2012 Jeep Wrangler Pentastar review: a faster smoother more powerful classic

[PickedFirst4Kickball]

tony petit is the dude. am i the only one who hates it when the hard-top is the same color as the jeep itself? i think it looks tacky. too much like a hummer. don't get me wrong, i'm a die-hard jeeper. i have legit never owned a vehicle that wasnt't a jeep

[Dann1403]

cool truck, lame review

[GeoNemesisITA]

the 2011 had the 3.6 v6 pentastar that wasn't that good while the 2012 has a new pentastar 3.8 liter ???

is that right?

[adamkingsho]

put hemi in them from factory i'll trade in my hemi truck for the first one off the line.

[romek305]

sorry,that was 0.40 and bull shit that engine was 3.8.That was 3.6

[romek305]

at 3:40 that is bull shit.Engine is still 3.6

[theschoolbusman]

0:13 coolest sound

[halosux4life]

takes all the fun out of making your jeep "your own" i mean, i have a 2003 TJ RME i have had since new, it has 220000 KM on it, i have rolled it over and broken two dana 35 axles, every bump and scar is a story to be told.

[Ddato1985]

Make it with diesel engine!!!

[Chillsies]

I have a 2012 rubicon sitting in my garage right now, love the thing, the 6 speed transmission is super smooth, all the features like the lockers and sway bar disconnect make you the king of the trails, plus with all that low rev torque, you are never getting stuck in the snow.

[frozenmouse76]

the 3.8 is better for off roading. the power delivery may have been less but it was all done down low . the new engine is for the jeep driver that has never used low range.

[bluestudio67]

Pentastar = G.O.O.D. SHTF B.O. vehicle. I'll take the 4-door... kids and supplies on the roof :)

[calaanddiversNETWORK]

0:55 that guy looks like Tiger Woods

[fatboy19831]

The 3 door should be .9 second faster to sixty. I weighs a few hundred pounds less.

[ZingHighFive]

the reason i love jeep more than just the ability is it's history. the first 4x4 to hit the streets and first used in WWII. Much respect to anything that goes into the military. 7 continents conquered!

[yamahog2000]

You guys R gay dont show me a rubicon I want stock jeep not top of line

[warner735]

it has a 3.6L pentastar , not 3.8

[enterBJ40]

land cruiser haves front,rear and central locker, diesel engine and tons of MPG...so what the big deal with this slightly lifted over fame sedan?

I dont understand why just don't put Cummins in their crappy jeeps to make them a bit worthy...i think its a "jeep thing".

[AndrewSherlock]

Those "easter eggs" are in the 2011,

[JWebbie2]

Jeep just needds to put a 4 cylinder diesel in a Wrangler, like the 4BT Cummins motor. Those things would sell like candy!!!!! Not only would you get better torque but also better mpg!

[syyenergy7]

bet it doesn't last.Its a Chrysler.

[weaselfly]

this review seems like it may be pretty biased. i need a review that grills it a little and doesn't make the review while cozied in so closely with the jeep staff, so that i know jeeps not "encouraging" a positive review... like the nutnfancy of automotives

[romanmicagearguy]

@weaselfly The new Wrangler is much improved with a new and better engine, new interior and now even a new gearbox. Those are the facts. Off-road few cars can touch the Wrangler. That's also a fact. It's also loud, heavy and somewhat unrefined, but you we think that post people already know that.

[weaselfly]

@romanmicagearguy that's fair. but a good review should always mention the drawbacks even if they are obvious, because you don't want people to loose sight of the con's amongst all the pro's. and its still unnerving to see a review made with the chief designers and engineers of the product in tow. but that's just me.

[rorschach775]

@weaselfly There's not really much to report on a jeep after 70 years of production. What do you think they would be hiding? They've made basically the same truck each year because it's always been the benchmark for offroad vehicles. The only important change is the engine and they demoed that. Anything else you would want to know is already common jeep knowledge.

[mph122170]

My 2012 Wrangler JK is the only time I spent a lot of money, and didn't have buyer's remorse later. I love it. God Bless Detroit and Toledo....

[fourbypete]

Re the Pentastar, I really like the interior, it looks well built. I'm looking at buying a diesel in the new year for the less tame bush tracks near my place.

[fourbypete]

@and2244rew Ahh! the old Jeep fanbois! Can't take criticism? Please, re read my post if you find the time and perhaps look at it from the point of view of someone who doesn't own a jeep wrangler. For the record, I actually do like the wranglers but, they don't match the Audi's for fuel efficiency. My Audi has electronic locking diffs for uneven ground. I don't live anywhere the rubicon and so if I did own a wrangler it would spend most of it's time on the road where efficiency is important to me

[fourbypete]

When the Wrangler sells with a 176kw inter-cooled bi turbo diesel that gets it 0 - 60 in 6.5 sec then I'll buy one!

