Do we have another Durango Hellcat on our hands?
The past few years have ushered the seemingly imminent demise of the Hemi V8, from the Dodge Charger and Challenger to the Ram 1500 and even the Jeep Wrangler 392. However, although the automaker said a few months ago that 2024 will be the final model year for the most beastly Wrangler of them all chucking out 470 horsepower, that’s not actually the case, thanks to a new announcement Tuesday.
“When news broke in March that the Jeep Wrangler 392 was roaring off into the sunset, the comments, coverage and conversation showed us that the Jeep community isn’t quite ready to say goodbye to the V-8-powered Wrangler,” senior vice president and head of Jeep brand Bill Peffer said. “Jeep brand listened and will continue the 392 Final Edition into the 2025 model year.”
To that end, this limited-run model won’t be quite as limited as we originally thought (more on that in a moment). The Final Edition models largely bring the same kit as the standard Wrangler Rubicon 392, including the aforementioned 470 horsepower. You also get an 8,000-pound capacity Warn winch, Dana 44 axles at both ends with Tru-Lock electronic locking differentials and an electronic front sway-bar disconnect. On top of that, the Final Edition also brings exclusive decals, black Nappa leather seats, a half-inch suspension lift over the regular 392, heavy-duty rock sliders, and a standard Xtreme 35 Package with beefier BFGoodrich all-terrain tires and bronze 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels.
What does the extra model year mean for values?
Jeep conspicuously left pricing out of their announcement for the 2025 Jeep Wrangler 392 Final Edition, but it certainly won’t be cheap. 2024 models, as they initially went on sale, demanded an eye-watering MSRP of $101,890 including destination…and that’s before you get into the two words car buyers have dreaded over the past few years: dealer markup.
But here’s the thing: It’s a bit easier for dealers to justify markups when you know it’s an exclusive, limited-run, single-year model. Or, even if you don’t deal with markups, vehicles sell out in a flash because people want to hold onto these vehicles hoping their exclusivity will inflate the resale value over the coming years. Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat buyers bought into the original run in 2021 thinking they’d have something special and unique, only for Dodge to reintroduce the model for 2023 and 2024.
We’ll have to wait and see how the market shakes out, but if you’re in the market and missed the first shot for a Wrangler 392 Final Edition, here’s another chance. Jeep says orders will open later this year for the 2025 models, with production set to begin in the first quarter of 2025.
