Daily Podcast Lieberman Edition: A Curse On 3.7 Liter Engines

by Justin Berkowitz

Published: October 16th, 2008

This is about as scientific as the fifteenth-century Vatican, but I think 3.7 liter engines are cursed. Six vehicles come to mind, featuring five engines. Click through to see the gallery and my descriptions.

daily podcast lieberman edition a curse on 3 7 liter engines

Consider the models currently or recently on the market in the U.S.:1. Mercedes ML350 (2004-2005). With a name like “ML350” you’d be thinking 3.5 liter engine. It had 232 horsepower and 254 lb ft of torque. Not bad for a V6 generally speaking, but also not a knockout for a 3.7 liter V6 and a big SUV. It was also featured in North American in the S350 sedan, of which Mercedes sold about 2.2. Mazda6, Lincoln MKS. It’s not that this 260 horsepower engine is bad. It’s very smooth, even if the 6-speed auto can be powersucking especially in the MKS. It’s the 17/25 and 17/24 mileage rating for two front wheel drive V6 sedans. Honda can crank 29 mpg on the highway out of its V6 in the Accord.3. Hummer H3. It’s a 3.7 liter inline 5. It’s in the Hummer H3. Done.4. Jeep 3.7 V6. This one manages to mostly escape the curse. While its not so hot on horsepower or fuel economy, it has enough grunt to power the Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokee around. And the fact that it sounds like a spoon in the garbage disposal isn’t too bad in the Jeep.5. Acura RL 3.7. I haven’t driven this model with the new engine yet, but when even Edmunds says acceleration is a problem, I’d be nervous.The exception seems to be the Infiniti G37. And thank goodness for that.

Justin Berkowitz

Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.

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2 of 38 comments

Golden2husky on Oct 18, 2008

Justin, the G37's engine is a gem, but real world mileage sucks if you use it like you should. And I do remember the 1.8 litre V6 in the Mazda. In fact I always had a soft spot for Mazda engines. Lastly, that oldie but goodie slant six engine is a legend in durability. There used to be speed parts for the slant six, too. Internals never broke on these pups

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Mirko Reinhardt on Oct 20, 2008

@davey49: Mirko Reinhardt- expense is why Wranglers aren’t diesels. Do you really want to add $4-5K on to the price of a Jeep? It's only a $1584 difference in Germany before taxes, not anywhere near the figure you quoted. If the Wrangler had a more modern V6, cost qould certainly be at least on par with a 4-cylinder diesel. @Banger You’ve taught me a great deal more about the 7 series, for which my heart has a soft spot. I stand corrected, and thank you for the info! You're welcome. I have a soft spot for some BMWs too. And no, I’ve never watched The Transporter. It's not as wrong as Transporter 2, and it features a manual transmission E38 735i.

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