JL acceleration

[Nash]

Can't compair a minivan to a jeep. Lots of factors to consider. (Wind, transmission, gearing , outdoor temperatures...)

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[MojoHanky]

I only have 320 miles on my leased JLU Sport manual V6. It feels a little slow and labored, but that's a bit deceiving. It merges onto highways confidently and without issue. The speedometer climbs steadily enough. After I get in it after getting out of my tuned BMW 335d (600 lb-ft of torque, tuned, deleted, FBO), it feels like a total dog, but that's not a fair comparison.

But then I think back to my manual '95 YJ 4-cyl, and there's no comparison. Now that thing was slow. When merging on the highway, you'd floor it, wind out every gear to redline before shifting, and pray. If you could see a semi coming within a quarter mile, you prayed audibly.

 

[Birdman]

I have a JLUR (auto, stock tires/wheels) and it feels considerably slower than my Pacifica Limited (which has basically the same motor, though a 9spd trans.) in all situations (light, moderate and heavy throttle). My Wrangler also feels slower than the V6 Grand Cherokees I have had as loaners over time.

What is strange to me is that Car and Driver tested the JLUR to be quicker than the Pacifica 0-60 by a couple of tenths. I never timed a 0-60 run but I would be shocked if my Pacifica were slower than my Jeep.

Can anyone else with other vehicles equipped with FCA's 3.6L V6 comment? Same experience? Or is there something wrong with my Jeep?

Get the idrive throttle accelerator and you will have no issues. I bought one love it Jeep screeches off the line.

 

[ormandj]

Get the idrive throttle accelerator and you will have no issues. I bought one love it Jeep screeches off the line.

You do realize it doesn't change the speed at which the jeep accelerates, right? Just throttle sensitivity... 100% is still 100%.

 

[viper88]

I did not know this , so the 2.0 is that much faster. It’s hard to believe It’s night and day with my 3.6. I really can’t wait to do a on ramp drag race and see how bad I get beat and if I can at least keep up. That 2.0 must really haul butt.

I test drove a bunch of JLs before, both 2.0 and 3.6. Yesterday, I test drove a couple of identical 2-door JLs back to back again. They did not have any 2-door Rubicons so I drove what they had. This time both Sport S automatics. One with the 2.0 and the other with the 3.6. Drove each one about 5 miles each on the same route on both street and highway.

The power delivery is night and day different. Without a doubt the 2.0 "feels" quicker and more agile. The 2.0 power delivery was more fun and felt more sporty and agile. I never thought I would describe a Wrangler as agile. lol. I am not saying the 2.0 is actually quicker though. It could very well be but there were no test instruments, just butt-dyno. The added torque of the 2.0 makes it "feel" quicker. The 2.0 felt like it pulled harder. It was night and day in that respect. I don't know if a 2.0 would pull away from a 3.6 by large margins though? Someone would need to test "like" Jls in a controlled race with test equipment.

The liner power delivery of the 3.6 might be deceptive? It is less peaky so it might feel like it's not as powerful because it is much more liner and makes power smoother. The difference in engine noise and sound was night and day also. The 2.0 is louder but not annoying or anything. The 3.6 sounds and feels more refine. The 3.6 power delivery was smoother, not as peaky, quieter. Noticeably quieter.

Both deliver power and accelerate better then my old 2015 JK if memory serves me right. I'd go as far as saying the JL acceleration is night and day better with either motor. The 8-speed is a huge upgrade over the old JK automatic.

Personally, I don't think a quicker tenth of a second or two in 0-60 or 1/4 mile time means much in a Wrangler. Both are very adequate in terms of acceleration. Both engines make more then enough power and accelerate nicely for daily driving. BOTH engines will get you in and out of traffic with ease. Neither is a sports car. Neither will win stop light drag races. No wrong or right, just different strokes for different folks.

In my opinion the 2.0 is more "fun" to drive but not as refined or as smooth and quiet as the 3.6. I would say the extra torque is the reason it feels more fun. That extra "push in the back" is nice. The 2.0 "feels" quicker but I really don't know if it's actually significantly quicker? Keep in mind my test drives were in 20 degree temps. Turbo engines are more sensitive to ambient temps and humidity. It might OR might not feel as "fun" in 90 degree temps.

 

[JC7]

You do realize it doesn't change the speed at which the jeep accelerates, right? Just throttle sensitivity... 100% is still 100%.

