Poor V8 fuel economy caused by Awd?

[Offroader]

Could it be possible that the poor fuel economy on the V8 4Runner be caused by the Permanent 4WD (Awd) instead of the larger engine itself?

I ask this because the V8 BMW X5 has better fuel economy than the V6 version.

 

[Koz]

The Toyota V8 is actually in the top of its class as far as gas mileage, take a look at all the other V8 SUVs, they are all pretty close. Also the V6 is approx. 1 mpg better. This type of vehicle is NOT good on gas, period. Either except that or get a different vehicle.

Koz

 

[Offroader]

This type of vehicle is NOT good on gas, period.

Koz

Yes, but what I mean is that this poor fuel economy could be caused by the fact that all 4 wheels are being powered constantly, need it or not, and not by the fact that it has 8 cylinders instead of 6.

For example, the non-U.S. available Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Lexus GX470) is powered by the same 3.0 Intercooled TurboDiesel as my 4Runner, but gets worse fuel economy partly because of its permanent 4WD, but also because it's 583 pounds heavier.

 

[DaveS]

4wd does eat into fuel economy - anybody who has a v6 and switches between 2wd and 4wd will confirm it - if the v6 had been available with 5speed when I bought mine I would have seriously considered it because of the option to switch to 2wd on dry roads in the summer.

 

[sharp4runr]

Oh for sure the fulltime 4WD adds to the decreased gas mileage. When I drive constantly in 2WD, and then go into 4WD because of snow or inclement weather for long periods it shows at the pump.

 

[Northof49]

Considering the V8 is .7 L larger than the V6, AND is in AWD constantly, yet only gets 1 or 2 mpg worse (if that) in most cases, I'd say it's not hurting it a whole lot.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: My V8 4rth gen in AWD consistantly gets equal or better mileage than my 3rd gen 184hp V6 in 2wd EVER did.

Whilst it will certainly never be mistaken for a Prius, I am happy with its mileage considering the class of vehicle.

 

[cmj685]

Can anyone tell us what mileage the V8 actually gets? I am in the process of trying to decide between the 2005 8 and 6 and all I can find on the 8 is that the mileage is "TBD"--that's not too helpful! Mileage won't make the only difference but it will be one of several important things. I drove the Pathfinder too and noted its mileage is said to be 15/21--about two MPG less than the v6 around town and about the same on the highway. It would be great to compare the 4Runner v8!

 

[Mark86]

Just to note, the V6 X5 has the same AWD system as the V8 X5. So that is not a factor in the MPG. I think one of the reasons that the V8 X5 gets better gas mileage is because it doesn't strain and runs at a lower RPM while cruising. I have driven both, and the V6 goes up to 5,000-7,000 RPM when going up even a short hill. It cruises at a much higher RPM than the V8 X5 on highway driving. In addition, the new V8 (2004 and up models) has this new thing called Valvetronic . Don't know how it specifically works, but I have heard that it gives you better gas mileage. I don't think the V6 has this.

 

[Offroader]

Just to note, the V6 X5 has the same AWD system as the V8 X5. So that is not a factor in the MPG. I think one of the reasons that the V8 X5 gets better gas mileage is because it doesn't strain and runs at a lower RPM while cruising. I have driven both, and the V6 goes up to 5,000-7,000 RPM when going up even a short hill. It cruises at a much higher RPM than the V8 X5 on highway driving. In addition, the new V8 (2004 and up models) has this new thing called Valvetronic . Don't know how it specifically works, but I have heard that it gives you better gas mileage. I don't think the V6 has this.

Exactly, this is what I mean. The V8 T4R needs to make a lesser effort and works in lower RPMs, thus consuming less fuel than the V6.

 

[TranceKrayz]

the v6 4runner produces a sufficient amount of power with it's 4.0 245hp/282lb-ft engine. That is why it still consumes less gas than the V8 4runner.

The x5 on the other hand. Its little 3.0 only makes 225hp. Torque is not even listed on the BMW website... To me...that's not enough power to haul the weight of an SUV and probably explains why it gets less mpg than the 4.4. 0-60 in that is 7.8s but i bet the revs are high.

