With the introduction of the $71,990 Wrangler Willys 392, Jeep has lowered the entry price to get a Wrangler with a V8 engine by $30,000 since last year.
V8s are having a revival across the U.S. auto industry as federal fuel efficiency standards continue to be eased, allowing the market to be dictated by customer preference.
While Jeep has been adding models to take advantage of the pent-up demand, it’s not the only American automaker already selling eight-cylinder 4×4 SUVs today.
You won’t find any at your local Ford dealer, but here are the lowest-priced trucks in serious off-road trims offered by American brands that are in showrooms right now. Sorry, none of them are actually “cheap.”
JEEP WRANGLER WILLYS 392: $71,990
The Wrangler Willys 392 tips its hat to the original World War 2 Willys MB with retro graphics and a standard soft top, but the U.S. Military never had anything like this. It is equipped with a 6.4-liter V8 rated at 470 hp and 470 lb-ft; a Selec-trac 4×4 system with full and part-time settings; a Tru-Lok locking rear differential; Dana 44 axles; rock rails; steel bumpers; and a cold air intake hood with Jeep’s Hydro-Glide water separator, which keeps the engine from drowning when it drives through deep water.
CHEVROLET TAHOE Z71: $73,495
The Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 doesn’t have as much power as the Wrangler Willys 392, but it’s a much larger full-size SUV with some serious off-road chops. It comes powered by a 5.3-liter V8 rated at 355 hp and 383 lb-ft and also has a four-wheel drive system with full-time and part-time settings, plus an electronic limited slip rear differential. Skid plates and recovery hooks prep it for rough roads, while computer-controlled Magnetic Ride Control dampers do their best to smooth the ride on them. An optional adjustable air suspension is available to take things to the next level.
GMC YUKON AT4: $79,395
The GMC Yukon AT4 is mechanically identical to the Z71, but wears the brand’s “professional grade” styling and comes standard with a higher level of premium content. It’s also available with a 6.2-liter V8 rated at 420 hp and 460 lb-ft for $81,890. (That’s not to mention the 305 hp/495 lb-ft diesel option for $85,160, but it’s a [gasps] straight-six!)
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