2013 Jeep Wrangler offered everything from a stripped-out base model riding on steel wheels with the Sport, and a Sahara dressed up with a uniform look, all the way to a leather-lined off-road monster in the range-topping Rubicon.
Key Points
- The 2013 Jeep Wrangler was offered in Sport, Sahara, and Rubicon trims. Two limited-edition models were also offered in 2013: the Moab Edition and Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition.
- Sport models are incredibly basic, wearing 16-inch steel wheels and lacking even air conditioning as standard. However, the enhanced Sport S version does add 17-inch alloys and AC.
- The Sahara model was the most on-road focused of the range, riding on big 18-inch alloy wheels and sporting body-color fenders and a matching hard-top roof as well.
- Limited-edition Moab variants offer a leather interior and many of the visual upgrades of the Rubicon and a limited-slip rear differential with an electronic locker.
- At the top of the range, the Rubicon model sports heavy-duty axles and suspension, making it a real beast off-road. 10th Anniversary models also add lifted suspension and a red leather interior.
Stripped-out 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport Models Include Right-hand Drive and Sport S Versions
When it comes to buying a 2013 Jeep Wrangler JK, one decision that’s made easy is that all models share the same engine and have four-wheel drive. However, there’s a vast number of trim levels and options in its comprehensive range which will take a bit more time to mull over. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help.
The Wrangler Sport sits as the entry point to the range, with it offered in several guises. Standard equipment on the regular Sport model includes fog lights, a body-color grille, black fender flares, halogen headlights, front and rear tow hooks, 16-inch steel wheels, and a standard softtop on the outside. A new premium soft-top or three-piece Freedom Top with easily removable front panels were optionally available.
Inside, the Sport is pretty basic with cloth seat upholstery, a polyurethane steering wheel, simple radio with SiriusXM and MP3 compatibility, temperature and compass gauge, power windows, remote keyless entry, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror as standard. Surprisingly for 2013, air conditioning wasn’t standard. A right-hand-drive version of the Sport model was also offered in the U.S., with it primarily aimed at rural postal carriers.
Stepping up to the popular Sport S version adds a few of the extra goodies many buyers will no doubt want. This includes 17-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and air conditioning.
According to Kelley Blue Book’s estimations, a fair price to pay for a 2013 Wrangler Sport would be between $20,626 for a two-door and $24,257 for a four-door Unlimited model. The Sport S is slightly more at between $21,931 and $26,850. These numbers aren’t far off the original MSRP, indicating incredibly strong value retention.
2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Looks the Part With Body-color Fenders and Hard Top
While all JK Wranglers are capable off-roaders, the 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara presents itself as the most on-road-focused version in the range. Riding on 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, its classic boxy styling was complemented by the addition of body-color fenders, silver front and rear bumper overlays, and a body-color hard top. The premium soft top and Freedom Top were still optionally available, however.
Naturally, it added some extra equipment inside as well. Over the Sport S, it featured a new seven-speaker Alpine audio system, individual tire pressure monitoring, and remote engine start (on automatic models). Premium leather upholstery and heated front seats were optionally available, as was an upgraded 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation.
On the used market, a fair price to pay for a 2013 Wrangler Sahara would be $22,835 for a two-door and $26,291 for a four-door. The used value of the Unlimited Sahara, then, isn’t as strong as that of the Sport S, making it a great value buy.
Limited-edition 2013 Jeep Wrangler Moab Offers Rugged Looks and Premium Leather Interior
Unique to the 2013 Jeep Wrangler range, the limited-edition Moab model – named after the famed off-roading destination in Utah – is based on the Sahara but positions itself as a slightly less hardcore alternative to the range-topping Rubicon.
In the looks department, it borrows heavily from the Rubicon, wearing the same 17-inch alloy wheels but clad in all-terrain tires. It also sports a premium soft top, black fenders, Mopar Power Dome hood, premium off-road bumpers, and black Jeep badging and Moab decals.
The Wrangler Moab’s interior is enhanced over the Sahara as well, featuring black or saddle brown leather upholstery, Iron Gray trim, and a unique instrument panel with Moab badging.
Mechanically, it features a Trak-Lok limited-slip rear differential with an electronic locker to enhance off-road performance, although it does still feature the Sahara’s Dana 30 front axle.
On the used market, you can expect to pay around $23,137 for a two-door on average, while four-doors go for around $27,130.
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is a Serious Off-road Machine with Upgraded Axles and Suspension
Sitting as the flagship of the range, the 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is an out-and-out off-road machine. As such, the majority of upgrades it receives over other models are mechanical, such as heavy-duty Dana 44 axles front and rear with shorter 4.10 ratios and Tru-Lok electronic differential locks. Its suspension is also upgraded and fitted with an electronically disconnecting front sway bar to improve front axle articulation.
Rather than the body-color fenders of the Sahara, the Rubicon features black plastic so you don’t damage a painted panel when off-roading. It also features smaller 17-inch alloy wheels to accommodate mud-terrain tires with a taller sidewall.
Its interior equipment largely mirrors that of the Sahara, however. Cloth seats are still standard with leather and heating optional, and likewise, the 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system also remains optional.
2013 also saw a special Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition model on offer. This adds a half-inch suspension lift, satin black 17-inch wheels, rock rails, steel bumpers, red tow hooks, a dual-intake Power Dome hood, and a unique Anniversary Red interior with “10th Anniversary” motifs.
Standard Rubicons sell for around $23,990 for the two-door and $28,883 for the four-door on the used market. The fair price for a 10th Anniversary Edition is also roughly the same.
While the 2013 Wrangler Range is Comprehensive, the Best Buys are at the Upper End of it
From the stripped-out Sport model, all the way to the range-topping Rubicon available in extra-desirable 10th Anniversary Edition guise, the 2013 Jeep Wrangler range offers a good array of options for any potential buyers. With base models being so basic that they lack even air conditioning as standard, and given they hold their value incredibly well, it’s at the upper end of the range where you’ll find the most worthwhile models.
For those sticking to tarmac and buying a Wrangler for its looks, the Sahara is a great option. For those buying one of these to use it as it was intended, however, the off-road-ready Rubicon is hard to pass up.
Photos: Jeep
