2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

The 2013 Wrangler is the go-anywhere SUV that competes with the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Nissan Xterra, but it's really in a class of its own for open-air fun. It's a rough-and-tumble ride on pavement, but off-road it's unstoppable, with solid axles and serious ground clearance that let you crawl over rocks and through mud without breaking a sweat. The cabin is utilitarian and easy to hose out, and the removable top and doors turn it into a true open-air machine, though rear-seat space is tight and cargo room is minimal. Owners have reported leaky soft tops and finicky tire pressure sensors, so expect to keep an eye on those if you buy one. The Rubicon sits above the Sport and Sahara, adding locking front and rear differentials, a disconnecting front sway bar, and rock rails for serious off-road capability. Its 3.6L V6 makes 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual and four-wheel drive that let you crawl over obstacles at idle speed. The Rubicon's heavy-duty suspension and 32-inch tires give it a stiffer ride on pavement, but that's the trade for the best off-road hardware Jeep offered that year.