Okay, we admit it! We’re unabashed fans of the JL Wrangler, particularly the Rubicon five-door. In our opinion, and you can watch David’s video review here, or read my review here, the JL Wrangler Rubicon is the most capable, off-the-showroom-floor 4X4 your money, or any money, can buy right now.
David has a bit of a stiffy for the Gladiator Rubicon as well, and he’s been lucky enough to drive it on two continents now. There’s a spectacular rooftop Flinders Ranges video review that you’ll be able to watch when we launch episode one of Loaded 4X4 on our Youtube channel, but that’s a month or so away yet.
In the meantime, Jeep has announced the arrival of its JL Wrangler ‘shorty’ in Australia, and it’s not just your average run-of-the-mill JL. No siree, its a special edition Rubicon Recon spec, and there’ll be just 40 of the little tackers landing in Oz, along with 60 Rubicon Recon spec 4 doors.

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The ‘Recon’ special edition model adds distinctive exterior appointments including a matte black hood and fender vent decals, a black grille, and black painted 17” wheels. There’s also a steel front bumper fitted with a Jeep Performance Parts ‘Bumper Hoop’ and a Jeep Performance Parts ‘Tailgate Reinforcement System’. An optional ‘Recon Premium Package’ adds a body colour three-piece freedom hardtop roof, and body colour fender flares.
Inside the Recon you’ll find Torch-Red seat belts, matched with a premium-wrapped instrument mid-panel and red stitching. Black leather seats, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are all standard Rubicon inclusions. Jeep’s Trail-Rail Management System is fitted in the rear to help secure possessions.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon standard equipment highlights:
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon is based on the 3.6-litre petrol V6 powered Wrangler Rubicon. The features below are in addition to or replacing standard Rubicon specification unless otherwise specified.
Exterior
- 17-inch Machined and Black Painted Wheels
- Gloss Black Exterior Grille
- Matte Black
- Hood Decal
- Fender Vent Decal
- Recon Hard Badge (on side fender)
- Rubicon Steel Front Bumper
- Jeep® Performance Tailgate Reinforcement System
- Jeep® Performance Bumper Hoop
Interior
- “Torch-Red” Seat Belts
- Premium-wrapped instrument mid-panel with red stitching
- Black Leather-Trimmed Seats
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Trail-Rail Management System (4-Dr Variant only)
Options
- Recon Premium Package
- Body-Colour Three-Piece Freedom Hard Top
- Body-Colour Fender Flares
Paint colours
- Bright White
- Black
- Firecracker Red
- Ocean Blue
- Granite Crystal
- Sting Gray
- Sarge Green
- Hella Yella
Pricing
Model | Engine | Trans | Drive | Power | Fuel | Incl GST / Excl on-road costs |
2-Dr Rubicon Recon | 3.6L V6 | 8AT | 4×4 | 209kW | Petrol | $66,950 |
4-Dr Rubicon Recon | 3.6L V6 | 8AT | 4×4 | 209kW | Petrol | $71,450 |
Option pricing
Option | MSRP |
Premium Paint | $745 |
Recon Premium Package | $3,000 |
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon is available to order now from Jeep dealerships, with the first customer deliveries expected to occur early in the fourth quarter of 2020.
