Let us know what you think!
Performance V6 vs V8
- Thread starter skinny2
- Start date
Well I drove three T4R's yesterday. Two V6 and one V8, all certified 2008 models with 28k-40k miles. V6 #1 had a problem right out of the gate. Only put a couple miles on it when a bunch of dash lights come on (check engine, VSC off, trac off, low tire). No idea what that meant but I took it back.
Then drove the V6 and V8 along an approx. 15 mile route and did some performance testing using the stopwatch app on my blackberry. Afterward, I also took my Tundra on the same route and tested it as well for comparison purposes. All numbers are simply hitting the stopwatch start button at the same time as hitting the go-pedal with transmissions in normal auto mode. No anticipating by downshifting etc, just real-world worst-case driving. It's not scientific so I'm sure there could be a couple tenths error in either direction, but good enough just for my comparison purposes.
'08 SR5 V6 32k miles:
0-60 = 9.1 seconds
45-70 = 6.1 seconds
65-80 = 5.6 seconds
'08 SR5 V8 40k miles
0-60 = 8.2 seconds
45-70 = 6.5 seconds
65-80 = 5.4 seconds
'05 Tundra DC 4x4
0-60 = 8.5 seconds
45-70 = 6.8 seconds
65-80 = 5.5 seconds
So a couple performance surprises: #1 I thought the V8 would be significantly quicker than my 700# heavier truck. Perhaps mine is broken in more with the higher miles. #2 The V6 was the quickest in the passing speeds that are most important to me. #3 While it doesn't show in the numbers, the V6 really starts to wheeze at 75mph.
So performance wise, I have no doubt the V6 would be more than adequate for my driving. I can get around the big-rigs just as well or better than my Tundra, the handling felt similar to my Tundra (good) and the ride was better on both T4R's compared to Tundra (as expected).
So which did I buy? None. I posted the above as a followup and reference for the future curious. I was quite surprised by a few negatives that rule out the T4R for me. I'm not here to brow-beat on an enthusiast site so I'll just list my biggest problem which is highly subjective: seat comfort. I have back and knee issues which complicates things, but overall there is no way I could sit there for two hours every day. I'm not a little dude and between the very short seat bottom and limited head room...i was never able to get the seat in a spot I could live with. Didn't expect there to be that much difference in the T4R and the GX470 but there really is, particularly in the seat/comfort area. If a GX470 had decent handling.....that might be my ticket.
Then drove the V6 and V8 along an approx. 15 mile route and did some performance testing using the stopwatch app on my blackberry. Afterward, I also took my Tundra on the same route and tested it as well for comparison purposes. All numbers are simply hitting the stopwatch start button at the same time as hitting the go-pedal with transmissions in normal auto mode. No anticipating by downshifting etc, just real-world worst-case driving. It's not scientific so I'm sure there could be a couple tenths error in either direction, but good enough just for my comparison purposes.
'08 SR5 V6 32k miles:
0-60 = 9.1 seconds
45-70 = 6.1 seconds
65-80 = 5.6 seconds
'08 SR5 V8 40k miles
0-60 = 8.2 seconds
45-70 = 6.5 seconds
65-80 = 5.4 seconds
'05 Tundra DC 4x4
0-60 = 8.5 seconds
45-70 = 6.8 seconds
65-80 = 5.5 seconds
So a couple performance surprises: #1 I thought the V8 would be significantly quicker than my 700# heavier truck. Perhaps mine is broken in more with the higher miles. #2 The V6 was the quickest in the passing speeds that are most important to me. #3 While it doesn't show in the numbers, the V6 really starts to wheeze at 75mph.
So performance wise, I have no doubt the V6 would be more than adequate for my driving. I can get around the big-rigs just as well or better than my Tundra, the handling felt similar to my Tundra (good) and the ride was better on both T4R's compared to Tundra (as expected).
