As throngs of people descended on Moab, Utah for the 57th-annual Easter Jeep Safari, we were already neck-deep in driving the latest-and-greatest Jeep vehicles the auto manufacturer had to offer. Not only did they debut seven radically different concept vehicles, but they also gave a select few the opportunity to test their 20th Anniversary Jeep Wrangler Rubicons—tributes to two decades of off-roading innovation, capability, and enhanced performance.
Twenty Years in the Making
Arguably one of the most capable off-roaders ever built, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was originally developed in the early 2000s and unveiled at the 2002 Easter Jeep Safari. The effort started as a small, internal project led by a group of dedicated Jeep engineers who, appropriately, were passionate about off-roading. They continually pushed the low-range envelope.
Affectionately known as the Lunatic Fringe, this core group of workers convinced corporate to produce a small run of more capable Wranglers, later known as the original Wrangler Rubicon. They started production in the summer of 2002 with the expectation they’d sell a few thousand units and call it good. But, to corporate’s surprise, they knocked sales expectations out of the park. Over the last two decades, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has become the moniker’s mainstay and now accounts for approximately 25% of all Wrangler sales.
First released as the TJ-Series 2003 Wrangler Rubicon, it originally featured front and rear locking differentials, a 4:1 low-range transfer case, rock sliders, 31-inch off-road tires and Dana 44 axles with 4.10:1 axle ratios. Four years later, the redesigned JK-Series 2007 Wrangler Rubicon upped capability by adding an electric front sway bar disconnect for increased articulation and larger 32-inch tires. The JK Rubicon was also now available in two- and (very popular) four-door versions.
In 2013 the 10th Anniversary JK celebrated a decade of dominance by offering new steel bumpers (a winch-capable front bumper and as well as a rear bumper), improved rock rails, and a half-inch lift kit. Fast forward five more years and the redesigned JL-Series 2018 Rubicon bumped up another tire size to 33s and improved its crawl ratio to 84:1 with its manual transmission.
Two years ago in 2021, Jeep shook things up by offering its first-ever electrified off-roader: the Rubicon 4xe plug-in hybrid. This version of the Wrangler showcases 21 miles of all-electric range and 470 pound-feet of torque, with nearly silent off-pavement fun. Additionally, the highest-horsepower Wrangler Rubicon was also introduced, the Hemi V8-powered 392, featuring 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque that can do zero-to-60 in a neck-snapping 4.5 seconds.
Both 4xe and 392 Rubicons carry into the 2023 model year with distinct 2023 20th Anniversary editions. This includes standard 4xe and 392 20th Anniversary models, as well as 4xe and 392 special edition Level II upfit Rubicons, outfitted by American Expedition Vehicles (AEV)—with only 150 of them available. We tested the standard 20th Anniversary editions, as well as the Level II 4xe on Moab’s famed red slick rock, including the infamous Wipeout Hill.
20th Anniversary Overview
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary editions feature a new all-black seven-slot grille, beadlock-capable wheels, a triple-hoop grille guard and steel bumpers, a half-inch suspension lift, a roll-up 83-piece tool kit, unique 20th Anniversary decals and more. A built-in on-board air compressor is also included for the Rubicon 392 but not in the 4xe. That’s thanks to the PHEV’s pedestrian back-up speaker taking its place in the tailgate.
Jeep 4xe models come stock with 33-inch tires, whereas the 392 bumps up its tire size to 35s, an off-road tire size popular with off-roaders for its added capability. The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary is available in nine exterior colors while the 4xe version gets 10 colorful hues.
The interior of each 20th Anniversary model showcases bright red-and-black accented leather seats, cherry red seat belt straps, and a red leather-wrapped instrument panel support. A 20th Anniversary shift knob also pays tribute to the Rubicon’s 20 years of success—with each of the 4x4s carrying Jeep’s factory-backed warranty.
If you want a Wrangler 20th Anniversary model, you’ll have to get it as a four-door, as that’s the only way the 4xe and 392 are built. What you get though, is the most extreme version of either, and particularly the V8.
392 Cubic Inches of Fury
The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary is the most powerful Wrangler Jeep has ever made. Hitting the quarter mile in 13 seconds (though we didn’t confirm that scientifically), the Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary includes a whole host of upgrades and trail-envy niceties.
This includes the standard Xtreme Recon package as standard equipment. This package includes 17×8-inch beadlock-capable wheels shod in 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires, wheel flare extensions for added coverage against gravel rash and trail abuse and a 4.56 rear axle ratio. Also included in the Xtreme Recon package are specific upgrades from Mopar: a tire relocation kit, hinge-gate reinforcement and jack spacer.
