Jeep Rubicon 392 Finale Edition is an Action Movie on Wheels

To Be Continued?

If it feels like I’ve been writing about “the last of the Hemi V8s” for years, it’s because I have. The Shark Tank masterminds at Stellantis have been dragging out the death of Chrysler’s famed V8 like a film studio refusing to let a movie franchise die.

A prime example is the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Finale Edition. Given the recent news of Ram and Dodge hinting of a Hemi resurrection don’t count out the V8 Wrangler as gone for good.

This variant of the Jeep Wrangler is based on the Rubicon 392, first introduced in 2021 as a response to years of Jeep owners begging, pleading, and threatening to get a Hemi engine option for their beloved 4×4.

The Charm of a Hemi V8

Now, asking why some people adore the Hemi V8 is like asking why some people prefer watching the films Die Hard and Lethal Weapon during the holidays instead of Home Alone or A Christmas Story. It is an action-packed experience that can make anyone feel a sense of patriotism regardless of political affiliation. Performance aside, the V8 has mechanical magic and rhythm that tickles your adrenal glands into producing adrenaline through an audible soundtrack when it ignites fuel.

What happens when you infuse that magic with 80 years of proven four-wheel-drive capability? You get a wild ride that challenges the laws of physics over any terrain.

But, like everything in life, it’s not without drawbacks.

The Final Edition

Jeep produced 3,700 Rubicon 392 Final Edition units as a farewell to the Hemi V8, of which 3,300 are designated for the U.S. market. As you might have guessed, they sold out faster than hot cakes stapled to Super Bowl tickets.

But here’s the kicker: power costs money, and the Rubicon 392 debuted in 2021 with a $75,000 MSRP. The MSRP has continuously increased since, with the 2024 Finale Edition crossing over the $100,000 mark.

So, what do you get with a six-figure Jeep Wrangler?

A Six-Figure Jeep Wrangler

Standard Rubicon 392 Final Edition equipment starts with a steel front bumper brush guard with embedded fog lights and a WARN-branded electric winch strong enough to pull 8,000 pounds and includes 100 feet of synthetic rope.

The Jeep Wrangler’s fascia is coated in gloss black in a theme that contrasts Hydro Blue Pearl exterior paint and Finale Edition exclusive bronze color accents featured on the vehicle’s emblems and graphics. Jeep calls it bronze, but it looks more like gold to me.

The hood features a functional hood scoop to help channel air into the naturally aspirated V8. This particular Wrangler stands tall with a half-inch lift kit to make room for its 35-inch set of BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A tires wrapped around 17-inch beadlock wheels.

This hardware gives the 4×4 SUV 11.6 inches of ground clearance and the ability to ford through up to 34.5 inches of water. The model shown also came equipped with optional Rubicon Rock Rails, which are steel guards to help protect the underside while trailblazing over boulders.

At the back, the Wrangler’s swing gate featured the optional drop-down tray table and onboard air compressor with dual outlets to inflate two tires simultaneously.

Other standard goodies included the 83-piece tool kit featuring everything from a roll of electrical tape and knife to a hammer and set of socket wrenches, all branded with the Jeep emblem. One feature I found particularly assuming is the retractable folding roof that extends to the rear passengers so everyone can enjoy an open-air cockpit.

The Rubicon 392 Final Edition interior is celebrated with full Nappa Leather upholstery decorated in gold stitching and an exclusive medallion on the gear shifter. My favorite party trick on the Rubicon 392 is a little button on the center console to activate the performance exhaust, which turns the Hemi V8’s volume up to eleven.

More importantly, once you activate this feature, it stays on even if you turn off the vehicle and return later. I love that because it can be annoying having to turn it on every time I get back into a car, like in the Ford Mustang GT and any Mercedes AMG.

A Mule with a Firecracker on its Tail

So how does a Jeep Wrangler with 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque drive? Like a mule with a firecracker tied to its tail. Unlike other Hemi-powered products, which have a suspension setup to handle the excess power, the Rubicon 392 has to be a Jeep first and a super SUV second.

This means it still drives like a Jeep with thick off-road tires and a buckboard ride to traverse the road less traveled. But now it has the muscle to accelerate from zero to 60 in under five seconds and boasts a limited top speed of 112 mph.

I can attest that this 4×4 is quick. Shockingly quick! It creates a surreal driving experience on the highway when you plant your foot on the throttle and get pushed back in your seat as this Jeep lurches forward with righteous fury like it’s trying to accelerate the earth’s rotation with four-wheel-drive.

However, extra caution is required off-road because of its high center of gravity, which can easily cause you to see the world upside down if you tempt the laws of physics with a sudden burst of throttle.

The fuel economy was better than anticipated, averaging 15 mpg on the highway and 13 mpg overall. That might sound bad, but consider that this is a lifted, off-road-focused SUV with a large, thirsty engine. Moreover, its modest 21-gallon fuel tank means your wallet doesn’t take as big of a hit during fill-ups.

A Hemi-powered Jeep Wrangler is meant to be ridiculous. Is it expensive? Oh yeah! But you get an experience every time you fasten your seat belt and hit the ignition button. Vehicles like this aim to enhance the commute, whether driving to the corner store or tackling a canyon trail at Big Bend National Park. Overall, this amusement park on wheels is designed for thrills if you can afford the cost of admission.

Engine: 6.4-liter Hemi V8

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

0 to 60: 4.5 seconds

Starting price: $92,140 (Rubicon 392)

Price as shown: $108,380 (Final Edition)