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V6 or Hemi??? Anybody driven both???

18K views 57 replies 34 participants last post by  DJ BoNiOmArIo 
#1 ·
How adequate would you consider the new Pentastar V6 in an Overland or Limited 4x4 if one doesn't plan on towing anything and doesn't need QDII. Does it has have enough pickup to pass on 2-lane highways and enough acceleration to get up to speed on interstate on-ramps? Is it worth saving the $2k off MSRP and $500+ a year in fuel cost?

Also, would anybody here like to share their overall experiences with the new V6 or the Hemi and the fuel economy they are getting?
 
#3 ·
I drove both before I made purchase. I think its really personal preference. I went for the hemi because I had my 04 ram last 200,000 miles and like the extra power.

The nice thing about the newer hemi is the MDS. It should help with the gas consumption a bit. But based on my stable, fuel economy is not a big issue with me... ;)

Good luck.
 
#4 ·
I'm averagine 15mpg with the Hemi. I think it would be better if I didn't sit in traffic for 15 minutes each morning. MDS shuts off when you're in stop & go. The one time I took an all-highway trip and checked mileage, it was 19 mpg, but I had to cross the mountains from eastern VA into western PA. That wasn't a valid "highway" test. Based on those numbers, I think I could expect to get about 21 or so if I did all expressway driving without crossing mountains.
 
#7 ·
Im getting about 20 mpg with the v6. I had a hemi ram before and was quite surprised as to how well the v6 pulls. It has a great passing gear, and seems to like to really rev! I would say it feels like the Jeep v6 and my hemi Ram would be a good race. The Jeep is probably lighter than my Ram was so its really not a good comparison for power but Im happy with the 6.
 
#9 ·
I haven't spent enough time with the V6 so I can't really compare but I took mine (5.7)on a road trip the week I bought it and over a week and 1600 miles I averaged 21.6. This was almost all highway but still. MDS does great when allowed to work, ie cruise control and consistant speeds. Around town I just switched to Synthetic and am now at 14.3 and still climbing. I will say I'm a bit addicted to the throttle so I'm sure I could eek out 15 if I drove it a little easier. Plus it's almost all stop and go

BW
 
#14 ·
Thanks for the reply! Man this is going to be a hard decision! Limited or Overland? V6 or Hemi?

21.6 is pretty darn good and I don't believe the V6 would get much better. Only thing is that the Hemi seems to be a bit thirstier than the V6 around town.
 
#13 ·
I've had the straight 6 ('96 XJ), the 3.7L V6 ('06 KJ) and now the 5.7L Hemi.

The straight 6 was nice and adequate for that 3000 lb car.

The 3.7L was horribly underpowered for that 4000 lb car.

The 5.7L is wonderfully overpowerd for this 5000 lb car.

I did test drive a 3.6L WK2 and felt that it was much, much better than the 3.7L was in the KJ. The 3.6L was able to move the WK2 around about the same as I remember the 4.0L moving the XJ. The 3.6L wasn't nearly as much fun as the 5.7L is, but it definitely would have sufficed. For me, buying the hemi was about getting QDII because QDI was a deal-breaker for me, but I sure haven't regretted getting the hemi for a minute.

Yeah, I lose about $500 / year in fuel costs with the hemi when compared to the 3.6L, but I was only getting 15.9mpg in my KJ, so it's pretty much a wash when compared to what I was driving. And yeah, the 5.7L was something like $2k more up front, but historically cars with an optional v8 holds their value better than those purchased with the standard v6. I should get some of that up-front cost back some day.

All that said, I'd be happy with the V6, I'm really happy with the V8.
 
