Driving Line Gives JL Jeep Wrangler Rubicon a Proper Trail Test

Sure, the new JL is more comfortable on the road and it has a nice, shiny new interior. But how does it perform on rocks?

When it comes to automotive testing, venues typically suit the vehicle in question. Reviewers test fast, track-focused cars on the track. Comfy, luxurious cruisers get tested on rolling countryside roads. And Jeeps, of course, get tested in tough off-road conditions. Or do they? Many of the test drives we see typically don’t explore the real depths of any Jeep’s potential, which is kind of a shame. But this recent trail test of the JL Jeep Wrangler Rubicon by Driving Line aims to answer a more important question. Is the new model as capable as Jeep says it is?

The JL Jeep Wrangler Rubicon might be shiny and new, but it still retains all the good stuff that off-road purists love about the JK. But it’s still worth wondering if that legendary Rubicon nameplate still lives up to the original. After all, this JL doesn’t look a whole lot different than the JK, at least on the surface. But much of what lies underneath is radically different, including a surprisingly luxurious new interior.

As Driving Line points out, Jeep “has done a great job of making the JL extremely comfortable and easy to drive every day.” Which, of course, is important. But with a host of new suspension bits, we’re more interested in seeing how the JL performs off-road. DL does note that the higher fender lines of the Rubicon allow for larger tires, which is nice. But they also managed to use every inch of that space with the Jeep’s factory 33-inch tires, too.

Still, with those tires and a 10-inch ground clearance, DL was able to “take lines that would leave most stock SUVs stuck in their tracks.” Wheeling the JL Jeep Wrangler Rubicon up and over rocks “was accomplished without a lot of drama.” And with an 84.2:1 crawling ratio in this six-speed equipped JL, rock crawling proved “especially easy.”

So it’s safe to say that the most capable Wrangler in Jeep’s lineup is every bit as capable as ever. If not more.

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.