Fuel Milage

M

Mavericks

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Hi....just signed up to your forum, great site....!

I've always been a Tacoma guy, but after 10 yrs and 275,000 kms, it's time to move on and am considering a new 4Runner, '05 or '06, depends on pricing, availability, etc.. I'm in New Brunswick, Canada and have been looking at the Sport addition....I like that Xreas suspension.

Anyways i'm sure this has been kicked around here a hundred times but I didn't see a recent thread. I've heard alot of conflicting stories re gas milage with the V6 vs V8 4x4 models. This will be the deciding factor on whether I get a 6 or 8, as I have to commute this year about 200 km's (120 miles) total a day for work reasons, all highway miles. Plus my own evening & weekend miles. Also with the leftover 05's, the price gap between the V6 & V8's at our dealers have closed significantly, mainly due to the fact the dealers want them off the lot to make room for the '06's.

Now that most '05 owners have had a year or so to prove it, what is everybody's fuel milage on these...? & i'm assumming '06's probably won't be much different as their appears to be few to none performance changes to these.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks alot!
 
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I used to have the same question when was shopping for the 4Runner last spring. I gone with Limited V6 and I love it. 06 will have the same mileage as 05. V6 is ~1.5-2 l/100km less. If you not considering of towing 100ft boat, get V6. I, personally towed ~8000lbs boat for a couple hundreds km to the lake and back and didn't mentioned any significant problems. I'm sure that V8 will do it better, but I was impressed that V6 can handle it so good. I also often go off-road. So, overall, V6 is economical, very reliable and enough power vehicle. You may also take in consideration that V8 might loose more for resale value. In Toronto, 2003 V8 are cheaper then 2003 V6, sometimes gap is $2000. Just my 2c, but I'd go with V6.
P.S. My average consumption: 12l/100km highway (on plain ideal highway at 110km/h - ~10.5-11, at 90km/h - ~8.7-9.5) and 13.9 l/100km city
 
Mavericks said:
Hi....just signed up to your forum, great site....!

...
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks alot!
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Do a search on V8 vs V6 gas mileage and you'll have a night's worth of reading on this debate. Northof49 summed it all up :)
 
I went for the V6 on my 2006 Sport after asking myself why are they offering me a $1500 rebate to take the V8's off their hands. Although I have traditionally bought the most powerful available engine, I am perfectly happy with the V6 and things being like they are, I like knowing that whatever my mileage is and however high gas prices go, I'm better off than if I had bought the V8. My only gripe is that on every Sport I have seen so far, you have to buy the V8 to get the JBL 10 speaker radio. Maybe this is one other ploy they have come up with to move the V8's.
 
I was in the same boat 1.5 years ago when I ultimately chose the V6. At the time (and up until 9 months ago), I had my own consulting business which I averaged at least 150-200 miles each day, sometimes 300+. At the rate of 50,000 mi/yr, I definitely thought the V6 would be the logical choice. I'm not doing much consulting anymore and have a regular commute of less than 20 miles roundtrip to work daily. Had I known how my career was gonna be, I would've bought the V8, regardless of current gas prices. Don't get me wrong, I love the V6, but there are times when 245HP & 282LB/FT tq isn't enough. With the VVT-i V8, there's no comparision. Only a TRD supercharger for the 4.0L V6 would make my single regret go away, if they will ever make one!

Factors to consider in your decision:
- how many miles do you drive annually? and how long you planning on keeping your 4R?
- are you a speed demon? I drive fast so the MPG drops quickly as speed picks up. I would think the V8, with more torque, wouldn't have to work as hard to keep the heavy mass going.
-maintenance cost (as discussed in past threads)
- do you tow?

Either way, you're getting one solid vehicle.
 
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Appreciate the comments guys........

Hank, you mentioned "I love the V6, but there are times when 245HP & 282LB/FT tq isn't enough". I should have mentioned, I tow a 5 x 10 trailer, use it for an ATV, stovewood, etc., and probably will eventually get a wider trailer for two ATV's. Two ATV's, thats 'bout 1200 lbs plus trailer weight. Stovewoods heavier obviously.

When is the V6's 245hp 282lb/ft not enough....?

Also like I mentioned, i'm lookin at approx 120 miles/day likely for most of this year doing engineering at a "nearby" jobsite, but that will come back down to say 25-30 miles daily commute when finished.

Bill
 
If you don't tow over 4K lbs. the V6 will be fine. You may as well get the best mileage since you have to travel 120 miles a day.

Koz
 
Mavericks said:
Appreciate the comments guys........

Hank, you mentioned "I love the V6, but there are times when 245HP & 282LB/FT tq isn't enough". I should have mentioned, I tow a 5 x 10 trailer, use it for an ATV, stovewood, etc., and probably will eventually get a wider trailer for two ATV's. Two ATV's, thats 'bout 1200 lbs plus trailer weight. Stovewoods heavier obviously.

