Jeep Engine Options for 2020

If you’re preparing to purchase a new Jeep Wrangler, you have probably discovered the overwhelming options lists of features and models available. Trying to decide between all the choices can be fun, but also confusing. A good first step to take before heading to a Jeep dealership near you is to explore the engine options. Each one of the powerful Jeep engines has been designed with certain driving conditions in mind, so it helps to know how you plan to use your Jeep before you decide.

This guide offers a run-down of each engine available for the 2020 Jeep Wrangler, with general information about each engine’s stats. Five engine options are currently available, with two mild hybrids, two gas engines, and a diesel engine making up the list. Whether you plan to ride trails, climb rocks, ford water, explore the desert, or boondock in the woods, there’s a Jeep engine ready to take on the adventure you plan to have.

3.6-Liter Pentastar V6

The Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine is what comes standard with any Jeep Wrangler and is the only engine that can be paired with a manual transmission. As it happens, the six-speed manual transmission is the standard option for the base price of all Jeeps, but it can come with an eight-speed automatic. What’s great about the Pentastar is that it’s proven to be reliable in both mileage and performance after being driven in Jeeps for almost a decade.

This is a traditional gas-powered engine, but it incorporates automatic start-stop technology to improve fuel efficiency. In the city, you can expect to get 17 MPG, while on the highway, it will get 25 MPG. When taking this engine out on the trail, it will show itself to be powerful with the delivery of 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Jeep lovers know this to be plenty of power to deliver the performance on trails, when climbing, or when descending steep inclines.

Towing isn’t necessarily what Jeeps are made to do, as they are generally known for adventuring activities, but Wranglers equipped with the V6 Pentastar are capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds. That’s plenty for towing a small camper or equipment trailer to accommodate a trip to the wilderness while you get out of town for fun. If you’re seeking a Jeep for a lower price tag, this is the engine that is no-cost at purchase.

3.6-Liter Pentastar eTorque Mild Hybrid

Jeep has made it possible to upgrade the standard option of the Pentastar V6 engine with a mild hybrid system. While much of the performance seems the same as the standard V6, the eTorque boost from the mild hybrid system actually provides better torque to the low end. When needing to drive in low gears at slow speeds, the power from the electric motor actually ensures smoother starts on inclines. Such a feature is desirable when managing rock climbing or steep trails.

The horsepower and torque stats delivered by the mild hybrid are the same as the standard V6, at 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Where a difference is seen is in low-end power where the electric motor supplements the gas engine. Gas mileage also improves to 19 MPG in the city. Towing remains the same at 3,500 pounds of weight allowance. Little other than the power afforded by the eTorque will be different about driving this mild hybrid, as the normal day-to-day driving will largely be comparable to the standard V6.

2.0-Liter Turbo

For 2020, Jeep continues to make the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine available for all Wranglers. It’s a bold move to make, considering the expectation behind the power Jeep buyers expect behind the wheel. Surprisingly, this 2.0-liter engine delivers more horsepower and torque than the Pentastar that is the standard option. First, an impressive 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque are delivered through this turbo engine’s power. This will mean it has plenty of torque for off-road excursions, and it delivers more power than the V6.

Fuel efficiency is better in city driving than the V6, getting up to 21 MPG in stop and go traffic. Highway efficiency is a little less at 24 MPG, but it will balance out when you average the two figures. Again, this engine’s power may surprise buyers with the same ability to tow up to 3,500 pounds, as found in the other engine options. Though it costs a little extra to add this engine to your Jeep, the power is well worth the price. It’s also lighter, which means the engine doesn’t have to work as hard to move the vehicle.

2.0-Liter eTorque Mild Hybrid

Jeep offers a mild hybrid option for the 2.0-liter engine, and it does come with a little extra price tag. It’s not as pricey as other Jeep options, however, and it provides more torque due to the electric motor generator, which makes this a mild hybrid. Buyers seeking more performance without the extra price of other engines will be happy with this mild hybrid option. Though the stats look the same on paper as the standard 2.0-liter turbo engine, the 2.0-liter mild hybrid handles lower-end situations with more grunt.

Stats for this engine are 270 hp with 295 lb-ft of torque, and a higher MPG of 21 in the city. The lower 22 MPG on the highway may look like it’s less impressive, but the overall mileage will either be the same or better with the mild hybrid between city and highway driving. As with the other engines, the mild hybrid can tow up to 3,500 pounds of weight.

3.0-Liter EcoDiesel V6

The EcoDiesel engine has been receiving a lot of praise from testers who have driven Jeeps with this engine under the hood. For years, trucks have come with diesel options to improve torque for more powerful towing and payload capability. Now Jeep has chosen to add the diesel option to its list of engines, and it’s likely for similar reasons. First, the power of the diesel engine is a vast upgrade from the gas-powered and mild hybrids. Though it delivers 260 hp, it’s the 442 lb-ft of brute strength in torque that will really allow a Jeep to creep along as slow as you care to drive along those rocky ridges.

Even with a full load of people inside, this diesel engine is likely to handle terrain with ease, and for anyone planning to off-road frequently, it will be the best option to make. Even better, this engine will not disappoint in fuel efficiency when driving on the roads. City driving will get 22 MPG, while highway driving gets an even more impressive 29 MPG, the best of all the engine choices. The diesel engine also has the longest range of over 500 miles to a tank.

Perhaps the biggest surprise to this engine is that despite its obvious power, Jeep does not raise the weight allowance for towing capability. It remains a standard 3,500 pounds. If you enjoy a manual transmission, you will have to stick with the gas options, as the diesel only comes with an eight-speed automatic. With the spry feel of the off-road possibilities, it’s unlikely you’ll miss shifting the gears once you get behind the wheel. It will cost quite a bit more than the other choices, but testers are suggesting it’s well worth it. Overall, this engine is by far the most impressive of any Jeep offers to date.

Which Engine is the Best for You?

Of the five engines currently available for 2020 Jeeps, buyers will need to decide which elements of the different engines will offer the best performance for their lifestyle. The tried and true Pentastar won’t cost anything extra, though the option for more power from the mild hybrid may be attractive for some. Buyers who like the idea of a lighter Jeep with more torque and better city fuel efficiency may want to opt for one of the four-cylinder choices. Then again, the EcoDiesel is getting rave reviews from the automotive sector, with the most power and best mileage.

Still having trouble deciding which engine is right for you? Contact us or stop by our Costa Mesa dealership to talk with the team here at Orange Coast or take some of our Jeep models for a test drive. Once you make this decision, the rest of the features you choose for your Jeep will fall into line.