We are going to compare the 2023 Jeep Rubicon vs Sahara and see which comes at the top when looking at the performance, comfort, convenience, safety features, Interior and exteriors designs, pricing, reputation, availability of parts and services, and finally the resale value of the Jeep Rubicon vs Sahara by looking at older models.
If you are considering buying a used Jeep Rubicon or Sahara, we have the right article for you: Used Jeep Buying Guide – Expert Checklist
There are various trims and configurations of the Jeep Wrangler, however, the most sought Jeep Wrangler models are the Jeep Rubicon and the Jeep Sahara, both models are unique in their way, they borrow their features from the iconic military Jeep, however, some distinguish specifications distinguishes the Jeep Rubicon from the Jeep Sahara.
Jeep Rubicon vs Sahara Performance.
The 2023 Jeep Rubicon is one of our favorite Jeep Wrangler models for its off-road capabilities, the differential on the Jeep Wrangler is still our favorite Dana Axles popular with Jeeps that provide better articulations, and one of our favorite things to do as off-roaders is to disconnect the front sway bar.
The crawl ratio and the Rock-Trac® locking differential will give you good handling of the Jeep Rubicon whether you are off-roading in your favorite Jeep Trails or city driving. If you are looking for premium features on a Jeep Rubicon that we would recommend, we would get the package with drive assist and the big 8.4 inches Jeep infotainment system.
The 2023 Jeep Sahara is also an off-road beast for those off-roading champs looking for an off-road SUV, the Sahara features one of the best powertrain lineups including the Command-Trac® which is standard in all Jeep Saharas, and the engines are well built to off-road, and accelerate in the city when you need to optimize your handling, the diesel engines however on the Jeep Sahara have a course sound when pushed hard enough on the trails.
2023 Jeep Rubicon vs Sahara: Which One Comes Out on Top in terms of performance?
To understand which one is the best, we have to compare both vehicles in terms of performance, we have compiled the data in the table below for your convenience:
| 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (4dr) | 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sahara (4dr) | |
| Engine | The standard engine is a 3.6-liter V6 | 2.0-liter turbo I-4 |
| Horsepower/Torque | 285 HP/260 lb.-ft. (6400 rpm) | 270 HP/295 lb.-ft. (5250 rpm) |
| Transmission | 6-spd man w/OD | 8-spd auto w/OD |
| Towing Capacity | 3,500 lbs. | 3,500 lbs. |
| Fuel Economy | 17 City / 23 Hwy | 21 City / 24 Hwy |
We tested both the 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and the 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, the Jeep Wrangler had better torque (295lb.-ft), with roughly 3k and 5k RPM, while the 3.6-liter V6 on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon had powerband well above the Jeep Wrangler Sahara.
In terms of the towing capacity both engines, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and the Jeep Wrangler Sahara have the same towing capacities, but the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with a 3.6-liter V6 offers more horsepower and fuel-efficient ratings.
Jeep Rubicon vs Sahara Interior and Exterior Designs.
Both the Jeep Rubicon and the Jeep Sahara have premium interior designs, the Jeep Sahara features cloth seat trims while the Jeep Rubicon features more premium cloth rims. They both feature SiriusXM AM/FM/HD/Satellite Infotainment systems with a Nine-speaker Alpine® premium audio system.
You can enjoy WIFI on both the Jeep Rubicon and the Jeep Sahara as both vehicles feature 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot capabilities provided by AT&T. However, you will need a subscription to enjoy WIFI connectivity with your friends and to connect your Jeep accessories that need internet connection such as navigation systems.
In terms of storage, both the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and the Jeep Wrangler Sahara feature the Trail Rail™ System that makes it easy to store your Jeep Overlanding and Recovery gears. If you have smaller items that you need storage you can use the Jeep® Utility Grid that is incorporated in the interior of both the Jeep Rubicon and the Jeep Sahara.
The interiors are very easy to clean, they feature leather carpets that are comfortable and include rough no slip carpets, however in our Jeeps we upgrade the carpets with rugged floor liners so that we can protect the original carpets in case we need to sell our Jeep in the future and also to dampen the sounds produced by the loud Jeep Wrangler Sahara 2.0-liter turbo I-4 engine.
We recommend 3W rugged floor mats for both the from the row and second low of the Jeep Wrangler.
