YouTuber Reviews JL Wrangler Engine Options
From a surprisingly potent four-pot to a fire-breathing V8, JL Wrangler buyers have plenty of choices to consider.
One major difference between our beloved JK Wranglers and the newer JL Wranglers are the engine choices. Simply put, JL owners are positively spoiled with choices.
In fact, no fewer than five unique engine options exist for the JL Wrangler. In this YouTube video by The Garage Studio, all five engines are discussed in detail after a test drive. Starting small, there’s a 2.0 liter turbo four-cylinder, then the venerable Pentastar V6, all the way up to the big 392 Hemi V8. You’ve also got a 3.0 liter diesel option, as well as the hybrid setup found on the Wrangler 4xe.
In the video, the 2.0 liter four-cylinder is initially described as “peppy.” This word, “peppy,” tends to be something akin to a euphemism for “slow, but not as miserably slow as one would expect.” However, this turbo four makes a respectable 270 horsepower and 290 lb/ft of torque.
Plenty of Performance Options
In fact, the 2.0T is both quicker and thriftier than its Pentastar V6 cousin. It not only accelerates to 60 MPH faster, it also drinks less fuel. However, since the four banger’s peak torque comes at 3,000 RPM, the hybrid 4xe variant might be a better choice for off-roaders. The added down-low torque boost of the electric motor fills the torque gap nicely.
No matter what you choose, both variants are likely a better choice than the Pentastar V6. While many folks have expressed concerns about the potential reliability of a high-strung turbo four, the engine has been stone solid in practice over the past eight years.
What about the 3.0 liter diesel? The diesel makes 260 horsepower, but the real story is the torque. You get a whopping 440 lb/ft or torque at just 1400 RPM. It also boast comparable acceleration figures to the four cylinder gas engine, while boast 30 MPG highway fuel economy. It’s a shame this engine was recently discontinued. Who wouldn’t want that much torque in an off-roader?
Of course, we saved the best for last: the mighty 392 Hemi. Boasting 470 horsepower and 470 lb/ft of torque, the massive 6.4 liter V8 lends the Wrangler muscle car performance with a 0-60 time around four seconds flat. We won’t bother to harsh your buzz with fuel economy figures besides stating that they’re pretty abysmal.
When it comes down to it, there are a lot of great engine choices for the JL Wrangler. Which would you pick?
Photos: Stellantis
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