The 2021 Jeep® Wrangler Gets Some Powertrain Changes:

The iconic Jeep® Wrangler returns for the 2021 model year, gearing up with more powertrain choices than ever. Four available powertrains are available for 2021, which include a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with engine stop-start (ESS), 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with mild-hybrid e-Torque technology, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with ESS, and the fuel-efficient 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 and now thanks to our dealer connections, we are learning about these new changes to the lineup.

Standard on every model (Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon) is the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with ESS and delivers 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. This version of the Pentastar comes standard with the D478 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive. This is the only powertrain combination available with the 6-speed manual transmission for the model year.

If you are looking to equip your Wrangler with the Pentastar but want an automatic transmission, you will have to adopt the eTorque mild-hybrid system. Power ratings are the same as the non-eTorque model, despite being mated to the 8-speed 850RE TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Again, the Pentastar with eTorque and automatic transmission is available in Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon models.

After last year’s switch from 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines with the eTorque mild-hybrid system across the lineup, to just being available on the Sahara model changes again for the 2021 model year. The 2.0-liter turbo ditches the eTorque system across the lineup. All 2.0-liter turbo models come standard with the 8-speed 850RE TorqueFlite automatic transmission and provide 270 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque.

Joining the lineup last year, the new third-generation 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 returns for 2021. The EcoDiesel is rated at 260 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque, with ESS technology standard. The EcoDiesel comes with the ZF-sourced 8HP75 TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission, which has been calibrated for low RPM shifts for the on and off-road duties for the Wrangler. The transmission features 40 individual shift maps to optimize shift points for performance, fuel economy, and off-road capability. Again, the EcoDiesel is only available on four-door Unlimited models.

We will be looking more into the 2021 Jeep Wrangler lineup this week, so stay tuned.