Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392 2022 Review

We can't think of a more capable or iconic vehicle than the Jeep Wrangler. Want to cruise down by the beach or traverse a rugged trail? There's a Wrangler for you. Although Jeeps haven't changed that much in the grand scheme of things, their continued evolution means the current Wrangler offers more creature comforts and usability than ever before. Jeep also offers five different engines for the Wrangler, so whether you're looking for fuel economy, power or a mix of the two, odds are there's one that will satisfy.

However, the Wrangler is no longer the only big fish in its small pond. In recent years the Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner have been joined by other rugged SUVs. The Land Rover Defender is packed with sophisticated off-road tech while the Ford Bronco gives you Ford's take on what an off-roading SUV should be. Even with the added competition, the Wrangler is still a one-of-a-kind driving experience. Read our Expert Rating below to get our test team's take on the Wrangler's performance, comfort and more.

What's it like to live with?

We purchased a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and put it through a series of adventures over the course of two years and 50,000 miles. That doesn't mean the Wrangler is without its stress points. Check out what it's like to live with the Wrangler by reading our long-term Wrangler road test.

Which Wrangler does MatoCar recommend?

[Editor's note: The following information is based on last year's 2021 Wrangler. We expect the 2022 model will have a similar lineup and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] The Jeep Wrangler is an SUV available as a two-door model or as a four-door model called the Unlimited. The two-door Wrangler is available in three trim levels: Sport, Sport S and Rubicon. The four-door Wrangler Unlimited offers the additional choice of the Sahara, the 4xe plug-in hybrid (Sahara or Rubicon trim only) and the Rubicon 392. Most Wranglers come with a part-time four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing. A full-time 4WD system is optional.

There are five engines from which to choose:

• 3.6-liter V6 (285 horsepower, 260 lb-ft of torque) paired with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission
• Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (270 hp, 295 lb-ft of torque); automatic transmission only
• Turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 (260 hp, 442 lb-ft of torque); automatic and four-door only
• 6.4-liter V8 called the 392 (470 hp, 470 lb-ft of torque); automatic, four-door Rubicon only
• Plug-in hybrid powertrain called the 4xe (375 hp, 470 lb-ft of torque); automatic and four-door Rubicon and Sahara only

Sport Starts you off with:

• Foglights
• Tow hooks
• Skid plates
• 17-inch steel wheels
• 5-inch touchscreen
• Crank windows and manual door locks

Sport S Adds a few creature comforts such as:

• Alloy wheels
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Air conditioning
• Power windows and door locks

Sahara A more plush and stylish Wrangler with:

• Body-colored grille and fender flares
• 18-inch wheels
• Full-time 4WD
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• Automatic climate control

Rubicon The Rubicon is a true warrior with these standard features to increase off-road capability:

• 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires
• Heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles with shorter 4.10 gear ratio
• 4:1 low-range gearing (provides extra traction when off-roading)
• Electronic locking front and rear differentials (provides extra traction when off-roading)
• Electronic disconnecting front stabilizer bar (enhances wheel articulation when off-roading)
• Rock rails (protects underbody when off-roading)

Rubicon 392 This high-powered model lacks the Rubicon's axle ratio and low-range gearing but adds:

• V8 engine
• High-performance brakes
• 2-inch suspension lift
• Fox shock absorbers
• Three-piece hardtop
• LED headlights
• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats and steering wheel
• Alpine premium stereo system
• Upgraded infotainment system with 8.4-inch touchscreen display
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

Many of the standard features found on the Rubicon 392 are available on the other Wrangler trims as part of the subtrim packages or other bundled option packages. Depending on the Wrangler's trim and configuration, other key options to look out for:

• Forward-facing camera (to help better spot terrain when off-roading)
• Trailer towing package
• Sky One-Touch Power Top (combines hardtop sides with a retractable fabric roof-length cover)
• Xtreme Recon package (35-inch tires on bead-lock capable wheels; 4.56:1 axle gearing; 1.5-inch suspension lift)