4x2 vs 4x2 PreRunner vs 4x4 MPG

This is a great thread for me. Lots of excellent info.

Bill, most of my driving is freeway, between 63 and 73 mph. If the extra weight, ratio and tire size of the PreRunner brings the mileage down a couple, then the mpg diff between the PreRunner Four and the PreRunner V6 with the 5spd auto and even the 4WD version of the same becomes 2-3 mpg at most, maybe 1-2 at freeway speeds at say 67-68 mph avg. Would that be a fair statement?

If so, the big advantage of the PreRunner 4 banger is not much of an advantage?

Harley

 

The initial cost of the I4 PreRunner is the only real advantage.

 

Really? I've run 75-80 up the entire length of Colorado and still got 24MPG. I have a 2x4 4cyl 5 speed access cab.

I definitely would not get the 4cyl in automatic, and probably not even a double cab.

 

Manual is the only way to go with a 4 banger.

 

I can't speak for the auto trannys, but the 5spd auto for the V6 is a newer tranny, the 4 spd auto mated to the 4 banger is an older design, if Toyota would put an extra ratio or two with the 4 banger it would be the superior combo for mileage.

Be careful with your mpg line of reasoning you'll end up purchasing a Tundra . One mpg here, another mpg there, it all adds up. Keep in mind those mpg figures were generated on a test dyno on a test loop, under set conditions, rarely do those conditions exist exactly as tested. I will take the listed numbers and subtract 1-2 mpg for a more conservative day to day mileage, if I get book numbers on a tank or two great.

 

You could very well have generated 24 mpg for that trip, but one trip doesn't consitute an overall average. There have been at least 2 cross country trips were my mpg numbers were over book, but I wasn't running the A/C, and had a substantial tailwind with good quality fuel, 93 octane. Even then it was only 2 fill ups out of 7 for a roughly 2000 mile round trip.

 

I'm sure it has already been said,but,when you are traveling at a constant speed vs. stop and go traffic...not necessarily "city"....your constant will deliver better mpg...if,of course,your vehicle is running properly/well maintained etc.....just a thought.

 

EPA sticker for my truck said 21 city/ 26 highway.
During the summer I consistently get 27-30 MPG (about 60% highway).
Winter I consistently get 24-25 MPG (winter fuel and almost no highway).
If you know how to drive efficiently, it's very easy to get the EPA ratings or better.

 

I've got a 4cyl manual prerunner too. I've not been very impressed with my MPG; I do 80% highway driving and get a bit over 22mpg. I just removed the 2nd air filter, so I hope to get another 1/2 a mpg for that. I think it's false advertising for toy to claim the prerunner gets the same mpg as a non-prerunner 4X2, but the gov allows it so they do. It's got more weight and a lot more drag, which is why the mpg goes down.

All things considered I'm still OK with my choice. Would I rather have a V6 automatic? You bet, but my truck does everything I need it to do and it would have cost several thousand more for the V6, not to mention 4X4. It's also easy and cheap to maintain.

I have no idea what's up with the product line these days. Toy's website for BYO taco does not even show a prerunner option for the access cab anymore. My dealer's lot is choked with 6cy 4 door short bed prerunners; I guess that's what people want these days! I waited & asked for months for the truck I bought, per the dealer there were none to be had but I just drove through one day and my truck was sitting there, so I bought it on the spot.

 

Harley, I suppose that is probably a fair statement, but I'd look under the 2nd gen forums for some MPG threads, and that will give you a better idea of what to expect in real-world mpg. If you drive easy and don't often push it on the highway, a 2.7 may reward you with higher MPG numbers. But as soon as you start loading the engine, you will be drinking almost as much gas as the V6.

Not sure what the price difference is between the 2.7 and the V6, but it's probably close to a year's worth of fuel.

All depends on commute circumstances. I have very few instances where a 5-speed is of any value over an auto. Plus I wanted the bucket seats & console, which is only available in the reg cab 4x4 auto configuration.

 

I understand that there's different strokes for different folks. But I would never consider owning a 4 cylinder that was an automatic because it doesn't have gobs of power, and I like being able to shift when and how I want. I really wouldn't want any vehicle that was an automatic, and I do my fair share of driving in stop and go traffic.

 

Great, you've got a tighter than normal engine, performed a couple of studious mods for mileage in the smallest/lightest Taco that can be purchased. Achieving 10-15% over sticker mileage numbers is not the norm.

