My Thoughts on the 4 Cyl Tacoma

Just came back from a 1200 mile trip in my new to me 2010 Tacoma 4 cyl 5 speed 4x4.

The trip started in Cleveland and ended in Raleigh, NC. I drove I 77 through the mountains of VA and WV with speed limits from 55 mph to 70 mph.

The truck performed better than I thought it would. It had ample power for most driving situations. Going up the mountains I found the speed never dropped more than 5 mph on the steepest grades, in 5th gear no less. The only time it was somewhat underpowered came when I would get a turtle in front of me that let the speed drop to a ridiculous level like 50 in a 70 zone. I would than have to downshift to 4th and floor the pedal to get back to the posted speed.

I found that 22 mpg is about the best I can hope for on a trip like this, I think the grades weren't my friends.

My truck is completely standard just as it came from the factory. I'm pleased with the performance and would still buy the 4 cyl version.

 

I agree with your observations OP. I have the 4 sp auto and very satisfied with it's performance. I had the same drive train in my 03 and had 10 years of trouble free performance with reasonable fuel economy (see my fulley stats below). The truck meets my expectations because it provides reasonable performance with it's designed utility. It's a truck. A comfortable truck at that.

 

My experience with my 2007 4cyl 5spd 4x4 AC matches this. On the hwy as long as I'm at 2500 RPMs or higher it holds speed upgrade w/o needing to downshift. On hwy all season tires I saw 22.5 MPG regularly. When I swapped to heavy LT E rated all terrains it dropped to 20 MPG on average. I get about the same MPG with my Winter Blizzaks. I'm happy with my truck.

 

Looks like I'm on par with everyone else. I was hoping for a little better highway mpg but I can live with what I get.

 

The Appalachian mtns may not be as high as the Rockies. But, when the settlers traveled out to California, some of the most difficult passes were through these mountains. Many of the roads over straight over them, not around them. They don't wind back and forth. No doubt the Rockies are impressive, but a "hill" that has an 18 wheeler in first gear for 6 miles through TN is still a big ass hill.

 

Man I wish I could hold my speed at 2500 rpm going up hill. When I was in wyoming there was a hill on I-80 that I had to drop the 3rd at 4500 rpm just to keep 50. Of course it started at an elevation around 7500 and ended at 8300 ish.
Other than That I have loved the four banger. I am running the dash command app and it has my average mpg at 21.3 right now. That is a combo of city and highway in FL

 

I should clarify; I was speaking generally. On my commute to work there is one fairly steep long grade, if I hit it in 5th about 68 to 70 MPH, I can maintain my speed all the way up. Get slowed up by other traffic or whatever and it's a downshift to 4th. In the mountains I have to downshift regularly.

 

For some reason, my friend's Taco 4 cylinder 5 speed gets much better gas mileage than anyone else's I've seen. Around 25 most trips!

 

Took an ATV riding trip up to the high desert last weekend. We had the 4X4 Regular Cab 2.7L with a sport quad in the bed (~400 lbs.), and a 4X4 Double Cab TRD Sport 4.0L pulling a small flat open utility trailer with a sport quad on it.

Filled both tanks just before leaving. The beginning of the trip is a climb over Cajon pass (~3,000 feet of elevation gain, but fast freeway driving), then mostly rolling desert (still freeway) for the rest. When we got there, refilled both tanks to check mileage. Both vehicles got almost identical mileage....in the low 20's.

 

Makes sense - the 4cyl used more fuel in the hills and made up for it on the flats.

 

I find the 4 banger a tad under-powered, but acceptable. I just traded my 06 4cyl, 5 spd, reg cab for a new 14, 4cyl, 5spd, access cab.... and am hoping for similar mileage.

 

You'll appreciate the extra room in the cab, at least I do,

 

We drove the Regular Cab off-road along with the quads and Jeeps on a long cross-country tour. This was mixed desert, including full on dunes (Rasor), sandy desert flats, and a long riverbed canyon (Afton Canyon). Got to say that the little 2.7L literally sipped fuel during this kind of travel. Probably used way less fuel than any of the quads.

https://www.google.com/search?q=aft...zH4jnoASkzYHABQ&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=642

https://www.google.com/search?q=ras...tB5TpoASHlIGIDA&ved=0CFUQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=642

 

I certainly do.

 

Yes, mine is the extended cab and I sure am glad for the extra space. The biggest surprise to me was the fact that once you get that engine running 2500 rpm it will climb any grade I encountered as long as someone in front of you doesn't force you to slow down.

I may take a trip out west next year, it will be interesting to see how the little 4 cyl does out that way.

But I sure can't complain about it being to underpowered.

 

If you want to talk underpowered, I had a 1997 Ford Ranger 4 cylinder before I got my Tacoma. It had 98 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque. It was PAINFULLY underpowered, even in a 2wd stick shift regular cab. You had to flog the bejesus out of it just to merge onto the freeway. I never used the A/C because on the freeway I couldn't stay in 5th gear with the A/C on. In stop and go driving, if I was idling at a stop light and turned on the A/C, the engine would stall. Sometimes I got 25 mpg under ideal conditions, but I frequently got 18-20 mpg. I spend maybe 20 bucks a month more in gas for my 4.0L Tacoma. It's totally worth it.

 

In the summer with light tires and summer blend gas I average 24.5 mpg. Once I throw on the winter tires and get that first tank of winter blend the mileage drops to 20mpg for the season.

I'm very happy with 2.7 also. My only complaint is that I don't get to drive it enough.

 

I bought my 09 Prerunner 4.0L V-6 a few months ago not knowing what to expect performance or mileage wise. I have been surprised by the extra pep from the 4 cylinder vehicle I have been driving previously. Chirped the tires a few times making the transition from rolled curb to the garage.
I commute between Vegas and Phoenix and the first few fills were not as good as expected on mileage. Had tire pressure checked and increased. Drove the speed limit, no jackrabbit starts, watched my Ultragauge and last fill up got 22 mpg (Fuelly tracked) while hauling a couch and some household furnishings. I'm really happy with the mileage and was not the first few fill ups.

I'm pleased to hear about the 4 cylinder spoken of by the OP and other posters and may consider getting the smaller engine when I shop for a future Tacoma.

 

Really the only reason I got rid of my 2010 AC with the 4cyl is that I wanted to be able to tow more than 3, 500 pounds in the future. It was totally adequate as a DD otherwise. I do like the automatic better in my 2012, but the 5spd is perfect for the 4cyl.

 

That factor keeps the size of my toys down, which keeps my costs down. No disrespect; I've thought about making the same move for the same reason.