While there are no qualms about the prowess of the Jeep Wrangler in all these decades, two aspects of the SUV always fell short of excellence – fuel economy and performance at higher RPMs. The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and 3.6-liter naturally-aspirated V6 gas engines were (and still are) just about adequate, when it comes to offering crackling performance or being light on your pocket. However, Jeep excelled in some brownie points with the capable 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine, the first-ever factory-fitted diesel engine in the Jeep Wrangler JL series, the fourth-generation iteration of the SUV.
With the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine, Jeep has ‘killed two birds with one stone’. While it is the most fuel-efficient diesel engine a Wrangler has ever received, it is also superior in performance to the 2.0-liter turbo and 3.6-liter V6 gas engines, if not more than the monstrous 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the Rubicon 392. And coupling it with the fantastic mechanical hardware under the skin of the Jeep Wrangler, it makes up for a perfect combination as a tractable diesel SUV money can buy. While this is easily one of the best engines going under the hood of the Wrangler, here are a few more reasons which make the Jeep Wrangler a worthy diesel-powered SUV to place your bet.
A Brief Look At The Fantastic EcoDiesel Engine Of Jeep Wrangler
In North America, the Jeep Wrangler range is offered with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine in all the trims of the four-door Unlimited since 2020. This is inexception to the top-spec Rubicon 392. With an 8-speed automatic gearbox as the standard transmission, this engine produces 260 hp of maximum power and 442 lb-ft of maximum torque outputs.
While the Wrangler was the first Jeep model to receive the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel, it has a fair share of history in the FCA family. The engine debuted in the RAM 1500 pickup in 2014 in a slightly different version. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel available in the Jeep Wrangler is the third-generation version of this engine, which is also made available in the Jeep Gladiator pickup. The assembly of this engine happens at FCA Cento Plant in Italy.
The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel Of Jeep Wrangler Offers Loads Of Torque
The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and 3.6-liter naturally-aspirated V6 gas engines of the Jeep Wrangler offer decent refinement and NVH scores. However, both these engines lacked in performance at the initial rev range. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine solves that problem pretty effectively.
In the entire IC-engine lineup of Jeep Wrangler, the EcoDiesel is second only to the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in terms of torque output. Compared to the torque outputs of 260 lb-ft of the 3.6-liter V6 and 295 lb-ft of the 2.0-liter inline-four, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel offers 443 lb-ft of torque. This torque output comes at a lower RPM than the other two engines.
Not only this, but the 443 lb-ft torque output of this 3.0-liter EcoDiesel is also higher than most other SUVs in its segment, especially the go-anywhere SUVs. Compare this high torque output with the fantastic four-wheel-drive system of the Wrangler, and you get a perfect source of power to come out from the obstacles with flying colors.
The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel Of Jeep Wrangler Is Not A Heavy Drinker
Till the arrival of the fourth-generation Wrangler, the 3.6-liter naturally-aspirated V6 gas engine was the only source of power for the off-roader, which was infamous for its notorious fuel efficiency figures. While the engine was tweaked to offer better fuel efficiency figures, it still was far from being called ‘efficient’. But the arrival of the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel in the Wrangler lineup proved that a four-wheel-drive off-roader could be fuel-efficient too.
The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel delivers a maximum fuel economy of 29 mpg, significantly higher than the 22mpg fuel efficiency offered by the 2.0-liter inline-four and 3.6-liter V6 gas engines. Even if you consider other similarly sized and priced SUVs, the diesel-powered Jeep Wrangler remains the most fuel-efficient SUV in its class, thus proving that not every SUV is a heavy drinker.
How The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel Of Jeep Wrangler Achieves Its Excellence
While the world is moving away from diesels, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel gives a solid reason for not giving up diesels altogether. This diesel engine made by FCA uses a water-cooled VGT turbocharging system and low-friction bearings, which are instrumental in achieving higher fuel efficiency. Other bits which help the Wrangler diesel claim appreciable fuel efficiency are the dual vacuum pump system, dual-loop EGR system, and a two-piece oil sump.
And that’s not all. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel also gets modified cylinder head intake ports for greater flow capacity and swirl, and re-designed pistons with thinner rings and low-friction carbon coating on the pins for lesser power losses, thus enhancing performance.
While the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 remains the call of the heart with its 6.4-liter Hemi V8, it is the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel available in the Unlimited versions of the Wrangler that is a perfect balance of both the worlds of performance and economy. Prices for the diesel Wrangler start from just above $40,000, and is great value when you consider the competition and what the have to offer. Paired with its remarkable off-road capability, the Wrangler Diesel is easily one of the best diesel SUVs you can buy today.