Are first gen V6 Tacomas underpowered?

I’m a long time Jeep Wrangler TJ owner. I’ve always felt the 4.0 in the TJ was underpowered at highway speeds. It has 195 HP, but on the highway at 70 MPH plus, overtaking others is a chore at best, and this gets even worse with larger tires, even with the proper gear ratio.

I have yet to drive a first gen Tacoma, but I am very interested in them. However, given that they make the same power as the 4.0 in the TJ, I am curious how owners feel about them. Do they feel like a chore to drive on the highway at higher speeds? Could you pass someone at 70 MPH pretty easily, or does it seem like you’re ringing the engine out and it’s barely going to do it?

 

I'd put it at par with the XJ. The auto hinders it, but the manual is perfect for the 3.4

My XJ never felt "slow" but I feel more confident on the highway with the 3.4 to a 5 speed.

 

I’ve driven a stick shift 3.4L before and I don’t think it was the least bit underpowered!

 

One thing I remember about my TJ 4.0 with the auto was that at 70 when it would downshift from 4th to 3rd, the engine would get dramatically louder but it really didn’t feel like you were gaining any speed or passing power. It was just sort of a lot of extra noise but no extra power.

 

The auto 3.4 isn't special either. You have to plan ahead for passing.

 

Sounds like I need to be looking at a manual in that case. I found one I really like, but of course, it’s an auto (wish it wasn’t).

 

It's a lot slower than a modern car or truck, but I have no problem keeping up on the highways with stock tires and gearing. Does OK on the mountains if you downshift.

 

I owned a 1st Gen V6 for over 10 years. I thought it was a great engine and wasn't underpowered at all. I loved it!

I have the 2.7 auto now. I love the truck but it is a real dog.

 

I feel that for a measly 206 cubic inch v6 it has quite adequate power for what it is. Mine moves my truck with reasonable authority and on the freeway, about 78mph is where it comes into its own, taking long inclines without having to kick down a gear. Plus I did the Elbow Mod which made response around town a bit livelier.

 

Love my 02 x cab 4x4, butt, a slow turd it is

 

Mine isn't...

 

Interesting hearing all these perspectives. Im new to my 1st gen V6, and it seems pretty nimble to me, even with the AT. Really I suppose it is, compared to everything else I usually drive. It helps that I don't live in the mountains and use stock tires.

 

Yep, it is interesting hearing everyone's perspective.

I suppose I could always supercharge it if it wasn't enough power. Of course then I'm stuck running premium fuel and I'm not sure how I would deal with the engine tuning, as it appears there isn't a good tuner (i.e. HPTuners) for the first gen Tacomas.

 

my truck hauls it at 90mph and is smooth as creamy butter (as long as the road surface is great or better), jumps real quick from a steady 70mph to pass someone if needed
its near pure stock and no added weight, lift, etc.
i also have MT so i control the show on the road
and welcome to TW

 

welcome to the family!

 

Are first gen V6 Tacomas underpowered?

Subjective, but nope!

 

I think they have the right power for what they are I wouldn't say they are setting the world on fire though.I think if they had about 250hp that be pretty awesome.They are awesome off-road and make great hunting rigs, my buddies v6 TRD has 276,000 miles and still going strong it definitely does what he needs it to do

 

This is very subjective. For 25 years old truck (I mean truck designed i early 1990's) the power is right where it should be for a pickup truck. Tacoma is kind of hybryd of daily driver commute vehicle, SUV for fun on trails and "get some stuff home from Home Depot".

It is not a utility truck, not 18ft trailer tow, not a sport racing car nor a luxury limousine. Understanding that I think I can say Tacoma is not underpowered (maybe with exception of 4cyl with auto transmission).

You know that if you think otherwise you can always slap TRD sticker on it and that allone will add all missing hp you need.

 

I have two. Both the 3.4 with stock 4.10 gears.

The 98 xtra cab is a 5-speed. The 04 DC is an auto.

I hate the auto.

I plan on doing the 5-speed swap into it.

 

Absolutely underpowered. I test drove about 10 manual gen1 V6's, trying to find one that wasn't a turd. I have 3 other V6's in my house: My 2012 Ford Expedition w/ a V6, my V6 outback, and my 2011 RAV4 V6. All of them smoke the Taco for torque and acceleration. I think it's the ECU, since if I STOMP on the V6, it will eventually give up some torque. Could be it's the best running out of 10 and even this one isn't up to par. I don't want to hear anybody spout off about adding a supercharger. The base 3.4L is simply "sluggish" as far as I am concerned. Way, way slower than the outback. And I know this because the one I'm talking about is a stick shift and I can feel the transfer right to the wheels and not lose any to the TQ.

Even so, it's better than that I4, which I think is barely better than my riding mower. The strange thing is I got on here and bashed the sluggishness of the I4 and a TON of people got on the thread and just went bananas defending it while also putting down my driving skills. Uh-stonishing. I think the real trick is the way it's timed. The camshaft/whatever is timed so the real power band is higher in the range than lower. So getting going from stopped feels longer than other cars?