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

[@maurico92]

My mom gave me for having finished college a Wrangler Sport 3.6 3 door black 2014 automatic , instead I changed my 2011 Mini Cooper and I absolutely love my Jeep.

[@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....

[@lelandeggleston1041]

so glad they dropped the 3.8 mini van engine

[@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!

[@RyanRiopel]

I test drove one of these last week, smoothest manual transmission I've ever driven and damn they're fast at 285hp it was hard not to take it home

[@longtrangm1a]

Thanks man, Thats what I was hoping to hear. Im glad you commented I couldnt get anyone to talk to me about this.

[@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

[@AkonRobinho]

no, you can also get them with hard top. the soft top ive heard is really bad when its winter.

[@gravelandgrain100]

-I have a 2011 Sahara-dual top. I keep the hardtop on during winter, switched to soft in spring-then I can lower the softop in 5 minutes. But the BEST is taking the doors off on an 80 degree day with top down-sunglasses on and straw cowboy hat on and total freedom!! You would love it fourbypete-I know it.:)

[@TFLcar]

@klode62 If it has four wheels, an engine, and it is to transport people it's a car in our book be it a Jeep, Rover or Xterra.

[@TFLcar]

@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.

[@BradTheRoy]

Roman this review made me buy a 2012! I owe you!

[@tristenturner832]

i have the rubicon unlimited. i love it. have a leveling kit, 33 inch super swamper boggers, arb onboard air, and got a 9000lb winch up front. tons of fun and great daily driver. decent on fuel as well

[@flyingglawnchairs]

@GeoNemesisITA 3.8 was the old engine. The new engine is the 3.6 VVT

[@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.

[@mterrill87]

@chrsl1987 the 80s model Jeeps weren't wranglers . They were the cj and starting in 87 were the yj . They were not built by Chrysler until 1991. It was all amc before that and they were tough as nails back then!

[@2004WJOVERLAND]

please the 6.1 hemi conversion that aev makes its about 1000% better i wish they would make this a stock option

[@cdawg4391]

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

[@joezephyr]

And then in 2017, I discovered Roman and TFL and got a 2019 2 door JL. I LOVE MY JEEP! (I think Nathan is getting tired of me now) :)

[@fourbypete]

I don't know if you've read some of my other posts but I actually like the Jeep Wrangler and I'm planning on buying one. What I don't like is the fact that they haven't put in a decent diesel engine for the Australian market. Petrol (what we call it over here) requires a person to mortgage an arm and a leg for a day trip. I'd like to see you come up with a good argument to why they don't put efficient diesels in Wranglers? Please don't call me a road warrior, you don't know me!

[@Eat_Ride_Sleep]

In my opinion, a better deal for the money than a Hemi (wich don't get me wrong, is still awesome) is a bolt on supercharger kit. Nearly the same HP and torque as the Hemi, at less than half the cost...better fuel economy too! I will be installing one on mine this spring, I can't wait, it will make towing the sleds and bikes a breeze, not to mention highway passing.

[@oifvet718]

Yes the 2012 has the 3.6 pentastar. Its the only engine that comes in the wrangler for 2012 for the USA that is.

[@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.

[@Gusto181]

12 years later, how'd it turn out? Just curious.

[@danidavis7912]

@@Gusto181 Me too. I'm trading in one of my Camaros tomorrow, for a 2012 Rubicon Unlimited.

[@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.

[@ar1368]

I own the 2012 Ruby, I love it!! People ask me why the Ruby and I just say when you are by yourself out in the woods and those lockers are there to save yo butt, no better feeling.

[@RockNinja]

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!!!!

[@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.

[@theschoolbusman]

0:13 coolest sound

[@fourbypete]

I haven't recorded anything yet, but stay tuned. I don't exactly have a crew of people to film me when out in the bush. Usually it's 1 or 2 cars but mostly I drive by myself.

