The Jeep Wrangler has stayed true to its rough and ready-for-anything SUV. Over the years, it has grown an extra door and, for the last several years, it has boasted a V-8 engine for big on and off-road performance.
However, all good and loud things must come to an end. Motorheads, where only potent V-8s are acceptable, this is your final warning to buy new before it’s too late.
The Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition is a riot with a loud 6.4L V-8, good for 470 hp. It seems a bit odd to be in a Wrangler that will keep up with sports cars on the road. The loud sounds coming out of the quad exhaust pipes make people stare and 11-year-olds laugh when you hit the gas.
It’s not just about going fast. It boasts huge 35-inch tires and 17-inch beadlock wheels, which means this Jeep is equipped for serious off-road adventures right off the dealer’s lot. A heavy duty off-road-ready suspension can take punishment and helps smooth out rough roads. The Wrangler isn’t as smooth and quiet as many SUVs on the market, so choosing the hardtop will reduce some noise. The power top on my tester is better than the soft top that comes standard.
A Wrangler always draws attention. But the Wrangler Rubicon 392 really grabs it with a factory winch on the front bumper that shouts its off-road credentials. The Final Edition sports those cool bronze wheels and the tires are so massive that it needs larger fender flare add-ons to keep them covered. Fender and hood decals and four exhaust pipes tell you this Jeep is special.
The Rubicon Final Edition comes fully loaded — and it should for its six-figure price tag. Some say it’s a little too nice because it would be a shame to get it all muddy. Nappa heated leather seats provide decent comfort for the highway and off the road. The back seat has enough space for three.
However, the rear doors aren’t very large, so watch your knees hopping in. The updated infotainment system has a new larger 12.3-inch touch screen and NAV system with the latest Uconnect 5 system. The one-touch power top gives you open-air motoring without the hassle of the time-consuming standard soft top. It also lets in less noise but it’s not as hushed as the optional hardtop.
Cost: $100,590; as tested $106,445
MPG: 12 mpg city; 15 mpg highway. I managed 14.1 mpg in 678 miles of mixed driving.
Options: $3,995 Sky one-touch power top; $325 performance satin-black grill by Mopar; $40 windshield tie-down by Mopar; $1,895 destination & freight charge.
Safety: Electronic roll mitigation; ParkSense rear park assist system; adaptive cruise control with stop; blind spot and cross path detection; advanced brake assist; full speed forward collision warning plus
Things to know: It’s the end of the V-8 era for the Jeep Wrangler. If you want a loud, fast, go-anywhere SUV, you better hurry and bring lots of money.
Pros:
- Power top makes enjoying the outdoors easier than ever
- Big V-8 power moves the off-road-ready Jeep easily
- Will go about anywhere you want to go right off the dealer’s lot
Cons:
- Cost is very prohibitive for most buyers
- Uses premium gas at an alarming rate
- Not for everyone as it’s more of an old-school SUV and less refined
