2021 SR - 4cyl

Likely drop into the 19’s mpg. I typically get 21+ to 22+ for mostly highway driving at 70-75 mph with my 4x2. Local driving around 20 maybe a little lower but it’s not in the city often.

 

Sounds like a plan. Go for it and good luck

 

19

 

I had a 4cyl 21, and now a 6cyl sr5 also 21 and get the same gas mileage. Tbh the v6 is just smoother and a pleasure to drive. The 4 was just revving high and couldn’t pass at hwy speeds. It got the job done

 

oh it can pass you just have to be on a long straightaway lol

 

OP, where do you live at 10,000 ft elevation? That's pretty high up. Only a handful of Co towns are at that.

 

I didn't see this mentioned in the discussion: the 3rd gen 4-cylinder Tacomas have dual VVT-i (intake and exhaust) while the 2nd gen 4-cylinders have single VVT-i (intake only). I have no idea what is on the 1st gen 4-bangers. But I'm willing to wager the dual VVT-i makes a difference in engine response, even though the net power ratings are the same.

 

The 3RZ had no VVT.

 

I live in Leadville

 

Correct,
The 2tr-fe did come with 4.10's from the factory.

 

One thing that I think helps 3rd gen 2TR-FE is it comes with a 4.30 rear end. Good thing, it’s a heavier truck than earlier gens. All in all I find the response quite acceptable though not a rocket for sure.

 

I get low 20s (20-23) in city on average, but I drive pretty conservatively. I've gotten 26-27 mpg when I drive 50-60 on a tank which is very nice. I have the same truck you're considering except it's a 4wd. Highway driving around here is 80+ mph & somewhat hilly so I drop down to 18-20. The only thing I don't like about driving this truck is the cruise control at high speeds (75-80). It likes to hang out at 3500rpm when I can reach the same speeds at 2000rpm.

 

fully loaded with a head wind trying to do 80 can be difficult but, i still love it. anyone turbo a 3rd gen yet? haha

 

It's the same as a 2nd gen. Only change to the motor is the dual VVT-i. The 3rd gen definitely needs a turbo, they're slow as dogs with that extra weight.

 

My 2nd gen taco 4banger does ok.. it's not great by any means but there's enough power to do most things that the truck is capable of doing. I drove one with the 5 speed manual and honestly thought the auto trans felt like it had more drivability, probably because of the gearing difference. Now if the 5 speeds had came with the 4.30 gearing it would be a different game.

I remember how many hundreds of thousands of miles I drove in 4 cyl Toyota trucks back in the late 80's and 90's. The old 22R-E did it's thing, struggling to turn the 31" tires up the grades of I-5 and across I-90 but eventually you got there. This 2.7 in my Taco is very similar. I hate the seats and can't find any reasonable way to improve their feel, that's why my truck is going away. If it weren't for that, I'd keep the little guy and run it for the next decade.

 

Here in super flat Florida I think its perfectly safe on the highway. I could see how some of the hilly Midwest driving could get old, though.

 

In 3rd gen trucks I prefer the 4 over the V6. It's quieter and more refined. Better low rpm torque. Vastly easier to work on. Limitless durability. A 2008 2TR-FE owner reported his 880,000 mile engine was burning 5W-20 oil at the rate of only 1 quart in 3500 miles.

 

How is the 3rd gen 4cyl easier to work on, over the 2nd gen?

 

2 less cylinders and more space in the engine bay. its also an inline 4 so it's easy to access everything.

 

He was comparing the 4 to the 6. Not comparing a later 4 to an earlier 4.