2021 SR - 4cyl

2.7 SR gang

 

Some are 4x4

 

Toyota basically punishes the 2.7L guys with poverty trim level ony..and with limted cab configuration as well as refusing to sell a trailer hitch equipped too..Toyota under rates the 2TR-FE at 3,500 lbs to up sell the V6 3.5 with towing capacity of 6,500lbs..Outside the US the 2TR-FE is rated at 2,500 kg tow cap..there's only a 80lbs of torque difference between the 2TR-FE and the V6 model and the same frame, transmission, suspension and brakes are exactly the same..So Toyota likes people to believe the extra 80lbs of torque from the sluggish Camry V6 is worth a 3,000lb tow difference..truth be told if the 2.7L had a 5,500 lb tow sticker next to a $4k to $6k higher cost V6 model with a 6,500 lb tow sticker which would most people buy ? It's all about up selling customers into a V6 model with half the life expectancy of the 2TR-FE and way more profit to be made..not to mention the big difference in fuel economy too..Toyota built its absolute reliability and longevity on the 4 cylinder engine..I think if the 2.7L isn't enough power the person should move up to a full size half ton truck such as the Tundra as it would be a lot safer towing such heavy loads..

 

Agree with above, except my 2016 2.7L 4X4 is a SR5 access cab (not poverty trim). Stock except for tool box. Pushing 60k and not one complaint from me. Bullet proof so far. No recalls. No oil leaks. 24mpg with conservative speeds (65/70). Don’t tow. Great for lighter loads. Good in most snow situations. Makes it up hills out here in CA just fine. Couple months ago, put a set of Michelin Defenders on and I’ll be keeping this outfit until they come out with a Hybrid or Electric Tacoma. (I got to do short drive in Hybrid Ford Maverick and was impressed, but sticking with Toyota) $6/gallon sucks no matter which engine you run.

 

I had a 2007 4 banger, Prerunner , Tacoma, access cab, with a manual transmission. I sold it in 2014. It took me about 2 weeks to regret that decision. That was a darn good truck!

I purchased a 2022 with a 6 cylinder. Honestly, if I didn’t pull a travel trailer, in the mountains, I would have bought another 4 cylinder.

Time will tell, but I hope I am as happy with this truck, as I was with my 2007. So far, so good.

 

Yup Toyota limits the 2.7L to SR or SR5 trims..the 4x4 option is only in the Access Cab configuration and if you choose a double cab its 2wd with the 5ft bed as the 6ft bed is only for the V6 and just forget about any options besides the SR5 appearance package which is alloy rims and body color over fenders..Toyota basically does everything it can to push customers away from the 2TR-FE as it must be a profit loss model that serves as an EPA / mpg option credit..would it hurt to ask for a 10 way power seat to be comfortable, Toyota thinks so..that said..That's the only engine choice I'd ever pick in a Tocoma..

 

I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I have a couple of friends at work who have 3rd generation rigs with 6 cylinders and I don’t hear any complaints. Most Tacoma owners love ‘em with either engine. The 6 gets as good mpg as my 2.7. Toyota has great warranty and still build high quality vehicles. Enjoy it!

 

I agree with everything you say. I do believe it’s an upsell and lawyers when it comes to towing. I was fortunate to find my 2015 5 speed new on the lot with a “port installed “ OEM hitch and 4 pin wiring. Mine also came with the convenience package which included sliding rear glass and cruise control.
I then added the backup camera module and intermittent wipers. I also upgraded to a 7 pin connector and a Redarc brake controller. I tow a 6X10 cargo trailer and a Tab 320S Boondock camper.

 

It's going to be interesting how Toyota navigates the tow capacity situation when they go to the rumored turbo 4 cylinder engine..time will tell..I can't blame them so much as they do need to be profitable..I do blame them for offering basically zero options like a power seat, upgraded radio etc as I guess the 2.7L guys don't need to be comfortable or even listen to a slight upgrade from stock radio etc..

 

I had my 21 SR 4 banger for a few months now. It’s all I could ask for. Took it to camp a few times 4x4 came in handy. It’s not a sports car but it moves enough. i just need to get ride of the shit OEM tires.

 

Do yourself a favor and get rid of the stock radio. I got a Pioneer and an idatalink module. I now have CarPlay, Android Auto as well as tire pressure, and all the things that the ecu will display. I can also flip to the backup camera while driving to monitor a trailer while towing.
That stock radio was terrible.

