The Truth
 

Ive heard alot of different things from people about the new JK and its lack of power......I wanted to get it from you guys. Im thinking of purchasing one and am worried about the Unlimited not having enough power.....was thinking about the Rubicon, so I guess 4.10's with 32" tires maybe auto??. I do alot of highway driving and I dont want the tranny to be shifting everytime I hit a small grade. Whats your opinions?

I know the JK is listed as having 202 HP and my XJ had 190 HP (same inline 4.0 as your TJ) but I honestly feel like I could floor the pedal on my XJ and it would haul faster than my JK. I could be wrong though, it could be that the JK just feels so smooth that it doesn't feel like it's accelerating as fast.

I wouldn't say that I feel it doesn't have enough power but more like I would say it feels like it should have more power. I hope that makes sense. It does just fine on the trails and on the road though, I can pass up cars on the highway just fine. I can be a little bit of a speed daemon and I don't feel limited with the JK.

Pleanty of power
 

I was thinking the same thing when I first got mine 14 days ago. I just passed 1500 miles day before yesterday and the power has improved I am now able to go up hills at 75 with the cruise on and my speed does not drop at all. I also passed a car doing 75 up hill and was able to get my Jeep up to 84 without any problem.
Give your Jeep time to break in, the power will come. :yup:

You'll be fine - 2-door has plenty of power, 4-door has a little less, but you'll learn where to keep the pedal approaching a hill, etc. You'll love it - so don't worry.

see the thread my awesome red JK....:yup:

Now that's how you hijack a thread ... lol
nice pics tho, i see you got the front muddy this time.

Two words:

SIX SPEED!

No complaints here about the power...as mentioned above,for some reason after the 1000-1500 mile mark the engine wakes up.

i actually have to REALLY watch my self on highways.... i tend to go to fast...the JK has plenty of power to get you in trouble...so don't worry about it :D

What are you comparing it to?
 

Sure the Rubicon has less power that most 18 wheel beasts, but compared to a Karman Ghia - you will be pleasantly surprised.

Seriously, yes it feels underpowered compared to some (1 jag had real issues) of my 12 cylinder sedans but also has much more than others.

I now drive this daily and love it. This is simply the most fun vehicle I have every had.

LOL. I know the feeling. our old YJ tops out at about 55 mph downhill.

my rubi is an automatic. it is a four door. it's not a race car, but it's no slouch either. it can pass up hill, it can cruise at 80 with no problem, and it's actually quiet inside at this speed.

i think this is really why former wrangler owners feel it's underpowered. it's really smooth, and quiet when compared to YJs and TJs.

let's make a comparison. when my wife rides with me in her grand cherokee, she doesn't notice at all if i drive at speeds of around 90 mph. but, if we were to take out 1990 corvette and drive at 90, she'd be clutching the dash like the jaws of life, because it's loud, rough, and you really feel the speed. now, obviously the vette is much more powerful than the cherokee, but the point is that the cherokee isn't underpowered just because it's a smoother ride.

80~90% of time, I drive with top down... 80~90% of that time, I drive with doors off (or now with half tube doors)...even with a little drizzle.... Unless it's "officially" raining, my Rubi's top is down. The outside temp here in Seattle now is high 60's ~ low 70's "High", mid~high 40's "Low"... Yes, it is still pretty cold especially at night with top down and not having solid doors with windows (my wife has to wear down jacket at night... we lock the hoodies when we drive at night on freeway). So, I tend to drive around 60~65 mph on 60mph and 70mph limit... most of the cars pass us (except the big trucks, most of the people here drive 70 on 60 limit, 80 on 70 limit). It's fun though! So many people turn their head and look at us... some smile, some laugh and some look at us funny... kids usually love our stripped JK and wave!

Anyways, with top or without top, the comfort zone is up to 70 mph. It's kind of hard staying at 75 mph... Unless I'm using cruise control (which I hardly use), I really need to focus and look at speed meter if I want to stay at or over 75 mph. It's much more comfortable driving around 60~65 mph with JK. It's not made to drive fast... I see other cars going fast and think "what's the rush?". Look up the sky, stick out the arm and enjoy driving "slow"!

That said, I've never had problem entering freeway. Pick up isn't bad at all... easy to reach 65 mph. If that is not fast enough, I just look at the driver I want to get in front and stick out the arm and wave to get in!

BTW, I have auto.

I've noticed this, too. At 3000 miles, the power from my JK is much more noticeable than when new. I'd say to anyone looking to test drive a JK, expect more from it once she has a few miles. BTW: 6-speed with 4:10s in an Unlimited (comes with the tow pkg).

My first car, in 1969, was a 1963 convertible Karman Ghia. Wish I'd kept that. But talk about no horsepower. It could barely climb the grade at Cajon Pass when I was driving from my folk's home south of San Diego to my assignment near Victorville.

I have a long way to the break-in point of 1500 miles, (450). I was cruising in to work this morning at 75+ MPH and had it up to 85. Last week I hit 90 MPH.

Unlimited X with Auto, 4.10's, 17" tires.

any JK with the manual 6 speed an the tow package.. Add a AEM cia, and do the Magnaflow mod... Plenty of power.... For a Jeep..... Not anything like my old Levi's Jeep with the V8....IT:rock:ED

Thanks for all the replies, settles my worries a bit. As soon as my TJ sells ill be getting one. Still dont know whether it will be an auto or manual. Ive owned two manuals and one auto and when im sitting in ATL traffic, auto is my friend. We will see........

Thanks again!

I thought the same thing.. BUT.. love now to shift again.. MORE CONTROL...!!!

I have Just over 500 miles on my JK Rubicon and was able to go up South Pass at 70 mph and pass as well. I chipped my LJ (2004 Unlimited) so I am really impressed with the Power of my JK. I have the Rubi with an Automatic. Papabear:yup:

I have a Sahara with 4.10 and automatic. I'm quite happy with the power, both on the highway and on the trail. I switched from a CJ7 with stock 232 and manual.