i don't want to get on a rant here but if the milaeage sucks, who cares!! i just wrote a comment that was way too long and it wouldn't let me post it. luck you! i don't want to tow 5,000 lbs like i saw in a post earlier and i don't care if i get passed on the highway. my parents had dodge minivans all my life (still do) and i think that engine will be just fine for my four door. there was another post with this idea too and it is right! if i wanted to go fast i would buy a sports car. if i wanted to tow 2 1/2 tons, i would buy a dually pickup. i own a jeep because of what it can do off-road. i don't care about the wind noise or the harsh ride. with the new four door, i can bring more people along and they won't complain (as much). isn't that why people get jeeps to begin with?

Today (September 15, 2006) the Wall Street Journal features a review of the new Wrangler (both two- and four-door). Overall, the review is very favorable--except where it points out the seemingly low the fuel economy! Jeez, you would think that such a small SUV would get something closer to that of the Compass...

Just replaced my '04 Unlimited with a Liberty CRD (6th Jeep product owned) two weeks ago and love it! The engine is not broken in and giving an overall city mileage of roughly 20.5 mpg...a big improvement over the 14 mpg I was getting in the Unlimited. I would really prefer a 4 door Wrangler with a CRD, but this will do, for now. A slight lift, larger tires, and full skids should do the trick on the Liberty.
Diesel in the Wrangler, please.

I'm interested in the 4 door Wrangler (it would be my first Jeep). I see on the corporate website (Jeep.com) gas mileage figures listed for the 2007, but an asterisk * says "2006 EPA estimated..." I went to EPA's website (fueleconomy.gov) and no figures for any 2007 Jeep are yet listed. I'm not sure I understand that, but since it uses the same engine as the van and doesn't weigh much more, the mpg might be better than the 2006? Even so, mileage is comparable to most any SUV, which can't go where Jeeps go...

Wasn't the 4.0 based on the 3.5? That engine needed to be revved more to get to its peaks; the 3.8 is low on paper-power but good for everyday driveability.

If Jeep did put the 4.0L in the Jeep I think we would be hearing the same story about the fact the the torque is found at too high of an RPM.

Well I got to check out the 4-door Unlimited Sahara today. It's all Jeep that's for sure. From the upright rear seats to the manual pump-action seat height adjuster it lets you know right away where you are - in a real Jeep. It's got about as much usable seating and cargo area as my 04 Grand Cherokee, but the rear door openings are noticably smaller. That's ok, the kids are still small enough to fit. The subwoofer positioning is begging to be knocked-out by sliding gear in the cargo area, but Fido won't mind. I like the hidden storage compartment and the soft-top is well stored when not in use. It is collapsed compactly behind the rollbar, but still within the tub walls (I had wondered why they didn't take the rollbar all the way tot he back).
2 things are preventing me from putting down my $33,000 check. Rubicon Unlimiteds will not be getting the MyGig system as Job 1 until November 1 - and the 6-speed manual only gets 17city/19highway.
I am willing to sacrifice a few ponies and low-end torque from my 4.7L V8 but only if it results in a significant net increase in mileage.
No CRD? No MDS Hemi? No Joe-Money for Jeep.

So MyGig won't be offered until Nov. 1. Then it will take 30-45 days until it arrives at the dealership - that's Christmas time. That's well past convertible season in these parts... Grand Cherokee CRD comes out in early '07...hmmm
Why must I chose between practical and fun?

Update:9-13-06
I test drove the Unlimited Sahara 6 speed last night. It was adequate in acceration and torque, but not exciting. I think the 6 speed makes up for the 3.8L shortcomings. Ride and handling were very good for a real Jeep. There is definitely enough space for wife kids & dawg and some gear. The rear passenger doors are smallish, but adults will fit comfortably in all 4 seats.

wow...thats a large downward revision...seems like DCX woulda known the MPG BEFORE releasing the numbers. My 05 rubi unlimited auto averages 16mph. I was looking forward to upgrading to the new model 4 door for the family....but heck the mpg is shameful...I keep reading people want the Diesel but if u check with owners of the Liberty Diesel they seem to complain about the extra cost of the engine with not much improvement in mpg. Gas prices are on the decline but imo its only temporary as opec is at max production right now and any whisper of trouble in the middle east and a hurricaine in the gulf and its back to $3 or higher FAST!!!

