3.5 V6 vs the 4.0

Is the new engine more efficient than the old one?

 

Yes.

Also,

 

Yes!
Wait no

Idk

Define efficient

 

Yes it gets better MPG if that is what you are asking

 

Define efficiency.

And it can't be based on MPG, 'cause that has too many other factors in play.

Do you mean something like HP/CI @ 'x' RPM or something tangible? Well, tangible to bench racing anyway.

 

I guess thats what I was thinking...

 

Boy I sure hope so

 

It more efficiently generates complaints.

 

Then the answer might be that the 'truck' is more fuel efficient.

But not enough to get excited about. Nor spend a bunch of money for that purpose only.

It would be a C class 'pro' on a prioritized pro / con list.

 

Things I remember from my 2012 Sport...winter mpg is terrible.....otherwise returned the same mpg no matter how you drove it.

 

Here’s the dope on the 3.5.

 

I had a couple prior 4.0 2nd Gens before and this one does around 1 to 1.5 MPG average better. However if I drive this truck easy it can increase.

 

That's because of winter blend gas, aka gvmt meddling.

All vehicles MPG drop in the winter, particularly if living in areas like yours.

 

Its better on gas, yes. My buddy had 2nd gen and 3rd gen and says the same thing.

Right now im getting 17-18 city driving, and 20-21 hwy if not going faster than 65-70.

Summer it improves a little. IMO those are great numbers for a heavy truck on 265/70/17 C load AT tires.

 

Define terrible.

MPG has so many variables that the engine is not even in the top 10 of most contributing factors for a Tacoma. Some people get 25, some people get 8. I can't say for sure where anyone will land on that bell curve.

 

There's no replacement for displacement.

 

My 2008 with the 4.0 was 2wd and all stock and I averaged 17.9 mpg. My 2020 is 4wd with one size larger tires and I'm averaging 18.9 mpg overall. So, it's more efficient, but not a huge difference. There's also a ton of variables that impact that, so your results may vary.

 

Interesting that it lists 91 octane ( Plus) for minimum fuel required.

 

Stock to stock trucks, yes. These 2 engines operate on different ends of the spectrum.

 

Haha! It has like 40 more hp on stock tune, i will run circles around a 2nd gen. I proved it to myself a couple times now. 4.0 is done at 5k rpms, 3.5 just keeps on going...