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Who has driven both V6 & V8 WK2's

30K views 188 replies 46 participants last post by  ChrisOC 
#1 ·
Hey Guys -

Yesterday I was dumbfounded at the power of the V6 WK2 motor! My close friends decided to purchase a WK2 after we all got in and drove to dinner and movie. Last night they showed me there True Blue Laredo 4x2 V6.

Long story short, I was blocked in my driveway and took the Laredo to buy some wine. WOW! That V6 feels alive and amplified! I touched the accl. pedal and it just took off, no hesitations, rough shifts, nada!

Mine feels like a dog, it's slow, guzzles gas (I am averaging 11mpg), the trans has rough shifts and delays between gears.

Sorry for the rant, im not a happy camper right now.
 
#40 · (Edited)
I hit 26.5mpg (hand calculated) many times this summer during a 200+ mile trip at an avg 70-72mph. In the city I am always around 17-18mpg...with the hemi, I was lucky to get more then 14mpg in town.

If the v6 is only adequate, the hemi is just above adequate (and is below adequate for a V8). If the difference between the two was like going to the SRT then I'd agree with the HEMI posts, but it's not.
 
#42 ·
The biggest reason you couldn't pay me to buy a v6 right now is the head issue. Personally I think the pentastars are all ticking time bombs. The lucky ones are the ones that are having the issue early (under warranty). The unlucky ones are the ones who are going to have the issue at 40,000+ miles.

Even those having it fixed under warranty should still worry. Chrysler has never said the found the root cause. So they are throwing a new head on and there's probably a pretty good chance you'll have the same issue again.

Another concern is the fact that people are having to wait 3-4 weeks to get the heads. Besides being a huge inconvenience it shows just how common this problem is. It's obviously much more common than Chrysler is letting on if they are replacing so many heads that production can't keep up.
 
#46 ·
The biggest reason you couldn't pay me to buy a v6 right now is the head issue. Personally I think the pentastars are all ticking time bombs. The lucky ones are the ones that are having the issue early (under warranty). The unlucky ones are the ones who are going to have the issue at 40,000+ miles.
Why is this? It falls under the 100k mile warranty. I know it's a problem, but it's not nearly as big as it appears.
 
#44 ·
Based on my limited research, the Grand Cherokee is not really a top performer with the V6 or V8.

FWIW

In Edmunds testing, a 4WD Overland V6 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 9 seconds about a second or two slower than some rival V6 SUVs.

The optional 5.7-liter V8 produces 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque and comes matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. With 4WD it is rated 13/20/15 mpg. In our testing a 4WD Overland V8 did the 0-60 drill in 8.2 seconds.
 
#47 ·
I'm afraid that is not accurate and may have been the early test car. Recent tests from both engines show much better numbers. Zeroto60times uses various sources to get their numbers and has the following.

V6 Limited = 8.0 seconds 1/4 = 16.2
V8 Overland = 6.9 seconds 1/4 = 15.3

My cousin's Audi Q7 S-line is slightly slower to 60 MPH than my Hemi. We've tried it! Let's try another...

Lexus GS 460 SUV = 6.8 seconds 1/4 = 15.2

So as you see the Overland Hemi is pretty darn quick for a 5300 lb SUV. In fact I'd say that it's power is on the mark for it's suspension geometry. Any faster and it might be dangerous! ;-)

Robert
 
#48 · (Edited)
I rented a v6 while my hemi was in the shop getting repaired after some idiot hit me. The v6 Laredo's engine felt like it was going to blow when I floored it. Maybe that particular jeep had been mistreated and wasn't running like it should. Either way, the Overland Hemi that I own and that Laredo v6 that I rented were light years apart. I could never go back to a v6 after having driven the Hemi. I honestly can't believe what I'm reading on here from v6 owners comparing to a Hemi. To me the Hemi explodes off the line and growls deeply doing it when compared to the lawnmower like noise that the v6 produces.


Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk
 
#51 ·
I know for sure my Jeep is in the low 15/high 14 second range. Most people here haven't felt the Hemi in an Altitude with just 4x2. With bolt ons and a tune it will turn into a relatively nice "street" SUV.

I drove a WK1 SRT, WK2 3.6 and a WK2 5.7 all on the same day. I felt a HUGE difference between the v6 and v8's. I don't care about gas mileage so it was an easy choice for me being they were basically the same cost with incentives.
 
