Performance V6 vs V8

[skinny2]

Currently considering a '06-'08 T4R 4x4:

I've seen a lot of threads around about performance but what I haven't found much of (anywhere) is real world performance numbers for the V6. I have the 4.7L in my Tundra and MIL has GX470 so I pretty much know what it's capable of. I put them both in the adequate category for my commute. What I don't know anything about nor can find any reviews/performance specs is the V6. I recall an older article (maybe car and driver) many years ago saying the V6 had very similar performance to the V8. Anyone have any links to real world testing?

I commute 60 miles out some nasty two-laners, run some gravel back roads and also drive mine roads that require 4x4. Really don't need the truck and think the T4R would work great plus I'd like to save some fuel. 30k a year at 15mpg sucks. Even bumping my average to 20mpg will save $100/month in in today's dollars. With the exception of my Tundra, every other vehicle I've owned or currently own will hit the highway EPA on this commute. It's a 60mph road for the most part...some big hills to pull but you also get to coast down the other side. I've never hit hwy mpg with the Tundra, even 100's of miles at 70mph....where most vehicles easily exceed hwy EPA. So I'm shying away from the V8 T4R plus I like the easier maintenance (no timing belt) on the V6.

My main performance goal is passing power. I routinely have to fly around big-rigs in very short passing zones. The Tundra does a pretty good job, the V8 has good acceleration from 45mph+. I've also driven my MIL's GX470 on this route and besides being a wallowing beast (which I don't think is a trait of the T4R) it had similar power and I averaged 18mpg.

The nearest used V6 T4R is over an hour away and it will be awhile before I can get there to look at it. I'm sure the V8 will perform fine, but I'm just curious what others think before I go driving all over creation to try and test drive the V6. Is it even worth my time to check out? Will I be horribly disappointed or does it perform similar to the V8 unloaded/onroad? Keep in mind I will NOT be towing or hauling anything with this, 95% of the miles is just me and a computer bag on board. I won't be jacking it up, putting big tires on it, rock crawling, or anything like that...just a lot of pavement running with some nasty mine roads thrown in for fun.

 

[sheik]

I was slightly worried about the performance of the V6 too on my way to the dealership for my first test drive- mainly because the '01 we had with the V6 was, in a word, gutless. You needed a lot of room to pass on a 2 lane with it. We also had an 03 with the V8 and found it to be a massive improvement.

The first time I drove the V6 I was thoroughly impressed. I drive approximately 20 miles to work one way each day, with the majority of it being on the interstate. When I need to move, it responds. It's not as snappy as the V8 obviously, but for me, I'd rather have the better gas mileage.

I've also have towed our boat (18 foot Lund - approx 1500-2000 lbs) and feel that it performed well.

I say go test drive it, hopefully you'll be surprised like I was. Also, if you get the V6 you won't have to do a timing belt later on.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I was slightly worried about the performance of the V6 too on my way to the dealership for my first test drive- mainly because the '01 we had with the V6 was, in a word, gutless. You needed a lot of room to pass on a 2 lane with it. We also had an 03 with the V8 and found it to be a massive improvement.

The first time I drove the V6 I was thoroughly impressed. I drive approximately 20 miles to work one way each day, with the majority of it being on the interstate. When I need to move, it responds. It's not as snappy as the V8 obviously, but for me, I'd rather have the better gas mileage.

I've also have towed our boat (18 foot Lund - approx 1500-2000 lbs) and feel that it performed well.

I say go test drive it, hopefully you'll be surprised like I was. Also, if you get the V6 you won't have to do a timing belt later on.

That seems to be the general opinion here from what I've seen. They have plenty of pep, much better than the 3rd gen v6 (which I also had previously, the power of the 4th gen is what sold me on them). I say take it for a spin, you shouldn't be disappointed.

 

[MikesToy]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Uneek]

Alternatively, you can test drive a new Tacoma at a near by dealership. My '05 Tacoma PreRunner DoubleCab is about 300lbs lighter than the 4Runner. Acceleration feels very similar, maybe because it's all the junk that I'm hauling in the bed and the SnugTop. The 4x4 Tacoma DC's curb weight is within 100lbs of my 4Runner.

 

[Nuke]

I've owned 2nd gen, 3rd gen and now a 4th get T4R. I towed a bass boat and heavy pop-up camper with all 3.

The 2nd gen had a 3.0L V6 and couldn't get out of it's own way. But it tried hard.

The 3rd gen with it's 3.4L V6 was a vast improvement but still left a little to be desired, especially pulling loads uphill. But it did the job.

