The quintessential adventurer, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler continues a legacy that’s over 80 years in the making. At the dawn of World War II, the American military requested a light reconnaissance vehicle capable of navigating harsh terrain and meeting the demands of war. As a result, the Willys Overland was developed and delivered in just over two months, a remarkable feat that set the tone for everything to come.
Today, models like the 2022 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 show us just how far the Jeep has evolved over the last eight decades. Jeep markets the Rubicon 392 as “the legend that powers on,” leaving little room to doubt that the newest iteration in the Wrangler family will make its namesake proud. But what makes it so unique and a must for adventurers looking for next-level capability? That’s the question we’re here to answer.
That Thing Got a HEMI?
You won’t find any other Wrangler in the lineup or history with a HEMI under its hood. The Rubicon 392 is powered by a 6.4-liter V8 engine, making it the quickest and most powerful Wrangler ever made. With the engine mated to Jeep’s TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, the HEMI roars to life the moment you engage the start button for immediate power, responsive handling, and jaw-dropping speed.
The Rubicon 392’s roar is unmistakable as the HEMI churns out 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque for an incredible launch from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. This speed makes it an exceptional performer both on and off the pavement—whether you’re cruising the highway or navigating long desert passes where you can freely unleash the throttle. It also means that off-roaders can finally satiate their need for speed without sacrificing their sense of wanderlust.
Tried, Tested, and Jeep Approved
The Rubicon 392 bears the Jeep name and that of the illustrious Rubicon Trail but does it live up to its namesakes? Jeep made sure of it after pushing the Rubicon 392 to its limits to see if it was capable enough to earn the coveted Trail Rated badge. Tested in traction, water fording, maneuverability, ground clearance, and articulation, the Rubicon 392 passed each category with flying colors to earn its place as one of the most capable off-road rigs in the industry.
Outfitted with an electronic sway bar disconnect, the Rubicon 392 offers exceptional articulation and suspension travel, both of which are vital when navigating rocky, technical, and uneven terrain. With the HEMI leaving little question about having enough power to traverse such obstacles, critical components like the Rubicon 392’s FOX aluminum-bodied shocks optimize performance, handling, and ride quality. These features not only give you the capability you need, but they ensure you have the necessary control to tackle even the most demanding terrain whether you’re navigating Mojave Road, Colorado’s Alpine Loop Trail, or the Rubicon Trail itself.
Loud as a Lion, Quiet as a Mouse
Car-lovers are known for stopping to appreciate the purring of an engine and the Rubicon 392 is certainly worthy of that pause. There’s just something about the sound of a HEMI as it roars to life. Jeep makes that roar even more enticing by outfitting the Rubicon 392 with the Wrangler’s first dual exhaust system.
For speed demons, a dual exhaust sounds ideal; for adventurers, it sounds counterintuitive to blast the engine at a time when you’re communing with the great outdoors. So, Jeep gives you the best of both worlds and the power of choice with the Dual-Mode Exhaust System. When you’re looking for the roar of a lion, toggle the switch into performance mode and listen to the rumble. And when you’re out in the middle of the woods, switch over to quiet mode to have the system dampen the sound so that you can hear the world around you.
Legendary Four-Wheel-Drive Capability
If the HEMI is the Rubicon 392’s heartbeat, its brawn is its Selec-Trac full-time, active transfer case or four-wheel-drive system. Designed as a “set it and forget it” system, it constantly sends power to the front and rear wheels to optimize traction and performance on any terrain. Jeep gives you even more control over this power and performance with four selectable modes–4WD Auto, 4WD High, Neutral, and 4WD Low–and selectable drive modes like Off-Road Plus for terrains like sand and rock. Switching into Off-Road Plus allows you to lock the rear axle for optimal performance at high speeds or without locking the axle, which tunes the throttle and transmission to improve handling during low-speed maneuvers.
Cruise Control for the Trail
Cruise control revolutionized how we navigate long stretches of the highway by minimizing the burden of maintaining a certain speed. Jeep applies the same principle to trail-running with Rubicon 392’s Selec-Speed Control. When you’re navigating less technical terrain and traveling under 5 mph, Selec-Speed Control can easily manage the Rubicon 392’s speed in 4L without input from you. This tool gives you the freedom to focus on steering and enjoying the scenery without moving your foot back and forth between the accelerator and brake pedals.
All About the Angles
The Rubicon 392 lives up to Jeep’s “Go Anywhere, Do Anything” motto and is designed so that you have the confidence to say “yes” to any adventure. Off-roaders run the gamut of hobbyists tackling moderate dirt trails to extreme adventurers navigating the renowned Rubicon—all of which require knowledge of your vehicle’s off-road components and its approach, departure, and breakover angles. Can you approach, traverse, and descend an obstacle without ripping off your bumper or damaging a vital underbody component?
Outfitting the Rubicon 392 with the Xtreme Recon Package readies the rig for every off-road adventure—it equips the Rubicon with Dana axles, a two-inch lift, and 35-inch tires. These improvements translate to 11.1 inches of ground clearance, a 46.7-degree approach angle, a 24.5-degree breakover angle, and a 39.8-degree departure angle.
Ready for a Swim
Approach, breakover, and departure angles are just as crucial as water fording capability. Jeep optimizes the Rubicon 392’s ability to take a swim with an innovative Hydro-Guide air intake system. The system is remarkable because it features a tri-level duct system with a series of drains that separates up to 15 gallons of water per minute from the air coming into the engine. This constant filtering allows the Rubicon 392 to traverse water crossings up to 33.6 inches deep at speeds up to 5 mph without a decline in performance or the risk of engine damage.
Where Will You Go?
The call of the wild rings loud in the ears of passionate adventurers. It’s a persistent tone that leaves you looking off into the distance, daydreaming about the next time you’ll hear the crunch of gravel under your tires as you leave the pavement for the trail, or smell the morning rainfall as it settles into the forest. We guarantee that if vehicles could talk, the Rubicon 392 would share that same dream.
Destined to answer the call of adventure, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 continues a rich tradition in America. It’s the ultimate off-road adventurer and rightly earns its namesake as both a Jeep and a Rubicon. It rolls off the production line ready for the trail, leaving you in charge of the destination.
