4th Gen 2007 V8 vs. 5th Gen V6

H

HKTackDriver

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I just test drove a new 4Runner Limited. I now understand why it was "limited." It's limited to only 6 cylinders, which is anemic compared to the 10 year older V8 sitting in my 4th gen. Toyota really messed up when it dropped the V8, even if it was trying to make its ugly GX more appealing and distinguished from the 4Runner line.

I thought the new V6's would be fine, but learned they're course, raspy and under powered. And my V8 isn't exactly a pony car either.

Toyota needs to give us a better engine choice!
 
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HKTackDriver said:
I just test drove a new 4Runner Limited. I now understand why it was "limited." It's limited to only 6 cylinders, which is anemic compared to the 10 year older V8 sitting in my 4th gen. Toyota really messed up when it dropped the V8, even if it was trying to make its ugly GX more appealing and distinguished from the 4Runner line.

I thought the new V6's would be fine, but learned they're course, raspy and under powered. And my V8 isn't exactly a pony car either.

Toyota needs to give us a better engine choice!
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Seems to be the ongoing gripe for 4th gen V8 owners that gen upped. I've never driven the V8, but I do know that the throttle programming in the 5th gens is anemic. You have to smash it to get going. But when you do that it's not too bad at all. Of course, it doesn't have the low end grunt still.
 
The 5th gen is also heavier by at least 300lbs. The limited might be even heavier with all the useless stuff they add like power seats.

In Colorado it's even worse because the altitude decreases the available power. A bigger engine or forced induction helps make up for that.
 
preaching to the choir

Ill keep saving... Land Cruiser is starting to look better and better as I get older.
 
I've been saving for a 5th gen for about 6 months and sold my v6 4th gen already. My buddy got a 5th gen before me, which gave me a chance to drive it a bit. After driving it and hearing him complain about it for the past few months I will be looking at, and possibly purchasing a 4th gen V8 with 80k on Saturday. The thought of spending that much money on something that in all honesty was not fun at all to drive is something I'm glad I didn't commit to. In addition to that the mpg he is getting is terrible for a 2017 v6 SUV.
 
+1 to most of the comments here. It'll be a GX for me next time or a 200 series LC/LX if I can find one in my price range. I've gotten used to V8 power.....
 
JeffMerr said:
In addition to that the mpg he is getting is terrible for a 2017 v6 SUV.
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It really is fine...

Body on frame SUV... don't expect anything better from anyone else.

Why do you think body on frame is a dying breed with other manufactures moving to unibody. Sucks for off-road, great for MPG.

If fuel economy was the goal you should just look for something else. Personally I am pretty content with what it puts down. Still my gas saver over my 13 mpg Chevy Silverado lol.

My biggest concern is Toyota listening to stuff like this and eventually making the decision to move away from body on frame design. I very much appreciate that its built like a truck and not a crossover.
 
JeffMerr said:
I've been saving for a 5th gen for about 6 months and sold my v6 4th gen already. My buddy got a 5th gen before me, which gave me a chance to drive it a bit. After driving it and hearing him complain about it for the past few months I will be looking at, and possibly purchasing a 4th gen V8 with 80k on Saturday. The thought of spending that much money on something that in all honesty was not fun at all to drive is something I'm glad I didn't commit to. In addition to that the mpg he is getting is terrible for a 2017 v6 SUV.
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I sold a 4th gen and purchased a 2016 last year. Needless to say I went back to a 4th gen. Everything felt like a downgrade to me in the 5th gen: power, handling, speed, MPG, etc.
 
Bumbo said:
It really is fine...

Body on frame SUV... don't expect anything better from anyone else.

Why do you think body on frame is a dying breed with other manufactures moving to unibody. Sucks for off-road, great for MPG.

If fuel economy was the goal you should just look for something else. Personally I am pretty content with what it puts down. Still my gas saver over my 13 mpg Chevy Silverado lol.
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Except for the Chevrolet Tahoe right? The 4Runner fuel economy is due to it being way underpowered. I'd be fine with the mpg if it was due to a v8 with more hp/torque, but it's not, and you can tell when you drive one.
 
This has been beaten to death over in the 5th gen section and O.T. and G.D. sections. The reality is there is ample enough power in the 5th gen you just have to put your foot down on that skinny pedal. Sure the v8 has more low end torque, but comparatively the 5th gen is fine. I mean look at all the modified 5th gens out there fully armored up and oversized tires. Hell look at Lawndart's LT with massive tires, front and rear bumpers, full skids, loaded up rear cargo area, goose gear in the middle row, and a covered rack. It does just fine. The reality is its an SUV not a race car confused by what you guys are expecting with these things?
 
