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V-6 or V-8, regrets?

89K views 498 replies 177 participants last post by  bill_de 
#1 ·
Curious if anyone with a v-6 wished they opted for the v-8 or vice versa?

I am on the fence myself as I want the V-6 for the fuel efficiency, but love the extra hp and torque of a v-8 :D
 
#2 · (Edited)
there are endless threads on this topic. I'm sure you're going to find more folks wishing they went with the V8. I'm in the same position as you and I'm close to pulling the trigger on a limited with Hemi. Do the math...unless you drive a ton of miles per year (20k+), is the savings really worth it? I figured an extra $400-$500 per year is worth the enjoyment of having the hemi.
 
#3 ·
I got the Hemi and I love it. Sport mode and shifting through the six gears is really a blast! I don't think the difference in fuel economy is even close to being worth it. It's also cool with the Hemi to remote start it and see the exhaust roll out of the two pipes in back.
 
#4 ·
I think the Pentastar is and will be a great engine. It's the tranny that sucks. The V-6 has plenty of power, is smooth and willing. Sounds great under throttle. THe 5 speed tranny just doesn't know what to do with itself, hunts, slips, and shifts poorly. Put a good tranny behind the sixer, and it would be a very good drivetrain. Bruce
 
#5 ·
Look at it this way, would you rather have the v6 with 2-maybe 3 mpg savings? And mash the throttle and wish there was more behind it?
V8 here-no regrets. If the cost of playing is too high, then opt for the pentastar. Has plenty of oomph for most, especially if you know no different. But.....
Take out the 6, then take the hemi for a spin. Guesstimate the cost of gas annually. Higher initial cost. More oil. Etc...
When I was shopping, I gave the new V6 a chance and test drove several models-including in the new Durango.
I passed.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Have my vehicle for two weeks, Got the 6. Plenty of power for me. Even travelling up long steep hills it has more than enough. As far as the Hemi. Great engine. Had it in my '05 "C", and my of WK. While the mileage was great in the "C" the WK wasn't so great.

Also remember, that the maintenance on the Hemi is more. It takes 16 spark plugs that should be changed every 30,000 miles vs. the 6 which should go to about 96,000 miles, even though I wouldn't wait that long.
 
#28 · (Edited)
Have my vehicle for two weeks, Got the 6. Plenty of power for me. Even travelling up long steep hills it has more than enough. As far as the Hemi. Great engine. Had it in my '05 "C", and my of WK. While the mileage was great in the "C" the WK wasn't so great.

Also remember, that the maintenance on the Hemi is more. It takes 16 spark plugs that should be changed every 30,000 miles vs. the 6 which should go to about 96,000 miles, even though I wouldn't wait that long.

:eek:

what's the 0-60 and 1/4 specs of the 6 and 8?:thumbsup:
 
#7 ·
I went with the V6, I 'm mostly highway-- and I'm over 21mpg (and not trying) If I set the cruise.. at 55 =) its like 26mpg.

Plenty of power in the v6!

I do wish they had a dual exhaust option. (Not a fan of the single pipe)

If.. and IF they come out with the diesel.. in 2013.. I will sell my very low mileage overland v6 and get the diesel.. just like diesel.. :thumbsup:
 
#9 ·
V6, couldn't bring myself to changing 16 spark plugs every 36k miles. They quoted 650 to change them on my dads 5.7 GC at the dealer. V6 changes 6 plugs every 100k miles
 
#10 ·
After 5 years of driving a V6 powered SUV I had enough. I got relatively good gas mileage but the pleasure of driving was just not there. I went with a V8 Overland. Sure I spend about 25% more on gas. But to me it is worth it. Changing spark plugs every three years or so is not much of a deal breaker. Seeing ECO makes me feel good!
 
#14 ·
I ordered the V6 as well. After driving a Hummer H2 for over 8 years, I had enough of paying big $$$ for gas. I rented a V6 for a week to make sure I would be happy with it before I bought. It was smooth and quite, more than enough power to pass cars on the highway, more than enough power off the line, more than enough power going up hills, more than enough power to tow a twin snowmobile trailer with two sleds on it.
 
#15 ·
I drove both the V6 and the HEMI several times before making the decision. The new 6 speed HEMI is a no brainer. So VERY, VERY smooth. Effortless driving. You can still get good gas milage with the ECO system. The gas savings is really very marginal in my opinion. Go for the HEMI, you won't regret it!!!!
 