 

[Guest]

Mark 86: I agree with you. I just read an article that said eventhough the v6 makes 10hp more it dosen't really matter in the grand scope of thing because the v8 dosen't have to work as hard. Thus, the V8 will last longer and not have as much wear on it as the v6. Thus, will be worth a lot more in the future. Especially, considering the weight of the 4runner. If you are worried about gas mileage don't get an SUV, period. Maybe, a hybrid is what you are looking for. Get yourself a nice minivan. lol.
I think it is quite funny that people who have enough money to buy a brand new vehicle worry that much about 1-2 mpg. Without, question the V8 is the way to go. Believe me (maybe I have little man syndrome) when I gun it and blow those cheap mustangs and camaros of the line at lights it is quite a feeling. lol. That huge torque of the V8 and the all wheel drive allow you to get off the line quick. I know it is not a sports car. But every once in a while I have to flex the V8 muscle. hahaha

 

[Hitman]

Exactly, this is what I mean. The V8 T4R needs to make a lesser effort and works in lower RPMs, thus consuming less fuel than the V6.

Hahahaha... if that theory was true, then we'd all be driving around with monster big blocks and getting 50 mpg.

There's no doubt that the permanent 4WD sacrifices some fuel economy. But if you wanted to make a true comparison of the difference between the V6 and V8 engines, the best way would be to use 2 wheel drive models to eliminate the permanent 4wd/selectable 4wd differences.

 

[Hitman]

Mark 86: I agree with you. I just read an article that said eventhough the v6 makes 10hp more it dosen't really matter in the grand scope of thing because the v8 dosen't have to work as hard. Thus, the V8 will last longer and not have as much wear on it as the v6. Thus, will be worth a lot more in the future. Especially, considering the weight of the 4runner. If you are worried about gas mileage don't get an SUV, period. Maybe, a hybrid is what you are looking for. Get yourself a nice minivan. lol.
I think it is quite funny that people who have enough money to buy a brand new vehicle worry that much about 1-2 mpg. Without, question the V8 is the way to go. Believe me (maybe I have little man syndrome) when I gun it and blow those cheap mustangs and camaros of the line at lights it is quite a feeling. lol. That huge torque of the V8 and the all wheel drive allow you to get off the line quick. I know it is not a sports car. But every once in a while I have to flex the V8 muscle. hahaha

Where did you read this article?

I'd like to see how they came up with the idea that one engine will last longer than another simply because of two more cylinders??

As for how much it will be worth, well, with gas prices expected to rise to all-time highs, I'd bet that the V6 models will be more sought after by potential buyers.

Most people who chose the V6 did not base their decision on 1 or 2 MPG. I chose the V6 for other reasons, such as the selectable 4wd, and the fact that the V6 has more HP than the V8 (not true for the '05 models anymore). The fact that the V6 engine costs less and gets better fuel economy was just an added plus.

 

[Koz]

I think the reduced mileage (comparing the V8 & 6) is not so much the full time 4wd but the added weight. Think about it, there's only 1 to 2 mpg difference between the V6 and the V8. Yet the V6 can use 2wd. The V6 still has the same drive train (weight) as the V8, the only difference is a couple hundred pounds because of the engine. As far as 4wd itself, yes the added weight and having to power the extra drive train components does reduce mileage. That's why most all SUVs suck gas.

Koz

 

[Guest]

I read the article before I bought my 4runner a year and half ago. I will try to find it. I was stumped as to how the v6 could make more horse power than a V8. So I started thinking "hell I will just save the money and buy a v6. Well, I did a lot of investigating. I read everything there was too read about the 4runner. Time and Time again articles would say it, don't let the horsepower numbers fool you. The V8 dosen't work as hard saving engine wear. Especially with the added 500 pounds of the new 4runner. It totally made sense to me. That is why I went with the V8.

Hitman so what you are saying is that if I swapped engines and put my wifes 4banger from her pontiac grand am(POS) in my 4runner it would run just as good and hell I would get better gas mileage? I know it is a pontiac engine but let's say it is a toyota engine. Come one now. You act like 2 more cylinders is nothing. I am no math genius but this like having 25% more engine?

I equate this debate to penis size. IF you have a v6 you will make reason as to why it is better. ie:it is not size that matters it is how you use it, it is not the size of the boat but the motion of the ocean. The big penis brothers know what we have. We don't need to come up with reasons because we know what we got.

