Worth buying a 4 cylinder?

If the 4 had forced induction(Ranger) I'd take a look. Would need a MT option though (looking at you Jeep).

 

I mean if you're already getting a body-on-frame vehicle seems completely useless to keep it a 4cyl! Such a waste!

If you want good mpg n all that (tbh I don't think there's much of a difference in mpg for V6 vs 4CYL) but look into a unibody frame design like the honda ridgeline. Or get a corolla

 

I love mine. I was in a bind since my car was totaled and I needed a vehicle ASAP, but I don't regret it.The only time it's struggled so far was when I went up to Lake Sabrina outside of Bishop, but that's at 9100'

 

I guess. I could justify that my 4" penis works well, but a 9 incher would be life changing.

 

To you, it is a waste. It may not be such a waste to OP, it depends on who you’re talking to. There are benefits to the 4 cyl. Between the two engines, one is an engine that was carried over from a car (v6) and the other is a global engine used in utility vehicles (I4). The 4 is an updated version of a time tested platform, made in Japan, with an iron block and some forged components, making it one of the most reliable engines. Time will tell if the 6 can stand up to it in reliability, but it will be hard to do with the depth of ecu management, high pressure fuel pump and direct injection/self cleaning components complicating things. The 4 isn’t a slouch. It has only 4 pistons, sure, but they’re bigger, with a longer stroke. Things get foggy when you look into HOW the 6 gets comparable MPGs to the 4. It doesn’t just magically generate that much HP and get the same fuel efficiency as a smaller engine, it has to sacrifice something. That something is it’s simulated Atkinson cycle, which reduces compression. For example, it’s only when you floor it, that you see that 289 hp. And at 289 hp, you’re not getting that fuel efficiency people claim is right there with the 4. But if you’re cruising, Itll get great gas mileage, however you’re only running at an estimated 117 hp, and when you want that 289, there’s hesitations, that delay everyone complains about, while the ecu manages wtf it needs to do to get things done. This is why some people with a 6 get good MPGs, because they’re light on the pedal typically, and some people get atrocious MPGs, because they’re pinning it every time, it’s hugely inconsistent. Sometimes it’s not about money. I mean, if a person was getting financed, the cost of a 4 vs a 6 isn’t a huge deal breaker, it just depends on what you require the truck to do. A person could consider that if they don’t tow, but use the truck as a utility vehicle/off-road vehicle, they may be happier with a 4. I have two, and they have been plenty powerful for moving itself, myself, and a few hundred pounds of stuff.

 

What engine/driveline has Toyota been making longer? Ask yourself this question OP and the answer is obvious.

The ONLY place my 4 banger lacks anything that a larger engine vehicle has, is acceleration off the line. BUT IT'S A DAMN 4x4 TRUCK! Not a Miata with a Cobra Jet shoved between the rails! I'd just crawl over top of them types anyway at the next red light.
I keep up on pavement with v6 auto Yota friends on the way to trails well enough, and do just fine off pavement, too. Sure, there is minimal benefit in the MPG arena for 4 vs 6 cylinder in a 4x4 Taco, but the v6 doesn't have the Toyota tried n true proven durability and history.

Your money, not ours, do what YOU want to do.

 

Not really IMO. It's like buying the 6.0 VT365 (Powerstroke) instead of the 7.6 DT466 I6. Not as powerful but still gets the job done w/ no problems.

 

Uhhh if I used a 4cyl like I use my truck... more than likely I’d have tranny and engine problems.

 

Is it really fair to compare the 2.7 with a diesel Super Duty though?

 

I’m not.
I have a V6 Taco.

 

Within the midsize segment. I think the 2.7 is a good worker engine. It's proven reliable and the 2WD models have higher payload numbers than any V6 Taco. Its just not very fast.That's it

 

That is no longer an option to get a 4 Cylinder Manual unless you want to get a used one.

 

In that case, V6 Manual 4x4 is the only option then.

 

Yeah pretty much. I count myself lucky I had the choice back then.

 

They

When you narrow it down to a specific model and engine yah go with which is going to last longer, yet to choose the 4cyl because the 3.5L is garbage is just settling for the least crappy option. But you're right, for the 3.5L to produce such high numbers must take away form elsewhere -probably at the expense of higher running temperatures and increased degradation on components or something of the sorts. Or engineering these days as genuinely improved and designs are much more efficient.

But if you're talking 'time-tested' and 'reliable' why get a 3rd gen Tacoma? A 2nd gen naturally aspirated 4.0L would be the first pick for a small sized pickup.
Also larger engines generally last longer than smaller engines. A 6 cylinder will cruise at 2,000 RPM while the 4cyl will run at 3,300 RPM (or whatever) Higher RPM just more degradation, simple.

Mainly what I was getting at is for ANY pick-up truck in general... If you're investing $ in a durable, body on frame truck to last a long time, do yourse'f a favor and don't skimp on the GUTS of the vehicle!!!!! Get a Rav4 or Highlander if you want the 4cyl!!

 

All this being said, Toyota could really up the ante with their 4cyl. I mean Chevy is getting 200hp out of their engine. And it's only a 2.5 liter...

 

Toyota built it's reputation for reliability with an inline 4 cylinder engine. Anyway, most of these trucks will rust out before the drive train i4/v6 go bad.

 

The V6 sacrifices hp for MPGs in its low compression mode, by way of the intake valve.

The 3rd gen I4 on paper is just as reliable as a 2nd.

But that was my point. Consider the durability of the guts. We may disagree, but the same naturally aspirated I4 in the 2nd gen (albeit updated) is in the 3rd. It’s not a skimp when you consider what is in the engine, what’s NOT in the engine, and the history of the engine.

 

Toyota better step up their game because the Ranger is coming back.

 

That thing is turbo charged and is probably made of compacted graphite Iron. In short, very strong construction. Reliability is not yet proven for that engine however.