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2011 Engine Options

6K views 34 replies 21 participants last post by  Brian1f1 
#1 ·
Hello All,

I have been a Jeep owner since late 2000 and have 130k on a grand cherokee laredo with the v8 and quadra-drive.

Been a great vehicle with MANY trips up snow covered roads to ski in the Tahoe area. Never failed me.

I am looking into a 2011 Grand Cherokee but am really undecided about the engine. The poll in this forum suggests most of you favor the v8 over the v6.

Bravado of a V8 aside (and remember, I have the big V8 now, so I share the desire for horsepower!), what do you guys think of going with the new V6?

Is it too much of an unknown to risk it? I don't want to be dealing with a manufacturer working out the bugs on my car - I need it to work for me day in and day out.

Do any of you have positive experience with a new engine when you bought your Jeeps?

-Bulkhead
 
#2 ·
well...thats just it...this is a BRAND NEW engine that has never been used before in any ChryCo vehicle. But there are some posts on here from members who have test driven the 2011 with the V6 and said it was a very nice engine, very nice power...with a wide power band from 2500 rpms and up. I will be test driving both on sat and I will give my impressions of the V6 Vs. my 4.7 V8
 
#17 ·
well...thats just it...this is a BRAND NEW engine that has never been used before in any ChryCo vehicle. But there are some posts on here from members who have test driven the 2011 with the V6 and said it was a very nice engine, very nice power...with a wide power band from 2500 rpms and up. I will be test driving both on sat and I will give my impressions of the V6 Vs. my 4.7 V8

Scott, were you able to do this? Your thoughts?
 
#3 · (Edited)
I like the power of the V8, some reviews have indicated the test drives with the 6 were just ok but this is big heavy jeep and the 8 is much better.
mpg is the only reason to go with 6.
Going with a a brand new vehicle with a brand new engine is another reason to go with 8. imo
 
#8 ·
The small MPG increase doesn't justify buying the V6 in my eyes. If it were 5-6 MPG better. i would consider it. But, it is only 2-3 MPG and those can be over-rated at that estimate. If you are looking for better gas mileage. Buy, a Caliber.
 
#9 ·
Yeah that bump might be worth it if your truck lives only in the city. I'm going the v8 because I know if I got a 6 everytime I went to pass I'd be cursing myself for not springing for the hemi. Gas is cheap, horsepower is not. I don't think I've ever owned a vehicle without a v8 except for the mazda 3 I bought for my girlfriend to drive to school in, and thats only mine because my name is on the title.

And don't ever buy a caliber. :)
 
#12 ·
Interesting. After driving the new WK2 with the new V6 I felt it had more power than the old V6 for sure but not as much low down grunt as my '05 4.7. I also drove the Hemi. I'd get the Hemi hands down.
 
#13 ·
Drove the V6 today. There were not any hemi ones available yet. I felt the V6 was pretty similar 0-60 to my toyota 4runner time wise but not feel wise. The jeep seemed slower when not looking at the speedometer and it seemed to hold the gear out longer before changing. It was fine speed wise once you had a head of steam already (passing not an issue) and more a problem getting that heavy thing up to speed. Did anyone drive a 4 X2 and a 4X4? The one i drove today was a 4X2 and wondering how it would compare (suspenion and speed wise as I would think the 4x2 would be less weight)
 
#14 ·
I drove an Overland with the Hemi today...the engine seemed very refined, much different than my 06 was...had a nice amount of pull; I think it would be a lot more fun on the highway than it was on the local roads I was on. Felt like it had a lot more power to give. Also was much quieter than I remember my 06 being (the engine itself).

One thing I will say - cooled seats are awesome, though quite weird the first time you feel them!! :D
 
#19 ·
So, I drove the V8 hemi tonight after work. Yes, even the far, far away southwest town of San Diego now has a few of these at dealer lots.

I got a call from our dealer this afternoon to tell me that ONE was on its way down from Irvine. It turned out to be a blueberry Laredo 4x2 with the grey interior. Amazingly, although I got to the dealership about 3 hours after it arrived, they were writing up paper on it and by now, it is gone to the first buyer.

Also of note, the dealership tried to get a 5k market adjustment (lift) on the price! Just like you, I told him I wouldn't pay it - I'll wait a few weeks thank you very much..

Anyway, regarding the engine, I noticed that upon starting it up, the exhaust note is quieter than my 2001 Jeep which has the 4.7 V8. Power off the line was a bit weak. It definitely built up, but like others have observed, the power off the line was uninspired. I did not get to drive the V6 so I can't compare.

We did not drive off road but had a bad road to drive on which demonstrated the solid chassis. Very solid feel. Also noted how quick the steering was. Not a lumbering drive, much more lively.

I am going to wait to see the Overland before I make a purchase decision.

Cheers,
 
#20 ·
the new V6 pentastar has 290 hp / 260 lb-ft torque
the 5.7 V8 HEMI has 360 hp / 390 lb-ft torque

the V6 has more power then the 4.7 99-05 but its a new model and i would not even bother getting any new model car or jeep since until the 3rd year since they fix all the bugs in the first 2 years really.

also MPG is only a bit diff, i would say get the V8 over the V6

http://wk2jeeps.com/wk2_engines.htm
 
#21 ·
I've driven both.

I ordered a V6.

The Hemi's throttle tuning seemed to be less aggressive than the Pentastar; maybe I just didn't drive them the same way, but initial tip in with the V6 was more aggressive. I noticed no hesitation or lack of power on city streets or on the interstate.

Furthermore, in all my research the opinions were pretty well unanimous- unless you're towing heavy loads, just go for the six.
 
#22 ·
yeah....above 1800-2000 rpms...the V6 was very torque and fast revving. Its a nice little engine that has tons of potential...and will probably have a larger aftermarket than the hemi.
 
#26 ·
Starting to see some objective acceleration tests as well as Chrysler estimates of 0-60 times for both 3.6 engine [8.5 to 9.0 sec.] and hemi [7.5 to 8.0 sec.] These are extremely disapointing compared to the comparable competition [4Runner [7.4], LR4[6.9], GX460[6.8] and even a new hemi Ram 1500 [7.0] which weighs 900 lb. more than a WK2 and is as aerodynamic as a brick. What gives?
 
#27 ·
well...Ive never driven the 05-10 5.7...but from what Ive heard on here there is a hesitation. I didnt notice it at all with the wk2 5.7 I would guess a tuning change....
 
#30 ·
the sho is a V6 TT.....totally different animal from the 5.7 The 5.7 is terrible at gas mileage and doesnt deliver the hp and tq despite its displacement. The gen 2 4.7 massaged can make much more hp than a 5.7 massaged. Ive never really delved into the 5.7 to be honest though. Could be any number of factors......
 
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