If it goes faster without pressing the gas as far in then even by the most logical of explanations it will accelerate faster as there is time savings from pressing it 1/2 inch vs having to press it 1 full inch. Do you realize that? lol

 

[Mike in Reedley]

I test drove both the 2.0 and the 3.6, both with the 8 speed auto before I bought my JL two weeks ago. The 3.6 seemed quicker, but that might have just been my perception. I bought the 3.6 because it has a longer track record. The 2.0 is supposedly used in an Alfa Romeo crossover, which to me sounds suspiciously like it’s made by Fiat.

 

[offcamber]

I've driven a few different JL's (including my own 3.6 JLUR). Driving two different sports, one with the 2.0 and one with the 3.6, the 2.0 felt quicker. I drove a 2.0 Rubi most recently and I expected it to feel way faster based on what I've heard, but it didn't. It felt about the same and the sound was just not very "jeepy". I've used the 0-60 timer on the Tazer as well as my phones accelerometer. Stock my JL did 0-60 in around 6.5 secs. I did a couple of times get a 6.1 and 6.2 but they were the outliers. When I went to 35's it went up to about 6.9 to 7.2 or so. With 37's I've gotten a 7.9 but it tends to be around 8.1. No complaints here because it feels quick. My JKUR on 35's with 4.88's took 9.5 seconds to 60.

 

[roaniecowpony]

The 2.0L is augmented (hybrid) with an electric motor that adds 71 lbs/ft. Not sure how much it augments in a drag race, but it states something about helping with "launch" and "smooth shifting". Quite frankly, I didn't want the complexity of a hybrid. More complexity brings with it more failure modes and higher probability of failures. Batteries in hybrids need to be replaced at some point. Typically, that time is less than I plan on having this vehicle. Working on hybrids brings with it unique hazards due to the high current batteries, for which I'm not interested enough to go out of my way to learn at this late stage of life.

 

[offcamber]

The 2.0L is augmented (hybrid) with an electric motor that adds 71 lbs/ft. Not sure how much it augments in a drag race, but it states something about helping with "launch" and "smooth shifting". Quite frankly, I didn't want the complexity of a hybrid. More complexity brings with it more failure modes and higher probability of failures. Batteries in hybrids need to be replaced at some point. Typically, that time is less than I plan on having this vehicle. Working on hybrids brings with it unique hazards due to the high current batteries, for which I'm not interested enough to go out of my way to learn at this late stage of life.

I'm the same way. The other factor is that $2000 battery will fail right about the time the powertrain warranty expires so you get to pay for it yourself...

 

[viper88]

I'm the same way. The other factor is that $2000 battery will fail right about the time the powertrain warranty expires so you get to pay for it yourself...

The eTorque 48V battery is covered under the Federal Emission Warranty for 8 years/80K miles. The current cost is about $1500 to replace. No idea what cost will be 8 years from now? The 48V Mild Hybrid System is being used by Mercedes, Audi and other car companies so I would assume prices to come down in the future. I do see and understand concerns of a more complex system tough.

 

[offcamber]

The eTorque 48V battery is covered under the Federal Emission Warranty for 8 years/80K miles. The current cost is about $1500 to replace. No idea what cost will be 8 years from now? The 48V Mild Hybrid System is being used by Mercedes, Audi and other car companies so I would assume prices to come down in the future. I do see and understand concerns of a more complex system tough.

 

[offcamber]

That was my point post. It will fail outside of warranty. Who drives 10000 miles a year? I've had my jl less than a year and have 21000 miles. So in less than four years it's out of warranty. My guess is labor on that job is pricey with the cooling and electronics involved.

 

[HardRock]

I have a JLUR (auto, stock tires/wheels) and it feels considerably slower than my Pacifica Limited (which has basically the same motor, though a 9spd trans.) in all situations (light, moderate and heavy throttle). My Wrangler also feels slower than the V6 Grand Cherokees I have had as loaners over time.

What is strange to me is that Car and Driver tested the JLUR to be quicker than the Pacifica 0-60 by a couple of tenths. I never timed a 0-60 run but I would be shocked if my Pacifica were slower than my Jeep.

Can anyone else with other vehicles equipped with FCA's 3.6L V6 comment? Same experience? Or is there something wrong with my Jeep?

My JL feels faster than my JK Rubicon. Whines louder on acceleration, otherwise similar. Don't worry about it! Start crawling...

 

[ormandj]

That was my point post. It will fail outside of warranty. Who drives 10000 miles a year? I've had my jl less than a year and have 21000 miles. So in less than four years it's out of warranty. My guess is labor on that job is pricey with the cooling and electronics involved.

Why do you feel the need to project your non-factual statements as facts? Also, 21k in less than a year is not average driving. DOT indicates the average is 13,476 miles per year for Americans. It just seems like you're looking for a reason to bash on the 2.0/BSG setup.

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