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Which powertrain would you get?

Which engine would you order?


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    346

Trainman

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I'm going with a "Striper", ordering a 2022 Willys Sport with the only option being A/C. It not a money thing, but it will be my "Toy" and I plan the keep it for many years. I want the standard V6 and trans and not wanting all the electronic upgrades that will most likely over time need attention just because it is what it is.
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ReimundKrohn

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I love my e-torque V6; so I would repeat the exercise.
 

MandrewSD

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I am ordering a 2022 EcoDiesel. My reasoning:
  • I have a friend that loves his (in a Ram) and has zero issues after almost 100K
  • Jeep will be a toy used on adventures, most trips will be long so not worried about regen
  • Maintenance costs are blown out of proportion
  • Regardless I do my own maintenance and can work on anything (except transmissions)
  • I can afford the parts if/when things happen
  • I love the beautiful diesel "clatter"
  • TORQUE
Don't get the EcoDiesel to save money on "gas"...get the EcoDiesel for the Torque and the experience.

Jeep Wrangler JL Which powertrain would you get? 1635259917454
 
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sconrad24

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Tough call. One vehicle is great for your everyday, another is perfect for your trips. The last splits the difference. If you go 4xe most of your miles will be electric. If you get or have a level 2 charger at home it could save a lot for gas. The batteries also give it great balance front to rear so it’s fun to drive on twisty backroads. Might easily be the second most fun onroad JLU if that matters to you….Sounds like your current JLU is a headache for you so you might just be better getting the v6, hopefully get some problem free years out of it and then reassess in the future.
 

Carlton

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eTorque V6. The Pentastar is a time proven engine and performs well. I've had it on 8 jeeps and never an issue.
 
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Zandcwhite

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eTorque V6. The Pentastar is a time proven engine and performs well. Ive have it on 8 jeeps and never an issue.
8 Jeeps in the 10 years since they introduced it in the JK, how could you possibly have issues when you replace it every year? Sounds like the only issue is it's so boring you keep swapping it out? If you only keep vehicles while under warranty, why would longevity even enter the conversation? Every jeep I've ever owned made it well past 100k, and many well past 200k regardless of power train.
 

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bRett32

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I voted for the diesel and that is what my '21 Rubicon has.

Lots of discussion around the projected long-term reliability, maintenance requirements and cost, and the general complexities - so this is more about the driving experience and living w/ the diesel vs. the test drive experience with others.

Most reviews I saw when I ordered mine were "i've had mine for 1500-7000 miles and its been perfect" - well; one would certainly hope so. And there were a few of the odd catastrophic failure or issue that was perplexing a dealer.

You can research the reliability/maintenance aspects quite a bit here and this thread has lots of opinions and some actual experience.

I decided on the diesel because of how it drives, how well it suited the personality of the Jeep, and how well it matched our intended use case.

I didn't drive and haven't driven the 392, so exclude that from the below.

The diesel moves the Jeep pretty effortlessly in normal use. Stoplight to stoplight, two lane highways over all sorts of elevation changes, or wide open interstate driving - it just goes smoothly and is unburdened by the weight of the Jeep or its aerodynamic profile.

There is some diesel noise at low speeds, more pronounced at a cold start as it rattles awake, but cruising its quite subdued and in the background.

Fast isn't what I'd call it, but if the Jeep is rolling at all a small squeeze of the pedal gets you a smooth wave of torque to get up to highway speeds, scoot through a yellow-light intersection, overtake another car on the highway, etc. It doesn't need to drop gears (nor does it hunt for them in normal use or mild elevation changes) it just picks up speed without much effort or drama.

The range is also a bonus. We're in Colorado and have tried to explore some of the endless trails and routes here and it is nice to top off in the morning and have no real concerns should you run into delays, weather issues, a trail closure or blockage, etc.

My wife had a 2018 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk w/ the pentastar and it was smooth and quiet and very refined - but it does make its power quite a bit higher in the rev range when you need to get into traffic or overtake a car on a highway. I would say that engine was adequate in every way - and its an ideal standard powerplant - but it wasn't special or memorable - it was enough - but it didn't contribute to the personality or experience of the car. We have a '20 Trailhawk w/ the 5.7 now and it isn't night and day different - but it is a more effortless experience with more in reserve should you ever need it with little to no mileage penalty.

We test drove the 4xe twice and I was truly impressed. The electric operation, the hybrid power and integration, and the ability to rely solely on the 2.0T once the battery was exhausted were all great. If my wife drove the Wrangler for her commute that's likely what we would have ordered as it would have ridden the battery alone 5 days a week. The way we use the Jeep the diesel felt like a better match - and the complexity of the 4xe systems and their integrations gave some pause. (yes, I somehow justified the ecodiesel over the 4xe based partially on assumed reliability if you'd like to write off any/all credibility of this post now) We've had pretty solid luck and reliability with our 7 Jeep vehicles - but the issues we have had have been largely software/electronics-related with a sprinkling of failed air suspension.