My plans to trade for an 07 are on hold im sad to say as it looks sharp. I still think as gas prices continue to rise only those with lots of dissposable income or just downright rich will be driving the fun cars, trucks, jeeps that get low mpg....class distiction will be more obvious when we are all in tin cans cuz we cannot afford the gas....

18/22 is still better than my 2.5L...

Drove 4 dr yesterday and loved the handling, space, seats, etc. The engine response was good, however, I will not buy one until a diesel is available. Period. It is about the mileage, durability, and torque.

Doc Z. drop a "D" into the thing, would you? Listen to all the people who want it.

If you put a diesel engine in the new Wrangler Unlimited, I WILL BE DRIVING my dream vehicle. If you don't, I WILL WATCH people drive a really great looking vehicle with an engine from the land of misfit toys.

Hello?

The new Wrangler 2007 MPG is a disaster, considering the fact, that now a days every automobile manufacture has to consider fuel efficiency and fuel alternatives for their vehicle. A diesel would have been the right approach for the new wrangler and I don’t get it, what the problem is to get a diesel version out on the American market.
I really want to get a 2007 rubi, but just the diesel version makes sense for me, that I will run with Bio D.

Does anybody know, if the diesel will be sold in Mexico? I am researching right now, if there is a chance to import a diesel from Mexico into the states but I am not sure if the diesel is clean enough to run it in California and then also dealing with all the hassle…I have no idea if that is an option at all.

Unfortunately, there is not much information out right now regarding the Diesel version and it feels really strange, planning to import a Jeep back to the US that got produced in the US. But again, I really like the new 2007 and just a Diesel would be an option for me.

Would be great to hear any feedback on this.
Thanks.

I was so looking forward to a 2007 4 door rubi... I wanted a diesel, but thought if the gas engine got the MPG they first posted, I might consider it. (add some borla headers, K&N, etc to make it more peppy)

With these revised numbers, there is no chance in hell I am getting this lame duck. Good looking, but lame.

I will only get one when there is a DIESEL with some power that I can run B100 bio in it....

I can't believe how they screwed the pooch on this redesign.

Let's face it the TJ is a brick.The new JK, or whatever, is still a brick, you're not going to get good MPG with a brick. Granted, you would think that better mileage would be possible. I recently bought a Commander with the 4.7L V8 and it is only averaging 14.2 MPG (which should get better once it's broken in, hopefully) and i have a light right foot most of the time! I get 18MPG with my TJ and am running 33" mud tires and about 400lbs. + of skid plates, granted the Comander weighs 4900lbs.

And where is the V8 for the four door? Come on! If they really cannot fit a V8 in the engine bay that is SAD. The 4.7L would be a great option for the four door!

What DCX needs to put in the Wranglers is an optional I4 turbo diesel. Great torque, durability and good mileage... Now if they can just figure out how to make a clean diesel... which is rediculous to me because for years diesels have been touted as being cleaner than gas engines... what gives?

Hint for DCX, give the engineering guys in Toledo the design pencil and go back to designing cars.

If DCX doesn't understand how passionate Jeepers are about their Wrangler powertrains, they need to read this forum. Except for, maybe, Corvette fanatics, I can't think of a group of car guys who keep more abreast of new vehicle developments.

Even when the 4.0L I6 came to the '91YJ (from the XJ) there were some naysayers. The "oldtimers" just loved that carbureted 4.2L I6 low end torque (one of the last carbureted vehicles to switch to F.I. in the US, I believe). After a real short time, the 4.0L was seen as a big improvement (especially with the "new" fuel injection being more friendly on inclines off-trail). And, back in the early '90s, there wasn't much (forget the Cyclone & Typhoon) that could touch the YJ's quickness. One (I think --Motor Trend) car mag clocked a 5speed YJ 4.0L at 0-60 in 8 flat, using 2 gears. That was fast back then!