When is the V6's 245hp 282lb/ft not enough....?

Also like I mentioned, i'm lookin at approx 120 miles/day likely for most of this year doing engineering at a "nearby" jobsite, but that will come back down to say 25-30 miles daily commute when finished.

Bill
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I have towed a 6' x 12' trailer with mine. Approx 3-4000 lbs at 65 mph and got 12-13mpg on about a 100 mile trip. I had no problems accelerating and was able to maintain speed on small grades. It is a little hilly here in Central NC. I have never had a situation where I "needed" more power other than for my own personal satisfaction. Passing power is great. From 55mph you could easily hit 80mph before completing a pass on a 2 lane road.

I have got as good as 23.5 MPG on a 100 plus mile trip. With my 22-23 mile commute in Raleigh, NC I get about 18.5-19mpg.

You will be happy with either choice since either engine will be a big step up in power from your current Taco.
 
For what you described, either engine would do well. If you towed heavier loads, definitely go with the V8. Check out my signature for real word gas mileage with the V6 in daily bumper to bumper traffic.
 
I had the same debate . Both engine's are great IMO . The v8 is much quietier (atleast i thought so ) and smoother. AT only 1 mpg difference and a difference of $6.00 on my payment per month , it ended up to be a no brainer. I went the V8 route.

I stioll need to pick up the new truck but battled with this for quite a while. If there was a 5+ mpg diff. I would have went V6 , but with 1 mpg why bother. I do tow a trailer but nothing the V6 could not handle , just like the grunt and smoothness , quietness of the V8.

I'm also kind of anal in my thought's so I figured out that with me driving 2,200 mile's per month (more than the normal person) @ $2.50 per gallon it would cost me approx $20.00 a month more to drive the V8.....not really a big deal.
 
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Like mentioned above, do a search for gas mileage. The only people who say there is only 1 mpg difference are the owners of a V8 .

Look around the Net at other sites too. I've seen some V8 owners complain that they've never seen anything more than 14 mpg. Some claim much higher. There is also a range for the V6, but nothing close to only 14 mpg.

Your overall needs should determine what you get.
 
JungleJim said:
Like mentioned above, do a search for gas mileage. The only people who say there is only 1 mpg difference are the owners of a V8 .
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And the only people who think it's more than that own a V6.....funny how that works
 
Northof49 said:
And the only people who think it's more than that own a V6.....funny how that works
Click to expand...

Exactly correct !!

When I aked this very same question , EVERYONE here told me that they we pretty close in mpg. Even though both engine's are rated only 1 mpg apart , SO much depend's on your driving habit's , outside condition's , ect.... Even if you have a V6 and are an aggresive driver compared to a normal/average driver in a V8, the V8 will probably get better milage. Same with driving condition's , if you on the highway and buckin a strong head wind with even the lightest trailer or even without the V8 will probably do better. With condition's being decent weather and no or very little head wind, or driving around in the city, the V6 will be favorable.

Both engine's are great in the 4R !! I just loved the V6 power and thought it was plenty adequit for most anything, but went with the V8 for reasn I stated above. Also I plan on putting a 70 series tire on my 4R so I knew I would loose a little power and make the V6 work a little harder so I went the V8 route. IMO you can't go wrong with either engine. They are both great, just make sure your comapring milage of a V6 4x4 and a V8 4x4 or a V6 2x4 or a V8 2x4 ( in other word's apple's to apple's). A 2x4 will alway's get better mpg than a 4x4.

I don't ever recall people complaining about the power of either or wishing the had the V6 or wishing they had the V8.
 
Hank said:
... but there are times when 245HP & 282LB/FT tq isn't enough. ...
Click to expand...

I can imagine that you never lived in Europe. 95% of SUVs there are diesel. 4Runner has a diesel engine, which is, if I'm not mistaken, ~140hp.
 
V8 7,500 miles - 80% highway @67-73mph - 16.8mpg (actual -calculated based on receipts)
Oil Change @5K
 
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sharp, I can't open your file , what on average are you getting with your V6 ?? I think the V6 is a excellent powerplant and has plenty of get up and go.

My mom has a Chevy Trailblazer with a V6 and 4x4 and get's 13.5 with conservative driving....real conservative !!

Seem's like none of these really get great milage it's all what you like I guess. When I was asking this question it seemed everyone was in favor of the V8. I would like top get decent/resonable milage , but I did'nt really buy this to get great fuel economy either. On my V8 4x4 I hope I can average 15-17 I'll be happy with that.

I get 12-13 with my Tahoe right now, 5.3 4x4

Although it will be hard to tell with my 4R because I will be putting Revo's on right away and that will throw the odo. off , so I'll have to find a way to figure it out.
 
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