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TL;DR
- Both trims share the Rubicon hardware: Dana 44 heavy-duty axles, Tru-Lok front and rear lockers, an electronic sway-bar disconnect and a 4.0:1 Rock-Trac low range.
- Rubicon X is a package, not a different drivetrain: Xtreme 35 tires (on the 4-door automatic and 2-door 2.0L), steel bumpers, a full-time 4:1 transfer case, Nappa leather, 12-way power seats and three equipment groups.
- On 35s a 4-door gains 2.1 inches of ground clearance (10.8 to 12.9) and 2.5 inches of fording depth (31.5 to 34.0), and grows 5.4 inches wider.
- The 4.56 axle that comes with 35s cuts the 4-door's tow rating from 5,000 to 3,500 lbs.
- A regular Rubicon can be ordered with the Xtreme 35 package and the Capability Group, so the trail gap can be closed without the X's cabin content.
What the Two Trims Share
Stellantis’s 2026 Wrangler specification sheet lists the Rubicon’s hardware the same way whether or not the X package is on the truck. Both get the 3rd-generation Dana 44 heavy-duty front axle and full-float Dana 44 heavy-duty rear axle, Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials front and rear, and the electronically controlled front sway-bar disconnect. The standard transfer case is the NV241OR Rock-Trac part-time unit with a 4.0:1 low-range ratio, against the 2.72:1 low range of the Command-Trac case used on Sport and Sahara models. Both trims come as 2-door or 4-door, and for 2025 Stellantis also listed a Rubicon X 4xe plug-in hybrid.
Side-by-Side
| Item | Rubicon | Rubicon X (with Xtreme 35) |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | LT285/70R17 BFGoodrich KO2 (33-inch) | LT315/70R17 BFGoodrich KO2 (35-inch) |
| Axle ratio | 4.10 (4.88 optional with 3.6L) | 4.56 |
| Transfer case | Rock-Trac part-time, 4.0:1 (full-time optional) | Rock-Trac full-time, 4.0:1 |
| Ground clearance | 10.8 in | 12.9 in (12.6 in 2-door) |
| Approach / breakover / departure | 43.9 / 22.6 / 37 degrees (2-door: 44 / 27.8 / 37) | 47.4 / 26.7 / 40.4 degrees (2-door: 47.2 / 32.4 / 40.4) |
| Max trailer (4-door, automatic) | 5,000 lbs with 4.10 axle | 3,500 lbs with 4.56 axle |
| Water fording | 31.5 in | 34.0 in |
| Overall width | 73.9 in | 79.3 in |
| Bumpers | Standard; steel optional (Capability Group) | Steel, winch-capable front |
| Seats | Premium cloth (leather optional) | Nappa leather, 12-way power front |
The Xtreme 35 Package Is Most of the Capability Gap
Stellantis describes the Xtreme 35 Package as LT315/70R17C BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires on 17-by-8-inch beadlock-capable wheels, a 4.56 axle ratio, swing-gate reinforcement, and a 1.5-inch factory suspension lift with uniquely tuned shocks. That list explains nearly every number in the table above. Taller tires and the small lift raise the axles and body, which improves ground clearance and every approach angle. The shorter 4.56 gearing restores the crawl and acceleration that bigger tires would otherwise take away. The reinforced swing gate carries the larger 35-inch spare, which also adds 4.1 inches to the overall length.
The important nuance for shoppers: the feature sheet lists Xtreme 35 as optional or package content on the regular Rubicon too. A Rubicon ordered with Xtreme 35 closes most of the trail gap to an X, which is why the decision often comes down to what else you want in the cabin.
What Else the X Adds: Cabin and Convenience
Everything else the X bundles is comfort and daily-use content. Stellantis's 2025 release notes a standard premium cabin package on Rubicon X for a quieter ride, and lists Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection as standard on Rubicon X and Rubicon 392, standard on 4xe models and available on other trims. The Technology Group adds Uconnect 5 navigation with a 12.3-inch display, the forward-facing off-road TrailCam and an auto-dimming mirror. The Convenience Group adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and remote start. A buyer who would tick most of those boxes on a regular Rubicon anyway is the buyer for whom the X starts to make financial sense.
