Wrangler 2.0 or 3.6

[WillysMeow]

Test drive both back to back. My own testing led me to the 3.6 over the 2.0, but you can't go wrong either way.

I rented a 2.0 JL and put 300 miles of mixed use driving. I found the 2.0 had plenty of power, but at the cost of harshness and some turbo lag. The 2.0 also just sounded unrefined. In contrast, the 3.6 on the JL felt just as peppy, but at a smoother power delivery and a much better NVH experience. It was quiet and smooth. Lastly, the 3.6's MPI vs the 2.0's DI had a significant impact on my decision.

Good luck. Whichever one you choose, just take care of it and don't regret the choice. Both engines are solid, but they just offer a different driving experience.

Yes, do your own drive back to back as it's the buyer's Jeep, not mine. BTW my 3.6 Wrangler 4door is much quieter inside and way smoother running than any of my Subaru Foresters ever were. I did not want a turbo, more maintenance and they should always be allowed to idle for couple minutes before shutdown to allow the turbo to spool down as they are spinning thousands of rpm more than the crankshaft ever does. If you pull up and shut off immediately, the turbo bearings are spinning for couple minutes without any lubrication. Aftermarket sells an oil pressure accumulator setup that can help with this.

Good luck to OP and keep us posted!

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[jeepingib]

Don't forget the head gasket issues with the 3.6L. I know I won't...

 

[Aonarch]

Yes, do your own drive back to back as it's the buyer's Jeep, not mine. BTW my 3.6 Wrangler 4door is much quieter inside and way smoother running than any of my Subaru Foresters ever were. I did not want a turbo, more maintenance and they should always be allowed to idle for couple minutes before shutdown to allow the turbo to spool down as they are spinning thousands of rpm more than the crankshaft ever does. If you pull up and shut off immediately, the turbo bearings are spinning for couple minutes without any lubrication. Aftermarket sells an oil pressure accumulator setup that can help with this.

Good luck to OP and keep us posted!

That is wildly inaccurate.

Modern turbos require zero idle time before shutdown.

Additional maintenance is not a thing.

Now if you said additional failure points, sure. I'd agree. You add in an air to water intercooler and the turbo with its plumbing. But again, a modern turbo engine is very reliable versus NA.

 

[Aonarch]

Don't forget the head gasket issues with the 3.6L. I know I won't...

Headgaskets and passenger side intake cam and rockers.

 

[WillysMeow]

That is wildly inaccurate.

Modern turbos require zero idle time before shutdown.

Additional maintenance is not a thing.

Um ok, to each their own.

 

[Wbino]

Everyone knows that the 3.6 with Etorque is the correct answer, it's to bad they do not offer it anymore.

 

[2nd 392]

Honestly, I think there's no "right" choice. They both suck. If Stellantis wants to add a new killer feature that they can price in the stratosphere and will sell like crazy - offer a GM or Toyota V6 as an option.

Yep- two similarly powered base engines with good and bad points that are argued endlessly, a top tier engine only available in a fully loaded 6 figure special model, and a hybrid. No mid range engine choice such as a T-6 or NA 5.7 V8 available for all models. ..
The never ending 2.0 vs 3.6 threads will continue until this is remedied.

 

[Gio]

Aaaaahhhh,,,
The never ending debate. Again.

 

[jadmt]

That is wildly inaccurate.

Modern turbos require zero idle time before shutdown.

Additional maintenance is not a thing.

Now if you said additional failure points, sure. I'd agree. You add in an air to water intercooler and the turbo with its plumbing. But again, a modern turbo engine is very reliable versus NA.