#55 ·
I know for sure my Jeep is in the low 15/high 14 second range. Most people here haven't felt the Hemi in an Altitude with just 4x2. With bolt ons and a tune it will turn into a relatively nice "street" SUV.

I drove a WK1 SRT, WK2 3.6 and a WK2 5.7 all on the same day. I felt a HUGE difference between the v6 and v8's. I don't care about gas mileage so it was an easy choice for me being they were basically the same cost with incentives.

That's a good point. I paid less for my Overland Hemi with all of the incentives and the resale will be better as well. It was a no brainer after I realized that the 6 didn't get much better MPG.
This is a rather silly debate. The V8 is nicer in EVERY way. It's smoother, stronger, faster and makes the WK2 feel more refined. But it COSTS more to feed. Some folks will pay for such things and others won't. There's no wrong choice, only the choice that's right for YOU!:D

Robert
 
#52 ·
I bought the heep as a touring/tow/driver car and like it better every day. Am biased, my first car had a DOHC 3.4 6 and a four speed with overdrive. Had several like that.

Been towing with a 3.8 V6 since the last decade, major difference is that it had three rows of seats (think I used twice).

Like RR, I find the power "adequate" and the MPG stellar.

Besides if I want 400+ hp and a 4-speed, I have a different ride.
 
#57 ·
This debate is silly. Ppl buy the v6 for their reasons, ppl buy the v8 for their reasons. PPL also buy what theu can afford. I have had a full load of ppl and luggage in my v6, and it had no problems. in the end it is personal preferance. I dont tow, I dont off road, I dont race, I dont need added fuel costs, hence I got the v6. I think its time this thread goes to rest

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2
 
#58 ·
Yes, silly but fun to hear all the differing opinions. At the end of the day there is no definitive answer as to what is the better choice.

Having said that, I will now say all the hemi owners made the best possible choice and us Pentastar owners are just not the sharpest knives in the drawer. :rolleyes:

Personally, money was no object. I just bought what I wanted so that makes me really dull. :)
 
#61 · (Edited)
I agree regarding the gas prices but the old adage of the v8 holding higher value is old news. Compare the old limiteds with v8 compared to the v6 5 yrs ago...the price diff was substantial and nothing like today's models. If the market demanded it and put a premium on the v8, it would not be selling for approx the same price as the v6 is currently.

Another perfect example is look at the new ford ecoboost...the v6 f150 has a higher sticker price over the same v8 version.

Don't get me wrong, there is definitely a place for the hemi, but for everyday driving folks the difference is not like it once was.

they are both solid options and I'll leave it there.:thumbsup:

.
 
#62 ·
I was a kid when the Hemi was "The Engine". Now that I'm a lot older, and have never had a Hemi, I figure this might be my last chance. :D

I never buy a vehicle (or anything else) based on what the resale value might be. I buy what I want and don't really care what the next guy wants.
 
#70 ·
If you're not concerned about gas mileage, can afford the additional upfront cost of the Hemi, aren't bothered by the more costly spark plug maintenance, or you have a need for heavy towing, without a doubt, get the freakin Hemi. If you are concerned with those things, get the V6. It's that simple. Sheesh!

Personally, I'd never get a V6 with a vehicle of this weight (especially the Overland). I learned my lesson with the V6 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 I owned prior to the Jeep. All the downshifting drove me absolutely nuts! Not to mention it standing still on a steep incline in reverse with the pedal to the floor!
 
#73 ·
I drove a 12 second Mitsubishi Evolution and went from that to a 2011 Overland Summit V6. To this day, I don't understand why people complain about the V6. My father has a V8 Durango, the transmission is HORRIBLE, power is adequate, and has had a bunch of issues already. He wishes he got V6 instead after driving my car.
 
#75 ·
I'm a BIG Evo fan!
People don't "complain"about the V6 or at least I don't. But if you owned an Evo then you probably know that a full second difference to 60 MPH is a lot as is all the extra torque. Does that mean everyone should get the Hemi? Nope. Buy what you want.

But after driving both I would not trade for the V6 in a million years. This is a 2.5+ ton luxury SUV. Why would I spend that money and get all the toys only to go with the base engine?
That's my view after spending time with both and if the $$$ difference doesn't matter we all know which engine is nicer.

Folks just need to decide if the $$$ matters to them vs. the V6 downsides.

Robert
 
#74 ·
Why all the fabrication about the V8 MPG?

