Buying a Jeep Wrangler? Here's why we feel that Jeep’s Sky One-Touch roof is the best option.
We have just wrapped up a week of testing with the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392. This vehicle is amazing in so many ways it is hard to know where to begin. We will cover the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392 in a detailed review but wanted to dive a bit more deeply than space would allow on the subject of the Jeep Sky One-Touch roof optional on some Wrangler trims.
Related Story: 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392 Review - The Best Jeep Ever Made
The Jeep Sky One-Touch roof is a soft-top roof that retracts automagically with the touch of a button. It is the full width of the vehicle and retracts from the windshield header all the way to the cargo area in the Wrangler. Technically, the Sky One-Touch may be a sunroof, but as the owner of both a hard and soft-top convertible and a frequent tester of other vehicles with roofs called “targas” and “retractable hard-tops,” I feel like I have a broad appreciation for what a convertible is and isn’t. In my book, the Sky One-Touch is a convertible roof. It provides all the benefits of a convertible with fewer downsides.
Jeep Sky One-Touch Roof - How Does It Work?
The Sky One-Touch roof opens with the touch of a button located on the upper part of the windshield header on the driver’s side. Tap and hold a second and it will retract the roof fully or you can hold it and stop the roof wherever you like. That is very helpful and handy. To close it, you tap the close button.
Here is where some of the upsides start to reveal themselves. The top can be operated up to 60 MPH. This feature makes it far more practical than a manual top or one that limits the speeds to below highway pace. We found we used the top a lot more due to its wide range of operating speeds.
The Sky One-Touch roof can be enjoyed without wind buffering inside the cabin in multiple ways. With the side glass up, the cabin is very calm up to about 60 MPH. By moving the roof’s position a bit one can reduce the wind buffering based on speed. Best of all, there are no “wubba-wubba-wubba” pressure vibrations when you use the roof or open and close it. Some sunroofs can be brutal that way.
With the side glass down, there is a lot of wind, but again, by experimenting with the number of windows you open, and how far down you roll them, the cabin can be a very pleasant place at around-town speeds or on backcountry roads.
The soft textile that Jeep uses in the Sky One-Touch roof is made by Haartz Corporation in Massachusetts. We have toured this 100-year old company’s plant and found it to be an impressive mix of modern technical efficiency and custom build capability. The plant is large enough to manufacture materials for roofs in high volume, but can also accommodate some relatively low-volume custom jobs. One of the great things about Jeep’s Wrangler is its made-in-America heritage. Having the roof material be locally sourced is an added benefit to our mind.
Let’s keep it real; The Wrangler is not exactly a fortress of solitude. Wranglers like our Rubicon test Jeep have huge off-road tires and the shape of the Wrangler is, well the shape of a Jeep. The vehicle comes complete with a fair bit of noise and we think Jeep owners expect it.
With the roof closed, we heard more tire noise and wind noise from the glass than the roof. Jeep also installed two clever solutions to any cabin noise you may find bothersome. The first is a round rubberized knob labeled “Volume.” Turn that knob, select your favorite tunes, and let the Jeep’s outstanding audio system eliminate any cabin noise. The second solution is the “Performance Exhaust” enabler button. Touch and hold that button and the 392 V8 engine will sing you a song that your right foot can make louder or softer.
Jeep Sky One-Touch Roof - Conclusion
The Jeep Sky One-Touch roof is an amazing way to bring the outside into your Jeep. It feels like any other convertible roof when open fully, or you can open it just a smidge to let in a bit of air and sun above your head. The ease of use is among the best of all open-air tops we’ve tried, and we feel the Jeep Wrangler is made better by having this style of roof. We would suggest that any Wrangler shopper give the Sky One-Touch roof serious consideration. The Sky One-touch Power Top had an additional cost of $2,000 on our top-trim Wrangler Rubicon 392 tester. Well worth the cost in our opinion.
John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. Following his engineering program, John also completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin
You failed the mention the
You failed the mention the most important con of the one-touch roof. It's a Jeep and the top is not removable! Sure you get a fancy $2,000 fabric sunroof, but most Jeep owners want the top fully removable! No sale.
I just took possession of my
I just took possession of my first Wrangler and love it! I have enjoyed moon roofs forever and this looked like a great option but if the top is not removable, what’s the point? That power top would be PERFECT for me so long as the roof was still removable. Can you confirm? If not, I’m with Jason, NO SALE! Jeep’s need the top removable. That is what makes them unique.
I recently rented a 20w1 Jeep
I recently rented a 20w1 Jeep Rubicon and i loved it! I'm am not able to take a roof on and ofc and found the convertible feature wonderful!!!! I enjoyed this vehicle so much I am considering purchasing one!!!!
Actually, the top is fully
Actually, the top is fully removable. It's a bit more of a pain, but it's doable if need be. I got this mainly because my last jeep, I had to wait for someone to help take my top off which was more of a pain, in my opinion. This way, I get that open feeling whenever I want.
The roof is fully retractable
The roof is fully retractable to expose the cargo compartment, both side rear windows are remove with the turn of a handle similar to the front split roof. No need to take off the entire roof. Much easier to close the roof and pop the windows back in if the weather turns nasty.
I am looking to lease one as
I am looking to lease one as we speak! And I cannot take on and off the roof myself so I am excited about the one touch!
Are the doors still removable
Are the doors still removable and it's just the top frame that isn't?
Yup. The doors come off every
Yup. The doors come off every trim. Our tester had the door removal tool kit in the console.
I just picked up The Sahara
I just picked up The Sahara 4XE with the top and I absolutely love it. You can close the top while doing 60mph. Nice when the rain comes. Also not mentioned is the back rear windows come off. So with top open and the windows it gives you the open air you are looking for.
until now I wouldnt buy a
until now I wouldnt buy a Jeep. looking forward to a 4xe sahara with the one touch roof
Can I put the sky one touch
Can I put the sky one touch power roof on my 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4 door ? It’s the 2018 JL model not the 2018 JK model.
My jeep is 2021 Rubicon can
My jeep is 2021 Rubicon can the one touch soft roof be installed to my hard top after market by dealership.
I have ordered the new
I have ordered the new Rubicon with this roof. My worry is about bears. Am I the only person who is worried about bears ripping the heck out of my roof if I leave a french fry in the floor?
Years from now - if I want to
Years from now - if I want to remove the roof, can I?
Can I put the windshield that folds down on the jeep and have that capability
I have a 2020 Rubicon JL and
I have a 2020 Rubicon JL and want to replace my current hard top with it me of these. Is this even possible?
After 3 CJ7s, 1 YJ, 2 TJ's
After 3 CJ7s, 1 YJ, 2 TJ's and a JK I can honestly say the JL One touch roof is awesome. I found myself rarely removing the full top on my Jk. This has a full open air feel but zero hassle. Back windows pop out easily for the pups to drool out. 100% recommend.The only future downside will be when it needs replacing as all rag tops do eventually. I can see Jeep dropping the option as most Jeepers are not going to jump to it. Finding a replacement in 10 years will be expensive if not impossible.