The 2014 Jeep Wrangler’s only engine option is a home run. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 offers 285 horsepower, solid acceleration, and exceptional reliability. All while adding acceptable gas mileage at 18 mpg combined.
Key Points
- The 2014 Wrangler offers a single engine option: the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. It’s paired to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.
- The Wrangler’s engine produces 285 horsepower, 260 lb.-ft. of torque, and makes 60 mph in a modest 8.6 seconds.
- Towing capacity for the 3.6-liter V6 maxes out at 3,500 pounds in the Wrangler Unlimited, and 2,000 pounds in the two-door Wrangler.
- EPA-rated fuel economy ranges from a low of 16 city mpg to a high of 21 hwy mpg. Annual fueling costs for the 3.6-liter-powered 2014 Wrangler sit at $2,750.
2014 Jeep Wrangler’s 3.6L Pentastar V6 Delivers Great Performance with 285 hp, an 8.6-second 0–60, and up to 21 mpg on the Highway
The lone engine option in the 2014 Jeep Wrangler is the famous 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. The Pentastar debuted in 2011, replacing the 3.7-liter Powertech that came before it. It made its way to the Wrangler for the 2012 model year.
By 2014, the Pentastar V6 was pushing out a reliable 285 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque – more than enough for most applications. It’s paired to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.
The 2014 Wrangler comes with either an 18.6-gallon or 21.6-gallon fuel tank in the Wrangler Unlimited (four-door). When paired with the manual transmission, the Pentastar V6 produces an EPA-rated mileage of 17 city/ 21 hwy/ 18 combined. With the automatic, owners will see 17 city/ 21 hwy/ 18 combined mpg.
The Pentastar’s fuel economy drops slightly in the Wrangler Unlimited. EPA ratings sit at 16 city/ 21 hwy/ 18 combined with a manual and 16 city/ 20 hwy/ 18 combined with the automatic. Altogether, annual fuel costs sit at $2,750, making it a pricey engine to quench. Total fuel range is rated at 335 or 405 miles depending on the fuel tank size.
One of the benefits of the 2014 Wrangler’s Pentastar engine is its power. While it’s not very economical, it easily tows up to 3,500 lbs. in the Wrangler Unlimited or 2,000 lbs. in the two-door Wrangler. Considering it’s nowhere close to being a sports car, the Wrangler’s 8.6-second time is impressive. The Pentastar also pushes the Wrangler to a quarter-mile time of 16.6 seconds.
Overall, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 offers exactly what you would want in a weekend toy: plenty of power and a solid towing capacity.
2014 Wrangler’s Pentastar Engine is Built to be Lightweight, Durable, and Efficient with an Iron Crankshaft, Aluminum Block and Heads, and an Integrated Exhaust Manifold
The Pentastar’s success can be attributed to its thoughtful construction. It features an aluminum block and sand-cast T7 aluminum heads to keep things lightweight. The crankshaft is made of iron for durability. And to maximize power and efficiency, bore and stroke are set to 96 mm and 83 mm, respectively, giving the 3.6-liter a 10.2:1 compression ratio.
The 3.6 utilizes a DOHC setup with finger rollers and hydraulic lifters. Intake and exhaust timing is chain-driven, with each receiving a separate chain. Furthermore, the intake valves are made of forged heat-resistant steel for added durability. The Pentastar also features variable valve timing with dual independent cam phasing. This helps improve both idle quality and stabilize the power output, all while maintaining a simple design.
The intake manifold consists of a lightweight composite. It’s also fitted with a 74 mm throttle body and multi-port fuel injection that’s electronically governed. Unlike the intake manifold, the exhaust manifold is integrated into the head itself, simplifying the design and parts used.
Another benefit of the Pentastar V6 is its emissions control. The Pentastar was designed to meet strict Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) II standards, LEV III, and Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) California standards. In short, passing emissions in a regulated state should be a breeze.
2014 Jeep Wrangler’s 3.6-liter Engine is Exceptionally Easy to Maintain with its Integrated Oil Quality Warning System
The early days for the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 were rough. The first engines had several reliability issues, including problems in the left cylinder head, rocker arm failure, and blockages in the cooling system. Luckily, by 2014 issues were resolved.
The 2014 Wrangler has proven to house a reliable engine option in the 3.6-liter Pentastar. One of the key changes was the hardened valve guides and seats, which led to less wear and tear. Now, it’s not uncommon to see 3.6-liter Pentastar engines from 2014 and on with several hundred thousand miles on them.
Maintaining the 2014 Wrangler’s engine is also trouble-free and straightforward. The engine utilizes an oil condition sensor to alert the driver when it’s time to change. Jeep recommends six quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 motor oil at intervals of no more than 10,000 miles. When changing the filter, you’ll also find the oil canister has been swapped out for a more eco-friendly filter element replacement.
Additional engine maintenance such as replacing coolant and spark plugs should be conducted every 100,000 miles per the 2014 Wrangler’s factory manual.
2014 Wrangler’s Standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is a Proven Winner with Above-average Reliability and 285 Horsepower
In summary, the 2014 Jeep Wrangler’s lone engine option is a great one. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is capable, reliable, and great with emissions. The only downside side might be its fuel economy. But honestly, you can’t reasonably expect better of a V6 with 280+ horsepower. If you’re in the market for a weekend warrior vehicle, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better engine than the 2014 Wrangler’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6.
Photos: Stellantis