You will love the compatibility of the floor liners by 3W and also you will like the fact that you protected the original mats of the Jeep, we recommend always having floor lines when customizing your Jeep interiors, this is because they also protect the vehicle interiors instead of using rhino lining and also the passengers in the Jeep.
Both the Jeep Rubicon and the Jeep Sahara offer spacious seating, with latch protectors in case you have small children on board, since the seats are made of cloth, we normally upgrade our seats with leather seat covers, we bought the Aierxuan Jeep Wrangler seat covers and the perfectly did fit both the Jeep Rubicon and the Jeep Sahara seats adding more comfort and style to out interior customizations.
Whether you are buying a used Jeep Sahara or Rubicon, we recommend adding a seat cover to your Jeep, especially on models with cloth trim seats. The Jeep Rubicon offers premium cloth while the Jeep Sahara offers cloth trim, you will need a seat cover to protect the factor covers, and to add a cosmetic look to the interiors of your Jeep.
The Jeep Rubicon has 17-inch wheels off-road tires, while the Jeep Sahara has 18 inches all-season tires with conventional front and rear differentials, this means that the Jeep Rubicon is ideal for off-roaders, and has features such as Tru-Lok® electronic locking differentials, while the Jeep Sahara is more ideal for occasional off-roaders who use their Jeep in the city and highway driving, if you have a family we recommend buying the Jeep Sahara as its more ideal as a Family SUV compared with the Jeep Rubicon.
Both the Jeep Sahara and the Jeep Rubicon offer an Infotainment HVAC Climate Control Kit, that allows you to control the temperature and air conditioning of your Jeep, there are no notable differences in the features of both vehicle’s air conditioning systems and use we didn’t see many notable differences in terms of the air conditioning system.
In the exterior of the Jeeps, both the Jeep Rubicon and the Sahara feature a black Sunrider® Soft Top, that makes it easy to enjoy the breeze when off-roading in the summer, the Jeep soft top is also easy to clean and maintain, however, we recommend installing the Alien Sunshade
The alien sunshade is one of the most important customizations designed for both the Jeep Rubicon and the Jeep Sahara, after removing your freedom panels you will need to protect yourself from harmful UV rays and also reduce the wind noise when driving without freedom panels.
The 2023 Jeep Sahara and the Jeep Rubicon feature Automatic-dimming rearview mirror, the mirror is one of the modern technologies incorporated in modern Jeeps, they have sensors that detect headlights from vehicles behind you, and can detect glare from the headlights behind your Jeep.
Jeep Rubicon vs Sahara Current Prices and Resale Value.
The 2023 Jeep Rubicon has a starting price of $43,295, while the 2023 Jeep Sahara has a starting price of $43,990.
We based the resale value in terms of the demand for the older Jeep Rubicon and the Jeep Sahara, the Jeep Rubicon in general despite the year has a better resale value than the Jeep Sahara, but also you will need to factor in the customization done over time and how well the vehicles are maintained, including the history of their service.
However, for similar mileage and conditions, we will say that in general both Jeep Rubicon and the Jeep Sahara hold their value compared to other SUVs in the market such as the Ford Bronco, Dodge Ram charger, and the Chevrolet K5 Blazer.
Conclusions.
Both the Jeep Sahara and the Jeep Rubicon are the most sought-after SUVs for off-roading and Jeep Overlanding, they both feature powerful engines with the Jeep Rubicon having a 3.6-liter V6 and the Jeep Sahara having a 2.0-liter turbo I-4, the Jeep Rubicon has more horsepower while the Jeep Sahara wins in terms of torque.
In terms of design, both interior and exterior, we didn’t notice much difference, in the paper, they all feature modern technology and have the same seat covers material with the Jeep Rubicon having a premium cloth trim. They also both offer a 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot and a Nine-speaker Alpine® premium audio system that will entertain you when off-roading or driving your Jeep.
In terms of resale values, compared to their competitors like the Ford Bronco, Dodge Ram charger, and the Chevrolet K5 Blazer they both hold their value, however, the demand for used Jeep Rubicon is very high, making its resale value more than the Jeep Sahara.
About the Author: James Ndungu
James Ndungu is a seasoned automotive professional with a deep passion for Jeeps. With 40 years of experience in owning, testing, and reviewing various Jeep models, James has gained extensive first-hand knowledge and expertise. He shares his insights, tips, and advice through his engaging writing, helping fellow Jeep enthusiasts navigate the exciting world of Jeeps.
Last update on 2024-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