So which did I buy? None. I posted the above as a followup and reference for the future curious. I was quite surprised by a few negatives that rule out the T4R for me. I'm not here to brow-beat on an enthusiast site so I'll just list my biggest problem which is highly subjective: seat comfort. I have back and knee issues which complicates things, but overall there is no way I could sit there for two hours every day. I'm not a little dude and between the very short seat bottom and limited head room...i was never able to get the seat in a spot I could live with. Didn't expect there to be that much difference in the T4R and the GX470 but there really is, particularly in the seat/comfort area. If a GX470 had decent handling.....that might be my ticket.
Last edited:
The subjective is as important to the buyer as the objective. After all, why would you buy a vehicle that you are uncomfortable in?
Thanks for posting the results of the test drives!
Sporin
New member
headroom is by biggest issue as well. I'm not even that tall, but I am a big guy and I have just enough to be comfortable.... it has taken some getting used to for sure. I wouldn't blame anyone for nixing the 4R for this reason, it gave me serious pause.
The GX has a significantly higher roof and supposedly a lot more headroom, though the on-paper-specs are nearly identical: 4R headroom = 39.7 in. GX headroom = 40.2 in. (via Edmunds)
As for performance, I never drove a V6.. I took a V8 out (used, '06, 40k miles, great shape) and the powertrain just blew me away. With the full time 4WD and all that torque the truck just gets up and goes so effortlessly. I plan to be towing as well so the V8 just made sense for me.
The GX has a significantly higher roof and supposedly a lot more headroom, though the on-paper-specs are nearly identical: 4R headroom = 39.7 in. GX headroom = 40.2 in. (via Edmunds)
As for performance, I never drove a V6.. I took a V8 out (used, '06, 40k miles, great shape) and the powertrain just blew me away. With the full time 4WD and all that torque the truck just gets up and goes so effortlessly. I plan to be towing as well so the V8 just made sense for me.
Last edited:
Different gear ratios.
eskimochaos
Banned
Get a GX with KDSS. It handles like its on rails.
JB.
New member
Thanks for posting back. Very Interesting.
I'm trying to make sense of this. I'm guessing that the V8 is downshifting from 5th but the V6 is downshifting from 4th, so the V8 suffers more shift delay.
They both would have been in 5th gear at that speed. I basically coasted down to 45mph and punched it. They all felt like they downshifted similarly. I think the V6 just revs a little quicker and that's where it makes very good power. The V8 is certainly quicker right off the line. The 6 feels a bit sluggish to 25-30mph and then takes off.
FWIW I would have bought the V6 not just for the power, but I also prefer the selectable 4wd.
Good point. Tundra has 3.92. Anyone know what the 4Runner has and are the different between V6 and V8? Just curious I guess.
I would prefer my tundra had 3.73's for a little better mileage. My previous Chevy 5.3L with 3.73's destroyed my Tundra in mpg.
Inlaw's GX has KDSS and it feels about like my wifes Honda Odyssey i.e like a boat. It wallows about way too much for me, even with the suspension in full sport mode. BTW, whoever said the Honda Odyssey was the BMW of minivans was hitting the crack pipe.
JB.
New member
Perhaps, but the explanation has to lie in gearing/shifting, not the engine.
Last edited:
ALLEGRO
New member
Sporin
New member
do the transmissions have the same ratios?
eskimochaos
Banned
yea trans is exact same on 05+v6 and 03+v8.