I suppose it depends on the vehicle...my mazda cx5 turbo says it needs to idle for a bit after running hard....
https://www.mazdausa.com/static/manuals/2023/cx-5/contents/04091000.html

 

[MrJeep2024]

I have daily driven both. 2021 Wrangler Rubicon w/ 2.0T (for 3 years) and 2024 Wrangler Rubicon X w/ 3.6L (for 1 year). Here's my opinion in a nice little list:

The 3.6L

• Has a smoother power curve from take-off
• Very steady during a daily commute
• Feels stronger in low rpm situations, like off-road or traffic jams
• The exhaust sounds amazing
• Gas mileage is not very good (16-17mpg)
• Lacks in power on the highway
• Feels like you're driving a slow luxury suv

The 2.0T

• Much faster on road
• Extremely fun to drive
• Way better gas mileage (21-22mpg)
• Sounds like a 4 cylinder, but the turbo sounds cool
• Jerky in low rpm situations
• Feels like your driving a go-cart

Parting thoughts:
If you drive it mostly on the road, the 2.0T is probably the better option for fuel economy, speed, and legit fun. If you plan to take it off-road, get the 3.6L. I both love my new "nice" Jeep and miss my old "fun" Jeep.

 

[johneracer]

Yes, do your own drive back to back as it's the buyer's Jeep, not mine. BTW my 3.6 Wrangler 4door is much quieter inside and way smoother running than any of my Subaru Foresters ever were. I did not want a turbo, more maintenance and they should always be allowed to idle for couple minutes before shutdown to allow the turbo to spool down as they are spinning thousands of rpm more than the crankshaft ever does. If you pull up and shut off immediately, the turbo bearings are spinning for couple minutes without any lubrication. Aftermarket sells an oil pressure accumulator setup that can help with this.

Good luck to OP and keep us posted!

This info is outdated. No need to idle down these turbos in normal driving. If you were towing a heavy load up a hill, then probably not a bad idea, but that would also apply to 3.6. Turbo bearing have oil film on them and are fine to spool down. Jet engines spool and windmill for hours and hours with no damage only having oil film on bearings. There is no load, and it just free spins. Modern Turbo you just drive and don't give second thought.

 

[jeepingib]

This info is outdated. No need to idle down these turbos in normal driving. If you were towing a heavy load up a hill, then probably not a bad idea, but that would also apply to 3.6. Turbo bearing have oil film on them and are fine to spool down. Jet engines spool and windmill for hours and hours with no damage only having oil film on bearings. There is no load, and it just free spins. Modern Turbo you just drive and don't give second thought.

It's precisely because they have oil that it's a recommended practice. When you have the engine under load the turbo heats up quite a bit, the turbine side can see temps in excess of 1,500°F. If you don't allow temps to normalize and cool after heavy use, then the oil that is flowing through the bearings in the turbo will be cooked inside it because it's no longer flowing after shutdown. That's the whole point in allowing some idle time. It cools things down so the oil doesn't boil and cook inside of it after it stops flowing.

 

[Soapy]

I have a 2025 2 door Rubicon X with the 2.0 turbo. It has been on several off road trips already and I am completely satisfied with its performance on and off road.

 

[Heimkehr]

Post-driving idle time for turbos.

Good info here from folks on both sides of the subject. Modern turbocharged engines are less dependent on cool-down periods than are those in decades-older engines. The vehicle's immediate use case (e.g., towing) should guide the informed owner about how to treat his Jeep's engine.

For those who want an additional layer here, specialized timers are available for consideration.

 

[johneracer]

It's precisely because they have oil that it's a recommended practice. When you have the engine under load the turbo heats up quite a bit, the turbine side can see temps in excess of 1,500°F. If you don't allow temps to normalize and cool after heavy use, then the oil that is flowing through the bearings in the turbo will be cooked inside it because it's no longer flowing after shutdown. That's the whole point in allowing some idle time. It cools things down so the oil doesn't boil and cook inside of it after it stops flowing.

These Turbos are cooled by cooling system. No need to cool the turbo down. Coolant will absorb and dissipate the heat. Exact same way you can run naturally aspirated engine hard and just kill it. After prolonged heavy loads, sure its good practice but its not necessary. It is drive and dont worry about it. Old turbo systems had cooling run down timers etc and were hard on oil. Modern turbos do not.

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