Who else is happy with the Pentastar?

[Mac]

Very happy with mine, just over 14k miles, does everything I need it to do, commute into the city during the week, trips to Maine on the weekends frequently towing my boat which is around 3500lbs. Getting around 18mpg overall, would pick the same engine again, it is the 3rd 3.6 Pentastar, no problems with the first two in 80k miles and hopefully no issues with this one, the new 8 speed is a big improvement over the 5 speed the other two had.

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[PhantomChameleon]

I’m quite happy. More than enough power for what I need (and I’ve been all over the CO mountains). I hardly ever use more than half throttle.

Same here - been very happy with the engine and auto transmission combo. I am also in Colorado and even with a RTT, 2 bikes, and a bed full of gear, I have never felt like there was a lack of power driving through the mountains.

I have the Mopar 2in lift and 35s and after updating the computer for the bigger tires, the transmission functions perfectly.

 

[Spur]

So far happy with the engine.

The transmission not so much. Too many gears or improper spacing between gears. 8th is too weak to maintain. Probably should only have 6 or 7 properly spaced gears.

 

[PicklesJ]

Really like the Pentastat with the 8spdAT. Driving my 2010 JKU 3.8V6 with 4sdpAT is almost painful in comparison (but I still love driving it as much as the JT).

 

[Jas504]

I happy with the 3.6 and 8 speed auto.
I'm about 3 weeks into my Overland and no complaints. Im coming from a 2016 Sierra with the 5.3.
The 3.6 certainly doesn't have the power of the 5.3, but the 6 speed in the Sierra is a total piece of trash compared to the 8 speed in the gladiator.
Overall the combination of 3.6/8 sp in the gladiator is light years better that the ragged ass set up in the gmc.

 

[eaglerugby04]

I like to use the reverse logic when the "minivan" engine thing is so begrudgingly mentioned...maybe they are minivans with truck engines.

Thats the way I think. I towed and hauled so much with my van before getting the JT, I was like how is that a bad thing. lol

 

[texanjeeper]

I really like the Pentastar. Especially with the 8 speed transmission, it is matched well.

You guys who keep clamoring for a 8 cylinder, you're going to end up with a smallish V8 that you are going to be disappointed with....not enough power, yet gas mileage that sucks. The worst of both worlds.

 

[Orange01z28]

I think its a great engine

This is my 2nd one, I had the same combo in a Ram 1500 Rebel. The Jeep feels slightly less peppy than the Ram, but I also have 35s and a solid front axle on the Jeep

 

[cb4017]

I've had two 3.6L engines. First in a 2019 JLU with manual transmission then this one in my JT Max Tow. I'm very pleased with the drivability of the engine, especially when mated to the 8 speed transmission. More than adequate power for passing or hauling my 3K pound travel trailer and gets acceptable MPG. I also like the fact it is a port injected engine and not susceptible to the issues direct injected engines are starting to have

 

[cecaa850]

No issues, no regrets. Love mine. Does everything I need it to. No way I'd ever have their diesel offering. Emissions can be a nightmare, high maintenance costs, DEF, high price of admission and it doesn't get that much better mileage than mine does. Ill gladly give up a little torque not to have to deal with an ecodiesel.

 

[Mojave2021]

For some reason the Pentastar seems to benefit a lot more from the throttle controllers than I was expecting. I went with the Banks Pedal Monster and it’s a completely new driving experience to me. Jumps off the line now and much smoother power application than before.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've had my JT for about 6 months now, and I have to say I'm surprisingly happy with the Pentastar. I was on the fence about going diesel but couldn't justify it for many reasons. Cons outweighed the pros for me. The Pentastar starts easy in really cold weather. It's quiet. Does just fine towing my TT. Has more than enough power for what I use it for. I came from a V6 Tacoma and I like it better than that engine.

We've had the Pentastar almost since they first came out - my wife has had at least 3 Grand Cherokees with them, and then this truck. Pretty zippy. I've only towed my car hauler empty with it so far and I though it lacking there, but we'll see. Otherwise, with payload or for just driving around, it's my vehicle of choice now.
Smooth, quiet, at times I almost get out of the truck with it still running as you have to pay attention it's so smooth. Starts like a champ in sub-zero weather.

I’m extremely pleased with the Pentastar engine. It delivers enough power without being underpowered, it’s reliable, smooth when paired w/8spd and plenty capable for towing.

That all said I think the engine should be a bit more fuel efficient but the Gladiator is a heavy truck for the size.

JT is a damned brick building standing high in the air. Same engine in a WK2 gets 25 easily.

 

[Knightindullarmor]

Full disclosure, I'm at a whopping 500 miles on my 3.6L. Comparatively, I've owned 2.0L in 3k lbs vehicle (wife's new renegade), 2.4L in 3k lbs vehicle (wife's former patriot), 2.8L Chevy V6 in 1985 XJ, 2.5 I4 in different 1985 XJ & 1997 TJ, 4.0L in 1994 ZJ, 2.4L in 2003 TJ, Buick "dauntless" V6 in 71 Jeepster, 454ci in 97 GMC 2500. The 3.6 V6 in current JT is awesome. Barely shy of the horsepower in my 7.4L big block and the 360ci v8 in former Dodge Ramcharger.

Length, width (including tires & fenders), the JT is more of a full size truck than a mid size. I'm 100% pleased that I can get 2mpg better on factory 32" tires with a 4500lbs (unloaded) truck than I could with either 2.4L, 2.5L, or 4.0L in a 3000 to 4000lbs jeep and 6mpg better than with a 7.4L 5500lbs 2500 truck, but still tow my 5000lbs trailer.

Very pleased so far.

 

[A 2]

I was very happy with our previous JT with 3.6. Good power, buttery smooth and quiet. Good engine but needed more torque pulling our trailer.

 

[NachoRuby]

My wife has a JK with the 3.6, and I usually drive the JT. Both are mated to 6 speed manual transmissions. My wife and I are both very happy. Fuel economy is decent for such heavy vehicles, and they are pretty smooth down low, but happy to rev up high when you need to merge or pass. We haven't taken the JK off the pavement yet (haven't had it long yer), but I like the control of the 3.6 in the dirt in my Gladiator.

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