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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
 
#85 ·
The great thing about this thread is that with Jeep you get to chose between 2 really good engines, both of which offer great driving experiences.

V-6 has plenty of power, gets the job done, and is pretty frugle with gas for a 4,000+ vehicle.

V-8 has tons of HP and Torque, and with displacement on demand gets pretty good fuel economy when loafing along, with lots of reserve torque for towing or hot footing around.

Hard to go wrong with either on them, however the debate runs down to pay for play.
 
#86 ·
I have the 5.7l v8 and I love it..... I have trouble not smiling everytime I hit the gas to go lol.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
 
#87 · (Edited)
^^^agree. I was torn between the two for the longest time, but what it came down to is my daily routine. I either drive 4miles (in town driving) to work each day or 125+ miles when going to out of office stuff and the Hemi did not make much sense for either situation. I tow just a handful times a year and was pleasantly surprised with the v6 when test driving.
It's been 8days of city driving thus far and I'm right at 17mpg which is great, IMO, especially with it being new as well as the winter gas we have here in MI now.
 
#88 ·
I love my HEMI.

I traded in a 2005 V8 4x4 Limited Toyota 4Runner for my 2012 V8 4x4 Overland JGC. One reason I didn't even think about getting a 5th Generation 2011/12 4Runner was the lack of a V8 engine option.

I just couldn't see going backwards in respect to engine power.

And the Hemi gets okay gas mileage if you keep your foot out of it. But then there is still the option to really punch it and feel the thrill. :D

And I don't tow anything; but I do haul...

haul a$$! :lol:

Of course, for folks with families, Grandmothers & Grandfathers, or those that drive like Ms. Daisy, there is no need for the higher performance the V8 offers.
 
#92 ·
Call it weird but specific to this topic was that a gas attendant asked me this question today. I have the Hemi engine and while stopping for gas there was a like model across from mine but with the V6 (Penstar). The attendant (to be honest, I believe the owner) said that his wife was looking at a MY11 Ltd w/ Hemi but was concerned about the fuel economy. I told him that I range between 15-17.5 mpg. The V6 owner was 19-21 mpg. Over a 500 mile range the difference would 5 gallons or $18 @ 3.65. Significant, yes. Do I wish the Hemi was more fuel efficient or had the throttle response to correspond with the low economy, yes. Do I regret getting the Hemi, no. Would I do it again, yes.

The Hemi just felt and sounded better. For me, I would've been unhappy with the Penstar. However, being fair, I can see the appeal of that powertrain. I also felt more comfortable with a powertrain that had history (i.e. Hemi).

As always, Hemi vs. Penstar, there will be strong opinions for each side, it is best to test drive both, look at the economics and form your own opinion.
 
#93 · (Edited)
yes, I think with certain driving conditions the extra fuel with the Hemi is not a big issue, but i had a Hemi model for two days a few weeks ago and I got around 11mpg(winter gas) with all in town driving and once I got my V6, driving the same streets for a few days got 16.8mpg which I find significant. neither engine was broken-in, but I found it interesting that the V6 had hat much more of an increase. Also did the same thing driving to and from the dealer (1hr trip) and the difference was 19.1vs 22.8...same highway, same speeds. Again, not huge but thought it was worth noting.

I definitely like the grunt of the V8, but i also like the lighter nimble feel of the 3.6. IMO, it's a much tougher choice with the WK2 then the previous models as the penstar does pretty good when needed where as the old 4.0 and 3.7 were very sluggish. I had to go with the V8 in my previous jeeps, but did not feel like it was necessary this time around. However, I was ready to go with either if it had all other options i was looking for.


I thing times are all over depending on the review, but i recall these numbers when reading one write-up:

5.7L 7.0sec 15.3
3.6L 8.1sec 16.2

I think motortrend reviews stated the 0-60 at 7.5 and 8.5, respectively.


.
 
#94 ·
Hmmm I was expecting to get much lower readings in my hemi but maybe because I still haven't broken in the engine yet and I've been light on the throttle I've been able to achieve these numbers.

