few complaints about the overall performance. It creates 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and the 8-speed automatic transmission does a great job with smooth shifts. With a curb weight of more than 5,000 pounds, this is just enough power for the Wrangler. It's not a blazer off the line, but that’s not really the intent or purpose of it either. As an urban dweller or a country road driver, it is adequate. Driving it through the suburbs, it even has enough personality to be enjoyable.
Taking the doors and the top off the Jeep Wrangler
Part of the allure of the Wrangler is taking off the doors and the tops and basically driving it on the open road with the wind and sun adding to the enjoyment. However, during a rainy, unpredictable weather week, it was challenging to make such an attempt. The hard top variety of this is more challenging, too, and therefore, I never did get the tops or doors off to truly have the full Jeep experience. I would’ve preferred if my tester had the Sky One-Touch Power roof, which essentially turns it into a convertible. Otherwise, taking the doors and tops off is a lot of effort, especially for one person.
The rest of the interior
Being the Rubicon trim, this Wrangler featured higher-quality materials, including Nappa leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated seats. The Rubicon name was stitched onto the headrests with matching stitching found throughout. It was a nicer interior than I’m used to in a Jeep. The infotainment system is also one of the best in the industry, powered by a 12.3-inch touchscreen display running the Uconnect 5 system. This is an easy-to-use system with simple connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
So what’s not to like about the Jeep Wrangler?
For one thing, if you’re old with bad knees like me, getting in and out of the high-stance Wrangler can be a challenge. Sure, my tester had a Mopar step assist system, but it didn’t help much. You really have to grab hold of the handles near the door opening, give a little hop, and hoist yourself up. Once in, it’s a breeze, and honestly, getting out is just a slide down or a small drop.
The other thing that I warn anyone about the Wrangler, and which was applicable to this Wrangler too, is how it handles and drives. The steering is loose. There’s always talk of the Jeep “death wobble,” which is a horrible name for a loose steering feel. That, combined with the weight, boxy styling, and the overall way the Wrangler drives, makes it an experience that not everyone can enjoy.
Price and MPG
Base price for the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was $51,445. Sure, you can get lesser trims at a much lower price, but when features like the Rubicon X package, aforementioned Mopar side step assist, and a front Warn Winch are added, the final MSRP is steep at $76,090. Additionally, the EPA rating for this Wrangler was 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, for a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg. This is subpar in today’s automotive industry.
Final thoughts
You don’t buy the Wrangler for the fuel economy, and you will overpay for the iconic element you get with the Wrangler. The Jeep community is wonderful, and generally, once you buy a Wrangler, you’re hooked. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it, even though nobody gave a duck about this beautiful Mojito green Wrangler Rubicon. I really wanted at least one duck. To see a video I did of my time with the Rubicon, check out my Instagram reel.
2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: Does Anyone Give a Duck? first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 18, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
