Should You Take the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Off Road?

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has been consistently ranked among the most capable off-road vehicles on the market.
Written by Ethan Moser
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Thanks to its advanced traction systems—Tru-Lok Electronic Locking Differential and Electronic Front Sway Bar Disconnect—the 2021
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
has been consistently ranked among the best off-road vehicles.  
An off-road capable vehicle is a passport to adventure—but attempting to go off-road in a vehicle that can’t handle the terrain is a one-way ticket to the hospital, the mechanic, or both. So how can you be certain that your rugged-looking truck or SUV can actually tackle the open trail? 
Thankfully,
Jerry
—the #1-rated
car insurance
comparison shopping
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—is here with a comprehensive guide on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon’s key off-roading specs so you can rest assured that you’re only tackling terrain your Jeep can handle. 
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Can the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon go off road?

Absolutely—in fact, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is one of the most capable off-roading vehicles on the market at the moment. 
As part of the Wrangler Rubicon’s $40,500 price tag, you’ll benefit from the vehicle’s legendary off-roading capabilities granted by its advanced traction systems, including Tru-Lok Electronic Locking Differentials, and Electronic Front Sway Bar Disconnect
But what else makes the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon one of the best off-road vehicles ever made? Let’s take a closer look at some of the Rubicon’s key off-roading specs to find out. 

Ground clearance

A vehicle’s ground clearance—the distance between the ground and the bottom of the vehicle’s chassis—is one of the most important factors to consider when shopping for an off-road capable vehicle. To avoid damaging your vehicle’s undercarriage, only vehicles with a ground clearance measurement between 8.8 and 10.8 inches should be used for off-road purposes. 
This is where the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon really blows the competition out of the water. Its standard ground clearance is a very respectable 10.8 inches, though the Rubicon can be upgraded to a maximum ground clearance of 12.9 inches, making it one of the best SUVs for off-roading. 

Torque

Another place where the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon shines is with its low-end torque output. Low-end torque refers to a high torque output at a lower RPM. This is vital because, while off-roading, power is always going to be more important than speed. 
With a torque output of 260 lb-ft @ 4,800 RPM, the Wrangler Rubicon is a great choice for off-road enthusiasts. Power is easy to come by with the Rubicon’s 470-horsepower, 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine. 

Tires

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon comes standard with a set of LT285/70SR17C BSW all-terrain tires. On the off chance that you aren’t a mechanic and don’t know what that means, here’s what you need to know. 
A set of LT285/70SR17C tires are designed to be approximately 285 millimeters wide with an aspect ratio of 70%. This means that the tire’s sidewalls—the distance between the rim and tread—will be equivalent to 70% of the total width, or 200 millimeters. The ‘17’ at the end of the Rubicon’s tire code suggests that the tires are to be outfitted on a set of 17-inch wheels
LT285/70SR17C BSW tires are all-terrain tires, which means they’re ideal for an off-roading mammoth like the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. 

Drivetrain

With a standard all-wheel-drive drivetrain, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon yet again cements itself as an SUV designed with off-roading in mind. All-wheel drive is vital for any vehicle hoping to tackle off-road terrain, and the Jeep Wrangler offers it on every trim—including the Rubicon. 

Angles

When it comes to off-roading, angles matter—specifically the approach angle and departure angle: 
  • Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference 
  • Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
With incredibly high approach and departure angles of 47.4 and 40.4 degrees, respectively, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is more than twice as capable as the majority of SUVs in its class. Other off-road-capable vehicles like the 2021
Hyundai Santa Fe
only offer approach and departure angles of 16.7 and 20.2 degrees. If it wasn’t clear before that the Rubicon is a god among men when it comes to off-roading, the SUV’s approach and departure angles prove it. 

Off-road rating: Trail boss

Using
Jerry’s
super-sophisticated DIRT rating system, we’ve rated the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon’s off-roading capabilities. Our DIRT system is broken down below:
Rating
Meaning
Description
D
Don’t Try It
Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I
In a Pinch
Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R
Rough and Ready
Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T
Trail Boss
True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain
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Unsurprisingly, we’ve given the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon a T rating. With ideal specs in terms of ground clearance, low-end torque, and approach and departure angles—plus its standard all-wheel drive and all-terrain tires—there are few competitors than can top the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

The best off-road alternatives to the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

If you’re looking for the best of the best in terms of off-road performance, you won’t find any better than the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. But if you’re looking for a cheaper, more fuel-efficient, or more powerful alternative, here are some options.
Alternative
Model
Price
Details
Best affordable alternative
2022 Subaru Crosstrek
$22,445
While the Subaru Crosstrek won’t be as great at off-roading as the Jeep Rubicon, it will still be able to tackle some tough terrain at nearly $20,000 less upfront.
Best eco-friendly alternative
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander
$37,490
Unlike most off-road vehicles, the Mitsubishi Outlander’s hybrid engine and electric motors produce 221 horsepower and 74MPGe combined fuel economy according to the EPA, making it a great eco-friendly alternative to the Rubicon’s gas-guzzling V-8.
Best powerful alternative
2021 Ford Bronco
$61,110
With a torque output of 415 lb-ft @ 3,100 RPM, the Ford Bronco’s engine is an even better example of low-end torque than the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

Just as the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is one of the best off-road vehicles on the market,
Jerry
—the #1 rated car insurance comparison shopping
super app
—is one of the best ways to make sure you’re always getting the best deals on reliable off-road car insurance. 
Off-road vehicles tend to be more expensive to finance and to insure, but Jerry makes it easier than ever to find the best deals without sacrificing on the coverage you need. In less than 45 seconds, you’ll receive a curated list of competitive quotes from top providers. Once you choose a policy, Jerry handles everything to finalize the details.
“I thought I was already paying the lowest rate possible for my age group, but
Jerry
found me a better deal for the same coverage with Travelers! Everything went so smoothly that I couldn’t help but make a change right away.”—Athit S.
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