Now we come to the "new" 3.8L V6. Hardly a big improvement. Maybe we could have swallowed it for awhile, given the current gas crunch, if it got great MPGs. I'm sure many would have forgiven its minivan heritage if it came in at only 18MPG hwy, but got modified to make 250+HP & 270+ft-lbs, even as an option.

But with what's looking like mediocre MPGs and mediocre power, how could you DCX?

P.S. Most of the other changes look great, though.

Man I haven't seen people this fired up since they killed off the Cherokee.
Somebody from DaimlerChrysler should wake up and smell their leiderhosen.
The '07 Wrangler gas engine stinks.

Check out the Town & Country's MPG rating...http://www.chrysler.com/en/performance/#mpg_town_country

3.8L V6
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
205 hp
18 city / 25 hwy

Weights:
2006 Chrysler Town & Country LWB
Curb weight: 4,273 lbs.

2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Curb weight: 4,340 lbs (that's for the Rubicon with an auto transmission

So what gives...same engine same weight?
Does it come down to aerodynamics?

This is truly a shame, especially being located in the heartland of Wrangler Country (Toledo OH).

From my hands on experience with the Wrangler, especially the Unlimited, it looks like they did the vehicle justice in the design and upgraded features, but forgot or at least bumped their head on the all when they put the 3.8 under the hood. For one, it is grossly under-powered. test Drive a 4-cyl Compass on the highway and pass someone, then test drive a Wrangler Unlimited on the highway with the 3.8 and pass someone and you get the same feeling. Delay... and a "I think I can" movement.

DCX did a great job with design, but as we all know, hardcore Jeepers love power! And... this lacks power in all forms.

Oh and MPG... I guess DCX will come out with a 4th model next year code named "HOG".

The potential was there.... but... one fatal step will have its effects..... grrrrrrr

Currently own a 2002 Grand Cherokee Overland with 4.7 H.O. engine. It puts out 265 horsepower, increased by a cold air intake. The torque I think falls in around 290 or so. Anyways, my city driving gives me 16 miles per gallon with up to 20 to 21 highway. Why not drop in a V8. A hemi would be nice but once again we could get hung up in all this gas talk. The 4.7 I feel would be a great comprimise for power and fuel in turn giving the wrangler the power owners have been calling for. I have owned 3 wranglers...92,98,01...all with the tried and true 4.0. Good engine, lacked power. 3.8? Who knows! The 4.7. has been around for some time and is still in use with the Dodge boys. Think about it it might work.

I spoke with Cecilia in their call center. She didn't have an answer for the change in estimates, but she did say that others had asked and she would get back to me when she found out something.

She did have a full price list which she is mailing to me. Also, she said the website will include custom building and pricing starting next week, but she seemed to pull that time frame out of thin air so who knows.

Finally, she did give me some firm tidbits on the MyGig Nav Radio:

List $1590
Manufactured for DCX by Alpine.
Call 1-866-733-5492 for detailed info about the Nav Radio.

Very disappointing. My 2000 Cherokee even gets 24 mpg. So much for replacing her with a new Unlimited... Didn't DC tout more efficient???

Seriusly Disapointing, I dont see any benefit in the new range of engines...
Luckily I haven't placed down a deposit yet...
Since I think I will have to start looking for alternatives...

Even though here in Aus, they are due to arrive in feb-march 2007, along with the 2.8L diesel option...

Most of the other 4wd on offer, have an engine in the 175+ kw range....
150kw for a significantly heavier car is just pathetic.... Especialy if it archives it's peak power at higher rpms, then the older inline 6....

And then 2.8l diesel is not a exactly an outstanding engine either....

Seriusly, they should have put in the 3.0L diesel which they sell here allready with the grand cherokee... That would have been f*cking sweet!!! 160kw, and 510nm.....

I'm seriusly disapointed they didnt include the hemi as an option!!! Why the hell did they even spend money on the development of a new engine?! I would have hapily caughed up an extra 5k+ for the hemi option....

Or are they holding it for mid-life model refreshment of the wrangler or something?

I remeber when my 4.0l xj was released, it had way more power, and power to weight ration then any other 4wd in the class and by far... the xj could even blow all over little bs sportscars and sport saloons...

