Wrangler EcoDiesel Proves its Salt in Rigorous Kelly Blue Book Test
Wrangler EcoDiesel leaves quite an impression on one reviewer, who’s able to climb steep inclines even in four-high.
Jeep’s 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine has been around for a while now, seeing duty in vehicles like the Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500. But for whatever reason, the automaker has made Wrangler fans wait far too long before they could option their beloved off-roader with the oil burner. Now, for the 2020 model year, that little oversight has been corrected. And hardcore Jeepers are salivating at the prospects of coupling this torquey and fuel-efficient mill with the highly capable JL. But like everything else in life, we have to wait and try the finished product before we can declare it a winner.
EcoDiesel Wrangler mules are just landing in the hands of reviewers, so first impressions are starting to roll in. In this case, we receive a full report from long-time valuation site Kelley Blue Book. KBB’s Lyn Woodward was able to wring out the diesel Wrangler in the beautiful and challenging confines of Utah, which seems like the perfect venue. And needless to say, Woodward came away rather impressed with the new engine’s low-end power in general.
“With the 260 horsepower that you get at 3,600 rpm and a massive 442 lb-ft of torque at 1,400 rpm, the Wrangler EcoDiesel is definitely the most powerful of all the Wranglers,” Woodward says. “Now, when you’re rock crawling and doing some of that sort of low range, low gear stuff, you just have to hit the throttle just a little bit. You really feel all of that torque so quickly at your disposal. It’s really pretty impressive.”
Couple that with the Wrangler’s already impressive off-road attributes, and you’ve got a match made in heaven. There’s so much torque on tap, in fact, that Woodward is able to crawl up steep inclines even in four high. In four low with lockers on, it’s capable of going darn near anywhere. “We’re probably at about a 28, 29-degree angle. And honestly, I mean it just feels effortless,” Woodward says.
The only downside to the Wrangler EcoDiesel, it appears, is the noise it generates on-road. “Despite the extra damping efforts in the engine bay, I do still hear the chortle of that diesel,” Woodward says. “It’s especially bad with the windows down. However, once you’re driving at speed, it does dissipate quite a bit.”
Throw in what Jeep claims is a 30-percent improvement in fuel efficiency over the current Wrangler’s best figures, and you’ve got a real winner on your hands. Especially if you drive your Jeep off-road at least now and then. It may be early, but it sure looks like the long wait for the EcoDiesel might be worth it, after all.
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