Thinking about 4 Cylinder 4x4.. Your opinion needed

I am currently in the market for a 2012 4x4 AC, I test drove both the 2.7 and the V6 a few times. The 2.7 with the 5spd got the job done, but you could tell that it is a bit under powered. The V6 with the 6spd is an awesome combo, drives great and has plenty of power.

At first I was leaning towards the 2.7, but after test driving both I am def going with the 6spd V6. From what I am researching there is a difference in MPG, but that difference isnt big enough for me to get the 2.7.

Just my opinion, I personally would test drive both a few times.

 

you said the F* word BAN!!

 

I call BS. Maybe you touched 75-80 once while passing a couple folks on a long stretch.

4x4 4 banger 75-80 consistently and still getting 20 emm pee geees? Maybe you were running with a 15mph tailwind.

 

If you want the mileage, don't get the 4x4 or prerunner - get the 5 lug regular height 4x2 pickup. In addition to less coin up front, those are the only tacomas that get good mileage. It is way more common for people to come on TW griping about the mileage that they get, than it is for folks to get the numbers that some folks have posted above.

4 cyl double cab 5 lug might be a decent (if gutless) family vehicle with decent mileage.

 

You have one.
Watcha been doin' with it ?

It is extremely easy for my rig to run those speeds.
Extremely enough to where I need to watch it and deploy cruise whenever I can.

 

If you are looking at it as a family car, the Access Cab is not going to cut it. I can get my two kids (10 & 7) in the back but not for trips. It is the fold-down jump seats and straight back that kill it.
The Double Cab has a lot more weight.

The 4cyl AC 4x4 is great for me. I would absolutely not want it if it didn't have the 5sp Manual transmission because it would be a dog. If you are an automatic person definitely get the 6cyl.

Keep in mind that if you spend much time over 70mph the mileage drops like a rock and the 4cyl loses a lot of its' advantage over the 6cyl. For around town and non-interstate driving the 4cyl has a definite advantage.

I don't see where a DC is offered in 4cyl in my area, though it may be in yours.

 

2.7L DC is available as a 5-lugger and Prerunner but not as a 4x4.

 

I've got 27,000 miles on my 2010 2.7l, 5sp SR5 Access cab. I've averaged 21.4 MPG for those miles, ranging from 19 mpg in 4wd and snow or off road to 24 mpg in I 95 run from PA to SC for Marine boot graduation.

My 32 lb Brittany fits comfortably in the back of Access Cab, I wouldn't want to haul even kids back there though.



YMMV, I love this truck

 

Well I have the first gen four cylinder, and I have no issues with it, thing is mine is the light regular cab. I hear people consistently getting over 20 mpgs in their 4 bangers, but I consistently get just an even 20 mpgs. I do drive fairly fast though. I have a 24 mile round trip drive, all highway, to work everyday and I have no cruise control nor do I ever go just 65 mph. I usually drive between 70-75 mph, and still consistently get 19.8 to 20.4 mpgs each tank. . . . . Until it gets really cold out, these trucks hate cold weather and winter fuel.

 

x2 ... matches my experience.

 

Thanks. I think it will be enough room as it won't get used often. The truck will be a 2nd vehicle (Pilot is our family vehicle), so the kids may be in it once or twice a week. When we go out with the kids, the Pilot gets used.

 

If you get an Access cab keep a couple pillows in the back seats.

 

I agree. Go with the four door Tacoma if your going to have passengers. I have two kids and an access cab and I only take them in my truck on very short trips (max 20min). I went with the access cab because it looks better and its just me in the truck by myself or with one passenger 99.9% of the time.

Not sure about the power of the 4cyl. Go to a dealership and test drive both!

Good luck with your search.

 

Average hwy mpg 20 with winter gas & 24 with summer gas.

Same with my '11

I call BS on your BS. Cruise control set at 75 for most of the trip, up & down hills on a 360 mile trip going from 4500ft to 7000ft and back. I got 23.5mpg. Average hwy mpg 20 with winter gas & 24 with summer gas.

 

Unless you buy a 1st gen. Mine was getting 22mpg+ with a v6 before I put 33's on it. And even now I still get 18mpg+

Edit: I am not 4wd though so you can knock a mpg off that

 

Thanks everyone for your great advice. The Tacoma will be replacing the Sierra as a 2nd vehicle strictly as a mode of transportation for me and weekend fun. We use the Pilot as the family vehicle, but in emergencies I would need the three seats for the kids. I think the access cab would work for the small amount that the kids would be in it. The wife actually wants me to buy a small car . Thats not goin to happen... So my biggest concern is getting the best mileage I can and I like getting back to a 4x4. The Tacoma 4 cyl 4x4 seems to be the best 4x4 truck I can get when it comes to fuel economy.

 

I was happy with my V6/automatic Access Cab at 22mpg when new. That has declined to 17.5-18 over the last five years, partially due to E10 (BS on the Feds for saying it only cuts mileage 2-3%, more like 10% on this truck) and partially due to heavier tires with more rolling resistance.

If I had to do it again I'd go with the 4. With the miles I drive it would save around $90/month on gas at current prices and it's not likely to get cheaper. I like the V6 power but don't tow and don't need to hot rod the truck, that's what the other toys are for.

 

OK, you've heard from the mpg advocates. But before you plunk down your hard earned money, consider this guy's case as well:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/4-cylinder/192173-13-mpg.html

As they say on the sticker: "your mileage may vary." ;-)

 

I've driven a number of 4.3 V6 rigs, from fullsize 1500 gmc to a s10. I just bought a 2012 tacoma 4x4 with the 4 banger.

So far I am impressed with the 2.7L. My first tank I got 26mpg. Pretty damn good. The power is the same in my opinion as my previous 2002 tacoma with the 3.4L V6. Don't think you can go wrong. But I pity anyone who has to ride in the access cab back seats. Good luck.

 

Not a bad recommendation if your kids are gonna ride back there once or twice a week on a regular basis.

Now that the picture is clear (more details known) I'll state it plainly:
Buy the Access Cab in 4cyl/4x4/5spd
- more room in the bed, it's a truck after all.
- room enough in the back for kids on short trips (that extra space is good for "stuff" too)
- 4x4 for when you need it
- 4cyl/5spd for good gas mileage and simple design (= lower maintenance costs IMHO)

Those are the basic reasons I decided on mine (except for me it's grandkids on occasion -- damn! there's that old man reminder again )

Haven't regretted buying mine, it hasn't disappointed me yet.