I've gotta agree with wadle5. I've got a 2004 v6 limited which I have owned since new. 13 years later with "assertive" mountain off roading, camping, long hauls through the Rocky Mountains, as well as my daily driver. I definitely use it as a utility vehicle. And I couldn't be happier with its performance. The engine is reliable and capable. It is awesome in deep snow winter driving etc etc etc. I call it my tank as it has got me through everything I have put it through.

Now I know peeps are comparing the 4th gen to 5 gens. But the complaint is often more about v6 vs v8. Unless one is doing some significant trailer hauling with which the lower end pull would be an advantage, I otherwise have not felt lacking with the v6. If one is doing a lot of trailer pulling they are likely into a truck for that anyway.

My attempt here is just to put out there my happiness with my v6 so if any are looking into one not to be dissuaded by what is often said around here about the disappointment about v8's being drop from the 4Runner line up.

I absolutely love my 4Runner and I drive it with as much pride now as when it was shiny new.

If someone comes across a 4th gen ( I can only speak for the 4th gen) (especially one in well kept shape) buy it. It does not disappoint for what it was designed for.
 
I so agree with the last two posters. So many people seem to think that if a vehicle doesn't accelerate briskly at 1500-2000 rpm it's gutless. That may be true for a Cummins diesel, but it's not true for any Toyota engine I've ever driven. You've gotta put your foot into it. Even the lowly 3.0 V6 in my '94 can do pretty well, but you simply have to get the rpms up above 3000 to get any performance. The 4.0 V6 and even the 4.7 V8 aren't that much different. The V8 has more low end torque, but if you're heading up I70 west of Denver and planning to hold 60 mph, you had better plan on rpms between 3 and 4 thousand on some of the grades. These engines only make real horsepower at higher rpms. The good news is that, because they are extremely well machined and balanced, they are very happy running that way for hours on end.
 
JeffMerr said:
Except for the Chevrolet Tahoe right? The 4Runner fuel economy is due to it being way underpowered. I'd be fine with the mpg if it was due to a v8 with more hp/torque, but it's not, and you can tell when you drive one.
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You have to drive it like a grandma to get those MPG numbers with a Tahoe.

We have a 5th Gen in the family so I am much familiar with how it drives. You just need to drive it like a rice rocket, get the food down and the revs up.

Or buy this and remap throttle position.
https://www.sprintboostersales.com/?gclid=CPSRmuXuk6sCFc7JKgodKlTVtQ
 
VT245 said:
+1 to most of the comments here. It'll be a GX for me next time or a 200 series LC/LX if I can find one in my price range. I've gotten used to V8 power.....
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GXs that haven't been beaten or "fixed to near death" seem easier to come by. My wife recently picked up an 04 with KDSS. 124k, two owner, keep current with dealer maintance its entire life, looks like it's never been off road, very clean. $12k at Springs Lexus. But you have to like all that power crap and such, she does. She also finds the swing open rear door easier to manage. No one is going to complain about the handling whatever the surface. Manual hi/lo but the same actuator system for the center lock, so no real help there.
I don't know if it's the extra height, weight, or both but it seem to get at least 1mpg less than my 04 sport edition with the same basic power train.
 
I forgot the GX did need (no urgently) tires. But I think most all used cars do as I like to know the history of the rubber.
 
I hear you guys on the "mash the pedal" bit. But ultimately, no one wants to redline every shift, every mile they own a vehicle. I'm also not concerned about Toyota reading these comments and killing one of the last body on frame designs. Maybe they'll read the comments and realize that people are DOWNGRADING to get the better engine. Providing that engine from the GX460 is a brainless and easy move on their part. So is maybe adding a turbo or supercharged option in a different engine size. Maybe another cog on the tranny will allow closer spaced gears and give more "pep" when you step.

Anyway, I do enjoy all of the power crap in the limited, especially the azz coolers for the summer. If I could drop in the 4.6l engine, it's a winner.

On the off-roading note - I always found that gruntier, torqueier engines were safer and easier to drive off road. Less tire spin, more predictability in getting tires to hook on slicker surfaces and generally more fun. YMMV.

TOYOTA - GIVE US OUR DAMN V8 BACK! (Or a turbo diesel I6 Cummins with 240hp/550ft lbs is good too!):hungry:
 
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