According to this dealer website, they do:
2009 Toyota 4Runner 4WD 4dr V8 Limited (Natl) | Los Angeles Toyota Dealer | Toyota Dealer Los Angeles | Keyes Toyota | Toyota Van Nuys | Van Nuys Toyota | Toyota Dealer Van Nuys | Van Nuys Toyota Dealer
2009 Toyota 4Runner 4WD 4dr V6 Limited (Natl) | Los Angeles Toyota Dealer | Toyota Dealer Los Angeles | Keyes Toyota | Toyota Van Nuys | Van Nuys Toyota | Toyota Dealer Van Nuys | Van Nuys Toyota Dealer
Results from site, identical for 2009 V6 and V8 4Runner:
Drivetrain: 4-Wheel Drive
Trans Type: 5
Trans Description Cont.: Automatic w/OD
First Gear Ratio
1): 3.52 Second Gear Ratio
1): 2.04 Third Gear Ratio
1): 1.40 Fourth Gear Rato
1): 1.00 Fifth Gear Ratio
1): 0.72 Reverse Ratio
1): 3.22 Final Drive Axle Ratio
1): 3.73 Transfer Case Gear Ratio
1)| High: 1.00 Transfer Case Gear Ratio
1)| Low: 2.57I've seen all the comparative performance 'charts' here in the forum for years between the V6 and the V8.
The V6 is a good engine but after driving it for many miles, and while it gets a little better mileage, I decided on the V8.
The V8 is simply a more powerful/torque engine than the V6, pulls with power, is very quick not only off the line but while accelerating in passing mode, is much quieter and most of all, it especially does NOT work as hard while driving over the passes of Colorado.
Going up say Loveland Pass, while driving a V6, the engine had to really work much harder than the V8 and you could definitely HEAR it work harder. This is to be expected of course.
If one is driving the flats on a commute, I think the V6 would be more than appropriate. But if you're loading up the vehicle like many of us do or pulling a load like many of us do, and when running through the mountains, then the V8 makes more sense (at least to someone like me).
V6's are fine and Toyota has almost always made 'em very good. I also like the part/full time mode with the V6 in the 4th generation 4Runner... a lot. In fact, I wish I had the option of partime on my 2007 V8 4Runner.
Both are good engines... I just can't see how many who have a V6 say 'it's just as or almost as powerful as the V8'. That ain't so IMHO based on driving them both a lot.
:
The V6 is a good engine but after driving it for many miles, and while it gets a little better mileage, I decided on the V8.
The V8 is simply a more powerful/torque engine than the V6, pulls with power, is very quick not only off the line but while accelerating in passing mode, is much quieter and most of all, it especially does NOT work as hard while driving over the passes of Colorado.
Going up say Loveland Pass, while driving a V6, the engine had to really work much harder than the V8 and you could definitely HEAR it work harder. This is to be expected of course.
If one is driving the flats on a commute, I think the V6 would be more than appropriate. But if you're loading up the vehicle like many of us do or pulling a load like many of us do, and when running through the mountains, then the V8 makes more sense (at least to someone like me).
V6's are fine and Toyota has almost always made 'em very good. I also like the part/full time mode with the V6 in the 4th generation 4Runner... a lot. In fact, I wish I had the option of partime on my 2007 V8 4Runner.
Both are good engines... I just can't see how many who have a V6 say 'it's just as or almost as powerful as the V8'. That ain't so IMHO based on driving them both a lot.
:At high altitude and pulling the rockies....no doubt the V8 will feel stronger. I've run US70 across Colorado with my Dodge pulling 15,000# and there are some stretches that will separate the men from the boys for sure. But again, right tool for the job is what I'm looking for.
Does the Limited have the same seats as the SR5 (with the exception of the leather covers of course). I can't really tell by looking at pictures.
Does the Limited have the same seats as the SR5 (with the exception of the leather covers of course). I can't really tell by looking at pictures.
Will_4R
Member
Maybe they are thinking of the early 4th gen models. The 03 and 04 V6 was slightly more powerful (but less torque) than the V8.
I have not driven the V8 so I can't comment on it, but my interpretation of reviews stating the the V8 doesn't feel more powerful than the V6 is that these people are basing it on regualr street driving. Not heavy loads or steep hills at altitude. I certainly must say the V6 undre normal conditions is more than I need. I never floor it or have to push it hard. Maybe the V8 does better off the line, but I personally don't miss it because I never drive that way. I do drive a loaded (close to GVM) in the mountains and am able to accelerate and pass big rigs going up hill on the highway. I am sure the V8 is better (especially the newer one with VVTi), but neverthessless, V6 gets the job done quickly.