I mainly do city driving with stop n go traffic, most of Kuwaiti streets are either stop n go or pretty much empty. Granted you'll notice our winter is great, we get early twenties late teens during the afternoon and in the evening it's around the early teens (12degrees on average). This all of course does not account wind chill but regardless, I am not going to complain after coming here from Canadian winters (I like being able to feel my body thank you very much...though I would have loved the chance to take this Hemi through some snow for sure...)

Anyways.


Seven by AhmadAlKarmi, on Flickr

I think that's quite impressive for the Hemi.
 
#95 ·
Hmmm I was expecting to get much lower readings in my hemi but maybe because I still haven't broken in the engine yet and I've been light on the throttle I've been able to achieve these numbers.

I mainly do city driving with stop n go traffic, most of Kuwaiti streets are either stop n go or pretty much empty. Granted you'll notice our winter is great, we get early twenties late teens during the afternoon and in the evening it's around the early teens (12degrees on average). This all of course does not account wind chill but regardless, I am not going to complain after coming here from Canadian winters (I like being able to feel my body thank you very much...though I would have loved the chance to take this Hemi through some snow for sure...)

Anyways.


Seven by AhmadAlKarmi, on Flickr

I think that's quite impressive for the Hemi.
wouldn't that be Kilometers and not miles? so it's on par.
 
#98 · (Edited)
WOW, 19.4L/100Km, that's not much better than I was getting with my Hummer H2. And that's at 23 degrees C. It will do down in the winter with winter gas and using the heater, snow tires and all things associated with Winter driving.
I'm glad I ordered the Pentastar!
 
#101 ·
Coming from a 5.3L in a Tahoe, I am more than happy with the power of the 5.7L and honestly, could care less about the mileage. We seem to be getting about the same, if not a touch more MPG from the WK2, so no complaints...
 
#102 · (Edited)
Coming from a 5.3L in a Tahoe, I am more than happy with the power of the 5.7L and honestly, could care less about the mileage. We seem to be getting about the same, if not a touch more MPG from the WK2, so no complaints...

same here...previous ride was an 07 Tahoe LTZ, but we decided on the V6.
 
#104 · (Edited)
I'm new here, but thought that this was an interesting thread. I doubt that the discussion exists in the WK forum with the 3.7 210hp Powertech. In my estimation, the fact that this thread has over 100 replies shows that the new Pentastar now overlaps the Hemi considerably at better fuel economy, which was not the case with past V6 engines. I don't remember any of the previous V6 engines being able to tow 5000 lbs. Does it help that the Pentastar was chosen as one of the Ward's 10 best engines for the second year in a row? http://blog.chryslerllc.com/blog.do?id=1635&p=entry

I think so. Good job, Jeep! I actually ditched my MB for the WK2. The only thing I'm concerned about is long term durability and reliability.
 
#106 ·
I'm new here, but thought that this was an interesting thread. I doubt that the discussion exists in the WK forum with the 3.7 210hp Powertech. In my estimation, the fact that this thread has over 100 replies shows that the new Pentastar now overlaps the Hemi considerably at better fuel economy, which was not the case with past V6 engines. I don't remember any of the previous V6 engines being able to tow 5000 lbs. Does it help that the Pentastar was chosen as one of the Ward's 10 best engines for the second year in a row? http://blog.chryslerllc.com/blog.do?id=1635&p=entry

I think so. Good job, Jeep! I actually ditched my MB for the WK2. The only thing I'm concerned about is long term durability and reliability.

I drove 2009 JGC V6 before V6 Pentastar, difference is amazing in power. Gas bit better, also engine is quiet and I don't have problems warming up while winter. It took twice more time on old JGC to warm up engine well.
 
