4 cylinder double cab review (Prerunner)

I have the exactly same model as yours. I just had two fills so far. The first tank gave me 24mpg and the second one 23 mpg. I drive probably 80% highway and 20% local.

How did your long trip turn out with the truck?

 

I got 23 MPG on my all-highway trip down I-5 and up over the grapevine. Not bad. Wasn't carrying much load, just me and my wife, the dog and some luggage.

 

Bought my 4 cylinder 2011 prerunner double cab short bed at the end of october and so far it has been great! I bought it for good gas mileage (22 mpg after 3 fillups) and occasional light hauling. I doubt I will ever tow anything with it. It is a sr5, automatic, timberland mica. I test drove the v6 and yes couLd tell a bit of difference. But commuting back and forth driving on the interstate the 4 banger suits me well. This is the first Toyota I have owned and have been impressed with the truck. It is very roomy, quiet and maneuvers quite well. The only option I wish it had was a compass and thermometer. After driving various vehicles the past 10 years that had these it took a bit for me to not look around when I get in the truck and not see them.

 

I'm glad you guys bought this option. My wife has been quietly complaining about having to use the clutch on her 2wd AC SR5 5spd and I'm starting to research a replacement. I'd like a DC for the extra space but not the mileage penalty of the V6.

For the current owners, does the 4spd auto chase gears? What kind of RPM are you seeing on the interstate at 75mph? Have you towed with your vehicles, if so how much weight and at what speed?

 

2100 +- RPM @ 75-80mph in the interstate. I tow a 3500lb boat no problems, cant tell its back there. Inclines are an issue when on autopilot but I am starting to think its the autopilot and not the engine as it wont high rev when I dont use the autopilot. Cant beat the gas mileage. You can buy a full size truck that gets the same or better mileage as the v6.

 

Bonnet - ditto for me. I wish they had the thermometer and compass in the 2011 model. Trying to find an aftermarket thermometer but they all look so tacky. Other than that, my 4 banger is great. I was also amazed at the turning radius. About the same as my old Honda Accord.

 

Has anyone tried the truck (DC I4) in snow yet? Since it is RWD and lack power a bit, I am not sure how it performs when driving in snow. Any inputs will be appreciated. We have not had any snow in MD yet. ...

 

I got 16 mpg out of my 05 Tundra AC 4x4 4.7 V-8 with auto trans

 

Actually the i-4 not having as much power may help you in the snow. It will be easier to keep wheel spin down helping the truck track better in snow plus traction control will help you stay straight. That just my experience with a 4cly 2wd taco in the mountains in PA.

 

That's an interesting point. Will wait to see if it works.

Some other people suggest to put a sand bad in the back to generate extra weight.

 

put your 4 wheeler back there....then if your stuck you still got a ride out

 

And the newer tundras are getting even better mpgs. The v-6 tacoma should be getting 20mpg + and the 4cyl should get in the high 20's low 30's

 

Got mine August 2011. New Mexico - about 4000 to 7000 feet altitude. Have only done 3 tanks of gas. First got 29mpg mainly highway - I was babying it to see what it could do. Was really surprised. Second got 26 mpg on mixed highway at 75 mph and mountain roads at around 35 mph - was also surprised. Third was almost totally in town - got 21.8 mpg. I have cap on back.

Swapped OE tires for 15" Geolanders. They are just barely broken in and we got lots of snow and ice last two days. Truck does fine in snow, although I would put Blizzaks on it if I lived at higher elevation. On ice the truck is fine, but the tires require driving very slowly. Traction control works. ABS is your friend.

Blizzaks would also solve the ice problem, and studded tires would be even better. With sticky rubber the truck is very easy to control. I've driven Northern winters most of my life, so base this on lots of vehicles - wish the automatic had a 'creep home' gear, but 1st works.

Today I took the truck up a very rough dirt road, almost trail with snow on it. Left it in 1st up the hill. Traction control came on only once for about 3 feet.

I miss the go-for-it of 4x4, but this truck is very well balanced, and I think with good tires it is close to 4x4.

 

2011 double cab prerunner here, with 14k miles, average 23 mpg.....i was hesitant buying it, but glad i did

 

Completely agree. Same truck, same mpg

 

The main reason why I switched from a 2006 AC 4-cyl to a 2009 DCSB V6 was the lack of power in the 4-cyl.

In the 4-cyl, highway driving I got 25 mpgs and in the city was 18 mpgs.

In my V6 I consistantly got 21 mpgs mixed on the 245/75/16 OEM tire, so you don't loose mpgs all that much. When I went up in tire size to a 265/75/16, my mpgs when down to 18 mpgs mixed with 16 mpgs city, but my highway stayed at 21 mpgs so if you keep the tire size small, 245, then you'll be fine.

 

Is Dcab the same as a crew cab? I like the 2011 euro models (Hilux) with crew cab, 4x4, or 4x2, 4cyl, turbo diesel.

 

I drove one in Thailand. 4 Cyl Turbo Diesel. I love it. Plenty of torque.

I have a 2002 Double Cab Prerunner 4 Cyl.

 

You don't need tons of horsepower for snow driving.
You need traction and a capable driver.

 

Yeah, DC (double cab) is Toyota lingo for crew cab.
AC (access cab) is Toyota lingo for king cab.