ALLEGRO
New member
I do want to add that I appreciate the comparisons of the two engines. They are both good, work well, and perform accordingly.
My decision, however, was easy. I pull a 5000lb boat, and the V8 had the tow-rating that met this challenge. It was not an option to get the V6, even though I drive 99% of the time without the boat.
My overview is just this. The V8 is very refined, revs well and yet has gobs of torque low in the tach. It is resonalbly efficient given the vehicle's weight and is a quiet and smoothe power-plant. There is little difference in the fuel economy or horsepower ratings. Where the torque comes on seems to be the only real difference.
I say enjoy, and let the rest of it go. We have great vehicles and we should all just drive them and measure it all in "smiles per gallon."
My decision, however, was easy. I pull a 5000lb boat, and the V8 had the tow-rating that met this challenge. It was not an option to get the V6, even though I drive 99% of the time without the boat.
My overview is just this. The V8 is very refined, revs well and yet has gobs of torque low in the tach. It is resonalbly efficient given the vehicle's weight and is a quiet and smoothe power-plant. There is little difference in the fuel economy or horsepower ratings. Where the torque comes on seems to be the only real difference.
I say enjoy, and let the rest of it go. We have great vehicles and we should all just drive them and measure it all in "smiles per gallon."
truckmike26
New member
Car and Driver uses more accurate acceleration methods/measuring equipment and uses corrections for different test conditions to try to get as close to an apples-to-apples comparason as possible.
In the past seven years testing Toyota's smaller 4x4 trucks, V6 Access/Double Cab Tacomas do 0-60 MPH in the high-sixes, low sevens. V6 FJ Cruisers do 0-60 in the low-to-mid sevens. V8 full-time 4x4 4Runners do 0-60 about the same or a bit slower than the FJ Cruiser.
Access/Double Cab Tacomas weigh in at 4100-4200 lbs.
FJ Cruisers weigh more at 4350 lbs and are aerodynamically worse, explaining the half-second increase from 0-60.
Fourth-gen. V8 4Runners are 4450 lbs. are about the same as or slower than the V6 FJ Cruiser, despite the V8. Blame more weight from the iron-block V8 and drag from the full-time transfer case.
So, what should a 4200-lb. base SR5 4x4 V6 4Runner do, 0-60, being 250 lbs. lighter than the V8 4Runner and aerodynamically similar to the Tacoma (maybe even a bit more aerodyamic)?
It should be at least as fast 0-60 as a Double Cab Tacoma, no? 0-60 in about 7 seconds?
I've seen some YouTube videos but those aren't very accurate.
In the past seven years testing Toyota's smaller 4x4 trucks, V6 Access/Double Cab Tacomas do 0-60 MPH in the high-sixes, low sevens. V6 FJ Cruisers do 0-60 in the low-to-mid sevens. V8 full-time 4x4 4Runners do 0-60 about the same or a bit slower than the FJ Cruiser.
Access/Double Cab Tacomas weigh in at 4100-4200 lbs.
FJ Cruisers weigh more at 4350 lbs and are aerodynamically worse, explaining the half-second increase from 0-60.
Fourth-gen. V8 4Runners are 4450 lbs. are about the same as or slower than the V6 FJ Cruiser, despite the V8. Blame more weight from the iron-block V8 and drag from the full-time transfer case.
So, what should a 4200-lb. base SR5 4x4 V6 4Runner do, 0-60, being 250 lbs. lighter than the V8 4Runner and aerodynamically similar to the Tacoma (maybe even a bit more aerodyamic)?
It should be at least as fast 0-60 as a Double Cab Tacoma, no? 0-60 in about 7 seconds?
I've seen some YouTube videos but those aren't very accurate.
