2023 Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary Editions: Most Capable Jeeps to Roll Out of the Factory Yet

Jeep has taken the wraps off a few different versions of its Wrangler Rubicon model to celebrate 20 years of the Rubicon badge. The anniversary package will be available on both the 4xe and 392 Wrangler Rubicon models. But, the crown jewels of these anniversary-edition Jeeps are American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) upfitted versions sporting 37-inch tires and limited to just 150 units.

“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.”

20 Years of Wrangler Rubicon

A small group of Jeep engineers, known as the “Lunatic Fringe,” are responsible for creating the Rubicon package for the Wrangler and getting it to market in 2002. The off-road-focused Jeep Wrangler package added popular aftermarket capability upgrades as factory equipment, backed by a full manufacturer warranty. It was an instant sales hit.

Here’s a look at the history of the Jeep Wrangler models that have sported the Rubicon badge, and the off-road upgrades they each received:

2003 Wrangler Rubicon (TJ)

• Front and rear locking differentials
• Rock-Trac transfer case with 4:1 low range
• Rock rails
• 31″ off-road tires
• Dana 44 axles with 4.10:1 axle ratio

2007 Wrangler Rubicon (JK)

• Electronic disconnecting front sway bar
• 32″ off-road tires
• Available in both 2-door and 4-door variants

2013 Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary (JK)

• Heavy-duty steel rock rails
• Steel front and rear bumpers (front winch capable)
• Half-inch suspension lift

2018 Wrangler Rubicon (JL)

• 33″ off-road tires
• 84:1 crawl ratio with manual transmission

2021 Wrangler Rubicon (JL)

• Off-Road+ added as standard
• Selec-Speed Control added as standard
• Electrified Rubicon 4xe introduced
• V-8 Rubicon 392 introduced 
• Optional Xtreme Recon Package, offering 35″ tires
• Optional 4.88 axle ratio improved crawl ratio to 100:1 with manual transmission

2023 Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary (JL)

• Triple hoop grille guard
• Half-inch suspension lift
• 83-piece tool kit
• On-board air compressor (Rubicon 392)
• Standard 35″ tires (Rubicon 392)

2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary Editions

You’ll basically be able to order a Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary Edition in two flavors, 4xe or 392. So plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or gasoline V8. Both with plenty of power and tons of factory options included. A limited-edition AEV upfit is also available, with big off-road capability upgrades.

Every 2023 Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary edition features a new seven-slot grille, beadlock-capable wheels, Jeep branded 83-piece tool role, triple hoop grille guard, steel bumpers, half-inch suspension lift, and distinctive 20th Anniversary decals. Each will also get red-and-black leather seats and a red leather-wrapped instrument panel bolster. A special 20th Anniversary swing gate plaque and shifter medallion are also standard.

Nine exterior colors are available on the 2023 Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary special-edition Jeeps. These include; Earl, Firecracker Red, Punk’n, Hydro Blue, Sarge Green, Silver Zynith, Sting Gray, Black, and Bright White. The Wrangler Rubicon 4xe 20th Anniversary is also available in Granite Crystal.

Wrangler Rubicon 4xe 20th

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe 20th Anniversary edition is based on America’s bestselling hybrid. It will offer 375 horsepower, 470 pound-feet of torque, and 21 miles of all-electric driving range.

Consider the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe 20th a very cool appearance package on an already super-capable Jeep.

Here’s what you get with the Rubicon 20th Anniversary package on the Wrangler 4xe:

• New interpretation of the iconic Jeep brand seven-slot grille
• 20th Anniversary hood decals in electric blue theme
• 20th Anniversary swing gate plaque 
• 20th Anniversary shifter medallion
• Half-inch suspension lift delivering:
  • 32″ water fording (+ 0.5″)
  • 11.2″ ground clearance (+ 0.4″)
• Triple hoop grille guard
• Steel bumpers (winch-capable front)
• 33″ BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires
• 17-by-7.5″ beadlock-capable wheels
• 83-piece tool kit with canvas bag
• Integrated front off-road camera
• Heavy-duty steel rock sliders
• Gorilla glass windshield
• Unique red-and-black leather seats
• Red leather-wrapped instrument panel bolster
• Auxiliary switches
• All-weather slush mats

Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary is based on the most powerful Wrangler to roll off an assembly line. It offers 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque from its snarling V8. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 can do a 4.5-second 0-60 mph pull and dispense of the quarter mile in just 13 seconds.

Consider the Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th a fully loaded version of the quickest and most powerful Wrangler ever, with a very cool appearance package on top. It will also have the first factory-installed on-board air compressor ever available for the Jeep Wrangler.

Here’s what you get with the Rubicon 20th Anniversary package on the Wrangler 392:

• Xtreme Recon Package
  • 35″ BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires
  • 17-by-8″ beadlock-capable wheels
  • 4.56 rear axle ratio
  • Hinge-gate reinforcement by Mopar
  • Jack spacer by Mopar
  • Tire relocation kit by Mopar
  • Wheel flare extensions
• New interpretation of the iconic Jeep brand seven-slot grille
• 20th Anniversary hood decals in 392 bronze theme
• 20th Anniversary swing gate plaque 
• 20th Anniversary shifter medallion
• Half-inch suspension lift delivering:
  • 34.5″ water fording (+ 0.9″)
  • 11.6″ ground clearance (+ 0.5″)
• On-board air compressor
• Triple hoop grille guard
• Steel bumpers (winch-capable front)
• 83-piece tool kit with canvas bag
• Heavy-duty steel rock sliders
• Integrated front off-road camera
• Gorilla glass windshield
• Unique red-and-black leather seats
• Red leather-wrapped instrument panel bolster
• All-weather slush mats
• Auxiliary switches 

Wrangler Rubicon 4xe & 392 AEV 20th

If you want the absolute ultimate off-road capable Jeep Wrangler ever offered with a factory warranty, then you’ll want to add the Rubicon 20th Anniversary Level II upfit by American Expedition Vehicles (AEV). This upfit package is available on both the 4xe and 392 20th Anniversary Wrangler Rubicon models, and will come with a heavy price tag — over $21,000 extra.

The big news is the availability of 37-inch all-terrain tires for the first time ever, on a Jeep with a factory warranty.

Here are all the upgrades you get with the AEV upfit, which are extensive and add not only great looks but also impressive capability:

• 37″ BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires
• Warn VR EVO 10-S winch
• AEV 17″ Savegre II wheels
• AEV 2.5″ 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

2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 20th Editions: Availability & Pricing

Production of these Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary Edition Jeeps starts in the next few months at the Toledo Assembly Complex. The finished vehicles should be delivered to dealerships and customers before mid-year.

You’ll be able to put your order in for these special-edition Jeep later this month. Pricing on the 2023 Wrangler Rubicon 4xe 20th Edition starts at $69,585, while the 2023 Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary will set you back at least $90,898 — plus $1,795 destination charge and likely dealer markups.

If you want the ultimate go-anywhere Jeep Wrangler with a factory warranty and rolling on 37-inch tires, then you’ll need to throw down some more big money for the Rubicon 20th Anniversary Level II upfit by AEV. This upgrade to the 20th Anniversary Wranglers will set you back $21,983 on the 4xe model and $20,135 on the 392 model — plus a $995 upfit logistics charge.

Remember, only 150 Rubicon 20th Anniversary editions will get the AEV Level II upfit package. But, that means for a top-spec snarling beast of a factory-warrantied Jeep Wrangler, you’ll need to cough up at least $113,823. Ouch, but I’ll admit I’d still like to have one.