[@SupramanTRD]

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

[@dynomax666]

you're right. 15mpg is the norm on these things today, and thats just not acceptable, but we just keep buying them, and the US Gorvernment just keeps shutting down diesels. Immagine the loss of revenue if mpg increased even 2mpg on all vehicles over night...

[@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!

[@scruffythewild]

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

[@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.

[@EauRouge]

Very cool video Roman... Thanks heaps!! it helped me decide for one of those...Keep up the good work. Hi fom Bogotá, Colombia.

[@qazwas2001]

I know the rubicon is more capable off road. My point is that most people won't buy a $40k jeep and risk damaging it, and there are no reviews of the sport or sahara which far more people will purchase. A corvette is more capable on road than a malibu but you still see reviews of the latter.

[@Willybear7575]

Love that tan color, but can't find it anywhere

[@and2244rew]

Can you see the hood of the Wrangler from the driver's seat? all of it? I'm looking to replace my old cherokee with a Wrangler, one of the things I like about the Cherokee is that you can see all four corners of the vehicle from the drivers seat. I want to know if you can do the same in a Wrangler.

[@fourbypete]

Also want to add that now the boffins are looking at improving the Q5 for VW touareg type offroading so I'll be looking to change to full lock diffs.

[@traileaderProduction]

death wobble on happens if you go to fast jeeps are made to go slow and the suspension parts that you say are from japan not many jeeps stay stock alot of them get spring lifts

[@DefenderRocks]

This is the Land Rover Defender of America, although not as good, but still capable.

[@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.

[@frozenmouse76]

The new 3.6 is heaps faster on the road and more economical on road BUT The 3.8 is better off road , it delivers the same amount of torque 2000 rpm earlier than the pentastar. You can put the 3.8 litre model through hell off road without breaking 1800 rpm. If you bought your wrangler for stoplight racing you failed anyway.

[@steelcurtain656]

@israeluzcategui pretty sure they were both 4 doors

[@wolfen1086]

A civilized wrangler? Guess I'm missing out cause my 01 wrangler keeps getting wilder and wilder every time I drive it :) I may not have all the Italian upgrades, or the new 3.6L but with my little 2.5 I can still yank a hummer out of a ditch :) does that count? And well... of course I can't go anywhere where I don't get at least two tires with traction.

[@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.

[@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.

[@TheZX6RMechanic1]

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

[@saifuddinahmadable]

Hey guys! Roman was so young then!!

[@spiker84]

The states is the only place where it's not a stock option.

[@tyronehoustonson2944]

Sticking to 4.0L :)

[@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!

[@KZEnVy08]

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

[@SCROGY]

No, but North Americans have resisted buying diesels in the past. So manufacturers are wary of selling them here now. Times have changed though and people want them more and more. Chevy IS putting a small diesel in the Cruze next year in North America. And hopefully Jeep gets off its ass and brings the diesel to NA in the Wrangler.

[@longtrangm1a]

Im 6'3" tall, how well will a tall person like myself fit in the wrangler?

[@JohnyMcNeal]

He says "6 speed manual" like it's a very advanced transimision for today standards?! Always liked wrangler, but it always needed a bit more up to time tech... anyway it's fun either way. :)

[@knaanmuusika]

a road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine and able to carry a small number of people:

[@fourbypete]

No, Just that when I bought the q5 there was a second car in the garage and the q7 wouldn't fit. Also, the Q5 has the best fuel cons in the range. Until the Q3 came out. @and2244rew & SCROGY, I've owned a Toyota HiLux 4" lift (gutless) Rav4 (three door) (no diflocks) and I've had the Q5 in places neither of them will go. Stick with your old army jeep. Also, HK do a 3" Hyd lift for the Q5 and I'm eying e diff locks. My tires are eqiv 31"stock.One day I'll upload some vid in the bush.

[@AJGT350]

Yeah, some mistakes, but a good review of the wrangler.

[@liquidrum7]

@Ddato1985 European version has one: 2.8L turbo diesel.

[@TFLcar]

@deanbassist01 Yup, you got us. In fact Jeep pays us the exact same amount that their competition pays you to make these comments.

