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V8 (4.7L) vs V6 Pentastar

16K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  overlanding 
#1 ·
Not quite the same V8 vs V6 thread. I'm curious on peoples thoughts on the original 4.7L V8 (ie 2000 WJ) versus the new Pentastar V6. Reason being of course, I have a 2000 WJ with the 4.7 and am comparing different powertrain options.

Seat of the pants seems like the Pentastar with the new transmission is at least as quick as the original V8. Towing capacity just a little bit less I believe. Keep going back and forth between the V6, Hemi, and even the diesel. Though the diesel is kind of in last place as I don't really have anything to tow right now.

Thoughts??
 
#2 ·
I had the 4.7L in my 02. The 3.6L in my 14 feels just as powerful as far as acceleration goes... maybe even a little more. That kind of surprised me as the 14 is larger and heavier than the 02. The 3.6L's running combined average has been around 20 mpg while the 4.7L's combined average was 16.5-17 mpg.

I was a little worried about going to the 3.6L as I've always had V8's in my GC's. I have no regrets in getting the V6.
 
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#3 ·
interesting. That's kind of what my seat of the pants was telling me. I've also towed a heavy (Uhaul) car trailer with a 3,000 lb car on it with the WJ from San Diego to Colorado Springs. It did ok except for some sway above 60 mph and the tongue weight was a bit much.

Am I off to say the WK2 with V6 and tow package may actually do better?
 
#4 ·
I couldn't tell you as I don't tow. Based on the tow ratings for the GC with a 3.6L I'd have to imagine it would be okay. Others on the forum would probably tell you to go V8 or the diesel if you plan to tow frequently.
 
#6 ·
Well, not really looking to debate it, just some opinion and to confirm what I suspected through my test drives. :)

And..... agreed if I knew I would be towing a lot, the Hemi or diesel would be it. But, don't have anything now and most likely it wouldn't be anything too large in the future.

Thanks!

Now just to determine if the transmission gremlins have been solved.
 
#7 ·
I still have my 99 WJ with the 4.7L and tow package. I believe it's tow rating is 6800 lbs. I've towed plenty of camper trailers, Uhauls and flatbed car haulers with it prior to the purchase of my 08 V8 Pathfinder in 2011 and now my 2015 Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel. My WJ was a work horse and did everything I asked of it and more. It's towed great even with the lift. I don't know about the V6 now, but I'm assuming its a very capable engine. Just don't put the 4.7L to pasture just yet. It's very capable and efficient.


My 99 WJ with 4.7L, RCX 4inch lift, hitch mounted tire carrier towing a rental camper.



08 V8 Pathfinder with warn 800lb winch and OEM brush guard, rear air bags towing a 2015 Jayco 28BHS



My 2015 Overland EcoDiesel with ORAII towing my 2015 Jayco 28BHS.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I have the second generation 4.7 V8 in my 2010 Dakota. In the 2008 model year, they switched from the first generation 4.7 to a newer 4.7 that puts out just over 300 HP and 330 lb-ft of torque. It has dual spark plugs per cylinder (like the Hemi), a different camshaft, intake manifold, and throttle body compared to the

I'd say the second generation is on par with the 3.6, as my Dakota is roughly the same weight as the WK2s. The first generation, no, not as powerful. Not a bad engine, but the 3.6 in the Jeeps seems to have more power than the 1st generation and better gas mileage than the 1st or 2nd generation 4.7s.
 
#9 ·
Thanks for the comparison. That;s some real world comparison on the towing Volvite. The WJ is not quite out to pasture, but at 221000 miles it's not quite the vehicle of choice if I were to take a cross country trip. Though it's the suspension that needs some TLC these days.

Wasn't aware the later 4.7 had increased power by that much. Original 4.7 was 235 hp, 295 tq.

Pentastar - 290 hp, 260 tq.
 
#10 ·
I have an old 1999 JGC Limited WJ with the 4.7 and I just bought a 2015 Summit V6 3 1/2 weeks ago.

The old 4.7 is a very capable engine and it would get up and move pretty good, but it sounded like it was working pretty hard to do it. It has decent pickup but never really had that pin you in the seat feel IMO.

The new WK2 I have with the Pentastar is a rocket. This thing is quicker off the line before I drop it into Sport mode, then once I hit Sport it's just amazing. Considering the WK2 is heavier than the WJ, and it has a V6 over the old V8 it's impressive to me how quick it is.

I drove the Hemi along with the V6 when I was shopping, and while fun I wouldn't get the Hemi unless you are towing; same for the diesel. The cost upgrades are just too much in my book but if I had the need for the torque I would seriously consider it. I don't really plan on towing with my V6 but I'm sure it would do pretty well.
 
