2.7 vs 3.5

Got a 2011 4cyl 2wd and towed a 2000+ lb boat over lots of hills. No issues!

 

I had a double cab 2wd with the 2.7 as a work rental for a couple weeks. Going up a steep grade it could not maintain the 75 mph speed limit. This was with just me in the cab and nothing in the bed. It wouldn't drop down to 3rd gear as it would be redlined and 4th dropped the engine down too low. Elevation does not do it any favors.

It is perfectly adequate in most situations and depending on your expectations it can leave you satisfied. Personally it's a tough sell at the current price point compared to what else is out there.

In fact looking at the Toyota build site, in SR access cab 2wd configuration the V6 is a $1,430 option. You gotta really want the I4 to pass up the V6 for a 5% savings.

 

Mine does ok up to 6% grade(Waldo Grade by the GG Bridge) and can hold 4th at 65 but Questa Grade down by SLOb is 7% and requires a downshift to 3rd. Both of these are below 1500’. By the time you hit 7000’ air pressure is down by 21%, and at 8000’ 30%. There are hills and there are HILLS.

 

I get the point! No need for a physics lesson. I did say "hill" not "mountain".

 

On paper a Ranger is better, sure, but I figured the iron-block 2TR would last as long as I ever need it to.

And the pricing spread is a little wider than that ... it is a $2650 difference between SR 2.7 4WD and SR 3.5 4WD access cab. That paid for most of my camper shell.

The difference between 2WD 2.7 SR is ($27,915) and a 2WD 3.5 ($30,175) is an extra $2260.

When I bought my '21 2.7 in May, there was still a $500 rebate so it was $30,700 with the couple of options it had (rubber mats and keyless entry). $30xxx was the most I wanted to spend and I decided I would much rather have 4WD than a 2WD V6.

 

6cyl

 

4 cyl is very underpowered

 

V6 with an aftermarket ecu tune that delivers an increase in torque (power) at low rpm, something that is lacking in the Tacoma from the factory.

 

This is very true.

 

Bring back the 22RE. Not a burnout, but lots of torque and enough power to haul a 4000 lb boat!

 

Went for a drive today in my 2022 SR5 with the 2.7 and played around with the "S" mode and the ECT just to understand the vehicle. I like the engine. My prior vehicle was a Ford 4.0 V6 and I also drive a 2019 Highlander that has the 3.5L V6. I don't find any issues with power (but I'm also not towing anything)...the only minor complaint is the transmission upshifting somewhat early. ECT really solves that issue but isn't necessary for my needs. If I want speed and power I'll get on one of my motorcycles. Cruising at 40 to 65 mph I'm seeing 30 mpg bars on the eco display.

To really decide properly between the V6 and the 2.7 you need to determine your specific needs. For example, I drive where its mainly flat, I'll never tow anything more that 2,500 lbs and probably not very far, its either just me in the vehicle or me and the wife, I may in the future help our son to move into a different home (he's only 30 miles away) so I know it can handle a bed load of furniture, I'll make occasional trips to Lowes or Home Depot to purchase 30+ bags of mulch, etc, etc....for me the 2.7 is perfect.

Also, be aware that the SR5 package is different between the two engines. The 2.7 eliminate the power driver seat, auto-dim mirror, auto sliding rear window. I only miss the power seat.

 

Yes there is; 415,000 trouble free miles and the 2.7 with a manual trans behind it has plenty of power.

 

Can the 2.7 be had with a manual anymore?

 

Not sure!

 

Nope. That dropped off the options list a couple years ago.

 

Sort of an end of an era when they did that

 

Next gen Tacoma will lost likely drop the manual altogether... I plan on keeping my truck for a very long time...

 

Without a doubt

 

'17 was the last year for that combo unfortunately.

 

And the people that bought those back then aren’t selling them