4.0 vs 3.8L engine- is 4.0 that much beter?

19 messages, Last post on Aug 13, 2009 at 9:05 AM

What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Engine, Van

#18 of 19 Re: 4.0 vs 3.8L engine- is 4.0 that much beter? [wp746911] by dustdevil1 Jun 30, 2009 (5:18 pm)
Replying to: wp746911 (Apr 02, 2009 6:42 am) Recently picked up an 09 Touring with the 4.0 engine...replacing a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 3.8 5spd AOD. Power seems near identical, with the exception of the 6 spd auto in the 4.0 shifts earlier and seems more buzzy than the 3.8 5spd version. Although the sticker says the 4.0 will return better MPG...that hasn't happened yet. The 3.8 delivered near 26 MPG on the road...the 4.0 struggles to get to 23 MPG. Maybe it will pick up with more mileage on the vehicle...but I don't see it happening.
#19 of 19 Wannabe racer! by intrepidacious Aug 13, 2009 (9:05 am)
We have a 2009 4.0L 25th Anniversary Touring. I definitely have to throw in my vote that the 4.0L is great! We didn't see higher MPG from our van until we had a couple thousand miles behind it. Cruising on the highway in Florida we can easily get high-20's at 70mph. Remember that the new vans are larger and heavier than the old vans. You need extra power to make up the difference. As I've pointed out elsewhere, they're quick vans with the 4.0L, doing 0-60 in about 7.8 seconds, which is typically better than Siennas and Odysseys can do.