Everything To Know About The 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 Jeep Engine
It's no secret that the diesel engine has been the go-to option in a variety of vehicles for powerful torque, longevity, and reliability over the years. There are some great examples of the most reliable diesel engines ever built that solidify their usefulness in the automotive world.
With advantages like a greater power-to-weight ratio, enhanced fuel economy, and superior towing capacity compared to gasoline engines, diesel variants have made their way into several pickups, SUVs, and off-road vehicles. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 is most recently found in the 2023 Ram 1500, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator, and the 2022 Jeep Wrangler, providing drivers with a compelling alternative.
In terms of capability, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel that comes equipped in the 2023 Ram 1500 produces 480-pound feet of torque, 260 horsepower, and 9,600 pounds of towing capacity. If you opt for the 2023 Jeep Gladiator with the same EcoDiesel engine, you'll get 442-pound feet of torque, and an enhanced range greater than 500 miles on the highway before refueling.
So, what makes this diesel engine a performer, and why might you want to avoid it?
Balancing power with emission-reduction tech
Modern diesel engines use specific components to maximize power output and help reduce expelled pollutants. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 includes a turbocharger, allowing it to generate more power while remaining smaller and lighter. Turbocharging technology forces more air through the engine, enhancing available performance.
The EcoDiesel also features ceramic low-voltage glow plugs on the heads, which generate heat, enabling ideal combustion levels. From the driver's perspective, these low-voltage glow plugs offer a faster engine turn-over and reduce emissions by working more efficiently.
In addition, Jeep's V6 diesel engine incorporates several systems to eliminate or reduce harmful exhaust. This technology includes a catalyst that transforms the carbon monoxide and other materials the engine produces into carbon dioxide and water. Specialized filters also capture airborne particles that are unhealthy for the environment. So, while the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 from Jeep provides plenty of tenacious muscle, it also includes more efficient components and systems designed to reduce harmful emissions.
It's been discontinued
Despite appearing on several top engine lists over the last decade and spurring competition in the diesel market, Jeep's EcoDiesel has been fazed out. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 started to fade after it was no longer available in the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Then, 2022 was the last year you could get the engine in a Jeep Wrangler. The 2024 Ram 1500 and 2024 Jeep Gladiator offer the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 gasoline engine instead.
Jeep is pursuing electric hybrid variants, such as the 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, and closing the chapter on its EcoDiesel. According to Good Car Bad Car, the 2022 Jeep Gladiator saw a double-digit sales slump. This drop in units sold may have influenced the automaker to shift directions.
One of the most significant and immediate downsides to the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 is that it'll be more challenging to get your hands on one going forward. However, many enthusiasts hold out hope that perhaps this engine hasn't seen its final curtain call, and could return in the future with another vehicle.