Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 392 Will Mark Return Of V8-Powered Midsize Trucks

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 392 Will Mark Return Of V8-Powered Midsize Trucks originally appeared on Autoblog.

Stellantis is back to stuffing its Hemi V8 into everything it can

After a much-hyped launch and red-hot sales in its first year on sale, Jeep Gladiator sales have dropped sharply since then. One would have thought that the pickup’s Wrangler-like design and rugged capability would be a sustained hit, but that hasn’t been the case. We pointed out that issues like a high price and rough ride have plagued the Jeep.

Despite all this, Jeep isn’t done with the Gladiator by any means. In fact, Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf just announced at a media event that the Gladiator range is set to be bolstered by a Rubicon 392 model with a brawny V8.

A Return Of The V8-Powered Midsize Pickup

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V8 engines haven’t been used in midsize pickups for some time, and in the full-size segment, V8 truck sales have declined. For a brief period in the late 2000s and early 2010s, GM did offer a V8 option for the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, but it’s a distant memory, with both pickups now relying solely on four-cylinder power. There are still a few V6-powered midsize pickups, but no V8s, which is why a Gladiator Rubicon 392 would be totally unique.

“After being out at the Rubicon Trail, it’s clear just how much people love the roar of the 392,” said Broderdorf according to Car and Driver. "We will tap the power and performance of the Hemi across Jeep products as new projects are already underway.”

At the same time that he dropped this bomb, an image of a Gladiator appeared on monitors behind Broderdorf.

Related: Here are Four Reasons to Love the Jeep Gladiator Mojave X, and Two Reasons to Think Twice

Hemi V8 Would Transform The Gladiator

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In the Wrangler 392, the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 produces 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Not only does it emit an unbridled roar, but independent tests show that a Wrangler with this engine can hit 60 mph in around four seconds. That’s the level of performance we can expect from a Gladiator Rubicon 392.

Currently, every Gladiator makes use of the company’s trusty 3.6-liter V6 with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft. It gets the job done, but it has nowhere near the grunt and emotional character of the Hemi V8.

The Gladiator V8 should also get a few other toys from the most powerful Wrangler, such as 35-inch all-terrain tires, beadlock-capable wheels, a suspension lift, and a two-mode dual exhaust. The only problem for this mighty Gladiator will be the price. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 starts at $99,995 currently, and since the Wrangler and comparable Gladiator trims are similarly priced, a Gladiator in the same spec will likely be a six-figure truck.

Such a price would place the Gladiator 392 Rubicon in Ford F-150 Raptor R territory, and we can’t see many people choosing the Jeep over the Ford.

Even if it doesn’t sell well, a Gladiator V8 will be a riot of a pickup. Beyond just Jeep, Stellantis has made it clear that the Hemi V8 is sticking around for a lot longer than we thought.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 392 Will Mark Return Of V8-Powered Midsize Trucks first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 8, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.