The 4th gen with it's 4.0L V6 is a vast improvement over the 3.4L and absolutely blows both my previous T4R's away. I've jumped onto the interstate from an uphill on ramp and into the passing zone on an uphill stretch of crowded highway to pass slower moving vehicles with the boat in tow with ease. Passengers have commented "Are you sure this isn't a V8?"

I have no doubt the V8 is stronger but my V6 has all the power I need. She'll jump out of the right lane at 65-70 MPH and take off. I've had her up to 105 MPH and there was still plenty of headroom. I'm still contemplating the TRD CAI for a few extra ponies but all-in-all the V6 is just fine IMO. If I can keep it cruising at or below 65 MPH I typically get 22-24 MPG hand calculated, pump-to-pump. But my experience with most of todays V6's vs V8's is, if you can keep your foot out of the V6 and cruise in that "sweet spot", the V8's MPG's is near equal to the V6's. I can get 26-27 MPG cruising in my '07 V8 Mustang. The V6 guys with the same or lower gears get maybe 1-2 MPG better.

 

[Thai]

Here are some specs comparison between the V6 and (nonVVTi) V8: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/55223-torque-curve-b-w-v6-vs-v8.html

 

[RIrunner]

I see people mention the maintenance cost IE the timing belt many times. Not just in this thread, but in many of the other comparison threads. This in my opinion is silly.

You are talking about a roughly 300 dollar bill, that needs to be taken care of every 90k miles.

Best bet is to get in both the V6 and V8 runners. See if you actually feel the difference. Then go from there.

This is what I did. Went to the dealer drove an 06 V6 and an 06 V8. The higher price tag ect couldnt keep me from walking out of there with the keys to the V8.

Bought the truck with 50k miles on it. So in 40 K I will do the belt. Then there is a better then even chance I wont have the truck at 180k when it needs its next one lol.

 

[GMZ]

Ive owned 2 identical 4x4 SE 4Runners, a V6 06 and now a V8 07.

With careful driving Im getting 16.5+ mpg (calculated) for a 7 mi one way city commute, I do have to be careful or it will drop off quite a bit. If I put the cruise on the hwy I got about 19.7 calculated on my last trip to Richmond. The V6 had more wiggle room in that regard and I was averaging +2-ish mpg over the V8 in calculated mpg. As far as highway passing if you are alone and the truck is empty the V8's edge is lesser than at around town speeds in my opinion, but if you are filled with people and skiing gear it is nice to have the V8 for sure. On hills the V6 will hunt and downshift much more than the V8 does, and in 2 trips with each 4R to Wintergreen for skiing the mileage was about 1 mpg difference.

 

[skinny2]

Thanks guys. Sounds like I wasn't far off in my memory at least on paper. Reading the torque curve thread was relatively amusing.

For comparison, my VVTi 4.7L V8 Tundra sees redline several times a day. Probably five times this morning as I was running hot. The passing power of this VVti engine is quite impressive. I'm betting that the much lighter T4R will do a good job with the V6 particularly at passing speeds. I just have to make time to get some seat time. I'd like to drive it on my normal commute so I need a good day to take a look. As someone mentioned in one of the other threads, the V8's I'm seeing are priced better than the V6's. But I also like the idea of the 4x4 system in the V6. I'm not sure how close the V8 system is to the Lexus, but my MIL had to have the transfer case rebuilt in her GX470 and that wasn't cheap. And that thing is a complete road queen.

 

[skinny2]

I see people mention the maintenance cost IE the timing belt many times. Not just in this thread, but in many of the other comparison threads. This in my opinion is silly.

You are talking about a roughly 300 dollar bill, that needs to be taken care of every 90k miles.

Best bet is to get in both the V6 and V8 runners. See if you actually feel the difference. Then go from there.

This is what I did. Went to the dealer drove an 06 V6 and an 06 V8. The higher price tag ect couldnt keep me from walking out of there with the keys to the V8.

Bought the truck with 50k miles on it. So in 40 K I will do the belt. Then there is a better then even chance I wont have the truck at 180k when it needs its next one lol.

Not sure where you're seeing $300 for timing belt. Private shop that deals in Toyota is quoting $450 for Tundra, plus $100 for water pump. The two Toyota dealers than I can stomach want $800 including water pump for. No it's not a lot (even if it is every 3 years for me) but it's extra maintenance one way or the other. Plus I don't like the fact that one bad belt or tensioner and your engine goes up in smoke. I had that happen on a V6 Camry. Changed belt (waterpump, tenstioner, etc) at 90k and the new tensioner crapped itself at 110k which was beyond the 12k Toyota warranty on parts. So I had a new boat anchor. Never been a fan of interference engines and given the choice will try to avoid them if there's a real choice.