I thought that was part of the jeep thing.... Obviously it isnt...

Major disappointment! I hope DCX is reading the comments on the "new 3.8L" engine. With all that it great about the new Wrangler, the poor engine performance (Mileage and Power) will deter many potential buyers. Where in the world did DCX think they would get 27 MPG with a vehicle as big as the four door Wrangler?? There should be more interest in the domestic diesel program by the end of the week!! Dr. Z, are you listening??

Who says that it is only 1 MPG better.

2006 Wrangler X manual
190 hp - 235 lb-ft - 15 city / 19 hwy

2007 Wrangler X manual
202hp - 237ft-lb - 17 city /19 hwy

It is 2 MGP better 12 more hp, 500 lb heavier, and 2 lb-ft

Fuel economy was never an issue with buying a Wrangler or a Cherokee - you knew you were getting the tried and true 4.0 and it didn't matter.

It's unfortunate that we were promised a better replacement for the 4.0 - something that was supposed to be more efficient and more powerful - something that they did not deliver (10hp and +1 mpg doesn't count).

The rest of the Jeep couldn't have been redesigned to be any better in my opinion - but the heart and soul of the Wrangler should be felt under the hood.

Hah! I knew it wouldn't be any better than the old 4.0L inline 6 cyl.
DaimlerChrysler should be ashamed that after all of the additional saftey items, they forgot the CRD for the Wranglers.
Nope, I'm not buying one with the 3.8L gas engine.
Shameful to waste so much gas these days. I hope DCx gets spanked HARD for not offering a more fuel efficient version.
They might as well throw the 8.3L V10 in there and make everybody happy in at least one category.
Cha-Ching...That's the sound of me putting my $33,000 check back in the bank. Cuz Jeep's not getting it.

Update: LOL. I cracked up reading how fiesty I was 6 months ago.
It's funny how time wears you down and you just 'settle' for POS 3.8L just because the sun is shining and you want to put the top down and sling some mud.

Found my old comment from last month when they announced mpg.

"27mpg highway? Seems a little over optimistic to me. If they can do that kudos but my 2700# 2wd reg cab 2.4l Tacoma won't get over 25mpg"

In a way it's sad my little Taco only gets 25mpg. But it's geared like I am going to tow my house so at least it can get out of it's own way.

Diesel Diesel Diesel

Color me not surprised. I can't wait for the next new Wrangler which will be bigger and heavier and will have a brand new slightly more powerful engine that get's 1mpg better than the current one. Sigh...

Diesel if you please DCX.

In the 1980s, an EPA study found that drivers were typically achieving lower fuel economy than predicted by EPA laboratory tests. As a result, EPA required the laboratory-derived city and highway MPG estimates posted on the labels of new vehicles to be adjusted downward by 10 percent for city estimates and by 22 percent for highway estimates to better reflect the MPG real-world drivers can expect.

In other words, the EPA ratings are really just a guess based on some lab tests.

This is Total BS. DCX posted 26 MPG for the Wrangler 4x4 last month and now this garbage!!! I am going to buy a Toyota or something. I will not buy this new Gas HOG. Maybe a buy a Diesel when they come out. I am pissed.

Now, with the new MPG numbers, I am glad I got my red Unlimited. The new ones look like a Hummer in a way. And with the Wrangler trying to get the new MPG of 28 for 2011, I can't see that happening, unless they put that new "Phoenix" V-6 variant in there. Didn't the government want these vehicles back in the 40's?

The numbers look flawed. Look at all the 4X4 models: the 4DR Unlimited has the same mpg as the 2DR. That can't be.

Either way. 16-17mpg city & 19mpg hwy should be NO surprise. It WEIGHS MORE!

I believe most of the reason for the engine swap was to meet new emissions reqts. If you want better MPG, go buy a Compass.

Lots of us will take a few LESS mpg, if we can get some ballz under the hood. 202HP is so UNinspriring! Hello? DCX??

Don't forget, with the new EPA requirements in effect, Wrangler must get 28mpg (ave hwy) by 2011. I still don't see that happening!