4 Cylinder vs 6 Cylinder

I have the 2.7 and love it. Although on some occasion's i do wish to have more power, its got plenty to get the job done. I own a lawn care and landscaping company. I tow a full size commercial zero turn (aprox 1250lbs), a bunch of weedeaters, blowers, ect, and a whole bunch of other junk on a 12' trailer. I pull long steep hills with no trouble gaining or staying the same speed, usually around 3000rpm's. When towing I get about 17.5mpg without the AC on, with it on I get about 16.5mpg when towing. Empty I get 18mpg city with AC on and 22mpg hwy with AC on.

 

LOL, I like how you say you pull long steep hills. I looked up where you live to see the "hills" I can't find any it's so flat, which is perfect for the 2.7. Now where I live hills are defined a little different. It's not declared a mountain until you gain at least 1000 feet of elevation in a short distance. V6 wins every time in high elevation and with any time of hills, the passing lanes are always on the up hill side.

I live in the mountains and am 80% city driving and 20% off road. With my foot out of it just cruising I get avg 16.5 mpg supercharged. The only long distance flat land I have driven was when I bought the truck coming home in which I was driving 75mph and averaged 19.5 mpg. If I lived in the flats I bet you I could get closer to 18 in town and 22 on the highway keeping my foot out of it.

Now I did own a ext. cab v6 4x4 and it got 19-21 in mountain town and 22-24 highway.

I have talked to the 2.7 guys and they usually get the 22-24 town and 28ish highway. There have been some best case scenarios that I have heard them getting 34 highway.

But with a 4x4 DC you will be a sad panda with a 2.7 and the 25 year old beater that is blowing past you because you can't get out of it's way. Unless you just want potential MPG then go with the 2.7 liter.

Remember power to weight ratio. The more weight you have the more power you want so you don't break stuff by over taxing it's capability.

 

There is no way the 2.7L 3rz guys are getting 24/28 mpg in their vehicles. It's only rated for 17/21 brand new off of the showroom floor. Now maybe the newer 2.7L might get that I don't know.

 

I'm not talked 4x4 when I say that, nor prerunner. I'm talking reguler 2wd small wheels low to the ground.

 

Oh I gotcha. So you are referring to the 2.4L engine. I believe the 3rz only came in prerunner and 4x4 trucks but I could be wrong.

 

^Correct

I just filled up and managed 21.X MPG with my 2.7. 150 of those miles being on mountain grades with camp gear. 250k miles on the engine to boot . Held the speed limit with just a single downshift.

 

I think the decision comes down to your style of driving, driving utility, and the primary need of the vehicle. If I was towing, I'd probably opt for the V6. Since I originally purchased my Tacoma for hauling the occasional load from HomeDepot or some firewood, the 4 cylinder was all that I needed. But now I use it as my daily driver, and for that, I'm glad I'm not feeding a V6. As for gas mileage, the cold here in the Northeast makes fall/winter driving less efficient. Presently, I've been routinely getting low to mid 20s with 90% city driving. The 4 cylinder can post some solid numbers (by truck standards) especially the 5-luggers where we have members here posting in the mid/upper 30s. It takes some effort, but the Tacoma can be an efficient vehicle.