Jeep, the oldest manufacturer of SUVs, managed to reach such a level of influence in the business that many are confused about whether Jeep is a brand or a type of car. This pioneer brand’s Wrangler trims are some of the most renowned and reliable off-roaders dominating the market for a long time.
While Rubicon and Willys, both Wrangler trims, are super solid choices for dominating rough, off-road terrains — Rubicon vs Willys is probably one of the most confusing debates among users, customers, and enthusiasts even.
The similarities between both are pretty obvious, unlike the delicate performance and design details that differentiate them.
After analyzing reviews and YouTube videos for both product lines thoroughly, I believe I can give you some insights to help you get to the bottom of this debate.
Basic Features and Similarities
For all their wrangler options, Jeep prefers to keep some features and specs common to maintain product line integrity. One of the most prominent examples of those might be the standard engine for wranglers, which we’ll soon talk about.
Besides these, Rubicon and Willys have some basic similarities on their own. Let’s take a look.
Engine
Every one of the wranglers comes with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 VVT engine. This 285 hp engine can produce an impressive 260 lb.-ft torque maximum, which makes it really powerful and reliable for off-roading.
Axle
Previously, Willys used to come with Dana 30 solid front axle, and Rubicon had the next generation Dana 44 Heavy Duty front and rear axle. Later on, Jeep decided to use Dana 44 axle on Willys as well to improve its performance.
Towing Capacity and Hook Arrangement
For those who don’t know, towing capacity isn’t the weight your vehicle can pull at max, but the max weight it can pull without compromising safety. Both Rubicon and Willys have a massive towing capacity of 3500 lbs.
When it comes to towing hook arrangement, both the trims follow a similar pattern. They both have two hooks at the front and one hook at the rear end.
Gear Shift System
Both of the trims come with a standard six-speed manual transmission gear shift system. Don’t confuse this spec with gear ratio. Both trims have different gear ratios, which we’ll discuss later on.
Wheels and Tires
Other than the looks, both the trims have a similar setup wheel-wise. Both of them have 17-inches aluminum wheels with 32-inches rough tread patterned tires.
The rough and aggressively patterned tires are perfect for both muddy and rocky terrains.
Where Rubicon Shines
Besides the quality-assuring standard features, each trim comes with some distinctive features of its own. Let’s dive in and find out the strong sides of Jeep Rubicon first.
Exceptional Off-Roading Capabilities
Although all the Wranglers are designed for off-road terrains, Rubicon among them is the most capable for this task. Besides its powerful Pentastar V6 engine, large 32-inch tread patterned tires, and smooth transmission system, Rubicon has many other off-roader tools at its disposal.
Rubicon has the highest ground clearance of 10.8 inches among all the wranglers. This feature lets the vehicle wildly venture through rocky trails. The aggressive tread pattern on the tires is specifically designed for muddy terrain.
Using the Rubicon, you also can easily do rock crawling. Its 4:10 gear ratio and Tru-lock differential on axles offer a perfect setup for heavy rock crawling activities.
Shock Absorption
The trim comes with heavy-duty Fox 2.0 shocks installed by the side of the wheels. With the standard suspension system and special Rubicon shocks, the vehicle enables exceptional shock absorption.
Electronic Sway Bar
For more off-road control and stability, Rubicon comes with an electronic sway bar disconnect mechanism. You’ll find the sway bar disconnect button on the instrument panel, right beside the steering column.
Disconnecting the sway bar provides you with enhanced front wheel suspension and stability in different off-road terrains. The automated disconnect system makes off-road adventures way more convenient for the rider.
Looks and Other Features
Look-wise, the Rubicon is quite typical and less aggressive. Its interior design has a tasteful blend of red coloring here and there, which is very tasteful. This sort of use of ruby red is specific to Rubicons only.
The infotainment center, radio center, and climate control center are well organized and full of quirky features. As Rubicon comes with a soft top, the riding experience at high speed can be a little noisy and windy.
What Makes Willys Great?
Although the Rubicon is the best for off-roading, there will be a lot of people who’ll find Willys more suitable over Rubicon. Let’s see why.
Great Off-road Performance
In the case of off-roading, Willys mightn’t be as par with Rubicon, but it still is pretty reliable. Latest Willys vehicles come with the Rubicon suspension system and a decent ground clearance of 9.7 inches.
Along with the standard suspension and engine, the aggressive tread patterned tires help Willys conquer muddy or rocky terrains without any hassle. The Willys also comes with 4-wheel disc anti-lock brakes and hill descent control to easily go up and down through steeper hill terrains.
Versatility
For driving on roads and highways, the Willys offer a smoother experience than the Rubicon. The hard top and convenient side vents provide a quitter and smoother riding experience while driving at a high speed.
Its 3:73 gear ratio is suitable for both off-road ventures and highway driving.
Body Features and Protection
The Willys offers a lot of under-body protection with multiple skid-plate shields. These shields come really handy during off-road ventures. The locks and handles are really smooth.
You’ll be able to adjust both the seat and steering wheel in all directions, which can be very convenient. There’s also a fine music system along with a rich infotainment center.
Looks and Other Features
The Willys comes with a design that is inspired by the original war jeep from WWII. That’s why Willys has a more aggressive exterior design than Rubicon. The interior design of Willys is very stylish as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Rubicon so special?
Rubicon is specially built for hardcore off road enthusiasts, and it comes with all sorts of features needed to be a superb off-roader vehicle. Because of its reliable performance off road, Jeep’s Rubicon is currently one of their most renowned trims.
Is Willys and Willys Sport the same trim?
Not exactly. Both of them have similar features and builds for everything except for the locks window control. Willys comes with power locks and window control, while Willys Sports has manual locks and window control.
Conclusion
So, to conclude the debate, if you’re looking for a casual SUV and aren’t really looking for some serious off-road actions, Willys might be a better choice overall. But if the debate is Rubicon vs Willys, which is the better choice for off-road shenanigans, then it’s definitely Rubicon.