BTW my modified for off road Audi Q5 has the above specs as standard. My current specs are same engine but 204kw and 0 - 60 in 6.2sec I'm also getting 35mpg. Lift your game Jeep.

[and2244rew]

@fourbypete I'd be very surprised if your "modified for offroad" Q5 can match a Jeep Grand Cherokee offroad much less a Wrangler. Looks like you couldn't get a tire more than 1 or 2 inches larger than stock without some serious bodywork. Audi is in no way a competitor for the jeep.

Jeep competition:

Hummer H3- dead

Toyota FJ- dying

LR Defender- can't pass US safety or emissions

I'd say your doing well when all your competition has left and your selling more than you can build.

[gravelandgrain100]

@fourbypete -I could argue some points with you-but one fact is there is NO vehicle I have ever owned that lets me go to work by day and smash snow or take the top down at my whim-this is all purpose fun.

[born2mbx]

3:58 "Now that it's got the bigger engine...." Umm its actually slightly smaller in displacement, but that's ok we get the idea.

[clarda1]

nice review

[BlueLabelWhiskey]

when he said " engineers took the Jeep home and lived with it".... i thought .. .seriously?! they never did that before?!?!?! thats kinda sad.....

[drboom7]

Fake chrome in a JEEP... fail.

[cdawg4391]

0:31 solid axles front/rear and GEAR-DRIVEN trans.case - best Jeep ever built.

[itsarubiconday]

How about a diesel option? Thats the only real upgrade to make. Well, that and a decent set of MTs. And maybe give Rubicons metal bumpers insread if shitty plastic ones. DIESEL!!!!

[mahatmacoatmahandbag]

@itsarubiconday the grand cherokee gets diesel for 2013 so hopefully wrangler does as well

cheers

[GreatWhiteHyype]

I liked the gt500 at the beggining...

[OsZca]

I love all of the cute little Easter eggs! I'm a girl, so I am TOTALLY allowed to say that! XD

[joshuatree1001]

Great job Jeep! Keep it up...

[x08GotMilk80x]

The 3.8 was good with the six speed manual, the 4speed auto killed ot though :/

[Brendon00000]

got tired of waiting for diesels so I imported a JDM pajero 2.8 diesel lol right hand drive, love it

[Brendon00000]

cant wait for that 2.8 inline 4 diesel though, like the pentastar but not in a wrangler, though 0-60 in 8 seconds is shocking considering my go cart honda crx only does one second faster

[ImHereToAnnoyYou]

I took an elephant on an express way once...... utter carnage it was.... total, total mess.

[Midgeer]

"The Jeep Wrangler is certainly an OFF ROAD CAPABLE CAR" ... These are not CARS.. these are Jeeps you stupid ass.

[superhawkn]

This is upgrade from TJ wrangler. TJ with inline 6cyl,5sp is easy to find? I see over 1000 forsale on autotrader prices 10k to 20k

[superhawkn]

Looks pretty fast but what about 2.8 diesel tractor motor

[jeepinggamer]

The new wrangler makes me almost wanna get rid of my 2004 TJ!!!! Thats a first since the JK came out. The improvements look AWESOME!!!!

[ifalcon101]

i love the wrangler. but throw a better trans in there. the engineers took it home there is no way they could of been happy with the mpg. it should be making at least 18-25..... besides that can't complain

[infy26]

I got one it's amazing dude.....thanks to jeep

[alnebular]

I owned a 2003 TJ with the 4.0L inline 6. I really liked the torque, but the on road acceleration could use a boost. I test drove a 2010, but did not care for the 3.8L V-6. I decided to wait for the 2012 model. I now have (in my driveway) a 2012 Wrangler with the Pentastar V6 and the new 5 speed auto. So far, it is impressive. Very smooth and responsive. I haven't done much off road yet, as it is still new. I would definitely say "well done" for the new model.

[SPNFENDER]

AHHHHH the new Wrangler................the ultimate yuppie mobile lol.

[hardcorefiend1]

LOL he looked scared hittin those little pebbles out there, and is he really saying he wants it more civilized? its a wrangler. not a hummer. its made for real men. not retired office workers like himself.

[gittyupcomeon]

that dude is a tool,he should be reviewing hyundai's

[superhawkn]

1.5 patriot penastar diesel 30mpg in wrangler no shait

[psychoclown420]

i'm getting a wrangler as my first "car"

but it's going to be a used one. Forget 20k or whatever they're calling for new ones, i can get a 90 something for like 4k and it's essentially the same vehicle. Plus i won't be scared to mess it up

[israeluzcategui]

the drag race was an unlimited mojave vs a 2 door 2012? that dosent seem fair

[born2mbx]

@israeluzcategui Look again, it's a red 2012 unlimited. It has four doors.

