Motor Trend‘s Long-term 2019 Wrangler Does Well at the Pump
Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four Wrangler is quick on the quarter-mile, averages 23.2 mpg combined while out and about.
There’s a new sheriff in town, and it’s the 2.0-liter turbo-four available under the hood of the Wrangler. Available only with the eight-speed automatic, the engine delivers 270 horses and 295 lb-ft to any terrain in the Jeep’s path. However, it also comes with eTorque, making any Wrangler equipped with the turbo-four a mild hybrid, which means savings at the pump.
But how much will you save at the pump with the turbo-four Wrangler? Motor Trend recently dropped an update on its own Jeep, a 2019 Unlimited Rubicon model participating in its long-term testing program. Here’s what they found while driving around Southern California.
According to Motor Trend, their emissions analytics team applied their magic to determine if the Wrangler’s EPA-estimated mileage is, indeed, what owners will get out of the turbo-four. Per the EPA, the Jeep delivers 22 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, for a combined 22 mpg. However, the publication’s team found their rig actually got 21.4 mpg in town, 26.0 mpg on long trips, all for a combined 23.2 mpg.
In addition, the magazine’s staff found some fluctuations while driving. For one example, certain trips along I-5 against the wind bring down the highway mileage to 14 mpg, while other trips along California 14 in the right conditions bring up the figure to 23 mpg. Driving in traffic in Los Angeles, meanwhile, hangs around 17 to 20 mpg.
Though it can leave more money in your wallet at the pump, the Wrangler can get out of its own way with the turbo-four. In a previous article, Motor Trend found the good bit of torque perfect for moving in and out of traffic on the commutes to and from work, while the eight-speed automatic knows when to go to work, and when to hold the line.
And speaking of lines, the Wrangler can run up to 60 mph in just 7.6 seconds, and leave its mark upon the quarter-mile in 16 seconds at 83.1 mph. You likely won’t win to many races at your weekly drag meeting, but then again, the Jeep wasn’t meant for playing with Hellcats and Demons.
Photos: Motor Trend
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