[@TFLcar]

Hi back

[@EzekielZ0221]

im waiting to see if jeep will put the new 3.0L diesel that ram and the grand cherokee are getting into the wrangler

[@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

[@SupramanTRD]

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

[@TyeWills]

@schizm99 Thats what it sounded like he was meaning. But he was actually talking about 3 seconds faster from 2011. the 1942 jeep could barley go 60mph

[@Scote001Jeep]

Dang that 0-60 1940's willys rips

[@israeluzcategui]

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

[@miklar1971]

As an engineer u cannot compare cars by racing them behind each other. u have to do individual times in a similiar enviroment and record the data. The golf r vs the golf gti was not well done, in nascar they use the same slip routine to pass and hold... please raise your bar

[@SCROGY]

You don't need 300 hp on the trail for one. It's useless for anything but deep mud and big mudders. Secondly, torque, unlike hp is multiplied thru the drive train. So if you have a 100:1 low range and your engine makes 100 ft/lbs of torque, you are actually putting 10,000 ft/lbs to the wheels when you are in low range.

[@OGsurfer1]

I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!! BUT do they waste gas

[@GreatWhiteHyype]

I liked the gt500 at the beggining...

[@maxnanabas09]

good thing they still make a manual :D

[@rupi39]

anyone know where that hill is at 1:39. looks like the coast range.

[@CalanonC]

What type of jeep wrangler is best to just cruise around in citites, showing off? With a minimal amount of off-road on the side:)

[@wsigona]

How about the 5.7?

[@MrCorvairGuy]

Who wouldn't want a Jeep Wrangler SRT-8 with a 6.4 Hemi?

[@and2244rew]

I believe the new engine is smaller

[@johhniespeed]

unimogs are nice but a completely different class/size of truck. My comments relate to small trail vehicles and jeeps specifically.

[@SquiggleSquared]

how much faster/economical is the manual?

[@barneyfife6373]

Everyone calling for diesel should know that diesel fuel is now almost as expensive as gas...also the new diesel engines are now so complicated they have poor reliability, they're not like the old fashioned simple diesel motors that never broke down....the new ones are very expensive to have things fixed plus diesel models are always marked up much higher than the gas models.

[@TheSaint52x]

typo at 44 sec. it says its a 3.8 when its a 3.6 lolz

[@SCROGY]

What is that supposed to mean?

[@AKGUY47]

Love the new motor we had an 2011 rubicon that could't get out of it's own way. Even with 35's it's still way faster then the old one and who cares about gas mileage.

[@ShiftedPerspective]

not really a review but still nice

[@SCROGY]

You do realise the new V-6 makes more power than the old 304 right? If anything they need to bring the diesel over here so we get more torque AND better fuel economy. (You don't even need all 285 hp in the Wrangler off road, unless you are spinning huge Super Swampers in the mud). But domestic brands are still convinced North Americans hate diesels.

[@warner735]

it has a 3.6L pentastar , not 3.8

[@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

[@tristenturner832]

its the 12 btw

[@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.

[@michofaddoul9598]

wrangler or fj cruiser ?

[@whiterabbitt2002]

Chrysler should come out with a Rubicon model that has the same engine that the current Dodge Power Wagon has. just saying

[@andrewrobotbuilder]

I would have loved to own one of these pretty cool vehicles, but their engine size puts me off. Seems too thirsty

[@clarda1]

nice review

[@Harmonlisa]

I think he meant 3 seconds faster than the 2011.

[@MegaSatelite21]

Is this California?

[@2004YukonXLGuy]

you sure the 2012 aint got a 3.6? come on man

[@BYLRPhil]

MPG?

[@cydonianman]

@romanmicagearguy when people see a jeep drive by what would they say? "hey look, a car." or "hey look, a jeep." i would bet on the latter. but if u want to be technical its an SUV.

[@SCROGY]

Yeah, and you'll be snapping your axles left and right. This engine has more than enough power. If you want to pass people on the highway get an SRT Challenger.