#16 ·
The V6 is a 'world engine' who's claim to fame is to 'get rid' of the dinosaur V8's and their fuel consumption. The 290 HP is respectable for the V6 but the truck weighs >5000# for heavens' sake! We drove the V6 Lorado and the Overland 5.7". Something about Hyundai being involved with the 'world engine' is unsavory to say the least. We passed up a grand low mileage Range Rover because of the engine - Jaguar originated. We've allowed the unions to dictate to this point, but we choose to wait for this 'change' that is eminent. Time to sit back and watch.....the economy is plunging too severely at present to risk a grandeur purchase such as this over priced GC Overland. I could write a check for it (no sense) but watching our investments right now has made us very wary of spending. We are not at the bottom yet.....and hefty payments are not a wise move. Our '05 GCL is still doing quite well and it's paid for. Like the financial guru at this dealership said: "That vehicle is 45K; that is for the very wealthy or very stupid". We will make our purchase elsewhere when we are ready!
 
#17 ·
the economy is plunging too severely at present to risk a grandeur purchase such as this over priced GC Overland. I could write a check for it (no sense) but watching our investments right now has made us very wary of spending. We are not at the bottom yet.....and hefty payments are not a wise move. Our '05 GCL is still doing quite well and it's paid for. Like the financial guru at this dealership said: "That vehicle is 45K; that is for the very wealthy or very stupid". We will make our purchase elsewhere when we are ready![/QUOTE]

Do what you want with your money and let others do what they want with theirs. Are you calling me stupid? I'm not rich but yet i still bought the 11 overland. I only live once, am glad i bought the jeep and feel sorry for people like you who are scared to live. Either way, get a life and live it and dont concern yourself with how other people spend their money. You could write a check for it? snicker......Let me give you 2 tips, if you take them you will be better at whatever it is you do for a living,

Don't judge people or talk down to them for going after what they want in life.

Don't live in fear, live in faith.
 
#19 ·
I thought the hemi barely had enough power for this size truck. It makes more HP than the old 4.7 but the added weight and f'd up gearing doesn't provide much more performance if any. If they only offered this truck with a V6 I would never own one. It's sad that most companies are kicking the provocative sounding V8s to the curb. The price is still pretty darn high for a Jeep. Maybe if they come out with $5k off then I'll consider it. But first they have to release QD2 with a front limited slip! Thats another deal breaker for me.
 
#21 · (Edited)
dubwarren, Do what you want with your money and let others do what they want with theirs. Are you calling me stupid? I'm not rich but yet i still bought the 11 overland. I only live once, am glad i bought the jeep and feel sorry for people like you who are scared to live. Either way, get a life and live it and dont concern yourself with how other people spend their money. You could write a check for it? snicker......Let me give you 2 tips, if you take them you will be better at whatever it is you do for a living,

Don't judge people or talk down to them for going after what they want in life.

Don't live in fear, live in faith.[/QUOTE]

Ya didn't read what I wrote! The dealer called ME stupid! He changed my whole attitude about purchasing the 11 Overland. The only talking down was the dealer to me and it appears - you to me.

I'll be going to another dealer.....!!!! When I'm ready - no-one dictates to me what I do. Try reading with some comprehension.... The first post actually should have been in quotations - as stated by the dealer - Maybe the BM wants the truck for himself! He certainly destroyed any deal that I would have made. It appears that there are not many Overland's around as yet... Sorry for the misunderstanding!
 
#27 ·
...Ya didn't read what I wrote!....
In fairness, either from your typing or from the way the Forum interpreted your markings, your post was very confusing. I had to wade through the writing to realize that you meant what you did, that you would be heading to a less arrogant salesperson to get your vehicle. It wasn't very clear, and there's no need to attack another member. Reread your post, and see if you agree that there's some other interpretations that could have come out of it!
 
#22 ·
For the OP, I've driven both. My Overland will come with the V-6.

The Hemi is a decent engine, but I just didn't feel it to be in a different world as far as power and acceleration go. I also factored in the reviews; with only one exception (a smaller blog and not a larger publication, for what that's worth) the overwhelming consensus is that the Pentastar V-6 is plenty sufficient and the only reason to go with the Hemi would be for the towing capabilities. I also wasn't eager to end up with 15% worse fuel mileage while also paying $1500 (when I ordered, that was the price difference) up front for the privilege of drinking more expensive (midgrade vs. regular) at a higher rate while also costing me more to maintain.