 

[arra]

The 05 V6 with the 5 speed trans. or the 05 V8 with the increase in hp was the hardest decision I had to make when purchasing my 05 V6 SR5. I personally do not feel the V6 engine is working very hard at getting off the line at all. So the discussion of the V6 having to work harder than the V8, I just don't see it. They are both plenty powerful enough. Now, want to really start something here? I wonder just how much quicker the 05 V8 really is off the line than the 5 speed V6 in 0 to 60. If we're only talking a second or two and with gas prices going through the roof, what is really the smart thing to do. On the other hand though, I don't really believe I'm getting that much better MPG than a new V8. I only average 17 or 18. A lot of city driving, but last week I paid $48.00 to fill er up. I have never paid that much to fill up a tank of gas. I use 87 octane. You can't argue using a V8 for towing heavy loads is the way to go, but 99% of all the 4R's out there are used for everyday driving. Just my humble opinion. This is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned and I have had 2 corvettes, camaro, blazer (4WD), vega, corvair -- that's right, a corvair, oldsmobile 98. The 4R is tops in my book with either a V6 or V8.

 

[Hitman]

I read the article before I bought my 4runner a year and half ago. I will try to find it. I was stumped as to how the v6 could make more horse power than a V8.

Up until the '05 models, the V6 engine packed more technology into it's engine. The V8 was still old school technology. That's why the V6 make more HP than the V8


Hitman so what you are saying is that if I swapped engines and put my wifes 4banger from her pontiac grand am(POS) in my 4runner it would run just as good and hell I would get better gas mileage? I know it is a pontiac engine but let's say it is a toyota engine. Come one now. You act like 2 more cylinders is nothing. I am no math genius but this like having 25% more engine?

Actually, it's not like having 25% more engine. If you want to compare engine size, then don't use the number of cylinders, look at the displacement. The 8 cylinder engine is only about 14% bigger than the 6 cylinder engine. Either engine is likely to last a long, long time. If you think that only the V8 engines will last in a 4Runner, you're living in a dream world. Don't believe everything you read in an article...... the V6 engine does not struggle to move the 4Runner around.

I equate this debate to penis size. IF you have a v6 you will make reason as to why it is better. ie:it is not size that matters it is how you use it, it is not the size of the boat but the motion of the ocean. The big penis brothers know what we have. We don't need to come up with reasons because we know what we got.

Hey, don't blame me if you have penis size issues...

I already explained why I chose the V6:

More horsepower
Selectable 4WD
Less expensive to buy and maintain
Better at the gas pumps

No need to make excuses.... the facts are clearly in favor of the V6 engine for me. If I towed a horse trailer around on a regular basis, I probably would have gone with the V8. But I don't, so I didn't

 

[Koz]

arra,

If you line up an 05 V6 and V8 you will only see several tenths of a second difference, 1 or 2 seconds would be like adding major power (blower).

Koz

 

[bulldog-yota]

Can anyone tell us what mileage the V8 actually gets? I am in the process of trying to decide between the 2005 8 and 6 and all I can find on the 8 is that the mileage is "TBD"--that's not too helpful! Mileage won't make the only difference but it will be one of several important things. I drove the Pathfinder too and noted its mileage is said to be 15/21--about two MPG less than the v6 around town and about the same on the highway. It would be great to compare the 4Runner v8!

Search for two polls that was done on this board, one for V6s and one for V8s. That will give you a good indication of what normal people get from their 4Runners. Please ignore some of the wide out values. Not sure if peopl made a mitake when they voted or that they just have specil 4Runners.

 

[bulldog-yota]

Both the V6 and V8 are fine engines, each with its own merits.

If I wanted lots of HP, fast track times, low fuel consumption I would have bought a Subi or similar vehicle. Instead I wanted an SUV to haul stuff around in and go offroad. That implies hauling an extra 400-500 in armour alone in the future, add bigger tires and you quickly get the picture. The v6 was only offered with a 4spd and after looking into the gear ratios I knew it will not suite my purpose as good as an V8 would.

Now we move forward to 05, where both the V8 and v6 gets a good upgrade over their older sibblings. 5spd for the v6 and VVT for the v8. They both will still suck fuel, so make no mistake. SO if you dont like a gass guzzler get a Prius. If a v6 is fine for you get it, but if you like to take 4 buddies and cargo or a family (I'm not talking about towing), you will quickly notice 50lb-ft with a SUV carrying a 1000 or so. For offroad I would alwasy recommend the biggest engine you can find, once you add all the wight, lifted suspension and big wheels, you need all the TQ you can get your hands on.

I think people quickly forget how spoiled we are with the new V6 and V8 compared to other options. Just for an FYI the v6 in the 4Runner produces better TQ (TQ cruve as well) and HP than the V8 Explorer.