I get 20-22 MPG on the highway. That's using adaptive cruise control with two adults and one child in the car. The Overland is a good deal heavier than than regular versions. On local roads we get between 16 and 17.5 MPG. I drive with traffic and am certainly in the faster lanes most of the time. Going to PA on several trips the worst I got was 19 MPG and that was some faster driving with a lot of hills.

The truth is simple. We really don't notice the MPG any more than in our other cars. I've watched it because I heard some people were concerned, but the ECO system works great.

Accept or not, the V8 is nicer than the V6 and it costs more to own. That's the way life is, but don't act foolish by trying to somehow embelish the V6 into something it's not. It's not an "equal" choice. The Hemi in the SRT is the high end performance engine. The 5.7 Hemi is the luxury/towing version and the V6 is the low-end economy.

They all move the car. Spend what you want but don't make up nonsense when folks like me have driven both for extended periods and actually know what the deal is.

Seriously!


Robert
 
#82 ·
I seriously doubt that the folks here saying the V6 is okay have driven it in OVERLAND trim back-to-back with the Hemi Overland.

There's just no way anyone with any driving experience would not immediately notice the difference that all the extra HP/torque brings. It's noticeable on local roads, hills and the highway.

The V6 is UNDERPOWERED for the Overland trim level weight. The extra weight with passengers is too much for it. Yes, it can move the car, but it OBVIOUSLY strains in some situations. For ME this was not acceptable in a luxury off road SUV with an MSRP pushing 50K.

You can't change the numbers and pretend that all that extra torque doesn't make for a better driving experience. Sorry.


Robert
 
#84 ·
I've driven the Pentastar, the Hemi and the CRD here in Aus. I personally found the car was too heavy for the Pentastar. The Hemi resolved that concern but the economy is a little scary. The CRD gave me Hemi performance while using basically half the fuel. However with the CRD I miss out on is the Hemi soundtrack and I get some slight turbo lag off the line. However, once it gets past that small lag it really hauls harder than the Hemi.
At a AU$5000 premium for the Hemi or CRD over the Pentastar, I must think it is worth it (AU and US dollar are basically on par).
 
#86 ·
Nobody is going to change CaptRB's opinion of the V6 v V8 -- save some typing.

Personally, after test driving both a V6 and a V8, I went w/ the V6. I just didn't feel the overall experience of the V8 was significantly better to justify the increase in price. I do most of my driving in city environments, so the gas mileage difference was substantial for me (about 5mpg better for the V6) in addition to the upgrade cost of the engine. I also look at the V8 as being old technology, which Jeep tried to update by retrofitting modern features. I would be much more interested in the next generation Hemi being considered for future models w/ the 8 speed transmission.

I don't agree that you need the Hemi to tow. I tow my 3000lb boat all over the place with my V6, it's never struggled with power, uphills or otherwise. It all depends on what you are looking to tow, but under 5000lbs the V6 does an admirable job. My previous vehicle was a Lexus GX470 and the V6 Laredo has substantially more power and quickness then the sluggish Toyota V8.

Finally, for those expecting the Hemi to return better resale or trade-in value, I think you will be sorely disappointed. With rising fuel costs and historic wholesale pricing of the WK1 V6 v V8, you will never recoup anywhere close to the $5K it cost to get into the engine at purchase.
 
#89 ·
Personally, after test driving both a V6 and a V8, I went w/ the V6. I just didn't feel the overall experience of the V8 was significantly better to justify the increase in price. I do most of my driving in city environments, so the gas mileage difference was substantial for me (about 5mpg better for the V6) in addition to the upgrade cost of the engine. I also look at the V8 as being old technology, which Jeep tried to update by retrofitting modern features. I would be much more interested in the next generation Hemi being considered for future models w/ the 8 speed transmission.
YES!!! This is what I'm saying! I think CaptRB still bought the wrong WK2....should have gotten the SRT8 version.
 
#90 · (Edited)
I owned a Laredo X V6 for 6 months and then traded up to a V8 Overland so I have had lots of time behind the wheel with both engines. As a few enlightened members have stated, it all comes down to what works best for you. Thats the whole point of offering multiple engine options.

The V6 is a good little powerplant and is a great choice for those looking to squeeze out max fuel economy. If your not worried about mpg, need to tow large loads, or enjoy spirited driving then the V8 is the better choice.

