The Jeep Wrangler will finally add a diesel engine for the 2020 model year. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine will be available by the end of this year on four-door Wrangler models paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
This engine, which can also be found in the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, makes 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque in the Wrangler. That compares favorably—especially on the torque front—to the Wrangler's gas engine options, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four which makes 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and a 3.6-liter V-6 which makes 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. For 2020, both of those gas engine options are now offered in either conventional or eTorque hybrid forms. Based on earlier spy photos, the diesel will be identifiable by a "3.0 D" badge.
The diesel comes standard with an engine start-stop system, and the eight-speed automatic transmission is a new unit that is set up to deal with the engine's increased torque output. As with all other Wrangler models, four-wheel drive is standard on the diesel, and there are multiple transfer-case and differential configurations available for various levels of off-road capability.
EPA fuel-economy ratings are not yet available for the Wrangler EcoDiesel, but we expect it to offer significantly improved efficiency compared to the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, which offers up to 21 mpg combined, and the 3.6-liter V-6, which offers up to 20 mpg combined.
The diesel is also likely to command a significant price premium over the gas engines, given that it costs $4995 extra on the Ram pickup. Jeep will release more information about the Wrangler EcoDiesel over the next few months before it goes on sale by the end of 2019.