The 100K powertrain warranty was also a factor in choosing the diesel - if the engine becomes a nightmare I'd move to sell it quickly - but that 100K window covered us well beyond the expected ownership. I don't want it to live at the dealership should something go wrong, but we also have several extra cars in our garage so that was also a factor should the worst happen - I think that is the fear for most considering it - if you somehow end up with a 'bad one' - you're in for some serious inconvenience.

The ecodiesel does feel a bit nose heavy - it drives and feels better with some weight in the back.

I liked the 2.0T more than the V6 from a drivability standpoint, the torque being more accessible and seeming to suit the Jeep a bit better but the sound wasn't terribly pleasant where the V6 felt he smoothest and most refined of the powerplants.
 

IdahoJOAT

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Preference 1. only if you aren’t going to keep it past the warranty there’s a lot to go wrong. IMO
The hybrid system and battery are both rated for 10 years/100K.
 
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I voted for the diesel and that is what my '21 Rubicon has.

Lots of discussion around the projected long-term reliability, maintenance requirements and cost, and the general complexities - so this is more about the driving experience and living w/ the diesel vs. the test drive experience with others.

Most reviews I saw when I ordered mine were "i've had mine for 1500-7000 miles and its been perfect" - well; one would certainly hope so. And there were a few of the odd catastrophic failure or issue that was perplexing a dealer.

You can research the reliability/maintenance aspects quite a bit here and this thread has lots of opinions and some actual experience.

I decided on the diesel because of how it drives, how well it suited the personality of the Jeep, and how well it matched our intended use case.

I didn't drive and haven't driven the 392, so exclude that from the below.

The diesel moves the Jeep pretty effortlessly in normal use. Stoplight to stoplight, two lane highways over all sorts of elevation changes, or wide open interstate driving - it just goes smoothly and is unburdened by the weight of the Jeep or its aerodynamic profile.

There is some diesel noise at low speeds, more pronounced at a cold start as it rattles awake, but cruising its quite subdued and in the background.

Fast isn't what I'd call it, but if the Jeep is rolling at all a small squeeze of the pedal gets you a smooth wave of torque to get up to highway speeds, scoot through a yellow-light intersection, overtake another car on the highway, etc. It doesn't need to drop gears (nor does it hunt for them in normal use or mild elevation changes) it just picks up speed without much effort or drama.

The range is also a bonus. We're in Colorado and have tried to explore some of the endless trails and routes here and it is nice to top off in the morning and have no real concerns should you run into delays, weather issues, a trail closure or blockage, etc.

My wife had a 2018 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk w/ the pentastar and it was smooth and quiet and very refined - but it does make its power quite a bit higher in the rev range when you need to get into traffic or overtake a car on a highway. I would say that engine was adequate in every way - and its an ideal standard powerplant - but it wasn't special or memorable - it was enough - but it didn't contribute to the personality or experience of the car. We have a '20 Trailhawk w/ the 5.7 now and it isn't night and day different - but it is a more effortless experience with more in reserve should you ever need it with little to no mileage penalty.

We test drove the 4xe twice and I was truly impressed. The electric operation, the hybrid power and integration, and the ability to rely solely on the 2.0T once the battery was exhausted were all great. If my wife drove the Wrangler for her commute that's likely what we would have ordered as it would have ridden the battery alone 5 days a week. The way we use the Jeep the diesel felt like a better match - and the complexity of the 4xe systems and their integrations gave some pause. (yes, I somehow justified the ecodiesel over the 4xe based partially on assumed reliability if you'd like to write off any/all credibility of this post now) We've had pretty solid luck and reliability with our 7 Jeep vehicles - but the issues we have had have been largely software/electronics-related with a sprinkling of failed air suspension.

The 100K powertrain warranty was also a factor in choosing the diesel - if the engine becomes a nightmare I'd move to sell it quickly - but that 100K window covered us well beyond the expected ownership. I don't want it to live at the dealership should something go wrong, but we also have several extra cars in our garage so that was also a factor should the worst happen - I think that is the fear for most considering it - if you somehow end up with a 'bad one' - you're in for some serious inconvenience.

The ecodiesel does feel a bit nose heavy - it drives and feels better with some weight in the back.

I liked the 2.0T more than the V6 from a drivability standpoint, the torque being more accessible and seeming to suit the Jeep a bit better but the sound wasn't terribly pleasant where the V6 felt he smoothest and most refined of the powerplants.
Excellent feedback! Thanks!
 

HungryHound

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^yeah actually I skipped pages 2 and 3 of this thread to say that. I’m not a diesel expert but everything I’ve read about them suggests that if you mainly just make short commutes, it’s probably better to avoid the diesel. Short trips don’t allow it to get to the temperature it needs to go through it’s PMS cycle or whatever modern diesels have to do nowadays to keep themselves clean... you know, down there. I actually have a good buddy at work who has more experience building jeeps than 99% of us (he owns a shop and has been building jeeps for high paying customers for decades) - and he chose the diesel specifically because he has a long commute and it’s perfect for that.
From what I've seen, you're supposed to get up every morning and start your diesel. Let it run all day. Go to the filling station: let it idle while you fill it. Go to the grocery: let it idle while you're inside. Parts store, lunch stop, hair cut, etc.... just let it run!
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