#113 · (Edited)
I've driven may types of vehicles (lexus, MB, acura, audi etc.) and I am very impressed with my '11 overland(late build date) to date. No rattles or creaks to speak of and I'm very anal when it comes to this stuff. We'll see how it is when it has some real miles on it, but very impressed with the fit and finish thus far. No compairson to my wk and wj. This tranny hasn't been perfect in any of the jeeps, but I think it has had very few mechanical problems over the years. The shifting was much worse in my 06 wk limited.
 
#116 · (Edited)
Mileage:
I'll get the V6 in March for business (3 year lease) but won't keep it. Alternatively I was looking into the 2012 Passat TDi (43 mpg) or 796 miles on the tank, the Passat I would have kept privately after the lease expires. I use the vehicle mainly for the commute and then for customer visits. To me the difference in gas payments does not justify the SUV however this is a totally personal thing, if I really needed 4x4 it would be a completely different story...Turbo-Diesel and direct-shift gearbox (DSG) rules or how about the new 3.5l FORD "EcoBoost" twin-turbocharged and direct-injected V6 (365 hp and 420 lb-ft) engine...
 
#118 ·
Well granted I drive as most in Kuwait do in bumper to bumper stop n go traffic about 75% of the time. My best friend in her 09 Tahoe lt2 is averaging about 15.5(estimated number) guess the conversion means she's hitting about roughly 10.5 mpg? I'm bad with these mental conversions)
 
#119 ·
I traded my '10 Ram TRX4 with a Hemi for my '11 WK2 limited 3.6. Loved the truck with the Hemi...but I never hauled anything in it except my fishing gear...no longer could I justify getting 14-18 mpg and the higher insurance just for the ego. The 3.6 does an admirable job especially considering I live in the mountains of WV. If I could change anything about my WK2, it would be going to 3.73 gears instead of the current 3.06 which are too high in my opinion.
 
#120 ·
I've been driving my 3.6 for a few days now, and for me, it has more power than I need. I can accelerate with more than enough power, I passed cars with ease. My tranny seems smooth and I don't really feel the shifts.
My motor is smooth, quite and powerful. I guess to each their own... but I have zero complaints about my motor or transmission.
 
#122 ·
after 187k on a 5.2 1994 limited, the v-6 is 'different'

i can tell the torque curve is higher in the rpm range for sure.

where the 5.2 would 'lug it out' the V-6 seems 'weak' (part throttle anyway)

the 5.2 would hold cruise control speed within about 1-1.5 mph,
the v-6 varies maybe 3mph to 4mph

but.... nail the v-6 and you can feel things in the upper end of the rpm range.

cannot complain on the MPG though.... 5.2 never reached 18mpg in its life.
v-6 betters without even trying.
 
#123 ·
I don't regret my V6. I am familiar with the 5.7L and I don't miss it. The Pentastar is a pretty sweet engine. I don't tow or race. Anyway, as was mentioned, it sits up straight in the upper RPM's and the transmission program knows this when you ask for it. Whereas the 4.0L back in 2004 was underpowered for the GC, the 3.6L Pentastar is well matched and well behaved. I'm also looking forward to the turbos that are supposedly on the way. So far I'm happily behind the new engine 100%.
 
#125 ·
The V8 guys probably will rush to admonish you but I'm pretty sure you won't feel that way in a few weeks. I thought the same as you at first but I was babying it to see how high I could get the MPG. Soon I learned (or maybe the car learned) that if I gave it a little more gas it would hold on to 1st a bit longer and the shift to 2nd would not fall quite as flat. I also think I may be feeding in a little more throttle as the car gets going. In any case I'm pretty sure the problem is just a learning hiccup.
 
#129 ·
V8 -- something about having a Hemi did it for me.

I drove several V6 models and felt the pickup was ok (not as good as my 10 year old Highlander, but ok). But I had to drive a loaner for a week while my GC came in and they loaned me a V8 model. I called them back and switched.

The gas consumption stinks -- but it is a blast to drive and I can deal with 13 mpg average vs 17 mgg on the V6 (around town).

I do wish the MDS would kick in more, like when idling in traffic, but it doesn't.
 
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