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2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: Sport vs Sahara & Rubicon

What 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Trim Level Should you Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

Debuting in 1986, the Jeep Wrangler has a long-standing history of providing durable transportation and fun off-road adventures. With a tendency to lean toward life on the wild side, the Jeep Wrangler has long been known for its adversity to rocky terrain and effortless navigation up steep hillsides.

As a vehicle that was made to go anywhere, the Jeep Wrangler has been reintroduced in many styles and revamped several times until it landed in its current 2021 model that is more adventurous and modern than ever. Dating back to WWII, this vehicle knows what it means to work hard and power through difficulty. This mindset has helped creators of the Wrangler maintain its relevancy in a world that is quite different than the one it was born into.

Throughout the years, the Jeep Wrangler brand has evolved from a heavy-duty, yet lightweight workhorse into a playful and fun off-road comrade. As the most capable vehicle ever produced by this brand, the introduction of a four-door Jeep in 2000 blew Jeep enthusiasts away. Not only did the durability and renowned namesake of this vehicle live on, but it also merged into more of a functional, family-style vehicle.

In fact, this move helped Jeep create alternative vehicles that could transport more passengers, like the Jeep Patriot and the Jeep Compass. This left the modern Jeep Wrangler to revel in its glory days, not taking too much away from its vintage ambiance.

In just 2010, sales of the Jeep Wrangler reached an all-time high. This vehicle became popular as a vehicle that was fit for daily use. Boasting a look like no other vehicle before, the Jeep Wrangler was rugged and sporty allowing it to play off its many facets that made it appealing to consumers. Entering its 80th year in 2020, the Wrangler began implementing futuristic technology on its design. Setting the tone for the decade to come, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler branched out like we have never seen before.

As we look ahead to the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, we see just how far this vehicle has come throughout the years. Looking forward to more exciting features and innovative development, we are interested in what the various models of the 2021 Jeep Wrangler might entail. Three different trim levels are available for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, which include the Sport, Sahara, and Rubicon.

This guide is meant to help consumers work through the differences and consistencies of these three models. To select the vehicle that best fits each consumer’s needs and desires, every little detail must be taken into consideration. Read on to see what we found out about these three distinct Jeep Wrangler trim levels for the 2021 lineup.

 

Compare the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport vs Sahara Trim Levels. What is the Difference?

Though Jeep has never been an automaker to let us down, the unveiling of the new Ford Bronco expedited its inclusion of similar upscale features that it needed to incorporate to compete. The first of these features made their appearance in the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport. Unlike other base models from automakers, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport offers a wide array of standard and available features to consumers. Jeep does not make you upgrade to the next trim to gain access to these enhanced amenities. This is just another example of why many consumers love this brand and remain committed to its products.

In previous model years, the Jeep Wrangler Sport trim utilized a standard Command-Trac system that employed the use of four-wheel drive on a part-time basis. It was paired with a two-speed transfer case. The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport will see the introduction of Selec-Trac technology with a full-time transfer case. Acting as an all-wheel drive system, this Selec-Trac technology allows intermittent changes between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, as needed. While driver's with older Jeeps that are locked into Command-Trac technology would be stuck in their chosen driving mode, the innovative Selec-Trac resource changes between modes for you.

As a variant of the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport, the Sport S is a specific model that offers a Technology Package to upgrade this SUV's standard features. A 7-inch touchscreen tags along in this package, as well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, automatic climate control, and a SiriusXM Subscription. All Wrangler models that feature a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen now also gain access to a tire-fill alert system. This makes it easier to air up tires, as the horn of the Wrangler beeps when the optimal level has been reached. If tire pressure gets too low, you can expect three honks from the horn to alert you of this danger.

Despite including a similar engine lineup as last year, many changes have been made to the powertrain options of Jeep Wrangler Unlimited models for the 2021 year. Every model of the Sport trim level, including the Sport S and Sport Unlimited, come standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine. Getting rid of its eTorque hybrid tech in the Sahara's 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine setup, consumers will only be able to find this mild-hybrid technology in the underlying 3.6-liter V6. Despite their placing as a base model Sport and a median model Sahara, both engines offer impressive attributes for exploring enthusiasts.