 

[RIrunner]

Not sure where you're seeing $300 for timing belt. Private shop that deals in Toyota is quoting $450 for Tundra, plus $100 for water pump.

Its funny. It was the opposite for me and I couldnt believe it. The private shops around me quoted exactly 450 and my dealer quoted 300 parts/labor plus tax.

Not sure what the additional cost of the waterpump would be though.

 

[skinny2]

Its funny. It was the opposite for me and I couldnt believe it. The private shops around me quoted exactly 450 and my dealer quoted 300 parts/labor plus tax.

Not sure what the additional cost of the waterpump would be though.

Did you actually get the work done for that price or was it just a quote? Can't imagine a dealer actually working that cheap but I can see one trying to get you in the door.....doubt that included the tensioner or any other easily swappable parts either. The fact they didn't recommend the water pump should tell you something.

 

[HOJeepster]

Once you get use to a V8 you'll never go back to a V6. Power, torque, sound...I love them.

 

[progress4m]

Once you get use to a V8 you'll never go back to a V6. Power, torque, sound...I love them.

X2!. I have a “luxury” of driving V8 4Runner one day and riding in V6 Tacoma every other day: I am carpooling with coworker. Besides the obvious and expected smoothens \ quietness of V8 there is a definitely difference in power. When pushed hard, there is no way V6 can accelerate as fast as V8 does.
When you are not pushing it, V6 does the job it’s just runs on higher RPM and shifts more frequently, vs V8, again as expected.
Please understand I am not trying to put down V6 it is an excellent engine it will do it’s job… but you cannot compare it to V8 especially in the case of Toyota 4.0V6 vs 4.7 V8… Both are modern engines, build by reputable company and using the same technology: V8 by default will be smother and will outperform V6… you can't change the physics.

As far gas mileage with V8 and AWD, I am getting around 18 (17.5- 18.6 calculated) mpg 50% HWY and 50 % city(AT tires, and lifted). Last family vacation (total 3600 miles) to Yellowstone with 80-85 mph driving in Colorado and Wyoming I got over 21 mpg… I believe it was 21.6 to be exact.
So, IMHO go with V8 if you find one and can afford it. If not, as I said before, V6 will do the job.
And just FYI: I used to have 2-nd and 3-rd gen of 4Runners and towed boats and trailers with both of them.

 

[chayos00]

Skinny

I have the V6 and I drive aggresively. I can tell you everyday on my way to work I head uphill for 5 miles of the drive, I usually pass someone along the way. The stout of the V6 is plenty for passing those vehicles. I would get about 19.5 to 21 mpg. Obviously the harder I pushed it the worse the mileage, but lately I've tried to maintain driving "gentler" ie slower acceleration not granny style but not stoplight racing style. So with that change I've gotten on average of 23.5 to 23.9mpg calculated, the trip computer says like 25-27 mpg.

Remember if you want better MPG's obviously smaller displacement will always help to keep the green in your pocket more. But the V6 is strong too!

 

[liqourish]

i get 18-19.9 mpg either way pushing agressivley or lightly ever since i installed headers. my mpg on computer actually says 21.2(calculate manually got 18.9). the v6 is pretty fast. i counted about 7 seconds and im already at 60. Hwy passing in final gear is also pretty fast, (faster if u punch it, i dont feel the need to work the engine at such speeds). v6 should be good competive to the v8 at hwy speeds after you tear out the hydrocarbon filter :surfer:

 

[skinny2]

Heading out to test drive today. Found a couple that interest me and I can drive the V6 and V8 back to back. Going to try and do some 0-60 and 40mph+ passing times while I'm at it and compare to my Tundra which can get the job done on my route. Stay tuned.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

That's great, good luck with your search!

 

[charlier180]

Personally, when it comes to the V6 vs V8 debate I believe it comes down to one's own needs. When I was new vehicle shopping I looked at the Tundra with the V8 to serve my upcoming towing needs. Took a test drive in a Tundra and did not care for the bouncy ride on the interstate while not towing with an empty bed. Then I happened by the 4Runners on the lot and saw Toyota added a V8 option in the 4th generation. The rest is history.
For me the V8 serves my needs of towing, ride, AWD and it gives me MPG I can live with. If I did not have the need to tow, the V6 might be an option for me. Unfortunately, because of my towing needs, the V6 (in the 5th gen) will never, ever, be an option for me since the tow rating is only 5K lbs.

Hopefully, Toyota will add a V8 option to the 5th or 6th generation 4Runner.
If not, Toyota will lose me as a customer which would be too bad.