I just didn't sense enough benefit for the extra cash. Others have, but the V-6 should be just fine for me.
 
#23 · (Edited)
Thanks Techno, I also feel that when I eventually test drive both I'll end up choosing the V6 due to all the reasons mentioned above. Ya, the Hemi would be slightly more fun, but is it worth the extra upfront cost, $500+ in fuel cost per year, maintenance, etc. Like I said in my OP, I don't plan on towing anything or anything significant for that matter. I also don't have a super heavy foot or drive overly aggressive. As long as I can enter interstate on-ramps and pass safely I'll be just fine. Looks more and more like I'll be ordering a Limited 4x4 V6 (w/ the 20's of course). No need for Quadra-lift since I don't plan on doing any serious off-roading. Vented seats would be nice, but is it worth $1,500 for the luxury package if that's the only thing I find worthwhile in there? Nope
 
#24 ·
Glad to help, grif82. We began looking at the Limited, but ended up going Overland- we wanted the ventilated seats, and by the time you added the Luxury Package, you were within a stone's throw of the Overland. For another few hundred bucks you get the 20" rims and the nicer interior. The QL isn't a big deal for staying on road, but I thought it might be nice to have (I might add skid plates and tow hooks later, just in case).
 
#25 ·
I agree w/ techno on the v6 v8 debate. Hemi is def a proven, nice engine. However, MDS on the hemi has been around the last 5 years or so. I think Chrysler is working hard to increase its technology and fuel economy in the near future. The Pentastar is good new technology that should be here to stay. Time will tell on its reliability, but from what i hear and see..it looks like a winner.
 
#26 ·
True, the Limited 4x4 V6 in Blackberry w/ 20 inch rims has a $41,315 MSRP while the Overland 4x4 V6 in Blackberry has a $42,915 MSRP. For $1,600 more I'd get a nicer interior, vented seats w/ premium leather, QL, and a standard towing package. Since I plan on leasing, the only other thing I need to factor in is the difference in residual rates on the Limited and Overland.
 
#32 ·
I have driven both...a Laredo 3.6 and a Limited 5.7. To give you my frame of reference, my current daily driver is a 2002 GMC Envoy with the 270hp 4.2L I6 but I regularly drive my Mom's 2007 Cadillac Escalade with the 403hp 6.2L V8 and my fun car is a Corvette so I'm used to power ;)

I drove the V6 first and was underwhelmed overall. I wouldn't say the vehicle was "slow," however from seat of the pants it definitely felt slower, or at least less responsive, than my Envoy which I thought was disappointing. I don't consider my Envoy fast by any means, however it does have a decent punch when you push it and it kicks down a gear or two. I think the JGC also "felt" slower due to the fact that it was so quiet and you don't really hear the engine much...when I looked down at the speedo I was going faster than I thought I was. But on a couple of dead-stop acceleration runs I was left wanting more. To top it off this was a total base model with no options (NONE) so while the interior felt well put together and quality it didn't "wow" me.

A couple weeks later I sat in an Overland and then drove a V8 Limited. First of all the upper trims totally transformed the feel of the vehicle...the two tone dark/light frost Overland left me drooling. When I drove the V8 Limited I came away with a smile on my face :D It felt comparable to the Escalade when I pushed it (which is a good thing) and never felt underpowered. It did however seem pretty docile off the line and when cruising around unless you pushed it...I guess that is a matter of gearing and also goes back to how QUIET it is inside. I drove in Auto the whole time though and didn't think to try the Sport mode. I did notice a very loud, annoying ticking sound from the V8 in the Overland (which I just cranked up but didn't drive)...I was walking around the vehicle while it was idling. I didn't notice this at all on the V8 Limited and didn't think to listen for it.