Falling somewhere in between the Sport trim and Sahara trim lie a few exclusive models that allow for various levels of customization. The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Islander, Willys, and 80th Anniversary Edition all come packed with their own, specific attributes that make them exclusive to buyers who desire uniqueness in their Jeep Wrangler.

Compare the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara vs. Rubicon Trims. What is the Difference?

Many of the differences between the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara and Rubicon are strictly focused on their off-road capabilities. If the Sahara is a trim level that enjoys all-terrain adventure on weekends, the Rubicon is a trim level that lives for it. A beefier and more capable powertrain accompanies the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. Complete with a Rock-Trac system instead of an innovative Selec-Trac system, the Rubicon maintains a similar low range crawl ratio but enhances its hardcore, off-road capabilities. This four-wheel drive system ensure the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is ready to go whenever you are.

In direct competition with the new Ford Bronco, both the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara and Rubicon come with a standard TrailCam exterior camera. All models with an 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen display will see this camera as an automatic inclusion. This forward-facing camera system can also be found on Jeep's new Gladiator truck model. Nestled behind the grilled, this camera allows drivers to see hazards and road conditions on trail ahead clearly allowing them to make split-second navigation decisions. This camera provides a direct line of view in front of the vehicle that is otherwise obstructed by this vehicle's tall-sitting hood.

As a hardcore off-road trim, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon comes standard with an Off-Road Plus feature. Allowing higher-speed driving with an engaged locking rear differential, this feature allows drivers to gain speed while still utilizing its signature differential setup. This also allows drivers to use the simple push of a button to control traction parameters, come on or off the throttle, and utilize transmission shift points easily. The Jeep Gladiator Mojave already relies on this technology, which has since spread to the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, as well.

 

Which Trim to Choose?

If you are trying to decide which 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited trim level will be the best for you, prepare yourself for an intense and lengthy evaluation. All these trim levels incorporate many of the same features, but they all differentiate themselves where it counts the most. One thing buyers should note is that there are vast pricing differences in the Jeep Wrangler trim levels, even more so than there are in many other off-road vehicles. Jumping by almost $8,000 in price per trim level change, consumers need to make sure they are getting the features they think they are paying for.

The base level 2021 Jeep Wrangler Limited Sport is quite enough in and of itself. Completely capable of off-road maneuvering and exploration, consumers should not be wary of this trim level's potential. Not only is the Sport completely capable of anything you would need it to do, but it also offers a few models for even more in-depth customization. While the Sport trim level is the entry-level trim for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, it still comes in at a hefty price tag. The quality of this SUV is far beyond what we could expect in an entry-level model.

For consumers who are looking for a bit of a meatier powertrain and powerful appearance, an upgrade to the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara may suffice. Featuring many of the same attributes as the underlying Sport model, the Sahara is determined to become more like the top-level Rubicon in its technology components. As a median selection, this is a great option for those who love competition in off-road events and are not afraid to pay a bit more for additional equipment and potential. The difference in the powertrain between the Sport and the Sahara is enough to make consumers think twice about the model they wish to invest in.

Sitting at the top of the trim level offerings for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is the powerful and bold Rubicon. While you may have heard of this name before, it is likely you were not aware of all the potential it has to offer. With the biggest and best powertrain and enhanced off-road features, this Jeep Wrangler model was made for the avid off-road adrenaline junkie. It has the potential and capability to keep on going and the tools necessary to do so, which are not always present in the more versatile lower trim level options.

Simply speaking, each of the trim levels for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited fall into their own, niche space. In this instance, this classification is not a bad thing, because it lets consumers know exactly where they stand and how compatible they are with extensive off-road use. Unlike other models that may have the lines between trim levels blurred, buyers know exactly what each of these trim levels stands for and can plan accordingly. If you are in the market for a new 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, it will suit you well to thoroughly explore the safety, technology, performance, and design elements of each option. Knowing what you expect and what you will get in a new vehicle is a clear-cut decision that needs to be made with only the best of every feature in mind to ensure ultimate satisfaction.

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Previous Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Trim Configurations:

Compare the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Trim Levels