4th gen V6 vs. V8. Pros/Cons, MPG - Toyota 4Runner Forum

whipkiller · 01-07-2015, 04:05 PM

Hi all,

I have a friend who decided a straight single dude in his late 30 shouldn't drive a Camry, and is considering buying a 4Runner.

*DISCLAIMER* The preceding sentence is for entertainment purposes only, and is meant in jest.

What is the real world difference in MPG between the 4.0 V6 and the 4.7 V8?

I see they're "rated" at 18/22 vs. 16/20.

What other pros & cons to one or the other. Any major difference in maintenance costs?

I doubt he'll be doing any towing.

He's going to look at an '03 V8 SR5 2WD, any known issues on this year?

Thanks in advance.

Martinjmpr · 01-07-2015, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whipkiller

Hi all,

I have a friend who decided a straight single dude in his late 30 shouldn't drive a Camry, and is considering buying a 4Runner.

So he wants a 4runner because he's insecure about his manhood?

Tell him to go ahead and get that Subaru he's been dreaming about. It's OK, we won't judge.

M1911 · 01-07-2015, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whipkiller

Hi all,

I have a friend who decided a straight single dude in his late 30 shouldn't drive a Camry, and is considering buying a 4Runner.

What is the real world difference in MPG between the 4.0 V6 and the 4.7 V8?

I see they're "rated" at 18/22 vs. 16/20.

What other pros & cons to one or the other. Any major difference in maintenance costs?

I doubt he'll be doing any towing.

He's going to look at an '03 V8 SR5 2WD, any known issues on this year?

Thanks in advance.

He won't do any towing and he is going to buy a 2WD 4Runner? Why?

You won't get 16/20 out of a V8 4Runner.

I put up with the 4Runner's driving behavior because I take it offroad and need the 4WD. But I recently was driving a Camry for 2 weeks while Toyota was replacing my frame, and I marveled at how much better the Camry road, drove, and handled, and just how much easier it was to deal with.

If he is not going to tow and is not going to go offroad (which he isn't, if he's getting a 2WD), then why in world would he want a body-on-frame, solid-rear-axle truck?

Tell him to keep his Camry. He will enjoy it a lot more. Seriously.

470SNC · 01-07-2015, 06:01 PM

I just went from a lifted w 285 tires FJ w 4.0 V6 to a GX470 lifted w 285 tires and the mileage comparision loss is very minimal. Not that much worse gas mileage and the v8 is a big plus, for me anyway. Oil changes obviously will cost more due to the extra quart, 2 more spark plugs, and at 90k you need to do a timing belt job which is quite expensive. Other than that, everything is the same maintenance wise.

Lolrax · 01-07-2015, 06:28 PM

I never understood the point of a 2WD 4Runner. The 4WD capability is the only reason I accept the bad handling and poor fuel economy. He might as well jack up his Camry if he wants to go 2WD.

4Runner isn't really a masculinity booster either. For every 2 20-35 year old dudes I see driving one, I see at least 10 soccer moms.

whipkiller · 01-07-2015, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martinjmpr

So he wants a 4runner because he's insecure about his manhood?

Tell him to go ahead and get that Subaru he's been dreaming about. It's OK, we won't judge.

Oh my Gawd, that's about as hilarious as it is helpful, thanks.

Not very accurate, by the way. Everyone knows Subaru's are for Lesbians.

Quote:

Originally Posted by M1911

He won't do any towing and he is going to buy a 2WD 4Runner? Why?

My guess would be because he wants one, and to be able to carry his surfboard(s) and SUP, and many of the same reasons millions of other people buy SUV's.

If he is not going to tow and is not going to go offroad (which he isn't, if he's getting a 2WD), then why in world would he want a body-on-frame, solid-rear-axle truck?

Tell him to keep his Camry. He will enjoy it a lot more. Seriously.

Thanks, I'll be sure to tell him.

470SNC, thanks for the actual answer.

Anybody else have real-world numbers or experience they'd care to share?

whipkiller · 01-07-2015, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lolrax

I never understood the point of a 2WD 4Runner. The 4WD capability is the only reason I accept the bad handling and poor fuel economy. He might as well jack up his Camry if he wants to go 2WD.

4Runner isn't really a masculinity booster either. For every 2 20-35 year old dudes I see driving one, I see at least 10 soccer moms.

Okay, I edited the original post to reflect the tongue in cheek that I mistakenly thought was obvious.

