Not Worth It (MPG)

You also pay a significant premium for that engine (in the Civic). And you can't get a 6 in that vehicle. And it's made to rev, which most truck owners don't want to do. Did I mention you're comparing the top of the line Civic to the base model Tacoma? Do you expect them to have the same engine technology?

Your comparison is close but not entirely accurate:

2012 Prius - 22.7 lbs/hp
2012 Tacoma Access cab 2x4 - 22.7 lbs/hp
Same as above, 4x4 - 25.2 lbs/hp

This does beg the question, are you driving a truck because you think it's a hot-rod?

I love my 2.7. I'm averaging 21 mpg and have never had the need for extra power. What's not to like?

Clark

 

Wish we could get the Hilux over here in the states

 

I do a lot of highway driving for work and like being able to pass big rigs without having to wait for a mile stretch of clear highway to do it. My Mustang is my hot rod, not my truck, and gas mileage doesn't really matter to me anymore with the job I have now. I'm just saying, the 4 cylinder Tacoma is pretty sad with today's available technology. Dual VVT-i would do wonders for that engine instead of single VVT-i I believe. Look at how much better performing, and increased MPG the 4Runner's 4.0 with dual VVT-i has over the Tacoma's 4.0 with single VVT-i.
For being one of Toyota's top models, I don't get why the Tacoma gets the short end of the stick when it comes to engine changes. Maybe they are worried about it affecting price-tags. (Not that people wouldn't still buy them anyway if the window sticker MSRP bumped a tad for better performance and MPG)

 

Again, I've HAD a 2.7 truck before, it is a great engine and I didn't dislike it, just found it rather lacking for the potential it had. I didn't just get another Tacoma for power, either. I got married, and now combined my wife and I have four large dogs so hauling them around in an access cab wasn't going to cut it and I wanted to get a double cab. I was originally dead set on a second gen but found a great deal on a low miles first gen that better suited my price range.

If it weren't for all those reasons, I'd still be driving my 2.7, but with a Underdog Racing Development supercharger more likely than not. Some days I kinda miss rowing the gears in that 5 speed manual.

 

i think the only reason why the 2.7 is still used is because ppl still buy it. yes id love more power but im happy with what it does. i know that if i keep my truck for the next 15 years ill be able to fix it on my own and not have to take it to a mechanic thatll charge mean arm n a leg to fix it.

ive had my share of toyota v6 motors. camry 3.0, pickup/4runner 3.0, 4runner 3.4 with a s/c, and i have a 4runner with the 4.0. my 4runner gets better gas milage than my tacoma 4x4 4cyl. but im happy with my 18-19 mpg in my tacoma vs all my other v6 trucks which got 15 or less. now only if toyota had a 2.0 turbo, id trade in my truck in a heartbeat lol

 

Yeah, my 3.4 is kinda sad in the mileage department, but I blame a lot of that on winter blend gas too. But, the best mileage I've seen it do since I had it (November 2014) was 19mpg highway so I think it will improve in the summer. I'm also going to do a lot of work to it this summer, tune it up, change the trans and all diff and transfer case fluids. New spark plugs and wires, clean the throttle mechanism and body, and change the timing belt and water pump. Hoping for new tires too. Think after all that once it is performing top notch it will do way better. It is coming up on 90k miles, just rolled over 86k yesterday so it's time to do all those things. Hard to believe I've already put 11k on it since I bought it!