Climate plays a huge part in overall mileage numbers. North Dakota sucks for consistent mileage numbers. I've seen winter air temperatures as low as -40 and summer temps in August can hit triple digits. Adding insult to injury winds in excess of 30mph are not uncommon. My old Ranger will get a solid 24-25 mpg interstate averaging 70-75 mph, 4 banger 5spd. One occasion driving 85mph into a 30mph headwind with a air temp of about 15 degrees the truck struggled to a measily 13.5 mpg. I understood the conditions so it didn't bother me.

As soon as you start modding a vehicle away from a stock profile the sticker mileage number become less and less revelant. Take for example a grill change, my '09 has the stock grill which airflow wise is fairly restrictive, now install a Grillcraft you've just put a big hole in the front of the truck, cooling drag has gone up, by how much you couldn't quanitify without a windtunnel. Will it drastically reduce mpg, probably not, but now keep going, change bumpers, larger wheels/tires, taller axle ratios, and lifts all will negatively mpg. Or you could go the other way and slam it, skirt around the bottom edge, tape all the seams, remove mirrors, and install a flat complete underbody tray, minimize cooling area and hypermile that bitch.

As they say actual mileage may vary.

 

Different strokes indeed, Andrew!
Until recently, I also wouldn't have considered anything other than a 5-speed in this truck. And I actually had my truck configured as a 5-speed when I first ordered it, but changed it about 3 times before finally and firmly deciding on the auto. I love the interior you get with the 4x4 auto, and that's what pushed me over to the auto. Strangely, the 4x2 reg cab auto doesn't get the bucket seats, only the 4x4.
I drove a reg. cab 4x4 with an auto around a dealer's lot, and it seemed decent, although I couldn't get on it too much on the lot.

LOL!! Sounds like my Prius with a bed!

 

Harley, I've been looking at some of the mpg threads. The 2.7 guys do tend to report in with higher numbers, but some of the V6 guys come very close. But that seems to be the exception, not the rule.
Although I don't own one (yet) I would recommend getting an Ultragauge for your truck, regardless of what engine you end up with. You can see your real-time mpg, and how different driving habits and speed can affect it. Our Prius has a real-time mpg display and it really helps to curb harsh driving habits when you can see the difference in real time.

 

When you build on the toyota website it only allows for common configurations for you zip code. In Snowy north, can't build some of the 4x2 styleswith a 4cyl.

 

Getting stuck or not having fun going places because you have a 2WD is not worth even considering a mileage difference...

Leaving your truck in the garage will give you the best fuel economy..

So why are you buying a truck? If it is to get the best mileage, buy a Prius! If it is to have a TRUCK, use a truck, and enjoy a truck... then get a 4WD (and an Off Road TRD at that)!

All three of my Tacomas never got 20 mpg or more... all three got 16-19. If mostly highway than the higher end, if mostly stop and go, than the lower end. See my Fuelly.com info on all my posts for my current average MPG.

All three were V-6 Off Road 4WDs. The first was the 3.4 extra cab ('01). The next two were the 4.0 double cabs. So, in 2005 we got a bigger truck with a bigger engine, but the mileage didn't go down... The 2010 is the same as the '05 in mileage.

 

I would say go with the 4x4 it may weigh a little more and take a little more in mpg. But you are looking at the 4 cylinder and I have a 4x4 tacoma that is 4 cylinder and it gets great gas milage compared to my brothers TRD V6. also I think the pre runner is so dumb. You never know when you will need 4x4 especially if you plan on going off road or on dirt roads

 

I am getting a truck for multiple purposes.

It takes about an hour to get my camper off my F150 and longer to put it back on, so I never take the camper off and use the truck to haul stuff (typical homeowner things). Also, I plan on using the Taco on shorter camping trips, to save gas. I will sleep in the back with a shell on it. My F150 with the camper gets 10-12mpg, if I drive well below 65mph and typical camping trips in CA are 700 miles round trip. That means a lot of gas and big expense.

I am a semi-professional landscape photographer and try to get out as often as I can. I have a day job, but do photography on the side.

It's primary use is a commute vehicle, but I want to use it for more.

Harley

 

I fully expect to see some great pics of the new truck when you get it!

 

Test drove an auto 2.7L 4x4,regular cab yesterday......75mph=2500 rpm's...pretty darn good if you ask me...plenty of power.