[mahatmacoatmahandbag]

@israeluzcategui both are 4 doors but if they weren't it wouldn't matter as 0 - 60 is the same on same year models.the purpose of this vid is to show how much faster the new 2012 engine is compared to the 2011.

[steelcurtain656]

@israeluzcategui pretty sure they were both 4 doors

[arostot]

@israeluzcategui you really think two doors was the reason he won? how bout 285 vs. 202 hp? course its not fair but its not because of doors

[TheZX6RMechanic1]

@israeluzcategui pause at 2:43 its a 4 door too

[BrantFortunate]

ill take a black rubicon 2dr 6spd, k thanks bye.

[imaldon1]

AT LAST!!! I knew that the Pentastar 3.6L had to land into the Jeep Wrangler's engine bay. The previous 3.8L had to march into the horizon since it dates back to the 1981 Chrysler Imperial and consumed fuel up to 14MPG. Great move from Jeep/Chrysler plus an improved interior for 2012 and other features. See Motor Trend magazine for October 2011. The new Wrangler passed the tests in the Rubicon with flying colors just as the previous Wranglers with the 3.8L engines and road manners improved too.

[Gspot275]

Mw3.. 

[scruffythewild]

There spec sheet was wrong. They said a 3.8l when the new one is a 3.6l...

[onerussian]

worst review ever, that jackass should be fired....

[bajabeast2008]

badass, jeep bangin out the man convertable

[77deereboy]

the 3.8L was the only thing keeping me from buying a JK wrangler. I almost bought a TJ but i could never find an inline 6 with a manual transmission that i always wanted. The 2012 wrangler is now the perfect vehicle for me

[alnebular]

@77deereboy I agree. I had a 2003 TJ with a 5 speed and it was great. Now I have a 2012 JK Sport (2door) with the new Pentastar motor.. and I am impressed.

[bluestudio67]

@77deereboy This is the first time since the AMC engine that I'd buy one, as well. LOVE IT!

[Aebischergarrett]

oh shit handle 

[arashn89]

why are these cars so underpowerd, i expect at least 300hp for a car for this use, the 260 lbtq and 5 speed automatic is a joke

[mahatmacoatmahandbag]

from 1:52 to 2:04 that driver is looking at you as if you're an idiot ha ha,tell him to chill out.

[MetalCloak]

The real question... how much horsepower will all you gear heads be able to get out of it after getting your hands on one? Looking forward to seeing some fast mods!

[mudslinger1984]

@MetalCloak Theres already talk of factory MoPar turbo and twin turbo kits for them. The same ones they offer for the 3.6L challenger just with differently routed piping. won't be long before the aftermarket companies start making their own. The engine itself has proven it can take enough boost to get it above 400hp in other vehicles, so there should be no reason the new jeeps can't.

[SuperJeepz]

3 seconds faster? lolno

[mudslinger1984]

@SuperJeepz 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 3.8L 0-60 10.2sec, 2006 Jeep Wrangler 4.0L 0-60 9.9sec, 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 3.6L 0-60 8.4sec. Keep in mind the 2012's also have better gearing in both auto and manual transmissions, and the new aluminum engine block is 90lbs lighter than the 3.8L. The new 3.6L has 29.2% more horsepower, but its not 3sec faster.

[Nick0525]

@SuperJeepz the 3.8 was slow as fuck.........

[dobbins2550]

Me likey so much. 

[gonzhh95]

1:50 hey doude what are you loking at?

[jamesjr934]

Might be worth getting one now...

[6SpeedSilverado]

lol my 2wd chevy pickup has the oh! Shit! bar

[and2244rew]

I believe the new engine is smaller

[FXSwissTrader]

When does the 2012 go on sale? Price?

[bader175]

@FXSwissTrader its on sale right now....im not sure about the price

[mudslinger1984]

@bader175 2012 Unlimited Rubicon's will be $800.00 more for sticker price than the 2011s. The dealerships will probably jack them up more than that while demand is higher than the number of Jeeps they get in, or until the 2011s are gone. All other models will stay at the 2011 sticker pricing.

[mahatmacoatmahandbag]

@FXSwissTrader on sale already in USA round the $38 grand for 4 door rubicon

[xytroncore]

Test drove the 2012 sahara unlimited yesterday, it is a ridiculous ride. Really quiet interior, a fairly smooth ride on the pavement and it is in no way lacking power, it has a lot of giddy up for such a massive vehicle.

Next I've got to try the 2 door. I almost fear the new engine might be too powerful for it after driving the unlimited, but I guess I'll see.

[Jordan2451]

seems like a well designed, built jeep