2020 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel Road Test and Review

2020 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel hero ・ Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

The Jeep Wrangler is easily one of the most recognizable vehicles in the world. It boasts iconic styling with that ever-present seven-slot grille and legendary capability. If you want to go where roads don’t, then you can do it behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler. There’s also the benefit of being able to remove the doors and roof and even flip down the windshield. It’s a unique experience that lets you enjoy the outdoors in a way unlike any other vehicle.

The latest generation of the Wrangler — known as the JL — debuted for the 2018 model year. It came with a host of new features, updated styling, and improved capability. What it didn’t have was a diesel engine option, but that’s about to change. The 2020 Jeep Wrangler finally gets its diesel. Here’s a closer look at the latest addition to the Wrangler family.

Why go with diesel?

The addition of a diesel engine to the Wrangler is a big deal for those who frequently tow or who enjoy going off-road. It all comes down to a diesel engine’s impressive torque. The turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 in the Wrangler has 260 horsepower with 442 lb-ft of torque at 1,400 rpm. That low-end torque helps the Wrangler get up to speed more easily while towing a heavy load, and helps it maintain that speed on steep inclines.

It’s also a benefit when off-roading when the terrain is rugged and calls for slower speeds. Instead of needing to use a heavy foot on the gas to get the torque needed to drive over rocks or uneven ground, a light foot is all that’s required. A diesel delivers high torque and it does so quickly, which gives the driver more control.

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The diesel is available only on select trims.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler has limited availability within the lineup. First, it’s only available on the four-door Unlimited models, so those who are set on a two-door Wrangler will have to stick with one of its two gasoline engines. Secondly, it’s only available with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While most people these days opt for an automatic, if you want the available six-speed manual transmission, you’re again limited to the gasoline engine lineup.

If you do decide you’re good with the four-door model and an automatic transmission, then there is a range of options depending on your off-road and comfort needs. Choose from the base Sport with more limited features, the Sahara with added convenience touches, or the Rubicon with its expanded off-road capability. Regardless of which Wrangler EcoDiesel you choose, it comes at a cost of $4,000 above the Wrangler’s base engine.

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Capability and Then Some

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler boasts impressive capability across the lineup with several features unique to trims equipped with the EcoDiesel engine. These include third-generation Dana 44 heavy-duty solid front and rear axles, a feature otherwise reserved for only the Rubicon trim. It also has a new eight-speed automatic transmission specially calibrated to handle the extra torque of the diesel engine.

While every Wrangler comes with solid capability, the Rubicon comes with the most standard features for off-roading. These include front and rear electronic locking differentials, a sway bar disconnect, and a 4:1 low-gear ratio. Skid plates for the fuel case and transfer case are standard on every Wrangler, with rock rails added to the Rubicon along with all-terrain tires instead of the standard all-season tires. The Rubicon is also available with a metal winch-capable rear bumper for getting you, or the other guys in a lesser vehicle, out of trouble.

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Room for Cargo, and Impressive Towing

Outdoor adventures often call for extra equipment, and the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has plenty of room to manage your cargo needs. There’s 31.7 cubic feet for cargo behind the rear seats and 72.4 cubic feet for cargo when you fold those seats down. Its wide liftgate opening and low load floor make it easier to stow larger items, especially anything heavy. The interior is also thoughtfully designed to hold the small stuff, with larger in-door storage pockets than the previous generation and plenty of spots to safely secure smartphones.

Those who plan on a full load of passengers and need extra room for cargo can take advantage of the Wrangler's towing capability. It’s rated up to 3,500 pounds for the full four-door lineup, so you can bring all your friends and still manage plenty of cargo. The low-end torque provided by the diesel makes towing that extra cargo easy.

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Rugged But Comfortable Interior

The Jeep Wrangler is not a luxury car. It’s focused on providing a capable and enjoyable off-road experience for those who venture off the beaten path, and its interior reflects that focus. You won’t find elegant trims and delicate details, and that’s fine. That’s for other cars.

The Wrangler is bold in its styling, with knobs and dials on the dash that are easy to grab with gloved hands. Seating is comfortable with enough give to absorb the bumps and enough bolstering to hold you in place when the terrain is far from level. Jeep knows the Wrangler is going to get wet and muddy both inside and out, so it designed an interior that can handle that kind of abuse. Go ahead, drive it through the mud and water with the doors off. You can hose it off at home and it’ll be no worse for wear.

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Infotainment With a Little Extra for Off-Roaders

The Wrangler features a standard eight-speaker audio system and a 5-inch screen with the Uconnect 3 infotainment system, while higher trims get a larger 7-inch screen with Uconnect 4 and top trims get an 8.4-inch screen with Uconnect 4C and navigation. In any guise, this is an intuitive system that’s easy to learn and less distracting than what you’ll find in many of today’s vehicles. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all but the base version for seamless smartphone connectivity.

In addition to the typical features found in an infotainment system, there’s a little something extra in a Wrangler with available Off-Road Pages. This feature shows information on altitude, longitude, and latitude so you know where you are when you leave the road. It also shows pitch, roll, and drivetrain information so you’re always know how your Wrangler is positioned when the terrain is challenging.

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Safety features are mostly through options packages.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel includes electronic roll mitigation, electronic stability control, hill start assist, and hill descent control as standard features across the trim range. A wide choice of additional safety features are available, but they aren’t automatically added as you move up through the trim ladder. Instead, they’re available through a variety of option packages.

These include rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control with stopping capabilities, advanced brake assist, automatic high beams, and a full-speed forward collision warning with active braking. Although there are numerous safety features available, limiting availability to only option packages, even on top trims, can add thousands of dollars to the final price. This makes additional safety on the Wrangler a somewhat expensive proposition.

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It delivers on-road manners with excellent off-road handling.

The challenge with an off-road vehicle is giving it decent on-road manners. While there’s a certain amount of inherent noise due to the removable top, overall, it is well-muted. The Wrangler is also nicely composed so that uneven pavement won’t send passengers bouncing in their seats. And if you’re worried about a diesel engine being loud, those were the diesels of yesterday. Although you know this is a diesel engine and you do hear it, especially with the roof off, it’s never intrusive.

Off-road, the low-end torque of the diesel engine makes short work of rugged terrain. A light foot on the accelerator brings up that torque quickly to move the Wrangler over obstacles. This makes for smoother and more controlled off-road driving that’s less taxing on driver and passengers. The diesel lets you feather the gas to get the torque you need right when you need it.

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Final Thoughts

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler continues to be a standout for those who crave outdoor adventures in their SUV. It comes in a range of well-equipped trims and, with the newly available diesel engine, offers greatly improved amounts of torque. This makes towing and off-roading with the Wrangler easier than ever.

If you want a vehicle that will easily venture where others fear to tread, then go for the top Rubicon trim. Even in its base trim, however, the Wrangler is a capable vehicle ready for off-road exploration with an open-air experience like no other. The 2020 Jeep Wrangler with the new EcoDiesel engine is expected in dealerships by the end of this year.

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