Jeep brings back Wrangler Rubicon Shorty to Australian line-up for 2021

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 'Shorty' is back in Australia, returning to the American marque's local line-up as a part of its mid-2021 updated range.

Having last featured as a permanent fixture Down Under in 2015, the return of the Rubicon Shorty comes after the success of the limited-edition MY20 Rubicon Recon – with its full local allocation selling out.

With the return of the Rubicon name, the Jeep Wrangler again has an off-road oriented variant, joining the Sport S and Overland trims in its short wheelbase guise.

Note: Images of the 2021 Wrangler Rubicon Shorty are not yet available, all photos used here are of the Wrangler Rubicon Recon Limited Edition. This story will be updated when the new images are obtained.

6

Pricing

Available as either the Rubicon or Rubicon Unlimited, the new variants start out at just under $65,000. Listed prices are all before on-road costs.

• Wrangler Rubicon – $64,950
• Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited – $69,950

Two optional packages are also available across the two trim levels, setting buyers back a premium on top of the list price.

Trail Ready Package – $2950

• Steel front bumper
• Forward facing TrailCam
• 17-inch black alloy wheels.

Rubicon Premium Package – $2950

• Body colour fender flares
• Body colour freedom hard top.

Premium paint options are also offered for a $745 additional fee.

6

Features

The base Rubicon is packaged with a range of standard equipment, including:

• Rubicon fender decal
• Black fender flares
• Black three-piece freedom hard top
• Deep tint sunscreen windows
• LED headlights/taillights/daytime running lights/fog lights
• Rubicon leather-trimmed seats
• Heated front seats and steering wheel
• Uconnect 8.4-inch touch screen display with satellite navigation
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 7.0-inch driver information display
• Electronic sway bar disconnect
• Heavy duty rock rails
• Nine-speaker Alpine premium audio system
• Security alarm
• Remote start system.

On top of this, the Rubicon Unlimited scores the Rubicon Luxury Package as standard, which features:

• McKinley leather-trimmed seats
• Soft-touch door panel trim
• Cargo tie-down rails
• Leather gear knob and handbrake lever
• Body coloured flares.

6

Engine, drivetrain and fuel economy

The Rubicon trim retains Wrangler's standard Pentastar V6 petrol engine, developing 209kW and 347Nm with a combined fuel economy of 10.3L/100km.

Available only as an eight-speed automatic, the Rubicon features Jeep's Rock-Trac active on-demand 4x4 system with a 4.10 rear axle ratio, plus Tru-Lok front and rear locking differentials.

6

Safety

Last tested by ANCAP in 2019, the current generation Wranger has a three-star safety rating, upgraded from one-star after autonomous emergency braking and blind spot monitoring were brought in as standard equipment.

Safety technology in the Rubicon includes:

• Forward collision warning plus
• Adaptive cruise control with stop
• Blind spot monitor with rear cross path detection
• Parkview rear backup camera
• ParkSense front and rear park assist system
• Remote proximity keyless entry.

6

Warranty and servicing

All Jeep models come with a five-year/100,000km warranty which includes 12 months roadside assist.

The Wrangler Rubicon comes under Jeep's capped price servicing for $399 every 12 months/12,000km, renewing the roadside assistance package when services are undertaken at Jeep dealers.

Availability

The 2021 Wrangler Rubicon variants are currently available to order with deliveries expected to begin from the fourth quarter of 2021.