Gearing, Crawl Ratio and Towing: The Numbers Behind the 4.56 Axle
Crawl ratio is first gear × transfer-case low range × axle ratio. With the 8-speed automatic's 4.71 first gear and the 4.0:1 Rock-Trac case, a 4.10 Rubicon works out to 4.71 × 4.0 × 4.10 = 77.2:1, and a 4.56 truck to 85.9:1. The 6-speed manual's 5.13 first gear with the optional 4.88 axle gives 100.1:1, which is the "up to 100:1" Stellantis quotes for the gas Wrangler.
At the other end of the rev range, engine speed at a given road speed scales with axle ratio × tire revolutions per mile. Stellantis lists 637 revolutions per mile for the LT285/70R17 and 604 for the LT315/70R17. That gives 4.10 × 637 = 2,612 for a stock Rubicon against 4.56 × 604 = 2,754 for a 35-inch truck, so the X's engine turns about 5 percent faster at the same highway speed.
The same axle changes the ratings. In Stellantis's 2026 towing table, a 4-door Rubicon with the 3.6-liter automatic is rated at 5,000 lbs of trailer and 1,328 lbs of payload on the 4.10 axle, and 3,500 lbs of trailer and 1,562 lbs of payload on the 4.56. Anyone who tows a camper or boat should check which axle a given Rubicon has before choosing the 35-inch setup.
Trade-Offs on Pavement
The 35-inch package makes the Wrangler 79.3 inches wide at the tires, against 73.9 inches for a standard Rubicon, which owners report noticing on narrow trails and in tight garages. The overall length also grows from 188.4 to 192.5 inches on a 4-door because of the larger spare. Add the higher highway revs and lower tow rating above, and the X suits owners who use the clearance more than it suits a mostly-pavement Wrangler.
Choose the Rubicon If / Choose the Rubicon X If
Choose the Rubicon if you want the full locker, disconnect and 4:1 hardware at the lower price and plan to pick your own options, or plan to fit aftermarket bumpers and a winch anyway. Choose the Rubicon X if you want the 35-inch factory setup under warranty, steel bumpers from the factory, and the leather, power-seat and safety content without building a long option sheet. For lift and tire sizing beyond the factory setup, see the Jeep Wrangler owner hub and the suspension and lift kits section. For how the Rubicon compares with the rest of the lineup, see Wrangler vs Rubicon. Specifications here come from Stellantis's 2026 Wrangler specification and feature-availability sheets and its 2025 Wrangler release; we haven't driven either trim (see how we rank).
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Recommended gear
Gear for rocky, technical trails
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Best for a complete strap, shackle and glove kit in one bag.
- Straps, shackles, gloves, damper and a recovery bag in one kit.
- Covers most vehicle-to-vehicle recoveries without buying parts separately.
Best for vehicle-to-vehicle snatch recoveries.
- 1 in x 30 ft kinetic rope that stretches to ease a stuck vehicle out.
- Gentler on recovery points than a static tow strap.
Best for a lighter alternative to steel shackles.
- 7/16 in synthetic soft shackle, 52,300 lb listed breaking strength.
- Lighter than a steel shackle and won't become a projectile.
Best for solo self-recovery on steep or muddy trails.
- 12V winch with a 10,000 lb rated pull.
- Sized for full-size trucks and SUVs.
We research products from manufacturer specs and owner feedback; we don't test them ourselves. How we choose.
Sources
- Stellantis Media — 2026 Jeep Wrangler Feature Availability — Rubicon X contents (Xtreme 35 with 4-door automatic and 2-door 2.0L, steel bumpers with winch-capable front, full-time 4:1 case, Nappa leather, 12-way power seats, Safety/Technology/Convenience groups); Xtreme 35 package contents; Capability Group; Technology and Convenience group contents; seat trims by trim.
- Stellantis Media — 2026 Jeep Wrangler Specifications — Rubicon Dana 44 heavy-duty axles, Tru-Lok lockers, sway-bar disconnect and Rock-Trac 4.0:1; 4.71 first gear and 5.13 manual first gear for crawl ratios; tire revolutions per mile; clearance, angles, fording, width and length for LT285 vs LT315 setups; Rubicon towing and payload by axle ratio.
- Stellantis Media — What's New for 2025: Jeep Wrangler / Wrangler 4xe — Standard premium cabin package on Rubicon X; Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path standard on Rubicon X and Rubicon 392, standard on 4xe, available elsewhere; Rubicon X 4xe in the 2025 lineup; crawl ratios up to 100:1.