2.7 vs 3.5

off the line the 2.7 is quick. I can scoot ahead of v8 trucks in my 13’ 5 lug (auto)at a stoplight no problem. Makes good torque low in the rev range. Also rides good on the highway- the 4 speed auto works fine for that motor and is bombproof

 

the 2.7 has great low end torque especially with ect mode on. it's not the quickest in the mountains though, but i'm not trying to race when i'm going up a mountain anyways.

 

500k miles easy with regular maintenance

 

I think this depends on what your driving will mostly be. I had a 4cyl hilux in the 90's and ended up getting a 6cyl just because of the hills I had to climb. So if your driving is mostly flat terrain the 2.7 will do. If much of your driving is going up hills, you will hate the 4cyl. As for reliability, the 3.5 has already proven itself to go over 300k miles, so even though the 4cyl may be reliability king, the v6 is proving to be typical toyota reliability.

For me a 4cyl truck is a no go unless it has a turbo. My driving is made up of hills as I don't live in Kansas. So the v6 is a must.

Not sure where you live, but when I had the 4cyl, I lived in SoCal and driving up the el cajon pass with the 4cyl, meant that I was barely making 65 mph which was below the speed limit and if someone cut me off and I lost momentum, I usually made it at 55 mph. I hated it.

Oh and everyone I know that has a 2.7 gets shit mileage. Again, if that little motor is under little load, then good mileage. if it is under a bigger load the mileage goes to shit.

 

I like the 425-475 mile tank range(before the light).

 

here is someones point of view and I agree completely

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib9ngDsqzwg

 

There is suppose to be a tune out for the 2.7L this year, so that will help. I have the 2.7L in my 2020, it is a little lackluster but the pedal commander helped with acceleration then again I haven't put my 265/70/17's on yet lol

 

It’s hard to test drive when there is none on dealerships lots

 

I’m in the bay area, but I plan on mostly using it around Yuba City and driving up to Oregon for some winter use and driving up mountain passes.

My other farm truck used to be a 1992 four-cylinder Toyota pick up and I have a 1991 80 series with a gutless engine.

 

if you are doing mountain passes, go with the V6, trust me. You will regret getting the 4cyl.

 

This. Pretty much the only time the 4-banger comes up wanting is in these situations. I’m rarely in them so it suits me fine but if you’re doing that often you really should go with a V6 or get a boosted 4.

 

This was my experience. I have a 2006 4-cylinder access cab. I test drove a 2020 in the same configuration and opted for the V6. I really felt the weight of the new truck, and there wasn't a lot of wiggle room with the 4-cylinder to begin with. I'd at least test drive thoroughly.

 

Yeah, the 4-cyl will do it and can hold speed (maybe not accelerate) but you will be in 4th and 3rd gears a lot. I go into the mountains on trips but most of my driving is in flat TX so am fine putting up with 3800 RPM up long hills for the money I saved.

If you have the driveway space and financial headroom, I would seriously look at a base Tundra SR if a lot of mountain driving is in the picture - they are about the same price as a midrange Tacoma. Or, if you can, wait for the next-gen Tacoma with the 2.4T (or take a look at a Ranger with the 2.3T).

Base Tundra has the detuned version of the TTV6 ... but still has 348 hp and 405 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM

 

So what holds the 2.7L back? Yes, 159 HP isn't much by todays standards but surely enough to get you over some mountain passes.

 

i guess top end power? i've never gotten stuck due to too little power though.

 

same here

 

I got the 4 banger for it's legendary reliability and the supposed ease of maintenance.

I thought the spin-on filter on the 2.7L engine would make changing the oil easier. Sure not having to mess with cartridge components is nice, but the design of the filter location on the 2.7L makes it impossible not to drip oil on the transmission cooler lines and they are hard to clean off completely.

that's the only rant I have about it for now

 

Same seriously. You will likely regret it otherwise. That 4 cylinder is a dog.

 

I crack it lose and then take a big ziplock bag and place it around the filter and spin it off into the bag.

 

I don't think generally the motor holds itself back, I think it is just the general mass of the truck now. Even GM gives you almost 50 more HP.