His masculinity is fine, really just looking for MPG numbers here, thanks.

WI_4Runner · 01-07-2015, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whipkiller

Okay, I edited the original post to reflect the tongue in cheek that I mistakenly thought was obvious.

His masculinity is fine, really just looking for MPG numbers here, thanks.

V8 owner and I drive about average - fair mix of HWY/City and getting 15.6 currently on the on board unit in the dash. Something worth noting is the V8 is a 4WD. Have seen 18 and change on highway trips but even with a V6 this isn't a fuel efficient car, it's an SUV, so you pay to play.

Not sure what year/engine is in his Camry but it will be a much different story driving and SUV than a smaller sedan.

I'm surprised people are tripping over gas prices and 1-2mpg variations when its now well sub $3 at the pump... I couldn't even imagine what the forums were like when gas was $4.00+

theliman · 01-07-2015, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whipkiller

Okay, I edited the original post to reflect the tongue in cheek that I mistakenly thought was obvious.

His masculinity is fine, really just looking for MPG numbers here, thanks.

if you search (i recommend the google search bar up top - perhaps start with "v6 v8") you will find an endless number of threads comparing the v6 and v8, usually with respect to gas mileage, but also towing, reliability, power, and more.

GLP · 01-07-2015, 06:50 PM

I get about 16-17 mpg with a V8. I like the V8 because it is very smooth, reliable, and good power. To me it's worth the 1 or 2 mpg.

M1911 · 01-07-2015, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WI_4Runner

V8 owner and I drive about average - fair mix of HWY/City and getting 15.6 currently on the on board unit in the dash. Something worth noting is the V8 is a 4WD. Have seen 18 and change on highway trips but even with a V6 this isn't a fuel efficient car, it's an SUV, so you pay to play.

Not sure what year/engine is in his Camry but it will be a much different story driving and SUV than a smaller sedan.

I'm surprised people are tripping over gas prices and 1-2mpg variations when its now well sub $3 at the pump... I couldn't even imagine what the forums were like when gas was $4.00+

I get 14.5 to 15.5 in '03 V8 4x4 Limited on my commute into Cambridge, MA. It's mostly stop-and-go. I might get 18 mpg on the highway, tops. A 2WD 4Runner might get another 1-2 mpg more.

Don't believe the unit on the dash. Mine is always 1-2 mpg optimistic.

As for gas prices, yes, they are down right now. Do you really think they will stay that way for the long term? I sure don't. 15 mpg isn't awesome when you gas costs $4/gallon and driving 15,000 miles per year. Do the math.

Ask10 · 01-07-2015, 07:05 PM

I'm a bit of a hypermiler and I get 22 on average with a 2WD Sport V8 (50/50) driving. My dad has a 4WD Limited V6 and he does 15 on average. When we swapped trucks, I got 21 in his and he did 17 with mine...all about how you drive. For a "normal" driver and 2WD, I'd say 17 with a V8, 18 with a V6 and drop 1.5 to 2 mpg for 4WD.

Re: 2wd 4Runners, I like physical size inside without it being a van. I pulled the backseats out for more cargo space and it's like a massive contractors vehicle now, except without the van image. Same gas mileage as a van too plus much nicer to drive/sit in, etc, I'm happy with mine.

M1911 · 01-07-2015, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whipkiller

Okay, I edited the original post to reflect the tongue in cheek that I mistakenly thought was obvious.

His masculinity is fine, really just looking for MPG numbers here, thanks.

There have been a number of threads on that already, as you might expect.

V6 vs. V8 gas mileage

2003 4Runner Limited V8 Gas Mileage Average?

V6 or V8 AWD - Gas Mileage Sensitive

V8 Full time 4WD MPG low?

v8 gas economy vs. v6

Typically, the V6 will get 1-2 mpg better than the V8.

JB. · 01-07-2015, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whipkiller

Anybody else have experience they'd care to share?

Yes, the published mpg numbers represent the cleanest signal quality when trying to assess the difference between the two.

Martinjmpr · 01-07-2015, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lolrax

I never understood the point of a 2WD 4Runner. The 4WD capability is the only reason I accept the bad handling and poor fuel economy. He might as well jack up his Camry if he wants to go 2WD.

4Runner isn't really a masculinity booster either. For every 2 20-35 year old dudes I see driving one, I see at least 10 soccer moms.

When I see a 2wd 4runner (AKA 2Runner), I think:

Site Navigation