Better gas milage for 5th generation
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captainnemojr
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I think the gas tank is bigger at 24 gallons now also. My old 4Gen Limited V8 4x4 I could get about 330 miles to a tank (~20mpg) and now I can get about 400 miles. So it's about the same with the extra 3+ gallons.
Considering that the 2009 SR5 4WD is rated at 20mpg on the same rating standard, I would say that the 5th gen gets better fuel economy. Toyota made quite a few updates to the 1GR that should result in better economy. Plus, they may have changed the gearing as well. The city/hwy mpg thread seems to prove this out, as well. Sounds like most people are able to hit the 22mpg highway rating pretty easily.
A couple reviews I've seen suggest gas mileage is actually slightly worse on the 5th gen (comparing like model with like) despite what the official figures say. It's a bigger and heavier truck AFAIK, so it makes sense. I usually get 22-23mph in my 4th gen on the freeway (unless there's a strong headwind).
Frankly I'm disappointed that despite the higher gas prices and new EPA mileage requirements coming in to play Toyota chose to make the new generation as much a gas guzzler as the old. I never understand why every new model (of any auto) has to be bigger and heavier, thus canceling out any benefits from better engines. At this rate the 8th gen 4runner will weigh 3 tons!
Frankly I'm disappointed that despite the higher gas prices and new EPA mileage requirements coming in to play Toyota chose to make the new generation as much a gas guzzler as the old. I never understand why every new model (of any auto) has to be bigger and heavier, thus canceling out any benefits from better engines. At this rate the 8th gen 4runner will weigh 3 tons!
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Links to the reviews?
They improved the fuel economy by 10% per the same standard. There's no reason to believe that the new model gets worse mileage than the old one.
Weight has less of an impact on fuel economy than aero and gearing, especially for highway driving.
SeattleMike
New member
They do it for the same reason that every new house has to be a box that extends to the edges of the increasingly smaller lots; people think bigger means better and they purchase accordingly. My 1985 "minitruck" has served me well for 25 years... I couldn't get the the 2010 4WD Tacoma in my garage without making a 13-point turn.
In contrast, the 4Runner fits fine, being both narrower and shorter than the Tacoma we test drove. For one reason or another, the Toyota trucks keep getting longer, wider, and uglier. At least the 5th Gen looks better than the 4th (but not as good as the 3rd) generation 4Runner.
On a freeway, sure. For city driving with lots of stopping and starting, weight makes a huge difference. Basic laws of physics.
I'll try to dig up links to some reviews... just stuff I've stumbled upon since the 5th gen came out.
i'm averaging about 3 mpg better on my 5th gen vs my 4th gen.
gas milage 4th gen verses 5th gen
I owned both a Limited 5th gen and a V8 Sport 4th gen. With highway driving they are about the same. In town or mixed driving, the 5th gen is about 2 mpg better. Those numbers are based on 150K+ miles on the 4th gen and 5K miles on the 5th gen. I live in the Pacific Northwest, so our roads do have hills. On flat land, I am sure the milage is better. Speed is also a major factor in comparing highway milage which I used an average of 70mph.
I owned both a Limited 5th gen and a V8 Sport 4th gen. With highway driving they are about the same. In town or mixed driving, the 5th gen is about 2 mpg better. Those numbers are based on 150K+ miles on the 4th gen and 5K miles on the 5th gen. I live in the Pacific Northwest, so our roads do have hills. On flat land, I am sure the milage is better. Speed is also a major factor in comparing highway milage which I used an average of 70mph.
KCcarguy
New member
The 4runner is designed to be used as a true utility vehicle. The same construction that allows for heavy off road and towing use also results in a heavier vehicle. It's all about form following function. I personally like having a vehicle large enough to carry my kids/ dogs/ gear, but not as big as a Sequoia. Toyota makes a SUV for about every purpose. The Highlander hybrid is one of the best rated eco-friendly SUV's available if that's what you're after. The Venza and Rav4 are also good choices. I'm glad Toyota gives us some options. Though a diesel version of the 4runner for better MPG's might be cool!
mgrande
New member
well put, if you want an suv with great mpg, get one of the car based ones. I will say that toyota did leave some room for improvement though, a 6 speed auto would help.
iDRiVaT4R
New member
A couple months ago my buddy and I went on an Off road trip to the desert. He has an 08' 4th gen, Mines a 2010 5th gen. We both filled up before we left and our gas gauges stayed identical the whole trip, and the on board computer that informs you the miles left in the tank had only 1 mile difference the whole trip.
He had OME lift, wheel spacers and my old 265/70R17 Firestone Destination M/T Load E tires. I was running my lift along with 285/70R17 BFG All Terrains Load D.
He had OME lift, wheel spacers and my old 265/70R17 Firestone Destination M/T Load E tires. I was running my lift along with 285/70R17 BFG All Terrains Load D.
Mechanic
New member
Don't know compared with the 4th gen, but my dads 2010 limited is getting almost identical millage to my 2000 4X4 SR5. About 21-22 MPG or 11 liters per 100 kilometers. Mind you, his 2010 only has 14,000 kilometers.......
Edit:
Sorry, I lied, he only has 6000 kilometers...
Edit:
Sorry, I lied, he only has 6000 kilometers...
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He also makes an extra 80hp or so, right?
I do love the 3rd gen, though. So damn hard to find one without 150k miles. That is what essentially drove me to start looking at new ones instead. I'm glad summer gas is back. Sitting on 23mpg for this tank. 4WD SR5.
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my 2011 sr5 4wd gets:
22 MPG : 70 mph travel with mild hills.
23.5 MPG: 55 mph on flat hwy
20.8 MPG: mixed driving half freeway, half city.
those are gauge readouts. When i measured my mileage at the pump i usually got .2 mpg better than what the gauge showed, but never less.
22 MPG : 70 mph travel with mild hills.
23.5 MPG: 55 mph on flat hwy
20.8 MPG: mixed driving half freeway, half city.
those are gauge readouts. When i measured my mileage at the pump i usually got .2 mpg better than what the gauge showed, but never less.
Love Remembers
New member
When the first 4th Gen rolled out (2003) I purchased one. Followed by a 2006, 2007, 2009. The first 5th Gen that I purchased was the 2011 because Toyota offered the plain cargo option. Hail damage destroyed that 2011 (Magnetic Silver), so I purchased another 2011 (Pearl White). The best mileage in the 4th Gen (V6 2WD SR5) was 26.7mpg. When the dealer changed plugs at 30,000mi, the mileage on that vehicle went down to 23.4. Between the two 5th Gen 4Runner's, the Pearl White (both V6 2WD SR5) averages 21.7mpg but on the highway maintains 24.2mpg. Hope that helps you.
DigableKid
New member
I'm getting like 17.1-.2 mpgs... I drive about 4 miles on the freeway and 6 in the city, one way - plus, I use the eco indicator and I don't have a heavy foot. It's kinda annoying being that I had a 07' with a V8 prior. I expected better.
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