#12 ·
99-04 wj Limited QD 4.7 3.73 5spd 545RFE Car and driver

0-60 7.2
1/4 15.6 @86

16/19 mpg 4000 lbs


14 WK2 5.7 8spd overland car and driver

0-60 6.5
1/4 15.0 @93

14/20 5324 lbs


14 WK2 3.6 8spd overland car and driver

0-60 7.5
1/4 15.7 @90

17/24 4987 lbs


Wj with the 4.7 is a tad quicker than a 3.6 WK2
 
#13 ·
We still have our 2004 JGC with the 4.7, it has over 200k miles and son is using it. It did a lot of towing very heavy BSA and Search & rescue trailers in pretty tough conditions. I only hope my 2014 with V6 Pentastar holds up as well as the 4.7 did.

Over 200k miles in 10 years the 2004 4.7L had almost zero non-wear issues. Amazing vehicle.
 
#14 ·
I have had pretty much all of them. 2008 SRT8, 04 Overland with 4.7HO, 2012 Overland V6, and now 2014 Summit V8.

Im comparing the 2012 V6 which had that awful transmission which always put it in the wrong gear at the wrong time. Just an all around lame driving experience and I think they may have done that for fuel economy i'm not sure. I haven't driven a V6 with the 8spd, but from what I read its MUCH better.
My 04 Overland with 4.7HO was surprisingly fun to drive. It always had good power and moved out pretty good. Comparing to my 2012 Overland V6 I would say the 4.7HO would pull on it without much problem. Wouldn't be blown away, but it would probably win. I now have a 2014 Summit V8 and wouldn't trade it for ANY of them. LOVE the ZF 8spd and the sound of the engine. It just sounds so good and that tranny shifts awesome! Some may think i'm crazy, but I went with the V8 in my new Summit partially just because how it sounds in the cabin. IMO changes the entire driving impressions and makes it feel like a more significant vehicle. The old 4.7HO also had a great tone to it.
 
#15 ·
Well I guess I'm the new guy that will buck the trend. We just traded in the 2000 WJ Laredo with 4.7L for a 2015 Limited with Pentastar V6. Maybe I am babying the new ride, but I think the WJ had better acceleration. Mating the quadra drive to that V8 put some good power to the ground and that thing was a rocket (for a 4x4 SUV) off the line. I can definitely feel that the 2015 is larger and heavier. I do like the MPG average with the Pentastar V6 though; currently running at 22 to 23 whereas the V8 was around 18.

I seriously considered getting the Hemi but NJ is pretty flat and I don't do any towing (sold my trailer a few years ago). If I need to do any hauling, I use the 2001 Dakota with the 4.7L V8. That motor has descent power for midsize pickup but it feels very sluggish off the line compared to both Grand Cherokees. Gear ratio??
 
#16 ·
I had an 09 SRT GC, don't really remember what it was like honestly it was so many cars ago. But I do remember my 2012 Hemi GC. It was a dog. My sisters 2010 suburban would outrun it. I could only imagine how awful the Pentastar must have been 2011-13. But I just switched from a 14 Hemi overland to a 15 Pentastar overland and I will admit, I don't find any issue with power.

The 2014 Hemi had a smoother powertrain. It always shifted smoothly. That right there is enough reason to choose the Hemi. My only complaint was that, I didn't find the Hemi 'sound' to be all that impressive. I even had a passenger argue with me at one point that it didn't have a V8 until I pulled to the side of the road and popped the hood. He was amazed. Definitely doesn't sound as good as the SRT or the Tahoe I had previously.

My new Pentastar has been good so far. It has plenty of power. It 'feels' more excited to accelerate than say a Chevy traverse or a Ford Explorer (both have similar curb weight and horsepower). It's a good ride. It does exactly what you want it to, with the occasional transmission clunk. Nothing too severe though. It was built 06/15 so it's really new. I'm at 5,500 miles. I'm impressed with it. But it's no Hemi.
 
#17 · (Edited)
The 2014 Hemi had a smoother powertrain. It always shifted smoothly. That right there is enough reason to choose the Hemi. My only complaint was that, I didn't find the Hemi 'sound' to be all that impressive. I even had a passenger argue with me at one point that it didn't have a V8 until I pulled to the side of the road and popped the hood. He was amazed. Definitely doesn't sound as good as the SRT or the Tahoe I had previously.
I guess sound is subjective as well, but that glorious sound inside the cabin of my '14 Summit from that Hemi is absolutely one of the major reasons I chose that engine. It just sounds so good and is music to my ears. On the outside I would agree that there isn't much to listen to compared to other SUV's with V8's, but inside they did a great job of making it sound just right. In sport mode sometimes I get the impression it has an aftermarket exhaust as it's actually fairly loud. That's why I found it very odd about your story with one guy not believing that it's a V8. Unless there is something different with the exhaust on my '14 Summit, there is absolutely no mistaking what's under the hood of that car when accelerating. Either way I personally love it and Thad all that matters!
 
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