The Gen 3 2.7L 4-Cylinder Thread

I'm searching and can't seem to find a dedicated 2.7L 4-Cyl thread for the new 2016 Toyota Tacoma, so I'm starting one. After driving a 4-cyl Gen 2 the other day and really liking it, my interest the Gen 3 4-cyl really took off. I recently sold my gen 2 V6 TRD Offroad 4x4 manual and I'm in search of another Tacoma. The fuel savings of the 2.7 are really important to me now. So let's see some of the things we should discuss here.

1. The 2.7 I4 Liter engine. How does this engine compare to the previous 2 gens? Is it the same engine as the Gen 2 I4 or did it get different engine as happened between the gen 1 and gen 2 4-cyls?

2. How's the towing capacity of the Gen 3 4-cyl as compared to the previous 2 generations' 3500lb towing capacity?

3. MPG. How does the Gen 3 4-cyl truck compare to the previous 2 gens in fuel economy? Is it any better in real life situations?

4. 5-speed manual transmission. How does the 5-speed manual transmission in the new 2016 4-cyl Tacoma compare to the 5-speed in the gen 1 and gen 2? What about the clutch? How does this transmission compare to the 6-speed manual in the gen 3 V6 as it's supposedly improved over the 6-speed in the Gen 2 V6 trucks?

5. And finally, discuss anything else related to the 2.7L 4-cylinder Tacoma.

Go.

 

the fuel economy between the 2.7 and 3.5 is a wash, it is the same(automatic).
Towing:
V6 6800lbs
4cyl 3500

 

Alright! Another 4 cylinder thread!

 

Real life fuel economy for me is 23.5mpg combined. I'd say 21 city and 25 highway. The dash says 24 something overall but it's a bit high. I have 2800 miles on the truck so far, access cab 4x4 SR-5.

It's the same engine as the 2nd gen but with a few upgrades to the VVTI. It's also significantly quieter, that could be due to better sound insulation. Seems slightly more refined. I got the automatic, no 5 speed to be found in my configuration . Not unhappy with the performance at all, it shifts perfectly fine.

 

Except for the 4 cylinder guys are reporting better mpg.

2TR has been around since 2004 and has proven reliability, the 3.5L van motor doesn't.


Gvwr is the same for all 3rd gens so the I-4s have more payload capacity which is a plus.

 

^^^ That's great to know. 23.5 is not bad at all. I like that they are using the same engine then. That 2.7 is a proven machine.

 

The 2.7 actually got a mild update to dual VVTi, but on the whole it's pretty much the same engine.

 

Getting close to 23 mpg real number so far, about 1300 miles on the truck.

 

I had to get use to pushing the pedal a little harder, but I'm loving it so far.

 

Yeah, since way back in gen 1, and more so in gen 2, lots of people always say that the i4 gets super close MPG to the V6. As in, a "wash". From all the research I've done, that's all on paper. In real life comparisons I've found there to be a substantial difference. I don't find 1 MPG to be a substantial difference. But 3MPG is. The numbers add up. If you spend an extra $5 per day on short commutes, that may not seem like much. But on a commute that's 3x as long, that's $15. In a 22 day working month, that a $330 difference. That's a dang car payment.

 

I have an access cab sr5 4x4 (auto) and I am getting just over 22 mpg with 3500 miles on it. My 2nd gen v6 got about 17 mpg. I am happy with the 2.7.

 

I put 255/75/17 tires on at 38lbs each and mounted them to 20.5lb wheels = 58.5lbs

Stock was 245/75/16 tires at 35lbs each and mounted to stock steelies at 32lb wheels = 67lbs

My new tires are taller by almost 2", and are All Terrains instead of All Seasons.

I love the look, but I have to drive like a poosy to get 20mpg. Driving normally, and 80% highway, I get 18mpg. I'm unfortunately disappointed with that, but it's definitely better than the average v6 on A/T tires on here.

 

I have a 3rd Gen Access Cab SR5 (4X4) Auto Transmission. I traded in my 2nd Gen 2WD Access Cab 2WD Manual transmission for it. The new 3rd Gen seems to have more pep to it than my older ruck, but the manual transmission was geared higher I believe. I really debated on whether to go with he V6 or stay with the 4 cylinder. The fact that I didn't get the double cab, and I don't tow and the 4X4 was only for snow during the winter, I decided to go with the 4 cylinder. I was weary of a new engine 3.5 V6 (yes it has been around but not in a Tacoma). I work in aviation, and anything that is new or a new design is plagued with problems.

