Performance V6 vs V8

truckmike26 said:
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.
Click to expand...

THis thread is over a year old.

Awesome.

V6's in just under 8 seconds and V8's in just under 7 although times vary from magazine.
 
sheik said:
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.
Click to expand...

It responds even better when switched to 4WD mode.
 
Interesting. Do V6 auto 4Runners have 3.73 gears and V6 auto FJ Cruisers and Tacomas have 4.10 gears?

The question is:

Why are V6 Tacomas and FJ Cruisers as fast as (or faster than) V8 4Runners?

Shouldn't V6 4Runners be as fast as (or faster than) V8 4Runners?
 
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truckmike26 said:
Interesting. Do V6 auto 4Runners have 3.73 gears and V6 auto FJ Cruisers and Tacomas have 4.10 gears?

The question is:

Why are V6 Tacomas and FJ Cruisers as fast as (or faster than) V8 4Runners?

Shouldn't V6 4Runners be as fast as (or faster than) V8 4Runners?
Click to expand...

How could something with less torque and hp be faster that something equivalent with more hp and torque?

Wishful thinking I suppose
 
This was an interesting and informative thread. And one I somehow never came across in my multitude of thread searches a couple months back when I was debating the V6 and V8.

Just like everyone else said, it really comes down to simply each persons individual needs, wants, and finances, IMHO. I tried the V6 and was also very surprised at the power and if I didn't tow, I'm quite sure I would have bought a V6 for the better fuel mileage.

But for towing purposes, even though I don’t tow 99% of the time, I simply wanted to have the higher torque for those several times that I do so a much easier decision. From the many different posts I've read on here, many have picked the V8 over the V6 simply for the extra HP, smoothness and "balls" for lack of a better word, but gas mileage wasn't a concern for them.

Then there are many that have the V6 and love it because it does everything they need it to and it gives them the better fuel mileage. It would have suited my everyday use very well.
 
No gripes on the V6's power or its ability to pass even after the lift and tires. Towing isnt too bad either though it does tend to hunt even on slight inclines and with any kind of headwind. I might have been tempted by the V8 but I was more interested in the TE package. My truck rarely sees north of 3k rpm so take that for what its worth.
 
Synister said:
No gripes on the V6's power or its ability to pass even after the lift and tires. Towing isnt too bad either though it does tend to hunt even on slight inclines and with any kind of headwind. I might have been tempted by the V8 but I was more interested in the TE package. My truck rarely sees north of 3k rpm so take that for what its worth.
Click to expand...

I thought Toyota did away with the V8 for the 5th generation.
 
eskimochaos said:
How could something with less torque and hp be faster that something equivalent with more hp and torque?

Wishful thinking I suppose
Click to expand...

Less weight. Better aerodynamics. More torque and horsepower is cancelled by more weight and more drag. It's simple high-school-level physics. It's hard to find a way to make it more simpler than that.
 
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truckmike26 said:
Less weight. Better aerodynamics. More torque and horsepower is cancelled by more weight and more drag. It's simple high-school-level physics. It's hard to find a way to make it more simpler than that.
Click to expand...

The V6 has better aerodynamics? Please inform me.

Im a mech engineer btw and what your saying is ridiculous.
 
eskimochaos said:
How could something with less torque and hp be faster that something equivalent with more hp and torque?

Wishful thinking I suppose
Click to expand...

ABQ said:
A. Most kids don't take physics in high school.
2. You should be ashamed of your grade-school-level grammar mistake. :naughty:
Click to expand...

A. Really?

2. My bad.

III. Maybe an engineer can explain why 1GRE-FE-equipped FJ Cruisers and Tacomas -- the same driveline as V6 4Runners -- are as fast or faster than V8 4Runners based on published test results from automotive periodicals from the last seven years.
 
truckmike26 said:
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.
Click to expand...

Any links? This is the one I'm aware of that put the '05 V8 at 7.2

It can be found in the powertrain pdf chart.

2005 Toyota 4Runner 4WD Sport Edition3 - Car and Driver
 
truckmike26 said:
A. Really?

2. My bad.

III. Maybe an engineer can explain why 1GRE-FE-equipped FJ Cruisers and Tacomas -- the same driveline as V6 4Runners -- are as fast or faster than V8 4Runners based on published test results from automotive periodicals from the last seven years.
Click to expand...

As I said earlier, it's probably less weight. Tacomas are clearly lighter than 4Runners, both V6 and V8, although, less weight also means less traction.

Many factors come into play.
 
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