The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Celebrates the Rubicon's 20th Anniversary with Extreme Capability

It is hard to believe the Rubicon editions of the Jeep Wrangler have only existed for the last twenty years. It seems as though the words Wrangler and Rubicon have always been synonymous. But the Rubicon only joined the Jeep lineup in 2003. The 2023 Jeep Wrangler is celebrating the 20th Anniversary with special Rubicon Editions of the 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe and the 2023 Wrangler Rubicon 392.

2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Special-Editions

Jeep was intent on setting these special-editions apart from the regular Wrangler Rubicons. The20th Anniversary editions feature a new seven-slot grille, beadlock-capable wheels, 83-piece tool kit, triple hoop grille guard, steel bumpers, half-inch suspension lift, distinctive 20th Anniversary decals and more.

Jeep is also offering an exclusive upgrade available for the Rubicon 20th Anniversary models. Buyers can order a Rubicon 20th Anniversary Level II upfit by American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) with 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires. The 37-inch tires would create the most capable Wranglers ever with 14.2 inches of ground clearance, 37.1 inches water fording, 50-degree approach angle, 33-degree breakover angle and 43-degree departure angle.

“Twenty years ago, a small group of enthusiastic Jeep engineers affectionately known as the ‘Lunatic Fringe,’ with grit and determination and their personal credit cards, designed, engineered and developed the most capable Wrangler yet – the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon – and overdelivered on everyone’s expectations because they knew it was what Jeep customers wanted,” said Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. “Today the Rubicon model represents about a quarter of overall Wrangler sales, with more than 700,000 sold worldwide, and include the electrified Rubicon 4xe, the best-selling and most capable PHEV in America. 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, providing unmatched capability.”

The interiors of Rubicon 20th Anniversary editions have exclusive red-and-black leather seats and red leather-wrapped instrument panel bolster. The limited-editions also have special decals, plaques and a medallion on the shifter.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary version of the Wrangler 392 comes equipped with the Xtreme Recon Package and 35-inch tires, unless you upgrade to the AEV Level II Upfit with 37-inch tires. The Rubicon 392 is already an impressive beast with a 470-horsepower 470-lb.-ft. V-8. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and through the quarter mile in 13.0 seconds, making it the quickest, fastest and most powerful Wrangler.

Jeep 20th Anniversary Rubicon 392 Exclusive Accessory

Jeep has added a new feature to this 20th Anniversary edition and it is sure to be a popular accessory. Mopar has designed an on-board compressor that will come factory-installed. This is the first time that Jeep and Wrangler have done this, and the fact that it will be installed at the factory means that it will be covered by the vehicle’s warranty. I’m sure once other off-roaders start seeing it on the trail, it will become a popular accessory. For now, the compressor will only be available on the Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary edition.

The AEV Level II Upfit

American Expedition Vehicles has only agreed to provide 150 vehicles with the Rubicon 20th Anniversary Level II upfit package.
That upgrade includes:

• 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires
• Warn VR EVO 10-S winch
• AEV 17-inch Savegre II wheels
• AEV 2.5-inch DualSport RT Suspension System with Bilstein 5100 shocks
• AEV 7000 Series off-road lights
• AEV EX front bumper
• AEV rear bumper
• AEV front skid plate
• AEV tire carrier
• AEV off-road jack base
• AEV ProCal SNAP module
• AEV vehicle build plaque
• AEV steering damper
• 4.56:1 axle ratio (4xe)
• Mopar performance wipers with integrated washer jets
• 14.2 inches of ground clearance
• 37.1 inches water fording
• 50-degree approach angle
• 33-degree breakover angle
• 43-degree departure angle

Orders are Open Now

Orders for the limited run of 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe and the Rubicon 392 are open. The 20th Anniversary Wrangler 4xe carries a MSRP of $69,585. The 20th Anniversary Wrangler Rubicon 392 has a sticker of $90,895. Both prices exclude the destination charge of $1,795. The AEV Level II Upfit Package adds approximately $21,000 depending on the model.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary special editions are available in nine exterior colors, including Earl, Firecracker Red, Punk'n, Hydro Blue, Sarge Green, Silver Zynith, Sting Gray, black and Bright White, with the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe 20th Anniversary also available in Granite Crystal.

Production of the Rubicon 20th anniversary models is scheduled to begin at the Toledo (Ohio) Assembly Complex this quarter, with vehicles arriving in dealerships in Q2 of 2023.

Jeep Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

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