2011 2.7 4x4 auto

I have a 5 speed manual in a 2010 4 banger 4WD. It does what I need it to do and gets decent gas mileage. The key to MPG with M/T is driving/shifting habits. Auto might be rated higher under EPA MPG, but that is also based on tests showing more people drive autos today and there are fewer people who know how to drive a manual efficiently.
As I am getting up there in age, I was looking for a 4WD auto, but as there were none then, I got what I got. I really like what I have.

 

I have a 2011 4cyl, 4x4 Regular Cab with automatic. I previously had an 05, 06, 07 and 09 4cyl, 4X4 Regular Cabs with 5 spd manual trans. Speaking for myself, the 2011 is a good replacement. I have about 2,600 miles on it now. I've gotten from 20.5 to 23 mpg around town. Haven't been on the highway yet for a mileage check. Granted, I've been trying to get good mileage in my driving habits.

I've noticed that on the highway, the 2011 automatic revs a bit lower than the previous 5 speed manuals at the same speed.

I live in New England where it is very hilly and I travel on unpaved roads every day.

By the way, each Tacoma I have owned since 2005 has deteriorated in quality from the one before it. Toyota's quality is good, but it's been disappointing to me to feel the decline with each model year. I hope this 2011 breaks that trend. (Why do I keep buying them ? The salesman has become a friend of mine)

I'd also add that I have occasionally towed trailers with my other Tacoma's and have transferred the factory optional (add on) hitch to the 2011. I've yet to test this aspect. The 5 speeds did OK, but really suffered on sudden steep hills, so I'm prepared for the same or possibly worse with the 2011. But, I don't pull a trailer more than a few times a year.

I have not driven a V6 with the 5 speed automatic to compare. I wish mine had a 5 speed automatic, but for me, I just became tired of the clunky 5 speed manual - I don't drive for fun - strictly transportation and utility.

Hope the above is helpful. Would I buy another Tacoma with a manual transmission ? No way !

 

Just thought I'd add that my 2011 4 cyl with automatic seems to ride the best of the five 2nd Gen Tacomas I've owned. I didn't realize when I bought it that it is 450 lbs heavier than the 5 spd manuals.

 

The four hundred fifty pounds difference pertains to a regular cab 2WD automatic vs a regular cab 4X4 automatic.

 

I had previously posted on this thread that I had cancelled my August order of a 2011 Tacoma Regular Cab 4X4 automatic. The dealer finally got one in and I test drove it. I had one brought in from a different dealer in the color I wanted.

After driving my 2006 2WD automatic for five years I can feel the added four hundred fifty pounds of the vehicle. I topped the tank off and have not used up the first tank to know the in town mileage. I bought it for a number of reasons over other vehicles. From the first drive I could tell that the power for my purposes is not going to be a problem. As with my 2006 I am sure the 2.7L and automatic will break in making it more responsive and improving the mileage.

I like the maneuverability of a regular cab, price and extra room in the garage. The 2.7L is an easy maintenance engine along with the transmission. The four speed automatic has a dip stick and it’s easy to change the fluid. Bang for the buck it is a good buy compared to others on the market. I agree you lose some responsiveness from the five speed standard but I don’t feel like changing gears anymore in stop and go traffic. And it is nice to have bucket seats than the bench.

The paint and the rest of the fit and finish of the vehicle is sharp; as good as anything that ever came out of NUMMI.

Those of you that have some miles on your truck let us know how it is doing.

 

I just bought a 2011 access cab 2.7 auto and love it. Not so fast , you can shift from 3rd to od if you need more power easy enough.Iwish toyota would bring
the turbo diesel here to the US .Now that would be a truck.




















iwish

 

I just bought an '11 regularcab 4x4 auto a couple of days ago. I just drove it up the Grapevine from Santa Clarita yesterday. Nice long steep gades. I accelerated 65 to 85 nicely holding at around 3500 to 3700 rpm. The transmission does what you wnat it to do and doesn't really go searching at all. I have been breaking it in but on the first 320 miles I got 18.5 MPG.

 

I've had mine for 3 weeks and about 1000 miles and it is exactly what I expected. I use it for my job and won't be pulling/hauling much with it as I have an 86 Dodge long bed for that, light towing I don't believe will be a problem. I wanted economy and nothing else out there fit the bill and it also fit my spot in the garage.
I buy and trade around quite often and decided to get something I can count on to keep for years to come. When I get back to trading around I'll have it when I'm between cars.
Overall the build quality seems good so far and the only real complaint is the engine noise when climbing hills/higher revs but I knew that was there before I purchased it.
The automatic is peppy enough and I've no problems whether around town or on the freeway.
ST

 

I just bought a 2011 2WD 2.7 Access Cab AT. I took it on a 250-mile trip yesterday in mixed (mountain/interstate) driving, and I was impressed with the shifting and power. It definitely will let you optimize your gas mileage, but it also seems to sense the need for additional torque without too much fuss (you don't have to use a heavy foot for a downshift). It's not quite as smart as my Honda Fit was as far as AT shifting, but pretty good. With fewer than 500 miles on the truck, I averaged slightly better than 25mpg on the trip yesterday and slightly better than 20 in town so far. I expect these numbers to improve with break-in.

 

Congratulations on the new trucks!

After leaving the dealership with my 2011 Regular Cab 2.7L Automatic 4X4 I topped off the tank with one half gallon. I then drove 299.6 miles and filled it up with 15.35 gallons giving me 19.51 mpg. I was pleased with that for the first tank of gas and all in town driving. On my 2006 Regular Cab 2.7L Automatic 2WD I would get 21 to 22 mpg in town after it was broke in.

I agree that the four speed ETC automatic does a good job but it took me a while to learn to tolerate the drive by wire feel over a cable. Still would probably prefer the feel of a cable but those days are gone.

 

i have a 2011 4x4 reg cab short bed 5 speed, and its awesome. it goes good, has more power than my jeep grand cherokee with the inline 6... and drives nicer too.

 

No they do not. If they had that option, I would have easily given up my V6 for a 4x4 4banger. Couldn't afford both v6 and 4x4...went with the v6 :T

 

They are great. Peppier than my '04 with the same set up. Unless towing or hauling heavy loads, don't need the 6 cylinder.