2026 Jeep Wrangler 392 Review, Specs, Configurations – Forty years have passed since the 1981 Jeep CJ’s 5.0-liter V8 engine, which generated only 125 horsepower, was installed. The 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 392 boasts a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine that produces an incredible 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, proving that times have changed. Heart-pounding, head-tossing, seat belt-locking, and insanely funny enjoyment are all made possible by it. However, this otherwise exciting program still has certain problems. 2026 Jeep Wrangler 392 Review
2026 Jeep Wrangler 392 Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
With the exception of some bronze highlights, the required badging, a larger steering wheel, and some more forcefully bolstered seats, the 392 doesn’t visually differ from a typical Rubicon. Inside is the same Uconnect infotainment system, which has an 8.4-inch color touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Uconnect is a Roadshow favorite and simple to use. Jeep’s off-road pages with GPS coordinates with altitude, pitch and roll, power distribution, and temperature information are fantastic.
The stylish pants Sky One-Touch power soft top is also worn by my tester. Even though it’s referred to as one-touch, it takes 17 seconds for the top to retract, and the button must be pressed continuously. Although the normal soft top is quite straightforward to use, it’s a wonderful addition. Easy for a Jeep, that is. The procedure of removing the top, windows, and doors is not very rapid. Oh, and if you leave the 392 in the desert sun for any length of time, make sure to seal the top. The chairs are made of black leather and may get very warm.
2026 Jeep Wrangler 392 Specs
Engine & Performance
I can tell straight away that the 392 is serious when I turn it on since it automatically switches to the wake-the-neighbors loud level. While the eight-speed automatic gearbox works silently in the background, the V8 rumbles and groans throughout town. On a country road, I floor it when I get to a long straight and switch to the paddle shifters (in a Jeep!). The full-time four-wheel-drive system transfers power to the 33-inch BF Goodrich KO2 tires as the nose lifts and my head jerks back. It takes me around 4.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. Goodness.
The feeling of slowing down is far more terrifying. The 392’s calipers and rotors are the same size as those of a typical Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and boy do I want something that can handle the power of this SUV—you have to stop much sooner than you expect. I would gladly choose larger wheels in this situation if it meant installing larger brakes behind them.
I also want improved steering, for sure. On their best days, Jeep Wranglers are very ambiguous; when you add a ton of power, the 392 becomes really cumbersome. Given the construction of the Wrangler, which is a 5,000-pound vehicle built to go almost anyplace, this is kind of anticipated. The 392 isn’t a corner-carver, but it is incredibly fast in a straight line.
With a 1-inch elevation over a Rubicon and a 2-inch lift over the normal Jeep Wrangler, the Wrangler 392’s off-road geometry is somewhat superior. Oddly enough, the 392’s ground clearance is 10.3 inches instead of 10.8 inches, which is a half-inch less than the Rubicon’s. The 392 has a two-speed transfer case, a detaching sway bar, and front and rear locking differentials. When the 3.73:1 final drive ratio in the Dana 44 axles is calculated, the 392’s Selec-Trac transfer case with a 2.72 low range yields a remarkable crawl ratio of 48:1. The ratio on a typical Rubicon is 77.2:1, however keep in mind that this is only an indication of how much torque is amplified across the axles prior to impact. The 392 can still rock crawl with the best of them since I weigh 470 lb-ft.
But you can forget about the Wrangler 392 if you’re hoping it would speed over desert whoops at 50 mph like a Ford F-150 Raptor. Although the Fox shocks on the Wrangler are designed to withstand greater speeds, the 392 can only go up to 15 to 20 mph in the whoops before the suspension reaches its maximum travel. Outdoing the shocks’ powers is just too simple. If I had a long-travel kit, my first upgrade would undoubtedly be an aftermarket one with piggyback reservoirs.
I calibrate the Off-Road Plus system for Sand, which modifies the throttle, gearbox, and traction control, as I go closer to some steep dunes. If required, I can also lock the rear diff in four-wheel drive high. I am unable to carry a lot of speed since all of the dunes have whoops at the bottom. However, as soon as I leave them, it’s hammer down, and the 392 quickly rises to the top. Here, before rushing down to the next dune, I may utilize the forward-facing camera to catch a glimpse of what’s beyond it.
And that’s what the 392 is all about. Unless momentum is carried throughout the bottom portion of the terrain, the basic Rubicon frequently lacks the ability to drive up dunes and other soft, scratchy slopes. I can take care of the Wrangler till it’s safe and yet go to the top like a pro with the 392. I want a Jeep like this in the dunes.
If I could locate a brook out here in the desert, I could probably cross it, and I feel like I could climb every peak in the 392. 15 gallons of water may be flushed out each minute using the 392’s clever intake system. Even if the water first rises over the hood, it is safe to ford 32.5 inches of water. Additionally, there is a backup route for air to reach the engine in case snow or dirt blocks the hood scoop. I will have to wait till the monsoon season to give this a try. 2026 Jeep Wrangler 392 Review
2026 Jeep Wrangler 392 Fuel Economy
It’s also important to note that if you want to do it yourself, you can get a Crate 392 engine from Mopar along with all the required accessories for about $19,000. However, most people cannot afford that, and components that you install yourself are not covered by any manufacturer guarantee.
I guess I should bring up fuel economy, even if nobody is purchasing a V8-powered vehicle for efficiency. After a week of testing, I’m getting 13.3 mpg, compared to the EPA’s ratings of 13 mpg in the city, 17 mpg on the highway, and 14 mpg overall. And what do you know? I’m not even concerned. Despite its flaws, high cost, and thirst, the 392 provides absurd sensations that are unmatched elsewhere.
2026 Jeep Wrangler 392 Release Date & Price
Naturally, all of this incredible power will come at a cost. With a starting price of $74,995 plus $1,495 for delivery, the 392 is the priciest Wrangler available. Compared to a standard Rubicon, that is $31,025 more. The total cost of my tester with the forward-facing camera, trailer tow package, and improved convertible top is an astounding $78,545. Whoa. 2026 Jeep Wrangler 392 Review