ZF 8 speed automatic transmission review

[Mowery]

I have been in the tire business my whole life which has allowed me to drive hundreds of vehicles and test tires on race tracks and off road. The automatic transmission in our New Wrangler is the best auto I’ve ever driven except the Porsche PDK. The 8 to 7 shift on the highway, with 295/70/17 mt’s is seamless. I’ve been off-road twice with the new Jeep and I will never own a manual for wheelin again (last Jeep was 78 cj-5).

List of all the vehicles and variants of the ZF8HP used: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_8HP_transmission

Updated May 2, 2019 with review by Engineering Explained:

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[Torero]

I have been in the tire business my whole life which has allowed me to drive hundreds of vehicles and test tires on race tracks and off road. The automatic transmission in our New Wrangler is the best auto I’ve ever driven except the Porsche PDK. The 8 to 7 shift on the highway, with 295/70/17 mt’s is seamless. I’ve been off-road twice with the new Jeep and I will never own a manual for wheelin again (last Jeep was 78 cj-5).

Wow

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

How dare you besmirch the beloved manual transmission!!! How dare you sir! Lol.

ZF makes the best autos available, period IMO. Including that amazing Porsche PDK you referenced. Glad to hear your review of this one is so positive given your experience.

 

[BVGeezer]

Don't have your credentials, just 52 years of driving everything from buses, trucks, sports cars, muscle cars, etc. When we drove an automatic Rubicon in 2012 looking to buy, we both said, "What a dog!" We bought a manual. If FCA could only produce a manual like our Miata... Drove an eight speed auto this winter in Arizona. We were seriously impressed with the 8 speed. Bought the JL with an automatic. Only comment would be, if you live in the flats you'll rarely feel it shift except if you are gunning the on ramp on your way to work. On mountain grades in Colorado, you will feel some abrupt multiple gear down shifts. Wouldn't make me want to row my own with a manual.

 

[Killed by Death]

ZF makes the best autos available, period IMO. Including that amazing Porsche PDK you referenced. Glad to hear your review of this one is so positive given your experience.

Better than P-Car PDK? Thats a bold statement!!! Hope you are right!!!

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Better than P-Car PDK? Thats a bold statement!!! Hope you are right!!!

What I was saying is that said PDK transmission is built by ZF.

http://www.carmag.co.za/news/technology/this-is-porsche-and-zfs-new-eight-speed-dual-clutch/

 

[TimP]

I am very happy with mine. I didnt buy a JK a few years back because I just couldnt bring myself to owning such a dog. Test drove a JL and bought it the same day. 5k miles later, I still love it.

 

[WXman]

I have been in the tire business my whole life which has allowed me to drive hundreds of vehicles and test tires on race tracks and off road. The automatic transmission in our New Wrangler is the best auto I’ve ever driven except the Porsche PDK. The 8 to 7 shift on the highway, with 295/70/17 mt’s is seamless. I’ve been off-road twice with the new Jeep and I will never own a manual for wheelin again (last Jeep was 78 cj-5).

You must not have driven a Ford truck with the 6R80. You haven't felt seamless until you've driven one of those.

FCA has a way of taking great ZF products and writing software to control them that ruins the experience, hence why they've had so much trouble with the 8 and 9 speeds in Jeeps.

The 850RE in the JL Wrangler IS a great transmission and I do love it. Don't get me wrong, I love it. But it's nowhere near the top of the list in terms of smoothness or driveability.

 

[brow]

I also have a Ram 1500 with the 8spd ZF and yes I agree it is an awesome trans. When I drove Jeeps before with the previous auto I knew I wouldn't be happy with that set up. I love driving stick (including my last vehicle) but this 8spd and the 3.6L combo is awesome.
This trans is also in some big power Mercs, Rolls, Bentley, etc. And yes I agree ZF is probably the best trans maker, I'm in the heavy equipment industry and they supply lots of the transmissions.
If I can knock it for ONE THING is that it is a "maintenance free" transmission and I have yet to find a dealer or shop that will take on a fluid change for me. May be worrisome many years down the road.

 

[Paluss]

i agree, and i am lucky to drive a 911 with PDK and the JL with the 8 speed. However, the JL is not a double clutch tranny like the PDK, the PDK is extremely durable too, with unlimited launch control starts backed by Porsche. The JL 8 speed shifts like a hot knife thru butter

 

[Romak82]

Is the 8speed Auto Trans. That much better than the 6 speed Auto ?

 

[Bubba33]

Is the 8speed Auto Trans. That much better than the 6

yes way better,its the reason I've had 3 Chrysler vehicles. The 13 durango had the 5 speed and v6.. jeep is way better combo

 

[warc1]

Is the 8speed Auto Trans. That much better than the 6 speed Auto ?

Previous was a 5 speed, so the new one is 3 better to be exact.

 

[fat_head]

The 8 speed trans is the best part of the JL in my opinion.

 

[WXman]

Another note:

With the 850RE trans in manual mode, you have to push up to downshift, and down to upshift. wtf

Whoever programmed that should be forced to work 1,500 sudoku puzzles consecutively and then fired.

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