Planning to buy a Jeep Wrangler?
If so, the first question you would face is which one is better between Jeep Wrangler 4 Cylinder vs 6 Cylinder?
The problem is that if you refer to the manual of both these Jeep wranglers, there will be too many technical terms involved, and you won’t be able to choose between them. That is why; I have decided to compare both of them in simple terms so that you can make that buying decision easily.
Before that, however, it is important to understand the role of the cylinder in the Jeep Wrangler.
What Is the Function of Cylinders in Jeep Wrangler?
The cylinder is a chamber in the car’s engine where the combustion process takes place. Fuel is combusted in this chamber which generates the power. Usually, a cylinder consists of valves and a piston. The two valves are the inlet and the exhaust valves, and the piston moves up and down to aid the combustion process.
Needless to say, the more the number of cylinders in the Jeep Wrangler engine, the more will be the power generated.
Now that you know what two cylinders do in the Jeep Wrangler engine, it is time to compare both.
Jeep Wrangler 4 Cylinder vs 6 Cylinder
I will compare both the Jeep wranglers on numerous parameters to paint a clear picture
Output Power
As highlighted above, the more the number of cylinders in the Jeep Wrangler, the higher will be the output power.
When you look at the 4 cylinder engine, it offers you 120hp and 140 pound-feet torque.
On the other hand, the Jeep Wrangler 6 cylinder engine offers you 190 hp with 222 pound-feet of torque. It means that accelerating the Jeep Wrangler 6 cylinder will provide you with faster acceleration with higher speed and load-carrying capacity.
Fuel Efficiency
The mileage which each of these offers also matters a lot.
As explained above, the cylinder is the chamber in the car’s engine which uses the fuel to generate power through the combustion process. It means that the more the cylinders in the Jeep Wrangler, the more the simultaneous fuel consumption and, therefore, the lower the mileage will be.
If you look at the averages, the 4 cylinder variant provides you with 23mpg of mileage. On the other hand, 6 cylinder variant can provide you with 17mpg of mileage.
When you’re looking for a more fuel-efficient car, you have no other option but to go with the 4 cylinder engine. The fuel efficiency of that engine is better, and therefore it will be more economical to run in the longer term.
Acceleration
The acceleration of any car depends on the amount of power it generates.
Of course, the Jeep Wrangler with more cylinders will provide you with more power. In a nutshell, the 6 cylinder variant has faster acceleration due to higher power generation.
For an average user, the difference in acceleration will not matter much. However, if you race often or push your Jeep to its limits, you will notice the difference.
If you want the Jeep Wrangler with the fastest acceleration, go with the 6 cylinder variant.
Off-Roading Capability
Many people particularly like the Jeep Wrangler for off-roading. This is when they are faced with the question, which engine is better for off-roading?
You might think that the 6 cylinder one is better since it provides more power. In off-roading, more power means the Jeep can handle the terrain better. However, in this case, the 4 cylinder engine will provide you with a better off-roading experience.
The reason is that the 6 cylinder engine will spin the wheels spin. That is why the wheels might side as well. Consequently, its traction is not up to the mark for off-roading.
On the other hand, the 4 cylinder engine has enough power to help you navigate any terrain without excessive sliding of the wheels, thereby providing you with excellent stability and traction.
The 4 cylinder variant is a good choice for those getting the Jeep Wrangler off-roading driving.
Reliability
Jeep Wrangler can be considered a pretty reliable vehicle. However, since the engine configuration of the 4 cylinder one and 6 cylinder one is different, is there a difference in reliability between the both?
I will answer this question.
Usually speaking, a 6 cylinder engine is more reliable than a 4 cylinder one. That is because it is designed to produce more power and for more heavy-duty driving. The higher number of cylinders means that the redundancy is also on the higher side, and therefore it works as a failsafe mechanism.
If you reside in the countryside, this engine can provide you with more reliability.
So, if your sole criteria for choosing between Jeep grand Cherokee diesel models is reliability, the 6 cylinder one is a better choice.
Resale Value
Of course, whichever Jeep Wrangler you buy, you won’t be driving it around forever. Sooner than later, you will think about selling it in getting a new car. This is where the resale value of the car comes into the picture.
The 4 cylinder Jeep Wrangler has less resale value than the 6 cylinder one.
There are reasons for this.
To start with, the excellent reliability of the 6 cylinder engine means that it is more in demand. Due to the same, the resale value is on the higher side.
Not only that, the lifespan of the 4 cylinder engine is less compared to the 6 cylinder one.
When a person is buying a five year old car, he/she will prefer to go with the engine, which can last for at least 3 to 4 years or more and not require replacement soon enough. That is why most buyers choose a 6 cylinder Jeep Wrangler.
Due to both these reasons, the resale value of the Jeep Wrangler 6 cylinder variant is undoubtedly better.
Maintenance
The general perception is that the 4-cylinder engines require less maintenance because they consist of 4 cylinders rather than 6.
However, that’s not true!
6 cylinder variants are easier to maintain when it comes to Jeep Wrangler. The 4-cylinder engines suffer from more wear and tear and therefore need frequent replacement compared to the 6-cylinder ones.
The downside to this is that if you opt for a 4-cylinder variant, you will also have to pay a higher insurance premium.
When you want to go with the Jeep Wrangler, which has low maintenance needs, you need to go with the 6-cylinder engine variant.
It is time to look at some FAQs to know more about such variants.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a 4 cylinder Jeep Wrangler strong enough to off- road traveling?
Yes, 4 cylinder Jeep is undoubtedly strong enough for off-roading. Surprisingly, it offers better traction and control for off-roading.
2. Is a 4 cylinder Jeep Wrangler good?
A 4 cylinder Jeep Wrangler is only good enough if you do not mind the extra maintenance and stick to the highways, usually for driving.
3. How do you tell if the Jeep is 4 or 6 cylinder?
The easiest way to find out whether your Jeep is a 4 cylinder engine or a 6 cylinder one is to check the number of spark plugs on the engine.
The number of spark plugs is directly equal to the number of cylinders present in the engine. If there are four spark plugs, you have a 4 cylinder Jeep. On the other hand, six spark plugs indicate that you have a 6 cylinder variant engine.
4. Is a V6 a 6-cylinder?
Yes, V6 indicates that it is a 6 cylinder engine.
Conclusion
When you compare jeep wrangler 4 cylinder vs 6 cylinder, there are quite a few differences that you need to consider.
If you’re getting a Jeep Wrangler for occasional or urban driving, even a 4-cylinder one will do. However, if you need one that is more reliable, requires less maintenance, and has better resale value, you can go with the 6 cylinder one.