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2014 GC 3.6L V6 enough?

24K views 126 replies 49 participants last post by  mhconley 
#1 ·
Hi guys,

i just ordered my 2014 GC overland 3.6L a few weeks ago... now i'm wondering maybe 5.7 V8 is a better choose... be honest, i'm not a crazy off road guy... at least not yet so far... but even that, still thinking if a 3.6L v6 is powerful enough as a daily driving?

Shawn
 
#2 ·
For me, using the '14 GC Limited 4x4 as a daily driver, the 3.6L is plenty. Fuel mileage is pretty decent and when I need to go, it goes. Plenty of power on tap when I need to get around some retard driving in the fast lane, doing 10 under the speed limit and talking/texting on their damn phone.

Unless you absolutely need the power from the Hemi, I'd stick with the 3.6L. If nothing else, test drive one and judge for yourself.
 
#3 ·
thanks Sh0rtBus, i've tested to drive a 3.6L b4 i placed the order, but i didn't try a 5.7 V8, so really have no idea about how powerful it is. i read some thread somewhere says compare to the 5.7L V8, 3.6L seems just like a toy... wondering is it real? that big different?...
 
#5 ·
For me v6 is plenty but if I didn't care about the extra cost of fuel, I would have got the v8. I drive 15k-20k a year. V6 makes sense for me.
 
#6 ·
You really just have to drive it for yourself and decide (turn off ECO on both). I first drove the 5.7 and was sold but i was originally considering the 3.6 but since i don't have to commute and really wanted the extra power of the Hemi, it was a no brainer for me. Some have said they felt little to no difference between the 3.6 and the 5.7 but there is a 70hp and 130lb/tq difference between the two and i felt it!

The 5.7 makes the jeep feel more nimble and sportier which is exactly what i wanted. If i had to commute everyday stuck in traffic i would go with the 3.6.
 
#7 ·
I drove both before ordering mine. The best way I can describe the difference is that it changes the way the vehicle feels, in terms of size and weight - and not in the way you'd necessarily expect.

The 6 felt like I was driving a sizable SUV (akin to the old full-sized Broncos I grew up in), while the 8 seemed to make the vehicle feel smaller, due to the ease of movement from the extra power. In fact, I made the comment to the salesman that the 6 felt "more like a truck," and he said he has heard that before.

Obviously the 8 is a larger and heavier engine, but it really does change the way the vehicle as a whole is perceived during driving.
 
#10 ·
The stock air box and exhaust do a really good job of keeping the V8's engine noise to a minimum, almost to a fault - the only way I could get the "thrum" you expect from an 8 was to really put the hammer down on the highway. Cabin noise during regular driving was almost identical between the two. My wife was standing outside the vehicle when I started the 8, and said it sounded louder at idle - but I couldn't tell the difference inside.

Acceleration was quite different, and that's what I meant when I said the 8 "felt smaller." Passing and climbing power was virtually effortless with the bigger engine, while the same maneuvers with the 6 (I drove the exact same test-drive route, which included a busy highway) required more throttle and higher RPMs, and felt like more "work" for lack of a better word. Not that the 6 was struggling by any means, it just needed to be pushed noticeably harder to do the same things.
 
#9 ·
If you have toys to tow, get the V8. Otherwise, with the 8-speed tranny, the V6 should be good enough. At least, here in the mountains, I do not feel the need for a V8 on Jeep and I have a vehicle w/ V8 (so I know what I am missing if at all. :) )

Cheers,
-A
 
#15 ·
You won't regret it if gas prices keep climbing.

Come on, where are all the 6 guys to help cheer up Big Shawn?

Snofire? Anyone?
 
#14 ·
My opinion is a bit biased, too. Let me add in that I came from a 2012 Nissan Juke. The other vehicle parked in my driveway is a 2011 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon w/ 2.5" lift, 37" tires, 5.13 gears, heavy front & rear bumpers, steel tire swing....and of course the very anemic 3.8L minivan mill. So between those two vehicles....the 3.6L GC feels tons better on the ol' butt dyno.