One thing I do have to call BS on is some of the average mpg numbers that have been posted. With consistant driving not worrying about mpg but also not driving like an idiot I would average about 17.5 MPG in mixed hwy/city with the V6 - That has since dropped to about 14 ish' MPG with the 5.7L. Yes, you can get up about 20+mpg with the V8 on a flat highway with cruise control and MDS on but thats not a very good representation of everyday driving for most people. I think Jeep has advertised fairly accurate numbers for both:

V6 (4x4): 16 city / 23 hwy
V8 (4x4): 13 city / 20 hwy

The other thing I find somewhat amusing is the people who say they test drove both back to back and didnt notice much difference... I think you might have left the e-brake on in the V8 because there is a clear cut performance difference between the two. On slight and moderate hills where the V6 needs to downshift at least 1 gear, sometimes 2, the V8 just powers on through smooth as silk. Also torque off the line is clearly superior with the V8. The only other difference I noticed between the two is that the 5.7L equipped Jeep feels a bit more like a truck while the v6 had more of a crossover type feel to it since it is a little lighter on its feet.

Bottom Line: MPG is the only logical reason to choose the v6 over the v8 in my opinion.
 
#91 ·
Very good post!

By now, the OP should have all the details he needs to purchase what is right for him.
 
#93 · (Edited)
It's true....no one will change my mind. Drove both enough to know the hemi is better. Not just "different." That's what the V6 owners want to push, like bad politics. The V6 has just one advantage over the V8 and that's MPG by 2-3 MPG.

If that's your MAIN consideration, but the V6. But don't make silly claims about it against a much more powerful engine and faster vehicle.

On another note: There is NO major handling difference between the QL equipped V6 and V8. They are very close. One person might find the V8 a bit heavier but I find the v6 lacks proper power coming out of corners or dealing with even moderate grades and that's a bigger issue.

As for the SRT...I might have bought it, but I wanted the off-road capability of the Overland!





Robert
 
#94 ·
I, for one, have no intentions of changing your mind. We are all entitled to our own opinion.

Like I said earlier, there is no definitive answer as to what engine is the better choice. It's simply a personal preference.

What gets me the most is when people think only their opinion is correct and ALL others should think the same as they do. This narrow minded way of thinking is childish at best.
 
#97 ·
When comparing the 6 to the 8, you need to remember they are bolted to different rears. So you are comparing a different drive line. The 8 sure has more power. But for someone using it as the family car in a relatively flat area, more power may prove to be no advantage.

Tim Allen taught us that "more power" is always better. That's how he got laughs. :D
 
#104 ·
Oh, and if he's getting 11 MPG he needs to go back to the dealer. I can't make our Hemi dip below 15 even around town, nailing the gas on hills!

We drove 445 miles on a tank last week with a bit of range left (highway with ACC of course). That's over 20 MPG and we were not in the slow lane, usually 75 MPH.

Driving around the area, to the mall, pumpkin hunting....closer to 16 mpg.
11 MPG???? Give me a break. Take it in for service.


Robert
 
#109 ·
...something about the chamber not being a true hemispherical shape...it's all marketing today. However, with that said, I'm sure the newer version is more advance and better than the old orig HEMI design. ;)
 
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#111 ·
I'm enjoying this thread. I've been following it since the beginning and some of the statements are truly based on facts, but a lot of it is purely personal opinion, along with a little bit of putting down owners of the V6.

Examples of facts relating to the hemi:

It's smoother, stronger, faster (not sure about smoother)
it costs more to own
the hemi has more HP
has more torque
weighs more
costs more
uses more fuel


Examples of opinions relating to the hemi and V6:

V6 is a weaser.
the V6 cripples the Overland package
The V8 is nicer in EVERY way
Accept or not, the V8 is nicer than the V6
the V6 is the low-end economy
Folks just need to decide if the $$$ matters to them vs. the V6 downsides.
The V6 is UNDERPOWERED for the Overland trim level weight
the V8 Overland is the better SUV in the snow, rain and so on
The V6 is a step down in the Overland trim.
Drove both enough to know the hemi is better. Not just "different."
Why even get a Jeep in that configuration?

Examples of mixed fact and opinion:

The Hemi is faster, stronger, quieter, more refined and makes the GC more versatile

But the Hemi is still superior in every way in respect to performance, driving enjoyment, safety, flexibility and comfort.

“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” (Daniel Patrick Moynihan)

I often wonder why some people feel the need to put down other peoples choices/opinions. Is it an effort to make one feel better about themselves?

Just because something costs more, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better.
 
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