Personally I came away sold on the V8. I REALLY wanted to like the V6 as I am not thrilled with the fuel economy of the V8 and was hoping to replace the Envoy with something a little better on gas (I get about 15-16 city/20-21 hwy with the Envoy) and the Escalade is downright painful (the way I drive it is 13 city/16-17 hwy on premium...but this was the first model year before they implemented the cylinder deactivation technology in 2008). Plus the upfront cost savings of the V6 was attractive ;) But if/when I place an order for an Overland (waiting on the Saddle interior and technology package) it will definitely have a V8....YMMV. (I also occasionally tow so that factors in the equation as well, but the Envoy has been sufficient for my needs for the most part so that wouldn't make or break the V6)
 
#33 ·
[snipped].... I did notice a very loud, annoying ticking sound from the V8 in the Overland (which I just cranked up but didn't drive)...I was walking around the vehicle while it was idling. I didn't notice this at all on the V8 Limited and didn't think to listen for it.

Personally I came away sold on the V8. ... [snipped]
Can you describe this ticking? Is it constant or, say, one tick a minute?

I only drive 5,000 miles/year, so gas mileage doesn't really concern me. However, the ticking that you heard does. I am kind of sensitive to noises like that in the car. I read in forums for other cars that have HEMI (Dodge, Chrysler) that this is a known problem - just google for "Hemi tick" (not saying wide-spread, didn't research enough). Apparently one of the "fixes" is to turn off MDS via aftermarket chip, which will cause worsened mileage (8 cylinders will work all the time) which I don't really want to do (don't want to mess with the chip)

So do you mean to say that ticking just doesn't bother you enough to stop considering HEMI? Or you assume that this is really rare problem?
 
#34 ·
Well the vehicle I heard the ticking on was a Hemi Overland...and the dealer was such a jackass that he wouldn't let me test drive it, even though I had driven from a neighboring town over 30 min away, because "he was the only salesman on the lot for the day and I wasn't willing to put down a deposit." So unfortunately I didn't get to find out if you can hear the ticking while driving. It was a constant "tick tick tick tick" while the engine was idling and it was loud enough that I noticed it while standing outside the vehicle and even mentioned it to my buddy who had gone with me...it sounded similar to the tick on the direct injection GM 3.6L V6 in the Caddy CTS but a little louder.

Now a week later when I drove the Hemi Limited I sat in the drivers seat with the door open when I started the vehicle and didn't "notice" it, but I also wasn't listening for it (to be honest I was so impressed with the vehicle...it was the first one I saw in the Blackberry color I want...and was excited to find a V8 to test drive that I wasn't as thorough as I should've been, for example I didn't even think to try out the sport mode).

As quiet as the interior is I don't think you'd notice it under normal circumstances, however I sometimes drive with the windows down and sunroof open on nice days so not sure about that. More than anything I was worried there was something wrong with the engine as it just didn't sound "normal" to me. I'm thinking the Limited didn't have the tick or just wasn't as loud because it stood out to me on the Overland. (another difference is the Overland was brand new with like 10 miles on it and the Limited was the owner's demo with a few hundred miles on it, so maybe it's just a break-in thing??). I guess after learning about this "Hemi Tick" issue maybe I need to investigate further...I'm like you in that little noises like that would drive me crazy! Can any other Hemi owners/test drivers comment on this matter? :confused:
 
#35 ·
Internet is a place where you come to learn to be unhappy :) (someone else said that)

I have to admit I sometimes obsess too much over things, but this ticking seems like something that can make me unhappy.

From limited googling I have done it looks that some cars have it right away, some develop it over time, some possibly never have it. I didn't see anyone mention existing TSB for this. On jeepforum.com in WK forum some owners mention they have it.
 
#36 ·
From limited googling I have done it looks that some cars have it right away, some develop it over time, some possibly never have it. I didn't see anyone mention existing TSB for this. On jeepforum.com in WK forum some owners mention they have it.
Hmmm that's interesting, that almost worries me more than them all having it...like on the GM Direct Injected engines that's a normal sound, a byproduct of the injection. However if on the Jeep it's on some but not others that is strange...unless some owners are just not sensitive to it or can't hear that frequency and report that theirs "does not have it."

I guess as long as my deposit is refundable and I'm allowed to refuse the vehicle when it gets here I have nothing to lose by ordering my Overland and seeing what it sounds like when it gets here. Although if it can develop the sound over time that is troubling...
 
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