And if were really looking for speed....I'd get something built for it...most likely a WRX or something similar.
 
#16 ·
I test drove both the V6 and the V8, and the V8 wasn't that much quicker off the line than the V6. The V6 is plenty quick enough as a daily driver.

Sure the V8 had a little more mid-range power, but for me since my GC will most likely never see any serious off-roading or even pull a trailer, the added costs and lower fuel mileage of the V8 just wasn't worth it for me.
 
#18 ·
Even for serious off-roading, you don't need big block power. For off-road, gearing is more important than displacement. I have yet to not be able to finish a trail in my wrangler because my 3.8L minivan mill couldn't push my Jeep's fat ass up and over a rock. And that was with only 4.10's. I've since regeared to 5.13's but haven't wheeled it since then. My rear locker isn't working at the moment, so I need to get that fixed first.

OP....I don't think you'll regret the 3.6L once you get in and drive for a few days. I promise, it doesn't disappoint when you need it.
 
#19 · (Edited)
i think i have no idea between V6 and V8 just because i've never driven any of these two as a daily car, all i had were a 1.6L old Jetta and a 2.0T Saab. you guys are right, i regretted ordering my V6 because i read too much on comparing of V6 and V8, and i lost myself and even forgot what is my need.

Yes! V6 should be the right choice to me.

cross fingers waiting for my big toy...
 
#20 ·
Hey, no worries! One of my previous vehicles was a 2008 VW .:R32. God I miss that car! Even had a more or less one-off exhaust that I had imported from the UK. Have a YouTube video that still gets hits, even though I haven't owned the car since Nov. 2011. Not that the R32 was really fast or anything, but the 3.6L Grand is definitely faster. Maybe not as nimble as the R32, especially since it was AWD and lowered 1.5" on KW coilovers, but still....I'm not a bit disappointed in the GC.
 
#21 ·
I went in planning to order a V6, test drove both and ordered a V8. I couldn't resist the additional power it had to offer. The V6 is enough and will get the job done, but the V8 will do the same with less effort and a bigger smile on your face.
 
#22 ·
Bigshawn.. here is my $.02.. The first 3.6 i drove was in a full sized 4x4 ram.. totally blew me away, couldn't believe how nice it was.. then i drove a jeep and HATED it.. i didnt know about the Econo button.. In econo mode it SUCKS hard.. in "sport" mode which should just be normal mode its great.. plenty of power and OK milage. I only drive around town im averaging 17.. and you just have to get into the habit of using the shifter to go in and out of econo mode..

You asked the wrong question though.. its the 8 speed you should worry about.. its the 1 single thing i hate about this vehicle..
 
#32 ·
Eco mode isn't the greatest but I want better fuel mileage and want to actually use all 8 gears without having to go 60. For us there is no way we were going to buy a 2013 v6, we drove 2 different Laredo X's and they were both flat out slow, I wanted a hemi and I still want a hemi, but the way jeep forces you into a limited to gt the hemi forced me into a v6, we don't regret it because it was the right choice. If I wanted to tow 7k I would just go buy a truck, but with the 8 speed I actually feel confident towing 5k,where I wouldn't trust the 5 speed to tow more than 1k, and even that was pushing it.
 
#23 ·
I gotta say this, and I know I'll get slammed, but us V6 owners are out enjoying our Jeeps, while the V8 guys are sitting around bragging about how BIG theirs is. :slapfight: :rolleyes:
 
#99 ·
same here, but i have the older 3.7. i drove a 3.6l charger and i really wasnt impressed. below 40mph my 3.7 wk pulled harder, from 45-90 they pulled bout the same, but after that the 3.6 pulled longer not necessarily harder. keep in mind i have the 3.08 rear end in my wk.

granted my 3.7 is not stock so its not a fair comparision. stock for stock the 3.6 win eat a 3.7
 
#34 · (Edited)
The favorite engine in my garage is probably the 2-cyclinder Boxer engines on my BMW motorcycles. BMW first produced this engine layout, coupled with a shaft drive, in 1923, and continues to make great motorcycles around this engine/drive layout to today. But, I digress...

