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Back in 2021, Jeep introduced that it could do one thing that it had by no means carried out within the 34-year historical past of the Wrangler: supply it with a V8. It wasn’t only a common 5.7-liter Hemi, although—Jeep went up a notch and stuffed the huge 392 between the JL Wrangler’s hood latches. Just just a few years later, Jeep broke the information that the limited-production (3,700 models worldwide) 2024 mannequin could be the Final Edition of the off-road monster. It didn’t take lengthy for Jeep to vary its tune: the 2025 Wrangler Rubicon 392 could be the top of the road. Naturally, I jumped on the probability to assessment one whereas I nonetheless may.
EVOLUTIONARY CHANGE
Since it debuted, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 has turn into progressively higher geared up and extra succesful. It began off with upgraded body rails, distinctive suspension geometry, heavy-duty brakes, FOX shocks, and 33-inch tires on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels. For 2024, all Wranglers acquired a brand new seven-slot grille design, up to date inside with normal 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment touchscreen, wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, normal aspect curtain airbags within the first and second rows, and extra. Rubicon fashions got here geared up with a Dana 44 full-float rear axle designed for higher power and simpler worst-case-scenario repairs. The similar yr, Jeep upgraded the Rubicon 392 for its send-off by including a Warn 8,000-pound winch, rock sliders, device equipment, a half inch to the present two-inch raise, and a triple-hoop grille guard.
The Rubicon 392’s worth has elevated with these enhancements. With the $1,495 vacation spot cost included, the 2021 launch version had an MSRP of $74,995. According to the window sticker, my 2025 Final Edition check automobile had a beginning worth of $99,995. Adding the Hydro Blue Pearl-Coat paint, Sky One-Touch power-retractable smooth high, and the built-in Mopar air compressor took the ultimate worth as much as a stratospheric $108,475.
WHERE THE MONEY WENT
What hasn’t modified is the factor that makes the Rubicon 392 the last word manufacturing unit Wrangler: the 6.4-liter Hemi, which fires 470 horses and 470 lb-ft of torque by way of an eight-speed automated and Selec-Trac full-time four-wheel drive.
Given how excessive it stood on its 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2s and the malevolence popping out of the dual-mode exhaust’s 4 retailers, there was no mistaking the Rubicon 392 for a daily Wrangler. But the engine that made it particular additionally highlighted the relative ordinariness of every thing round it. Although my media loaner had Nappa leather-based seats and the flowery retractable roof, it didn’t really feel like I used to be in a $100,000-plus automobile.
And regardless that the large Hemi gave the Wrangler an enormous increase in energy, the adjustments appeared to cease there. Yes, the Rubicon 392 was as fast as some sports activities automobiles, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, however its engine didn’t magically rework it right into a basically completely different automobile. The sum was not higher than its elements: the Rubicon 392 felt like a Wrangler with an enormous engine in it. That’s not essentially a foul factor. In hindsight, that simplicity was refreshing in an age wherein so many corporations attempt to make their SUVs haul folks and cargo like a utility automobile but speed up and deal with like a efficiency sedan—there’s nothing unsuitable with a devoted, specialist automobile. Despite its additional grunt, the Rubicon 392 remains to be undeniably a body-on-frame rig targeted on dominating no matter it encounters within the wild. The mixture of that singular focus with almost 500 horsepower makes the Rubicon a ridiculous, wild, indulgent, over-the-top cartoon of a automobile rendered in steel and rubber. It felt like an absolute tank and made me really feel as if I may roll over something. If I didn’t really feel like doing that, I may blow previous it with a fast stab of the throttle and a giant grin on my face, the 392 roaring furiously the entire approach.
JUST GO WITH IT
To my nice shock, my weekend with the Rubicon 392 coincided with my pal Brad and his pal Chris having uncommon openings of their busy schedules. After I picked them up, we blazed our strategy to the Four Peaks path in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest. The plan was to check the Rubicon 392 very like my colleague Luke and I did after we had the 2025 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter. I had no considerations about getting caught as a result of we aired the tires down with the Mopar air compressor and the entrance and rear lockers may get the remaining carried out.
For higher traction and throttle management, I muscled the switch case lever into 4LO and began the ascent up the principle path. The larger we climbed, the extra beautiful the views had been—and the additional we stored going. The thought of going again down to search out an impediment that might finally fail to problem the Rubicon 392’s grip and floor clearance turned much less and fewer interesting. All I needed to do was go larger. Luckily, Brad and Chris felt the identical approach. At one level, we reached a pull-off space that gave us an unforgettable view of Roosevelt Lake. By the time we rotated to return down, we had been roughly 5,800 ft up.
Part of me felt uneasy about not having performed a technical check of the Rubicon 392, however then I thought of our tour and what the Wrangler is all about. It’s constructed to take you anyplace you need to go, regardless of how distant, regardless of how difficult the journey there could also be. Swept away by the spirit of journey, Brad, Chris, and I needed to go the place the path forward took us. The Rubicon 392 acquired us there, simply as V8-powered CJs in many years previous transported their passengers to distant peaks miles away from awe-inspiring horizons.
MORE TO COME
It appears even the second iteration of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition is some extent on a timeline, not the top of it. Back in August, Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf stated, “We will extend the availability of the 392 Wrangler, and in fact, we will tap the power and performance of the Hemi across Jeep products as new projects are already underway.” While meaning the 2025 Final Edition gained’t be a singular piece of Jeep historical past, the trade-off is that future V8 Jeeps will give extra folks an opportunity to faucet into a major a part of the model’s previous—one thing that has at all times been part of its automobiles, particularly the Wrangler.
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