I get around 20-22 MPG. At highway speeds of 65-75 MPH my RPM in 6th is around 1900 -2100, which is lower than the 2500 -2700 rpm in my old 5 speed manual. The only thing I don't like is the cruise control is very aggressive and downshifts at the slightest incline. From what I have read, this is pretty typical with all engine types and more of a Toyota programming thing. Without cruise control, the transmission shifts fine.

In hindsight I am glad I went this way with all the issues the V6 trucks are having, (low AT fluid tow package versions, crank sensors being bad, mysterious vibrations, etc) Now if they had the same 4.0 V6 as the previous gens, I would have went with it.

 

I've heard a few people in here say the 2.7 liter has been updated to Dual VVT-i but I really highly doubt that is the case. There is no mention of it in the Toyota literature (It just says variable valve timing) where as other engines that have dual VVT-i mention it in the literature/specs. The engine code has not changed? The HP or TQ have not changed at all whatsoever. There was no change in HP or torque or fuel mileage. You would think this would have changed a least a little bit for then better. Some of you may recall a while back I created a hypothetical scenario in a thread I started of comparing the at the time 2TR to existing Toyota truck engines that had Dual VVT-i and back calculating what the new HP and TQ gains would be for the 2.7 liter based on displacement vs HP & TQ of similar Toyota engines with the same technologies. First, I found there was a correlation between the HP & TQ of the 2.7 to the 4.0 which have the same technologies, per liter. And I found a correlation between Toyota truck engines (4.0 in the 4runner, 4.6, 5.7) that have similar HP and TQ per liter with Dual VVT-i. If the 2.7 liter had Dual VVT-i it would have better mileage than the 3.5 liter Atkinson engine. Not comparable mileage with less HP/TQ. If they have updated the 2.7 to Dual VVT-i, please prove it - I'm all ears.

Here is the thread I started about 5 years ago: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4-cylinder-2-7-liter-dual-vvt-i.162685/

 

If was updated to dual VVT-I. It even says it on the plastic cover

 

I honestly think the purposely didn't update the specs. Go look at 2016 Toyota Hilux 2.7 specs

 

I'm proud to be a "Settler" I settled, and am happy with the 2.7 that is in my 2016 Tacoma.

 

The 2.7 suits me fine. I am getting 22 mpg now on my commute, and I have got the hang of the transmission.

 

Toyota did upgrade to Dual VVT-i. They are just under playing it. It says "Dual VVT-i" on the window sticker. The Hilux also received the same upgrade to the 2TR FE engine this year and power is quoted as 164 hp and 181 ft-lb. of torque. It could be that have the performance lying in wait and could wake the engine up with a software upgrade. The new engine received reshaped tumble port, Teflon coated bearings, lighter valve springs and other upgrades to reduce internal friction. This years engine is stated to be more fuel efficient than last years 2TR FE. The compression ratio has also been increased from 9.6 to 10.2.

The fuel economy of my 4x4 5 speed AC is very consistant at 24 mpg, sometimes 23 mpg, and rarely 22 mpg.

 

I just traded in my '08 Taco for the '16 today. Went in for factory service (I'm a sucker, I know) and ended up walking out with a new truck. I went for the 4x4 so I'm sure my mileage will be a bit lower than standard 4x2. It may be the same motor but in my opinion it sounds a lot nicer, 'cleaner' if that makes sense. Not to mention they did a great job cutting down on the cabin noise. The whole truck just seems to ride a lot smoother. The transmission definitely feels different, as many have said, but I'm looking forward to cruising on the highway in the upper 1k- lower 2k range.

Also, just to mention, I reaaallly like the improved turning radius. I was surprised how much of a difference it makes.

So far the only thing that bugs me is the shitty voice commands. Personally I am not a fan of touch screen audio controls in general (just give me tactile buttons, dammit!) but I'm sure I'll get used to it. Thing is, if you're gonna give us the ability to use voice commands, why not actually make them work without repeating 4 times? Anyone have better luck / actually use them?