5th gen 4R V6 vs 3rd gen Taco v6

[MikeD72]

I know there are other threads on the new Tacoma, but let's talk about the engine specifically....

I know a lot of people feel the new Taco V6 is under powered....for that matter a lot of 4R people wish it still came with a V8....I feel like both engines are adequate. What are you thoughts on the two... Does Atkins cycle and 6 speed make a big difference over a 5 speed? Does 3.5 vs 4.0 liters matter much based on the other specs? The MPG difference doesn't seem all that much.

Taco
3.5 Liter
278 @ 6000 RPM
265 @ 4600 RPM
City 18/Hwy 23/Comb 20 MPG

4.0 Liter
Horsepower 270 @ 5600 RPM
Torque 278 @ 4400 RPM
Fuel Economy City 17/Hwy 21/Comb 18 MPG

 

[JeremyB]

The MPG difference doesn't seem all that much.

Taco
3.5 Liter
278 @ 6000 RPM
265 @ 4600 RPM
City 18/Hwy 23/Comb 20 MPG

4.0 Liter
Horsepower 270 @ 5600 RPM
Torque 278 @ 4400 RPM
Fuel Economy City 17/Hwy 21/Comb 18 MPG

Comparing a Tacoma and a 4Runner isn't exactly apples to apples. That being said:

Rounded EPA mpgs aren't a great idea for comparisons on larger displacement vehicles as rounding errors can have significant effects on the comparison

Tacoma 3.5L 2WD - 18.694 city - 23.6696 highway
Tacoma 3.5L 4WD - 18.203 city - 22.8274 highway

4Runner 4.0L 2WD - 16.915 city - 22.1794 highway
4Runner 4.0L 4WD - 16.571 city - 21.2996 highway


Tacoma edges the 4Runner ~10% in the city and 7% on the highway. What does this really mean. I don't know. :biggrin1:

 

[05Rrunner]

The 4Runner 3.5 is not out yet ,
but comparing the current 4Runner 4.0 5speed with 3.73 axle ratio with the 3.5 6speeed with 3.90 ratio , the thing that concerns me is the final drive will be taller and have lower rpms while cruising in high gear. Not good for larger tires . the motor will be lazy and dropping gears on any incline. A higher final gear ratio combined with a smaller displacement high revving motor , this could be a problem and cause the trans to start hunting for gears.

 

[sn_85]

I know there are other threads on the new Tacoma, but let's talk about the engine specifically....

I know a lot of people feel the new Taco V6 is under powered....for that matter a lot of 4R people wish it still came with a V8....I feel like both engines are adequate. What are you thoughts on the two... Does Atkins cycle and 6 speed make a big difference over a 5 speed? Does 3.5 vs 4.0 liters matter much based on the other specs? The MPG difference doesn't seem all that much.

Taco
3.5 Liter
278 @ 6000 RPM
265 @ 4600 RPM
City 18/Hwy 23/Comb 20 MPG

4.0 Liter
Horsepower 270 @ 5600 RPM
Torque 278 @ 4400 RPM
Fuel Economy City 17/Hwy 21/Comb 18 MPG

I test drove a 3rd gen Taco yesterday, took it out on the inside roads and on the highway. Honestly it doesn't seem any better than the 4.0 in the 5th gen 4R. Both seem pretty underwhelming if you ask me but I don't drive with a heavy foot so I wouldn't care either way. If anything I felt my 4R has a little more torque in the low range. So if you're asking if there's some huge difference in how they feel when driving, I don't think so and certainly wouldn't switch to a 3rd gen Taco believing that it would be an upgrade.

 

[Digitalwiz]

lets not forget to mention that if say Toyota was under pressure from the us government to raise it's MPG due to new cafe standards then they could put a v10 in the taco or 4r and de tune it so that you get 10% of its power and .5 increase in mpg because everything including the throttle is controlled by computers. it raises their overall fleet mileage but sucks all the power out of the engine.

so toyota advertises great engine power and decent torque numbers but then detunes them for mileage. Advertising vs. reality.

That's why my new t4r feels weaker than my 99t4r and has about 100 more HP.

you have to floor the new t4r to get any power at all, not because the engine doesnt make alot of power but because the computers in the car wont deliver that power unless you floor it. thank you Obama's EPA.

 

[05Rrunner]

Yes, it's funny when you beat the 4.0 , I mean drive it hard flooring it most times it moves pretty good. But it's like on or off , it feels like a real dog then it comes alive.

 

[MikeD72]

lets not forget to mention that if say Toyota was under pressure from the us government to raise it's MPG due to new cafe standards then they could put a v10 in the taco or 4r and de tune it so that you get 10% of its power and .5 increase in mpg because everything including the throttle is controlled by computers. it raises their overall fleet mileage but sucks all the power out of the engine.

so toyota advertises great engine power and decent torque numbers but then detunes them for mileage. Advertising vs. reality.

That's why my new t4r feels weaker than my 99t4r and has about 100 more HP.

you have to floor the new t4r to get any power at all, not because the engine doesnt make alot of power but because the computers in the car wont deliver that power unless you floor it. thank you Obama's EPA.

but then how to they get away with the Tundra, etc.? i know the EPA wants better mpg, but 5.0 mustang?

 

[Foques]

but then how to they get away with the Tundra, etc.? i know the EPA wants better mpg, but 5.0 mustang?

IIRC, fleet cumulative MPG is what makes a difference here.

 

[Digitalwiz]

but then how to they get away with the Tundra, etc.? i know the EPA wants better mpg, but 5.0 mustang?

it should be noted that the current tundra was designed before cafe standards. I suspect when a redesign happens they will remap the throttle so that 85 % down delivers 40% power and 95% throttle will deliver 80% power all for 1mpg.

I had an 04 tundra and an 08 crewmax 5.7. Both were powerful. My 14 4runner should feel as strong as the 04 tundra v8 yet feels anemic until i put my foot into it.

Toyota could fix with a true sport mode. I have a 15 f150 and it has the eco mode default and a sport mode button that remaps the throttle, engine and transmisison to deliver a completely different and powerful experience.

my t4r has a sport shift but it barely makess a difference if you dont also floor the throttle.