The 2013 Jeep Wrangler offers multiple trims and features, but there’s only one engine. The 3.6L Pentastar V6, however, is a durable and reliable motor with solid acceleration and exceptional off-road performance.
Key Points
- Find the 2013 Wrangler’s 285-horsepower V6 engine paired to either a six-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic.
- Jeep’s 2013 Wrangler excels off-road, but it’s no pickup truck and only manages a max tow rating of 3,500 pounds.
- Pentastar V6 provides mediocre fuel economy at an EPA-estimated 17/21 mpg city/highway with either transmission.
- The Pentastar V6 appeared in many Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles. Whether commuting, towing, or crawling over rocks, the 3.6L has you covered.
285-horsepower, 3.6L Pentastar V6 is a Great Performer that Does 0–60 in 6.6 Seconds
The 2013 Jeep Wrangler comes with a 3.6L Pentastar V6 as the only engine option. The Pentastar debuted in the Wrangler for the 2012 model year, replacing the 3.8L mill in its predecessor.
For 2012 and a few years later (2013 included), the Pentastar V6 generated a reliable 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque — which should be sufficient for most use cases. In other words, whether you’re commuting to work or navigating an off-road trail, the Wrangler’s V6 should offer more than enough power.
Paired to a standard six-speed manual transmission (with the option for a five-speed automatic), the 3.6L V6’s sufficient acceleration both off the line and at highway speeds puts some compact crossovers to shame. So you’ll only really need the generous throttle input during hill climbs. Regardless of the transmission you choose, all 2013 Wrangler models come standard with four-wheel drive and are refined and well-matched to the engine.
The Pentastar V6 may be excellent on and off the highway, but its weakness is poor fuel economy. The 2013 Wrangler has a mileage of 17/21 mpg city/highway (with either the five- or six-speed transmission), and you’d have to settle for an even lower estimate if you get a Wrangler Unlimited model.
If you have to cover a substantial commute, the Wrangler’s boxy aerodynamics coupled with a Pentastar that guzzles gas will negatively impact fuel economy. While Jeep has introduced the hybrid 4xe with better mileage for 2013, you have to make do with this.
3.6L Pentastar V6 Gives the 2013 Jeep Wrangler a Jack-of-all-trades Driving Experience
The 3.6L Pentastar V6 makes the 2013 Wrangler particularly capable for off-roading. In fact, if your mission is to blaze trails off-road, you won’t do much better than this, unless, of course, you go for the Rubicon trim, which couples the Pentastar with specialized hardware such as 32-inch tires, 17-inch wheels, electronic front, and rear locking differentials, heavy-duty axles and transfer case, and a disconnecting front sway bar.
Off-road driving is not the Pentastar V6’s only strength, though. For one, its acceleration is very respectable, taking the midsize SUV from zero to 60 in 6.6 seconds.
As a result, the Wrangler easily handles highway speeds, provided you can make do with a bumpy, noisy ride. That’s right. The Wrangler does not offer the smoothest drive on the highway. If anything, its handling is less refined than most compact SUVs, and its ride comfort doesn’t compete. If you’re looking for an SUV that rides like a car, the Wrangler comes up short.
Coming standard with antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, and hill start assist, the V6-powered 2013 Jeep Wrangler can come to a halt from 60 mph in about 140 feet, according to an Edmunds brake test.
2013 Wrangler’s Pentastar Engine is Purposely Built for Efficiency and Durability
The 3.6L V6’s smaller size and lighter weight than its predecessors contribute to its greater power and less fuel consumption — but how did Chrysler achieve this? For starters, the Pentastar V6 is made with an aluminum block and sand-cast T7 aluminum heads, along with an open-deck design that saves on material-added weight. The length has also been reduced by 34 mm, and the weight curbed by 42 lbs. versus the 3.5L.
That said, longevity is also a selling point of the Pentastar, with cylinder liners made of cast iron and an intake valve (39 mm diameter) with a single-piece design made of forged heat-resistant martensitic steel. The exhaust valve is no different, boasting a two-piece design with a forged austenitic head joined to a martensitic stem.
With such a meticulous design, it’s no surprise that the 3.6L Pentastar V6 appeared in many Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles. It remains one of the most technologically advanced Chrysler engines to date.
2013 Wrangler’s Standard 3.6L Pentastar V6 is a Capable Engine with Above-average Reliability and 285 Horsepower
The 2013 Jeep Wrangler may have only a single engine option, but there’s no doubt that it’s a pretty good one. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 provides enough power for the highway (although the driving experience is not the most composed) but perhaps, where it shines most, is off-road.
So if you’re in the market for a vehicle that will hit the dirt like a champ, you can’t go wrong with the Pentastar V6-powered 2013 Jeep Wrangler.
Photos: Stellantis