#18 ·
This question depends on so many personal factors including ego. I’m a point A to point B type of driver, and for me the old 3.7 is fully adequate (hey you guys in the back STOP SNICKERING!). I drive a lot of dirt roads and in snow in Quebec, and I have full confidence in the 3.7 to get me there and back in any weather. So, Saint, you’re asking for advice but I’m not going to tell you the V6 is better, or the V8 is better, I would just say this: think about your needs (and wants) and ”know thyself”! Don’t buy one or the other based on other peoples’ needs and wants.
 
#19 ·
Have the 6 in my Limited and agree it's a very fine engine with decent power. I don't like the transmission at low-moderate speeds, especially on hills and twisties, and have taken to shifting myself around town with the manumatic. Being in 4th at 30 mph and 5th before 40 mph might be OK if the transmission downshifted readily but it doesn't. I have to depress the accelerator 2/3 of the way at which point it dives down 2 gears, then quickly upshifts. Since I loaded up the Limited and have a pretty posh ride I find the transmission detracts from an otherwise excellent experience. I'll be one of the first in line for the diesel, assuming it doesn't have the 5 speed when it comes to the US next model year. I'm tempted to trade up for the Hemi now but the cost of fuel won't compare to the cost of a divorce.
 
#21 ·
Only regrets is NO diesel! V6 is great and enough for my needs, I prefer not to pay lot for gas and V6 is very good on this. In fact it was better than my former G37 coupe, much lighter and smaller car. But again, I wish to see twin turbo diesel on Grand Cherokee, that would be my next car.
 
#22 ·
Went with the V6 and have been pretty pleased. I commute about 30 miles (round trip) every day on the freeway. Only time I kinda wish I had the HEMI is when I pull a big utility trailer around. It'd be nice to have a bit more power when doing that. Otherwise, going up hills/etc. it does pretty well, but I'm sure the HEMI would be even better. For the limited amount of time I pull a trailer, I'm glad I went with the V6.
 
#24 ·
I got the V6 and am mostly satisfied with it. I've driven all through the Smokey mountains, and up through the Appalachians. It always seemed to have enough when I needed. I would be interested in the turbo diesel option, but then you have the bladder and I would need to see the numbers first. A hybrid option might be good, but I think we need a better platform still. Does Chrysler have any R&D going for a Hydrogen or any other alternatives?
 
#25 ·
I had the V6 then 8 months later traded it in on the Hemi.

The V6 was quite good but over time I found myself missing more instant throttle response and also found it had a few flat spots in the power delivery that caused more gear shifts than usual - especially on hills. It's still a great powerplant and for the majority of drivers would prob fit the bill nicely, but if you enjoy spirited driving or having torque at the tip of your right foot the V8 is the way to go.

Pentastar deserves respect - the HEMI demands it :thumbsup:

In terms of fuel I am seeing a difference of about 4mpg in mixed city/hwy.

I should also note that with the HEMI the GC feels a bit more truck like than the V6. This might be due to engine sound alone but is noticeable. I would suggest taking a fairly long test drive in each (at least an hour) to get a real good feel for what's best for you.

Good Luck!
 
#26 ·
I have the V6 but I have also done quite a bit of amateur racing so I guess I am an 'enthusiast' driver. I also had a Ridgeline back when I towed my ITA car. Compared to the RL the V6 Cherokee has better power and gets better mileage even when not broken in yet. I've even seen 22 in a mixed trip with only 200mi on the clock. I would always like more power but I realized that I could rarely put it to use anyway since the land is flat here and I no longer tow. I mostly just cruise to work and run errands so no real need for the Hemi for me. You just have to be honest in evaluating what you need. My only regret is not getting the heated steering wheel in the lux pkg! ;-)
 
#47 ·
I got the v6 and no regrets. I had v8 Overland for 3 month, I feel v6 much lighter and quicker in the city. I only miss the dual exhaust on v8.
no :)

There is not one instance where the pentastar feels even remotely close to the hemi. The hemi feels like a different vehicle with the v8, it feels sporty and fun, the 6 feels like every other low torque 6 in every other suv, boring and slow. IMO :)
 
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