- The 2012 Jeep Wrangler gets a new 3.6-liter V6, combined with a new five-speed automatic, both shared with the Grand Cherokee.
- The new powertrain combination provides the 2012 Wrangler with more power and better fuel economy.
- The EPA rates the 2012 Wrangler two-door with the V6 and automatic at 17 mpg/city and 21 mpg/highway.
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — Chrysler has fitted a new 3.6-liter V6 and five-speed automatic to the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, providing more power and better fuel economy.
The Pentastar V6, which replaces last year's 3.8-liter unit, and the five-speed, which supplants the previous four-speed transmission, are both shared with the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The 2012 Wrangler two-door with the 3.6 V6 and five-speed is rated by the EPA at 17 mpg in city driving and 21 mpg on the highway. In comparison, the 2011 Wrangler with the 3.8-liter V6 was rated at 15/city and 19/highway with the four-speed automatic or the six-speed manual.
Chrysler said the 2012 Wrangler also will offer the six-speed manual with the 3.6-liter V6 — the first time the Pentastar engine has been available with a manual gearbox. The EPA ratings are the same — 17/city and 21/highway — for the Wrangler two-door.
The 2012 Wrangler Unlimited four-door is rated at 16/21 with the six-speed manual and 16/20 with the five-speed automatic.
In the 2012 Wrangler, the 3.6 Pentastar V6 delivers 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Last year's 3.8-liter V6 produced 202 hp and 237 lb-ft.
Chrysler said the 2012 Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited will continue to be available in four models: Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon. The Wrangler Rubicon now shares body-color hardtop with Sahara models.
Jeep hasn't released pricing on the 2012 Wrangler.
Inside Line says: Chrysler continues to expand the use of its nearly ubiquitous Pentastar V6.
Add A Comment »
jk1313 says:
07:34 PM, 02/20/2012
Hey Wiki!
Just bought a 2012 Sport S with a 6 speed manual.
It's fun and I wouldn't trade it!
Doing 17.5 mpg overall and 22 mpg plus highway.
I like to push it around town....4th gear is highway only.
If you want the economy of a Prius or the comfort of a Lexus...buy one.
If you want a Wrangler...buy a Wrangler!....Don't compare them!
I was happy with a '91 Amigo 5 speed, which was way underpowered with its straight 4, but fun to drive, both on and off road.
I traded that for 2 pickups...a 96 Dakota V8 with a five speed (3 gear rubber!) and a more sedate '05 Dakota Club with a V8. Both served me well.
.....But now it is time for some fun with the Wrangler!
bubbafrank says:
03:32 PM, 09/20/2011
@everyone
how about you own one of these vehicles and then talk about mpg's i own a 2007 sahara unlimited. (its 4" poly suspension on "fox shock" yes i'm proud of them there amazing with 37" toyo mt's) - for other jk owners. but when we care about mpg over what our vehicals can do and yours can't we will let you know as a family because that is what it is when you purchases one of these vehicles. fyi for an suv i find in small yet roomie there are a lot and i mean a lot bigger vehicles out there but we buy the wrangler for what it is not what it could be or isn't.
if you have a problem with what it makes on mpgs quick solution look away from the meter when filling up.
if its still bothering you, a jeep wrangler is not for p@$#ys aka not for you.
firstwagon says:
11:27 AM, 08/23/2011
If anyone is interested MT did a test of the Wrangler with the new engine and it did 0 to 60 in 6.7 seconds. Impressive considering this isn't a performance car.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1110_2012_jeep_wrangler_first_test/
k55 says:
10:06 AM, 08/23/2011
I never understood why Jeep never thought to bring out another Jeep truer to the size and engine of the original WWII variant.......IE ...a modern and much smaller 4 cylinder Jeep Wrangler.......surely the market must exist .....no?
mklrivowner says:
07:05 AM, 08/23/2011
Yay!!! So far, no unintelligent trolls taking swipes at MOPAR by crediting/criticizing FIAT for the new Pentastar...
I'm actually quite suprised and pleased.
iceman100 says:
05:33 PM, 08/22/2011
lostboyz,
Agree 100%. My father has a '09 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara which I've been fortunate to drive (and borrow :) on many occasions. I absolutely love the vehicle and would love to purchase one myself someday too. Although it is a little sluggish off the line (I think it's adequate most of the time) and doesn't get the greatest gas mileage I think one has to understand YOUR DRIVING A JEEP WRANGLER. To anyone out there who has never driven/owned one before you owe it to yourself to try one out sometime.
crossfire2004 says:
02:44 PM, 08/22/2011
let's not forget Chryslers pentastar V6 is world class & class leading. It's named 1 of the top 10 best engines in the world (wards) & it also outperforms & bests every other V6 from every manufacturer! Also u can't compare an x-terror with the Wrangler, as the Toyota is just a TOY and the Wrangler is a world class vehicle & a Jeep. Jeep is the worlds most valuable brand & every manufacturer on the planet wishes they owed Jeep, but on Chrysler / Fiat does! Watch & see how many sales Jeeps take away from everyone else! Go Chrysler!
wrinklebump says:
01:34 PM, 08/22/2011
since when has fuel economy ever been a concern for wrangler drivers? if you want a crossover, theres nothing to see here.
lostboyz says:
01:13 PM, 08/22/2011
@wikiwiki, if you want a smaller car that's fine. I would agree, but for saying for the already existing platform that fuel economy isn't going anywhere. It isn't from lack of engineering, there's only so many mpg a flying brick can achieve. Can't help but notice you like to borderline troll any mopar product, so I just assumed the worst. There is still nothing that touches the off road capability or resale value of these things.
smilez says:
01:12 PM, 08/22/2011
firstwagon -
I just don't get the need that some people feel to jump on a post and do nothing but bitch and moan, as wikiwiki does for anything with 4wd mode. Does it make his day better knowing that he has made his point known? Does he feel he will gain a legion of followers to take on the world? I don't know.
This vehicle went from 202hp and 237 ft-lbs. to 285hp and 260 ft-lbs. 83 more hp and 23 more ft-lbs. And it does this all while IMPROVING in mpg's. Almost a 30% gain in power and better gas mileage...that's pretty impressive.
They are not class leading (thought the class isn't really that big), and of course everyone would like to see better. The problem is, as said before, it's pushing a brick through quicksand. It's never going to be a 40mpg vehicle unless they go hybrid...and even then...
I can't wait, because it is definitley on the short list of next vehicles. I couldn't stand the V-6 and 4-speed. I liked the 6-speed, but it still didn't have the power needed. This is a big step and one that I felt was greatly needed.
They should offer a 4-cyl option, maybe it's in the works, I don't know. What I do know is that some people will never be happy.