+1 for what 2012 Summit says regarding "test ride, then decide".

I have all of three days on my V6 2014 Overland. But I drove it all over Virginia countrysides' back lanes on Friday, and I cruised in comfort from Washington DC to Chicago on Saturday. It's a wonderful fit for my current needs, and it got 23+ mpg on the Interstate ride to Chicago on 85 octane unleaded. I am coming from a 2002 Overland with the 4.7 High Output V8, a wonderful engine...but the gas mileage on the 2002 Overland sucks much. I also had Saab turbos of various models in the 80's and 90's, and I loved the "takeoff velocity" of those turbos...but the 2014 JGC V6 with that 8-speed transmission is really a beautiful and well-integrated combination.
 
#26 ·
Well Bigshawn I got a funny story for ya, once I decided to look at the 14 and test drive one I was all smiles once I hit the gas, it was like night and day going from my 2012 Limited with v6 to driving the 14 hemi I test drove. My salesman rode with me so it was not as fun as driving by yourself but anyhow I was sold on the truck, once we got back he said to me with my wife there "How do u like it?" I replied I love the truck response off the line. It's definitely quicker, I wan't the Hemi for sure, that's when he said oh! Ummm that was a v6 overland. I walked back out to the lot and it sure was . With that being said this will not be my daily driver right now I still have a 02 dodge neon that just won't quit that I drive to work it's a 100mile commute everyday here in the Detroit area and working for the power company here some days I can get pretty muddy so that's another reason I don't drive my jeep to work. So here's what I did I ordered the Hemi eventho the v6 felt so quick compared to my current jeep which only have 4,050 miles on it but I won't drive my Hemi a lot anyhow so I got it. I hope this helps ya that v6 is no slouch paired with the new tranny u will b happy.
 
#27 ·
^
It was better off the line because 8 speed has the real first gear, and more close spaced gears make it easy to keep the engine in the sweet spot, for a better midrange acceleration.

Grand Cherokee V6 overall gear ratios
......8 speed.....5 speed
1st.....16.25.........----
2nd....10.83.........10.98
3rd......7.24..........6.70
4th......5.76.........----
5th......4.45.........4.31
6th......3.45.........----
7th......2.90.........3.06
8th......2.31.........2.54

It's a similar story for the V8.
 
#31 · (Edited)
^
It was better off the line because 8 speed has the real first gear, and more close spaced gears make it easy to keep the engine in the sweet spot, for a better midrange acceleration.

Grand Cherokee V6 overall gear ratios
......8 speed.....5 speed
1st.....16.25.........----
2nd....10.83.........10.98
3rd......7.24..........6.70
4th......5.76.........----
5th......4.45.........4.31
6th......3.45.........----
7th......2.90.........3.06
8th......2.31.........2.54

It's a similar story for the V8.
The 8 speed w/ v6 is now connected to a 3.45 rear. With the 5 speed it was a 3.09.
The 3.45 will keep the engine reving higher through all the gears. That improves towing capacity and give a little more umph off the line.

It's just the opposite for the V8. It now comes with the 3.09.



.
 
#29 ·
"blem wit" that is that the V6 has a "sweet spot" that is 4000 rpm wide. Plus the TQ multiplication. I agree the 8 speed will be better in a tractor pull or up the side of a cliff but my plans do not include either.

Personally I just think a DOHC 6 feels better than a pushrod V8 but was infested with Jags in my yout & currently have five sixes and and one 8 (but that is a toy).
 
#30 ·
Purchased a 2014 Overland last week - went into the dealership focused on a V8 and came out with the V6. We use the JCG for daily driving and we don't tow, really felt the V6 was more than enough power. I live at 5500ft and drive to 7500 quite often - no problem at all.
 
#35 ·
I'm very happy with my V6 Overland as my daily driver. I generally drive in "D" with eco mode off. Nice balance of smooth power and fuel use. I don't tow much with the Jeep; I have a GMC 2500 HD pickup for that (and which I can't afford to drive much, given its terrible fuel mileage).

KJF
 
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