3.5L V6 vs 4.0L V6

Emissions/mileage for sure.

 

I personally kept both. I have a 2014 Baja AT and 2017 TRD PRO MT. While the 2014 is stock 100% and I was really happy wit it (until I gave it to my wife), on the 2017 I needed to change a couple of things in order to enjoy it to the max. Everything was a personal preference but still...I had to trow more than $3.5K at it. If you are a tall guy like me (6.2) you will notice immediately that the 2nd gen Tacoma is more comfy compared to the 3 gen. It took me some time find the right chair position on the new one. I really don't understand what us the fuss about the MPG on the new one. I usually get 17MPG on the second gen and 18MPG on the 3 gen. Even if I would get 22MPG on the new one...what difference does it make when you fill up the tank? $2.5?

 

Well over 100k a 4mpg difference equals around $2500 if gas is $2.50 a gallon

 

Looking at the 4.0L they just put in the new Hilux. More power than what we have here with the 3.5L. It's mated to a 6 speed for Auto and manual as well.

I'm curious on how well it drives compared to the 3rd generation Tacoma.

Understanding they are two different but in many ways similar vehicles, it makes little sense to me to replace the 4.0L here with a 3.5L and a 3.5L with a 4.0L for the Hilux.

Perhaps I'll get to drive one, when I go visit my in-laws in the Philippines next year.

 

Yes, it would me a huge difference if you fill up once every 100k. I was talking about fill up to fill up difference. You are correct on the long run however, if you want to be fair, there are way too many variable that you will have to consider in the long run. How about resale value? It's the 3rd gen going to hold up the same resale value as the 2nd gen? We already know that the 3rd gen made it to the top 10 worst cars for 2017 on CR and a lot of people are looking at that. How many of the third gen owners can realy brag about 22MPG combined?

 

I am not seeing a 4mpg difference, 1 or 2 is about right on mine.

 

Longer stroke engine is going make more torque an low end power. Smaller cubic inch an shorter stroke engines have to have more rpms to make same amount of torque an horsepower.

 

Bottom end torque is needed to get load moving or going up steep inclines. Torque is something you don't miss until you need it. The gen 2 will break traction under 2000 rpm moving a heavy trailer load. That's with lots of tongue load!

 

There is a steep winding mountain road I use on occasion and when I went around 1 curve my 2nd Gens would always break traction, my 3rd does not.

 

Where you coming up with 4 mpg?

 

At the end of ASC's post he posted a hypothetical of if he was able to get 22mpg vs the 18mpg he is getting

 

The 2015 Tacoma add would be accurate if for the Imp Gal. Maybe it's from a Canadian add.

http://cdn.dealereprocess.com/cdn/brochures/toyota/ca/2015-tacoma.pdf
Fuel mileage near bottom right.

 

looks more like the 2015 is the 4 cyl option shown

 

Thanks for all the info everyone. I will take everything into consideration tomorrow when I take a test drive.

 

Try to arrange for an overnight test drive if you can.

 

this is a great idea.

 

I got similer experience and mileage with a 2007 Taco, I put new NGK Irridiam plugs in about every 60-70K miles seamed to pep it up a bit and improve throttle response. Hell I would keep driving it.
with new Plugs air and oil filter I get a steady 21 MPG out on the read at 70 MPH with A/C on in the Texas heat.

 

I had about the same story as you, but my TRD was Milan Red. 300K+ and a bullet proof truck - 06' Milano Red. I decided to sell prior to anything major happening to the truck... I love the truck and probably would not have sold it if I wasn't driving places as much. I didn't want to waste a vacation or fishing trip to a break down...

So I bought about the same truck 4x4 TRD OR 4 dr, but in Silver! The 3.5 liter IMO does not tow as well as the 4.0. The transmission and engine of the 4.0 is bullet proof, not that I need to tell you. What I will say though is the 3.5 is light years ahead in MPG, though some will say it isn't so. On my last fill-up I was over 28 MPG and 500+ miles on the tank. Probably could have hit 600 to empty. My 4.0 was lucky to get 20 on typical driving. I will say running longer trips with hills etc I am probably closer to 23-24 which is still pretty good for a 4wd 4dr gas truck.

If you are pulling heavier loads it obviously isn't the truck for you. But if you have limited towing or lighter loads it is superior as a daily driver and the interior is a big upgrade.

So all that said, time will tell for me... If I get 300K out of this truck with no issues I suspect it will be my favorite truck I've owned. The reliability aspect is key for me...

 

This is my 4th Taco and my favorite! I owned 1 First Gen and 2 > 2nd Gen. A bit early but the motor is proven in many other Toyota's. I love my 3rd Gen.

 

Mine was the 5.7 engine. I don't know what the mileage is on the smaller V8, but presumably a little better. Yeah, I really liked a lot of things about the truck, and it would definitely pull stuff the few times I needed it for that. But I found that my current lifestyle doesn't require me to tow anything bigger than about 2500 pounds, tops, and that I was mostly using it for dump runs, hunting, and the occasional item haul for self or friends. The Tacoma is more than sufficient for my needs, handles better, is more town friendly, easier to get in and out of, and gets 50% better mileage as a bonus.