2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition Test Drive Review: Hard To Say Goodye

There’ll by no means be a automobile just like the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 ever once more. Technically, the mannequin will return for the 2025 mannequin 12 months, however after that, the transient period of the V8-powered Wrangler will finish. Jeep’s short-lived choice to shove a Hemi engine below the hood of its iconic off-roader will go down as one of many firm’s most entertaining selections, and will probably be missed as soon as it is gone. To present the V8 a correct send-off, Jeep created a Wrangler Rubicon 392 Ultimate Version, which will get particular touches that are not discovered on different fashions.

The Rubicon 392 sunsets as the head Wrangler, powered by a 6.4-liter V8 producing 470 horsepower. This final off-roader additionally comes outfitted with almost all of Jeep’s greatest goodies, together with 35-inch tires, locking differentials, and extra. CarBuzz spent one final week driving the 392 Rubicon Ultimate Version, a automobile that will go down in historical past as probably the most outrageous Jeep ever constructed and presumably probably the most entertaining off-roader of all time.

Exterior: The Final Wrangler

As that is the top-of-the-line Wrangler, it will get probably the most excessive off-road tools that is obtainable from Jeep. All Rubicon 392 fashions journey on 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires wrapped round 17-inch beadlock-capable bronze wheels, that are a part of the Xtreme 35 Bundle. The Ultimate Version takes issues a step additional with normal tools like:

• Half-inch carry equipment with 11.6 inches of floor clearance
• 34.5 inches of water fording functionality
• 8,000-pound Warn winch built-in into the bumper
• Triple hood grille guard
• Heavy responsibility rock sliders
• Mopar fold-out swing gate desk
• Particular hood and fender decals denote the Ultimate Version and match the bronze theme on the outside.

Regardless of being a restricted manufacturing automobile, the Ultimate Version will not be restricted by way of exterior coloration, although all however Vivid White will value additional. The Earl coloration on our tester appears distinctive with out being too vibrant, whereas choices corresponding to Firecracker Crimson and Restricted Version Tuscadero (Pink) are good for individuals who need to stand out with their Wrangler. The 392 comes with a tough prime roof as normal, however a dual-top is offered for $2,405 in the event you additionally desire a gentle prime. Our tester included the Sky One-Contact Energy-High, a $3,995 retractable possibility that slides again electronically with a single button press. Although it provides a major value, we love the Sky One-Contact as a result of it may be eliminated simply and put again on in 20 seconds if it begins to rain.

Inside: Modernity Arrives

Jeep up to date the Wrangler for the 2024 mannequin 12 months, and the enhancements make the long-lasting off-roader extra fashionable than ever. The most important change comes within the dashboard, the place the outdated 8.4-inch touchscreen is changed by a bigger and higher-resolution 12.3-inch one. This newer display screen gives wi-fi compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the power to pair two telephones on Bluetooth on the identical time, and extra legible entrance/rear cameras.

For the primary time ever, now you can get a Wrangler with 12-way power-adjustable seats, which come wrapped in black/pink Nappa leather-based on the Rubicon 392 or a particular black with Mayan Gold stitching and Tupelo highlights for the Ultimate Version. These seats are heated, as is the steering wheel. We would not name this inside “luxurious,” however there are extra soft-touch supplies than previous Jeeps, giving it a extra premium really feel. There are different small touches to indicate the Ultimate Version, together with a shifter medallion and a particular plaque on the swing gate. Shopping for the Ultimate Version additionally will get you an 84-piece Mopar toolkit.

Practicality: Compromised Usability

The Rubicon 392 is barely obtainable as a four-door mannequin, which means it boasts cheap however barely compromised practicality in comparison with a unibody SUV. There’s 31.7 cubic toes of house behind the rear seats, which is barely lower than you get within the Ford Bronco four-door. Folding the seats opens up 72.4 cubes to the Bronco’s 77.6. The Rubicon 392 Ultimate Version boasts further capabilities with a fold-out desk on the swing gate and a built-in compressor that may reinflate the tires after letting the air out.

Rear seat legroom is measured at 38.3 inches with 41.7 inches of rear headroom. These numbers are pretty spectacular given the Wrangler’s body-on-frame building, which usually hinders inside house in change for off-road functionality. For comparability, the Bronco has solely 36.4 inches of rear legroom however extra rear headroom at 43.3 inches.

