3.5L vs 2.7L

Is it "fast" no? But it surely is not slow. If I can put 700 pounds in the bed and keep up with traffic pretty well I'm perfectly happy. Speed is relative, this thing is a rocket ship compared to my 1963 nova and my wrangler.

I'm not saying it's fast I'm just saying a lot of members here act as if a horse and buggy is faster than the 2.7...

 

Its subjective. I've towed about 2,000lbs with it and put about a 750lb quad in the bed (not at the same time). IMO its pretty pokey with or without loads and has been for the past 12 years.

 

My 2.7 goes fast. Ask the 95% of traffic I pass on the way to work and back. I've had powerful cars in the past including a 460ci (bored 454) Camaro with 450HP. I came from a 95HP Ranger to my 2.7 taco and it feels like a rocket ship comparatively.

I have always driven fast having grown up in Houston driving the freeways at 16 and street racing at the end of Beltway 8 when it wasn't finished ~1986. So, yes my 2.7 is fast with me rowing the gears.

Something dawned on me on the way home from work today. I probably drive my 2.7 faster than 95% of the 3.5 or 4.0 owners. I can rev the 4cyl up and zip around the way I like to drive and still get 20-21 MPG. I don't have to drive like a Grandpa to keep from getting 14MPG. If that were the case and I owned the V6 I would drive the it slow and that wouldn't make me enjoy my truck.

 

U can step on the gas in any vehicle.

 

2.7 is a sedan engine. 3.5 is a minivan engine.

 

I think the 2.7 is perfect for a regular cab, I'll definitely be getting the lce header for whatever gain there is. After seeing the dyno sheet for a 3.5, it will never be in my driveway. I'd get a used jeep before that, and I hate Chrysler more than isis.

 

I got my 2.7 SR 4x4 for 24.4, no way the 3.5 was worth the extra 10g's

I have no problem keeping up with traffic with 35's and 3.92's.

 

3.5 is in the camry too

 

I've never driven a 2.7 but a friend had one years ago. I test drove a used 4.0 (2014) before I bought my 2016 3.5. I traded in a 2013 F150 with the 411 hp 6.2L (with a tuner, exhaust, and intake as well) for this 2016 Tacoma after my first test drive. To me the 3.5's power is adequate but I always want more no matter what I'm driving. Is it comparable to the 6.2 F150? Not even close, but that F150 pissed me off so much I didn't even enjoy driving it anymore. Do I enjoy driving this 3.5 every time I get in it? Absolutely.

 

well said sir well said

 

I have a 2015,2.7,5spd,4x4, base model. Love the truck, had a 02 , v 6,4.0, trd 4x4. It doesn't have the power of the 02, a little better mpg. It does have enough though, I pass people all the time going to work. I bought the new truck because it was cheap, I need the 4x4 for winter. I would like the v6, 6spd,4x4, but that is a big price jump. I paid $25,000. Out the door, with a bunch of extras, the v6 would have been $30,000.

 

Just read Smitty99 reply.
The last experience I had with engine breaking in was with a 2007 Acura TL. Fuel consumption noticeably diminished after the first 20-30K kilometers.

By the way, I certainly am no real cowboy but I like the look and the shade. For real cowboys under the metric system, try Calgary, AB. They even raise Longhorn herds.

I'll probably be road testing the Tacoma 3.5L in the coming days. Coming back from vacationing and visiting dams and electrical plants in northern Quebec, we used my wife 2015 Honda civic which behaved very well on extremely hilly terrain, but at high revs. Unfortunately, the undercarrriage was hitting the ground on bumpy road repairs. The Tacoma would have been better suited for this type of road, but I am wondering how the 2.7L would have performed on those steep hills with heavy logging rigs all around... ???

 

The 2.7 will perform but not as much power on top end as the 3.5L. If you're not hauling or towing much of anything you'd be fine in the 2.7

 

Thanks for the opinion, smitty99. Apppreciated and will be taken into due consideration.

 

Toyota is using the 3.5 across the board in as many platforms as possible to cut costs and save money, its a compromise and probably not the best engine for a truck, seems like it could benefit from some different tuning to add some power lower in the RPM Range. The 2.7 is a pretty bulletproof engine and should run a long time even though it is taxed trying to haul a heavy truck around. Both engines will also probably end up lasting a long time in our trucks.

 

If you're dropping 25k+++ on a truck opt for the bigger engine. No one regrets getting the V6. Also I recently just switched from a 2.7L AC to a new 3.5L DCLB and there's no comparison in terms of power, get the V6, you won't regret it.

 

If you want a really good explanation of variable valve timing, which is one operating component of the V6 GR engine (enabling Atkinson operation etc), this video is very good. A bit boring, strangely filmed in the woods (?) and you gotta accept English is not this man's first language, but overall......very well explained. Crank position sensor operation, etc. It's all explained.

For the engine geeks out there: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T0G5KLN4a_w

 

UPDATE: In September 2018, we used the Tacoma 2.7L on a 3,000km trip to Nova Scotia which features lots of laces and hilly terrain. The vehicle proved comfortable all along, driving at speeds of 100-120km/h when allowed. The engine provides enough power and speed in all circumstances in the 3,500-4500 RPM for climbing hills or on highway ramps to merge into traffic. Of course, at those RPM and because of the engine roar, my wife always jokes that she expects us to be airborne anytime soon.
The truck was carrying two adults, light luggage, and loads of non perishable food which enabled us to keep restaurant money for fancy spots, and not to merely survive. Best scallops I ever ate in my life at a scallop fishing seaport. Nothing in tow. Average fuel consumption around 11L/100km.
I haven't road tested the 3.5L yet , and I might wait for the 4th gen to come around.
We are planning longer road trips and the Tacoma will be the vehicle of choice over the 2015 Civic for its capacity to tackle any kind of road or terrain, while providing equivalent comfort.

 

I just picked up a 2019 Gen 3 4 banger to replace my 2008. For towing around 1200 lbs, do I use ECT and put it in 4 gear on highway speeds?

 

I don't tow anything and I am not mechanically enclined: so, I have no relevant comment to your question.
Enjoy your new set of wheels! I guess you have noticed how much more comfortable the suspension is on 3rd gen.