V6 or V8 AWD - Gas Mileage Sensitive
- Thread starter Markjr
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berettashot117
New member
just lettin you know it's full time 4wd, not awd. and yes the v8 schools the v6
MPG for each is going to vary based on the person you talk to. It's largely dependent on driving style too of course so it's hard to say. I think there's also some variability from V6 to V6 or V8 to V8 because of how well the truck is cared for (plugs, oil, air filter, etc) and mechanical items like O2 sensors.
Having said all that, based on what I can tell, you're looking at about a 3mpg difference between the V6 and V8. I have a V6 and test drove the V8 before buying. It does have a little more torque at low RPM's but the V6 has more torque at high RPM's. They're both good engines. I highly encourage you to drive both and see for yourself which you like better. There are a lot of people that hype up the V8 on this forum and it is a good engine. But so is the V6.
Having said all that, based on what I can tell, you're looking at about a 3mpg difference between the V6 and V8. I have a V6 and test drove the V8 before buying. It does have a little more torque at low RPM's but the V6 has more torque at high RPM's. They're both good engines. I highly encourage you to drive both and see for yourself which you like better. There are a lot of people that hype up the V8 on this forum and it is a good engine. But so is the V6.
Its kind of both right?(I know the door emblem says 4wd). Center diff unlocked is like driving an AWD, center diff locked is like a standard 4wd(only use in slippery places exc.) Some may feel different about the system.
TRDCal
New member
In the sense your speaking, YES its "kind of" both. But technically speaking its a Full-Time 4wd not a AWD...don't belittle your own truck. The reason it's considered and FT 4wd is because of the two speed transfer case. You don't see AWD vehicles with 4X4 LO do you??
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Markjr
New member
Thank you everyone so far for the replies, I tried doing a little searching of my own on the gas mileage difference but wasnt coming up with much on google and this forum. I was probably using the wrong key words (AWD) but if the full time 4WD is very similar to the 3rd gens then I think I would be able to handle that considering I drive a 3rd gen. I am looking for an auto 4th gen and this info helps out a lot. Thanks!
You are going to find a range of claims about gas mileage, but the only true claims are from accurate logging of mileage like I have done. Here is my post. Link I would love to see someone keep records like this for a v6 or even better those that claim 20mpg with a v8 4wd. I don't think people are deceitful with their claims, but it is easy to exaggerate when you are just dividing by miles driven from time to time.
Totally agree about seeing people's fuel logs. OP, you may find this site useful:
Toyota 4Runner MPG Reports | Fuelly
Tons of fuel logs there. I wouldn't pay much attention to those that don't have a log history and make fuel claims.
galactic_04
New member
That's a cool site! I've never seen that before. You can filter by v6 and v8 from data sent in as well. Looks like the V8 usually is getting 16ish while the V6 is seeing 18 from the real-world data.
Yup. They have a mobile version that works really well on the iphone. I'm sure it works well on other smart phones too, just have no personal experience with them.
As of right now there are 609,171 miles tracked on the V6 with an avg mpg of 17.76. And there are 293,999 miles tracked on the V8 with an avg mpg of 15.69. Now, this doesn't allow you to know how well maintained all these vehicles are or how aggressively they're driven. But hopefully over a large sample size those things even themselves out between the two engines.
Also, to take it a step further if you want to calculate average fuel cost per year:
V6 @ 15k miles/year - Fuel cost of 2651.18
V8 @ 15k miles/year - Fuel cost of 3000.96
V6 @ 20k miles/year - Fuel cost of 3534.91
V8 @ 20k miles/year - Fuel cost of 4001.28
That's based on the price I filled up for yesterday - $3.139/gallon for regular 87 octane.
V6 @ 15k miles/year - Fuel cost of 2651.18
V8 @ 15k miles/year - Fuel cost of 3000.96
V6 @ 20k miles/year - Fuel cost of 3534.91
V8 @ 20k miles/year - Fuel cost of 4001.28
That's based on the price I filled up for yesterday - $3.139/gallon for regular 87 octane.
TFJ-4runner
New member
Actually it is AWD until the center differential is locked.
rebelbowtie
New member
Yes you are correct, it use the SAME Torsen T3 AWD differential as Audi uses in their Quattro™ AWD vehicles.
Got this off the 3rd gen buyers guide. Sounds to me like its AWD, until the Center Diff Lock is turned on. I know this is for a 3rd gen w/the multi-mode but the info should still apply to a 4th gen.
"Center diff locker/ Multi-Mode AWD
The Center differential, or transfer case, can also be unlocked/locked. But as we just covered, only ’01-’02 4runners and ’99-’00 limited 4runners had this Multi-mode ability to unlock/lock the center diff.
As discussed earlier, AWD (all wheel drive) is when the front and rear drive-shafts leaving the transfer-case can rotate independent of each other. Think of this as another "open" Diff, but instead of wheels at the end of these drive-shafts (axles), there is just the front or rear diff & axles. AWD is meant for ice covered roads where "true 4x4" should still not be used. True 4x4 is where the center diff is locked like a regular transfer-case always is. With it locked, both front and rear drive-shafts must spin at the same speed. This is bad for on road use becuase when you corner, the front wheels make a larger diameter turn than the rear wheels And that means the rear drive-shaft needs to spin at a different speed to keep pace with the front.. which it cant if the transfer-case is locked."
rebelbowtie
New member
Yes you do see AWD vehicles with 4LO options you prob just haven't owned them.
zstampe
New member
Ha, I should login and drop the v6 average down quite a bit......granted mine is because of my mods and driving 90 percent city.
berettashot117
New member
I'm sorry, you are incorrect. go do a search, if you care enough to do so