Efficiency: The Final V8… Not Actually

In case you spot the quantity 392 on the hood of a Wrangler, it denotes the engine dimension in cubic inches. This is similar 6.4-liter Hemi V8 beforehand discovered within the Dodge Charger and Challenger, producing 470 hp and an equal quantity of torque, making this probably the most highly effective Wrangler to-date. This muscle automotive coronary heart provides the Rubicon 392 gusty acceleration: 0-60 mph takes simply 4.5 seconds (we recorded the dash in 4.65 seconds) and it’ll full the quarter-mile in 13 seconds flat.

* Producer claimed

An eight-speed automated transmission sends energy to a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a Selec-Trac two-speed switch case. A low vary setting allows a stellar 48:1 crawl ratio. Different upgraded elements embrace Dana 44 HD axles, locking differentials, and a entrance sway bar disconnect. For additional functionality, the Ultimate Version provides that Warn winch that is built-in into the bumper, retaining the front-facing digital camera.

As a trade-off for muscle car-level efficiency, the Wrangler’s already subpar gasoline financial system is decreased to abysmal ranges. Although the V8 can shut down a financial institution of cylinders to run as a four-cylinder, it nonetheless solely manages 13/16/14 MPG metropolis/freeway/mixed, the worst of any Wrangler. In combined driving, we could not even match the EPA scores, averaging a measly 12.7 MPG. In case you purchase a Rubicon 392, finances a wholesome quantity to maintain it fueled as a result of you can be filling up each 200 miles or so.

Driving Impressions: Yee Haw

The time period “muscle automotive” is broadly utilized to American-made automobiles with massive, highly effective engines below the hood, and we consider the Wrangler Rubicon 392 qualifies. Jeep took an off-road SUV that sometimes produces lower than 300 hp, and shoved a fire-spitting Hemi below the hood to create one thing hilarious. That is what a muscle automotive is all about: whimsy. Little or no in regards to the Wrangler expertise adjustments with the addition of a V8; it simply will get somewhat louder and somewhat sooner.

This automobile nonetheless makes use of a recirculating ball steering system that is about as obscure as a politician being hammered on a coverage query. You could have a tough concept of the place the entrance finish goes, so that you level the steering wheel and hope the Wrangler heads the place you inform it. 35-inch all-terrain tires do not do probably the most to encourage confidence round corners, however the Wrangler by no means feels harmful as if it needs to tip over. Tough highway imperfections are transmitted to the cabin, however the journey within reason compliant given this automobile’s immense functionality.

As you’d count on from a automobile with a detachable roof, there’s loads of noise that intrudes into the cabin, each from wind and the knobby tires. A brand new-for-2024 Gorilla glass windshield helps insulate the cabin somewhat bit, however it could actually nonetheless get noisy at freeway speeds. Choosing the 392 provides a 3rd supply of noise: the exhaust. In case you blindfolded a passenger and requested them what sort of automotive they had been in, they’d most likely guess a Dodge Charger or a Challenger. This Wrangler emits the identical rumble you’d get from these muscle vehicles due to a efficiency exhaust that may be managed through a button on the sprint. Turning the exhaust off quiets the automotive down throughout regular driving, although it nonetheless roars (albeit a bit softer) while you mash the throttle. We personally loved the V8 soundtrack, however we shut the exhaust off on the freeway resulting from droning.

Pricing & Verdict: Get It Whereas You Can

There isn’t any strategy to sugarcoat it, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is an astronomically costly automobile. For a similar worth, you could possibly get a Wrangler Rubicon with the V6 and nonetheless have sufficient to purchase a Charger or Challenger Scat Pack used with the identical 6.4-liter Hemi. Pricing for the usual Rubicon 392 begins at $90,245 plus a $1,895 vacation spot price. If you would like the Ultimate Version, which is restricted to three,700 models for 2024, be ready to pay $99,995.

If Jeep was really completed promoting the V8 Wrangler, we would say the six-figure price ticket can be price it to get one thing that needs to be collectible sooner or later. Nevertheless, the Rubicon 392 (together with the Ultimate Version) will keep it up into the 2025 mannequin 12 months, although no manufacturing numbers have been introduced. The 2024 mannequin will hold the triple hood roll bar and Mopar software equipment as unique options, however neither would deter us from ready for the 2025 model and getting the precise, last V8 Wrangler.

For Jeep and muscle automotive followers alike, there has by no means been a product fairly just like the Wrangler Rubicon 392 and, because the Ultimate Version title implies, there’ll most likely by no means be once more. Does the world want a product like this? Completely not. However for a quick second in time, Jeep supplied an off-road expertise like no different, and it put an enormous smile on the face of anybody who drove it. When the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is lastly gone, we are going to miss it dearly.