Anything else worth considering vs. Wrangler Rubicon?

[kbf1981]

My gf presently runs an Audi Q3 (with very nice spec, the top engine, lots of leather etc.). It's a nice car.

I presently have a Defender 110 which we all love, and we're thinking about what to replace her Audi with when it goes back later this year. We rented a Jeep Wrangler in the US when we were over there for a while and did a road trip in it. Personally we loved it.

Is there anything else worth looking at if considering a Jeep Wrangler? We'd be looking at the Rubicon version with 3 differential locks, unlockable anti-sway bar, bigger diffs etc. as we would take it off road (I take my Defender off road and we need the 4 wheel drive on certain road trips).

Here are what I was thinking:
- Ford Ranger? Cool but not as big inside as a Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited
- Mercedes G Wagon - but a bit of a rip off for the UK versions, in Cyprus you can buy a £42k brand new Professional version but they won't export over here
- Another Defender - bit big for her, crap turning circle
- Land Rover Disco 5 - she's not into the look of it.

Anything else really worth having a look at? I think we'll probably end up ordering a Rubicon to our own spec and waiting the 6 months lead time to get one into the UK, but I thought I'd ask before we plan further.

[unpc]

I did some off roading in a Wrangler last year in Utah and came away seriously impressed. Was at least as good as my old Defender off road and way better on it. Never been in a G wagen but they look ridiculously overpriced to me. Not sure I can think of a better alternative to a Wrangler but it depends how you'll use it.

[jhonn]

If the off-road capability of a Rubicon really is the most important factor then there's not much else out there apart from the Defender (you could look at the Foers Ibex - it's Defender based but a bit more specialised).

Having owned/driven a Wrangler for a number of years and hired them in Moab in the USA I would hesitate in recommending one to your gf as a daily driver. Though a bit more civilized on-road than the Defender the novelty of using it day-in/day-out will soon wear thin - expensive to run, increased NVH (over the Audi), hard to park (in LWB form), etc. I have a friend who bought one for his partner as she loved the looks/idea of it - it was sold within 6 months.

Anyway, each to their own and all the best if you decide to go with it (I would love a Rubicon myself, but it would probably be as a second vehicle.)