Outside of the Xtreme Recon package, a half-inch lift allows an added 0.9-inches of water fording (34.5 inches in total) and 11.6-inches of ground clearance. An integrated front camera makes quick work of viewing trail challenges and the 392’s standard Gorilla glass windscreen stands up to off-road abuse and clearly gives a great view of the bronze-themed 20th Anniversary hood decal and nearby surroundings, too.
Wheeling around in the Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary made us grin. How could you not smile with the Hemi-powered V8 growling under its hood? Although we couldn’t test the 392 20th Anniversary for on-pavement prowess (although we’ve tested the 2021 Jeep 392 when it debuted and driven stock 392s since then), this special edition’s four-high and low-range gearing gave way to precise and smooth shifts as it tackled Moab’s famed terrain with ease.
The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary is a head-turner in many ways. However, the active dual-mode performance exhaust system’s drone as it rumbles across its power band may be loud for some. To counteract this, Jeep includes a nifty “quiet” feature to lessen its decibels if needed (trust us, it works well).
If there’s a weakness here, it’s going to be in your wallet. The High horsepower equates to high amounts of fun, but a high MSRP and potentially high-dollar gas bills. On the other hand, who’s counting when you’re experiencing two decades of Rubicon refinement rolled into Jeep’s fastest adventure-ready machine? We’re not. Also, while our Sarge Green test vehicle stickered for a towering $95,385, that’s not really much more than a well-optioned non-anniversary model.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe: Electrified Sensibility
America’s best-selling plug-in hybrid, it’d be strange if Jeep hadn’t added a 20th Anniversary 4xe. It features the exact same powerplant as the regular 4xe and includes many of the features of the 392 version, but there are some differences. It has slightly smaller rolling stock (17 x 7.5-inch beadlock-capable wheels wrapped in 33-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires), lacks the Xtreme Recon package and air compressor, and gets slightly less ground clearance (11.2 inches).
It does, however, cost a whole lot less to buy and own, and while it doesn’t have the Hemi growl, it does have plenty of giddy-up thanks to its dual electric motors.
The 4xe includes three drive modes: hybrid, electric and e-save. Driving it in e-save utilizes the gasoline engine to save the maximum battery charge for later, however, that uses more fuel than running it in hybrid mode. Giving smooth pedal inputs, especially when wanting watts, will reward you with a controlled, even ride. With 21 miles of all-electric range, it’s beneficial to use the drive modes accordingly, so you have watt-enabled go-go juice whenever you want it.
Testing the 20th Anniversary 4xe in all-electric mode gave us a unique opportunity to hear rain pelting our hood, rocks shifting under our tires, and the people’s chatter back and forth when tackling tough sections of trail that’d otherwise be hard to hear. Off-roading an EV is an interesting experience, one with different capabilities and a slightly different relationship to the surrounding nature. Plus, there’s just a big cost advantage. There’s far better fuel economy and the 4xe we tested rang in at $81,150 (all prices including a $1,795 destination fee).
Level It Up: AEV’s Level II Upfit Kit
Building on the Rubicon 20th Anniversary editions and limited to just 150 available units (which sold out within one hour of their debut), the 2023 Rubicon 20th Anniversary Level II upfit by American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) solidified its place as the most capable Rubicon the automaker has ever built. these modifications are costly ($21,983 on the 4xe 20th Anniversary and $20,135 on the 392, excluding a $995 logistics charge), but they really do make these builds trail kings.
What do they get for that cost? A sky-high 14.2 inches of ground clearance (which made navigating even the toughest Moab trails a breeze), 50-degree approach angle, 33-degree breakover angle, 43-degree departure angle, and 37.1 inches of water wading depth. There are few places you can’t go with stats like that.
Additionally, a whole host of Level II’s upgrades accent all four sides and corners and the underbody. Tried-and-true BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain (up to 37 inches) tires wrap around AEV 17-inch Savegre II wheels while a WARN ZEON 10-S winch and AEV 7000 Series off-road lights accent the AEV EX front bumper.
An AEV rear bumper, front skid plate, tire carrier, off-road jack base and a ProCal SNAP module are also included, as is a vehicle build plaque. Mopar performance wipers with integrated washer jets and a 2.5-inch DualSport RT Suspension System with Bilstein 5100 shocks round out the Level II package. Note: The 4xe Level II upfit also comes regeared with a 4.56:1 axle ratio.
When you think of the time, effort, and cost it would take to customize a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon to match that of the factory-backed AEV Level II upfit 4×4 that showcases Jeep’s standard warranty, the six-figure price tag doesn’t seem quite so steep.
“Today the Rubicon model represents about a quarter of overall Wrangler sales,” said Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America, “with more than 700,000 sold worldwide, and including the electrified Rubicon 4xe.”
“That same spirit of determination and ingenuity that led to the creation of the Wrangler Rubicon lives on in these new 20th anniversary special editions, which for the first time, bring available 37s to the Wrangler.” That’s exactly what the hardest-core Wrangler fans want, and now it’s available at the dealership.