Why gas mileage so low?

I understand it’s a truck but that isn’t an excuse for a paltry 1mpg improvement, that number is so pedestrian I’m frankly surprised they rolled this engine out… I was expecting more in the 26-27mpg range at very least, guess I’ll keep my T4R with essentially the same mpg

 

In what world is 16/19 essentially the same as 20/24? That’s a 25% improvement over your t4r, while swinging bigger tires and producing far more power.

 

My average in the T4R is 21mpg, not sure where your number comes from?

 

If you drive a tacoma as gently as you do so as to beat the 4Runner’s 16/19 fuel economy ratings by that much, you’ll probably get great mileage in the tacoma, too.

 

Maybe, I had two third gen tacos, I could barely get 22 in best of conditions, idk why the 4Runner does well, I do know it hates winter gas (18mpg)but recovers every spring

 

Do you drive highway at below 65mph like 95% of the Time? My runner tank average is far below 21.

 

Nah no interstate highway really, all roads around 50mph, I live in the boonies so no starting and stopping, that helps. If the new pro is close to 27or so, the civic is going away as a commuter… i was just surprised by the 1mpg difference from last gen is all

 

I'm trying to figure out in what world a 2+ ton truck with as much frontal area as the Tacoma, shaped as aerodynamically as a brick, will get an honest 26-27 mpg on the highway at say, 75 mph. If that world exists, I've missed it.

 

I just double checked my 4Runner Fuelly stats. I have a heavy foot but most of my driving is 50/50 mixed between city and freeway. Over the three years I tracked it, it was consistently averaging 18mpg on a tankful. 21 mpg if purely freeway cruising.

My 2021 Tacoma gets slightly better but not much.

Oh, and there was a 1mpg improvement from the 2nd to 3rd gen Tacoma V6's.

 

The Highlander gets 29, figured they could squeeze a couple more out if this engine. That engine puts out 265hp/310tq, yes the Highlander is a little more sleek but it’s still pretty barn like

 

You and me both but people keep bringing it up like there is some easy way to achieve this. If it was then everyone would be doing it or you would hate the end product.

 

I call the Highlander a whole lot more sleek than the Tacoma AND ~600 pounds lighter to boot. Even then I have to seriously question the ability of the Highlander to get much more than 25 in your typical freeway driving environment.

 

And front wheel drive with like 3500 pounds tow rating. It is more comparable to the compact Maverick truck then a Taco.

 

Awd and tow rating of 5000lbs…

also the curb weight of this pig is 4400lbs… similar to the taco
https://www.toyota.com/highlander/features/mpg_other_price/

 

Matters not, there ain't no way the Highlander is going to get 29 mpg on the highway.

 

That’s what it’s rated at, the hybrid is rated at 35

 

Different animal and irrelevant for this discussion.

 

Highlander is a FWD minivan with a tiny little driveshaft and a little help from the rear.

The Tacoma has much bigger (and heavier) rolling gear underneath. Bigger axles, driveshafts, etc. It requires much more energy to get that stuff spinning and maintain speed.

Also the wheels and tires aren't tucked up into the body, hurting aerodynamics

 

The base engine supposedly will achieve 26 HWY. spend less and save a bit on fuel too…

@Horseshoez

 

@SwollenGoat, not surprising given that configuration is RWD only.