Pentastar: ’12 Jeep Wrangler gets 285-hp V-6, 5-speed AT

The Jeep Wrangler, which has long set the standards for offroad character, has enhanced its onroad presence.

For 2012, the Wrangler gets Chrysler’s Pentastar V-6, which showed up in the Grand Cherokee a year ago, and a 5-speed automatic transmission.

I spent time last week, both on- and offroad, in a Wrangler Rubicon, and the new powertrain should broaden the 4-by-4’s base of appeal.

Interestingly, the past two weeks I’ve driven vehicles base-priced within $5 of each other. The Rubicon’s $29,995 base is just a fiver above the $29,990 base of the ’12 Toyota Prius V of the week previously.

These two, so close in value, yet are so far apart in capabilities and promises.

In hearing of the increased power of the ’12 Jeep, an owner of a Wrangler with the old setup of the 3.8-liter V-6 and 4-speed automatic lamented a recent climb toward Eisenhower Tunnel in which, as his 4-by-4 slowed noticeably, a Prius flew right past him in the passing lane. The Prius actually is a decent highway performer; its super fuel mileage seems to obscure that fact among some motorists.

Rest assured, with the new Pentastar power, the Wrangler won’t be lagging on the mountain climbs to the west.

The new 3.6-liter engine churns out 285 horsepower, a big jump over the 202 from last year’s 3.8-liter, and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 5-speed automatic smooths out shifts and boosts fuel mileage, and a 6-speed manual transmission remains available for offroad diehards. Even with the refreshed power, steering remains a priority on the highway with the Wrangler’s short 95-inch wheelbase.

Going offroad, the Wrangler’s crawl with AT doesn’t match that of a manual tranny, but the Rubicon in low-range carried Jan and me off a trail, around a tree, over some berms and several tree limbs and along a waterway. In the face of refinement, Jeep is protective of Wrangler’s stiff frame/body and offroad ways.

The addition of the automatic transmission, navigation and a three-piece hardtop boosted sticker price to $35,660. Removal of the two-piece top above the driver and front-seat passenger requires twisting out two large bolt fasteners, turning a lever on the passenger side and three more on the driver’s, unfastening header latches on each side and lifting off one side, then the other.

Once known for its spartan appearance, the Wrangler today is filled with amenities, and this one included heated leather seats, information center, power windows/locks/mirrors, hill-descent control, rear window defroster/wiper/washer, Sirius satellite radio, electronic locking differentials, skid plates and heavy-duty axles.

Wrangler prices range from around $23,000 for a Sport model to $35,000 for an Unlimited Rubicon.

The new powertrain posts a higher EPA rating of 17 miles per gallon in the city and 21 highway; my driving, which favored in-town and slow offroad activity, averaged 18.1.

Jeep is in the midst of a boom in sales. November sales increased 50 percent, the 19th consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. The Wrangler, also noted for its resale value, increased sales by 41 percent.

Bud, thanks for providing the Chevy winners for those of us who somehow missed the 100 Years of Chevrolet section. I can’t complain about the taste of the voters. It is such a shame that there probably were no candidates in the past 40 years that got any votes. Regarding the review of the Mazda3, does it really have a 14:1 compression ratio? – J.C.

The special section on Chevrolet’s 100th anniversary, John, can be seen by going to DenverPost.com, following the bar over and clicking on Shopping, then on Special Sections, then on the 100 Years of Chevrolet section. The compression ratio for the Mazda3 was in error; I apologize. The ratio for cars in the U.S. is 12:1.

Bud, there are all sorts of gas-powered and diesel cars that will match fuel mileage of the 2012 Toyota Prius V you wrote about last week. What would be the big deal about buying one, except for pleasing the “green” movement? – J.W.

You apparently are considering only the highway fuel mileage of the Prius, John. Its EPA-rated highway mileage of 40 is matched by a number of vehicles; however, the Prius V’s city mileage of 44 is far ahead of anything else, other than hybrids.

I’m old enough to remember the cars you were reviewing 30 years ago, Bud, and that ’81 Maserati in last week’s “look back” feature must have been special. I do also remember the dealership, Royal Carriage Works at My Garage at 455 Broadway. What has happened to that business? – F.S.

That business, long owned by Bill Stewart, has evolved into the large Ferrari of Denver dealership in Highlands Ranch.

$36,622

(price as tested)

MPG City 17 Highway 21

Vehicle type: 4-by-4 sport utility vehicle

Wheelbase: 95.4 inches

Length/Width/Height: 163.8/73.7/72.4 inches

Weight: 4,135 pounds

Engine: 3.6-liter V-6

Transmission: 5-speed automatic

Fuel mileage: 18.1 mpg

Fuel tank: 18.6 gallons

Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/100,000 powertrain

Competitors: Toyota FJ Cruiser, Nissan Xterra

Built at Toledo, Ohio

Parts content: U.S./Canadian 71 percent, Mexico 15 percent, Germany 5 percent

$29,995 base

$1,125 5-speed automatic transmission, hill-descent control

$1,035 Navigation, media center with 6.5-inch touch-screen display

$735 Black 3-piece hardtop

$685 Power heated mirrors, power windows/locks, keyless entry

$800 Destination

Go-anywhere maneuverability

Advanced engine, transmission

4-by-4 prowess

Tight rear seat

Fuel mileage