 

@Nessmuk which Pioneer model did you go with? Been looking, but too many options to navigate.

 

I got the dmh 1500nex. It has corded Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it’s fine, I just use a 1’ cable.
It does Spotify wirelessly and even shows the Album art in that mode.

 

just bought a 4 banger base model RWD its gonna do about 95% of what I want/need it to do. mostly commuter, weekly drive on the beach sand, camping in the summer.

 

on single trips I am getting 25mpg on the average over 2000 miles I am getting 23.8MPG with a 2022 SR 4 cylinder RWD

 

I have a 2020 tacoma TSS edition 2.7L and I love that truck. Has Nitto Terra Grapplers, step Bars, Trailer/tow package, nicely equipped and has a stiffer off road type suspension. It's a package that Toyota adds to the base model tacos down here in the gulf states. I'm happy with it! Got some mods on my wish list but their minor. It's gonna be a good little truck for years to come.

 

Looks nice..the Toyota website build area makes it seem like the TSS package and other packages are just cosmetic, like blacked out badges and rims &tires with running boards etc..Ordering my 2022 the tow package or even trailer hitch wasn't an option nor would they even sell me a trailer hitch..E trailer has hitches for around $150..literally the only option on a 2022 Double cab 2.7L is at the highest trim they sell the 2.7L is SR5 and the single factory option is " Appearance package " which is alloy rims and body color over fenders $685..the other packages such as TSS is actually the distributor Southeast Toyota aftermarket add ons..the 2.7L 4x4 option is only available in the Access cab configuration unfortunately.. and since its a 2.7L the double cab configuration only comes with a 5ft bed too..All in place to push customers into the not so great V6 3.5L Camry engine..interesting as Toyota is getting rid of the 3.5L V6 in other platforms starting with the Highlander then Tacoma..the 2023 Highlander will get the 2.4L turbo 4 cylinder with 309lbs of torque and almost certainly the Tacoma will too which is from the Lexus platforms..kinda a modern throw back of the 2.7L origins with dual internal balance shafts and 2.4L block..

 

We are still very happy with our 2.7L TSS after 3 months. Now that the next gen Tacoma will not be released until MY2024, I wonder if their is any chance they would offer the 2.4L turbo in the 3rd gen 2023 next year like they are doing with the Highlander?

 

That would be nice but it would be very surprising..the Highlanders V6 Camry 3.5L engine was absolutely terrible in that platform and Toyota desperately needed to change it to stay competitive as well as have higher mpgs to off set larger vehicles like the Tundra for EPA whatever ratings / credits.. it could happen but very unlikely as Toyota doesn't fix something unless its seriously broken..I wouldn't ever buy a SUV / Truck with that Camry engine as its so sluggish in the power curve and meant for a car..in the Camry its good..many people are getting well pass the rated 250k mileage on the 2.7L if taken care of, and 500k or more isn't abnormal..the 3.5L V6 will be lucky to get 300k or so in a SUV / Truck..the new 2.4L turbo engine is guaranteed to have very expensive turbo related repair bills..every turbo will fail eventually just facts..the new Tundra will probably cost $10k just to replace the turbos sometime in the life of the vehicle and might actually mechanically total it as the repair will cost more then its worth..just another reason to stick to the basics if you plan on driving a few hundred thousand miles on a vehicle..some people will criticize getting a 2022 Tacoma right before the redesign but even after the redesign I'd still pick the 2.7L if available and stay away from any new engine in a new platform for at least a few years..and if its so much better, sell the older gen Tacoma for 75% or more of the MSRP so no real loss after a few years..the 2.7L from all accounts in several different platforms around the world is near bulletproof as a gasoline engine can get..the aftermarket LCE exhaust header does wonders on the lower rpm torque curve on the 2.7L 2TR-FE engine..I think a factory supercharger is available on possibly a South American Suv platform for the 2.7L 2TR-FE engine..there is 15 passenger vans with the 2.7L in other countries ,so a 4 / 5 passengers in a much smaller truck should be no problem..

 

I'm happy with 2TR-FE in 3rd gen Tacoma. If the 4 cylinder wasn't adequate for whatever I tend to do, I'd have gone to 5L v8 in an F150. If I had needed tons of powah, it still has to be naturally aspirated, for my longevity requirements to be met.
Staying in a lightweight config works for me, tho. The most I will be considering is a winch, super light shell, all terrains and maybe 4.88 rear end.