Last September, Jeep made a rather unusual announcement regarding the Wrangler. At the time, the American automaker revealed that its SUV would only be available with a manual transmission when paired with the V6 engine.
It was expected that this news would be well-received by most fans of the American SUV. Ironically, that wasn’t the case, and enthusiasts were quick to express their dissatisfaction on social media. It took Jeep a few months to reconsider, but the automaker eventually reversed its decision.
Automatic Transmission for All Engines
After a period of reflection, Jeep decided it was necessary to reintroduce the 8-speed automatic transmission to the V6 Wrangler lineup. Despite the addition of the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine a few years ago, the V6 remains a highly popular option for the Jeep Wrangler. It’s a tried-and-true engine with numerous options and upgrades available to enhance its performance. It’s easy to see why Wrangler fans were concerned about the V6 no longer being paired with an automatic transmission.
Now, some might wonder why the automatic transmission is so popular among Jeep Wrangler enthusiasts. You see, it’s often assumed that a manual transmission is the preferred choice for most car enthusiasts. While that’s true when it comes to winding roads where shifting gears is part of the fun, the situation changes when venturing off the beaten path, where precision is key.
From my experience, I can tell you that the manual transmission is too imprecise for off-road driving. The friction point is too wide, and the gear engagement is too aggressive. I much prefer the smoothness of an automatic transmission when it comes to navigating obstacles in dense forests, and I’m certain many Jeep Wrangler enthusiasts who enjoy off-road driving feel the same way. On the other hand, if you spend most of your time on the road, the manual transmission remains a more enjoyable option, especially in terms of driving pleasure.
Now, I think it’s time to start advocating for the manual transmission to be offered with the other powertrains. Currently, the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the plug-in hybrid version, and the 6.4-liter V8 are only available with the 8-speed automatic transmission.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
