2014 - 4Cyl vs V6?

Yeah, me too, but just barely.... and in a commute 10 miles to work scenario in a cold climate.

My take on the I4/5spd is that it's fine if you don't haul, gasoline mileage is important to you, AND you never try out the V6.

 

I own a 2011 Pre runner double cab 2.7 automatic which I bought new in late 2010. I'm pretty happy with how the 4 cylinder turned out, it seemed after 5000 miles or so my power and mileage increased. The mileage remains consistent at 19.5 city and 22 highway. By the way, I also installed a class IV hitch and lighting package to tow with as well. For example, I towed a double axle U-Haul enclosed trailer loaded with furniture for 300 miles at 65 mph and averaged 16-17 mpg. I researched the 2.7 engine before buying and it's a healthy little engine. In it's present format it's only available for the Tacoma truck, the other 2.7's available Highlander are not the same. Kind of reminds me of the old Ford 300 six which was not a power house but a torque work horse! I do think we all agree, it depends on your needs in a truck and expectations as a driver. I would not want any more for my needs at this time.

 

Are you sure your calculating gas mileage correctly? The difference between the V6 and 4 banger in 4x4 is only 1mpg average.

Fuel economy dot gov says that a 2006 4x4 4 banger gets 17 city / 21 Higway / 18 average:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.shtml

 

The actual mileage savings aren't enough to justify the under powering
I had a 4 then got the 6

 

So far I've been very pleased with the power. The most I ever haul is a 16' fishing boat or a load of firewood.

I didn't go with the V6 because every 4.0 owner I talked to said they were lucky to get 18-19 mpg hwy and that they only get 16-17 in town. I was also considering the fact that Toyota hasn't had great success with their V6s in the past (3.0 and 3.4), but they've set the bar for 4cyl engines. My previous pickup was an '87 with a 22R. That thing has 320 k on it and still runs like a watch and gets 21 mpg with a carb.

 

Sure am, it ain't that dang hard.

And that link says "Our Users Average MPG = 22mpgs" which would be right down the middle of what I posted. 19/20 in winter 23/24 in the summer.

 

Ahh, Sorry I was just going by the Toyota ratings for city/combined/highway and comparing the 18mpg to your 24mpg. Was looking at a 2013, but those extra numbers on the side with "show details" aren't there for my year.

Interesting that the real world avg on your 2006 is 22 mpg, but Toyota says it should be around 18 mpg. Is this due to Toyota using regular gas and the real world avgs including all gas types?

I can't understand why Toyota would under rate their truck by that much on something as big as MPG.

 

Just traded in my 4 cyl. (2012 automatic Extended Cab 4x4)
In summer months the best I was getting was 23mpg AVERAGE... dropped at least a few mpg in winter months.

I now have the double cab v6... and early signs suggest that the mileage is not going to be close to the 4cyl... but the difference in power is night and day.

Awesome vehicles.

 

Gas mileage is going to be way different for each person depending on the area you live in, weather, driving habbits, ect.

Being that I sit in traffic a lot and don't need to tow, the 4cyl is totally fine for me. But if I was out in the country somewhere and had to haul a lot, I think I would have gone V6.

 

Hi, I purchased a new 2013 Prerunner 4cyl, auto trans. Must say I was very disappointed with it. It had a vibration under acceleration that they could not get out. I believe it was just the nature of the 4cyl. It would downshift going up any slight incline, such as an interstate overpass. After 3 failed attempts to get rid of the vibration I told the dealer that I was going to go with the lemon law. He asked me not to...said they would buy back the 4cyl for what I paid for it and put me in a v-6. What a difference. The v-6 performs very good, no vibration, and the economy is about the same as on the 4. In my opinion,with the weight of the double cab prerunner, the 4 just doesn't seem to have enough power to do a good job.

 

I'd only own a 4cyl in a base reg cab, or maybe a base ac cab. But since those model trucks would not meet my current needs/wants...I have to go 6cyl

 

That's interesting. I have the exact same truck and have been impressed with how smooth the engine is...no vibration whatsoever. We have a lot of hills in Texas so, yes, it does downshift when going uphill, but so has every other car with an automatic that I've owned...with the exception of the 79 GMC with the 350. You have to wonder why some of the trucks are plagued with some of the issues and others aren't.

 

Best thing to do is drive both a V6 and I4 then decide for yourself which you like better.

 

Thanks everybody...this all helps a ton. In general, I don't drive hills or tow. My everyday driving is flat, about a 20 mile commute roundtrip. I will use the truck for hauling, camping, trips to Tahoe, etc. I guess the argument can be made that I don't have to have a truck, but I have been putting off getting a Tacoma for YEARS. It's my favorite vehicle, and I can't wait to be part of the Tacoma world.

 

In response to BKill, it is strange that some 4cyl trucks are plagued with a vibration. A factory rep looked at mine and admitted that some 4's had a problem but Toyota did not know what to do about it. They changed motor mounts, rear springs and put a damper in the steering wheel and nothing worked. This was 3 attempts to fix it, the # of tries before the lemon law would work. The vibration felt like a bass speaker turn up real loud...more of a buzz than anything, but very annoying. It would go away when I let off the gas or shifted in neutral. I put up with the vibration for 4000 miles and that is when my dealer bought it back and sold me the 6. Much happier...I now have 6000 on the 6 and no problems.

 

I'm pulling the trigger and buying the v6 tomorrow. Thanks for all the feedback!