V6 vs. V8 gas mileage

[jbmccul]

I've been shopping around for a 4runner and have found two I like within my price range, one is a 06 SE V6 with 50K miles and the other is a 07 SE V8 with 65K miles. When I started shopping i was dead set on the V6 for better fuel economy, but if its not to big of a hit in the MPG's a V8 might be the way to go. What kind of mileage are you getting with your V6's and V8's?

 

[MICA4R]

Idead set on the V6 for better fuel economy

jb, i get 22.5-23.4 paper and pencil calculation in good weather. that's unheard of with a V8.

 

[hgill]

not trying to be rude, but there are countless threads already on here discussing the very issue. I personally had the same debate when i bought my V8. Even if you google, 4Runner.org V8 vs. V6 epa, you'll get countless threads. heres one discussing the very issue. For me I felt the V8 was a better option and I get about 15mpg in the city and about 20hwy cruising at about 70. There are a few key differences in the both models, so figure out which one you like better. I bought the V8 cause its full time 4WD, its quieter and I really just wanted a V8. 0 to 60, not much difference between the two.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/8506-v8-mpg.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/3083-4th-genners-v6-v8-mpgs.html

 

[Doozi]

Well... you're probably going to get two pools of answers... one from the V6-crowd and one from the V8-crowd. I think that I've seen the mileage difference somewhere between 4-6mpg. If you're going to be doing consistent, heavy towing get the V8. Aside from that, I think that it comes down to personal preference... V8 or V6, the V6 can run in 2WD while the V8 (at least the vast majority) are AWD only, and I'm sure that you'll hear things like the V8 has a timing belt while the V6 has a chain, the V8 has piston-slap, the V6 has plastic in it, and on and on. The V8 is one silky-smooth engine, but the V6 is pretty nice, too. I live at 6500' elevation (~19% less HP than sea level) and think the V6 is plenty... it must be awesome at sea level and the V8 has to be wicked!

My recommendation, if it means anything, based on what I have, would be to get the V6 unless you need the V8 for towing/hauling or just gotta have 8 cylinders up front.

Good luck and we'll all be waiting for pictures!

~Doozi

 

[Doozi]

jb, i get 22.5-23.4 paper and pencil calculation in good weather. that's unheard of with a V8.

Is that strictly highway?? Do you live at 10,000' elevation??

I'm getting just under 19mpg consistently (75% city) with my V6 at 6500' elevation.

EDIT: Ah... I thought that you were saying you were getting unheard-of mileage for a V8, but you were saying that's what you get with your V6 and that you won't be seeing that with a V8... got it. Sorry!

 

[jbmccul]

jb, i get 22.5-23.4 paper and pencil calculation in good weather. that's unheard of with a V8.

thats awesome, do you have a K&N or any kind of mod that helps your mpg?

Well... you're probably going to get two pools of answers... one from the V6-crowd and one from the V8-crowd. I think that I've seen the mileage difference somewhere between 4-6mpg. If you're going to be doing consistent, heavy towing get the V8. Aside from that, I think that it comes down to personal preference... V8 or V6, the V6 can run in 2WD while the V8 (at least the vast majority) are AWD only, and I'm sure that you'll hear things like the V8 has a timing belt while the V6 has a chain, the V8 has piston-slap, the V6 has plastic in it, and on and on. The V8 is one silky-smooth engine, but the V6 is pretty nice, too. I live at 6500' elevation (~19% less HP than sea level) and think the V6 is plenty... it must be awesome at sea level and the V8 has to be wicked!

My recommendation, if it means anything, based on what I have, would be to get the V6 unless you need the V8 for towing/hauling or just gotta have 8 cylinders up front.

Good luck and we'll all be waiting for pictures!

~Doozi

yeah, if a v6 is enough in the rockies im sure it'll be fine down here, the highest point in the entire state is 545Ft.

 

[M1911]

I've got about 100,000 miles on my '03 V8 Limited. I'm currently running snow tires in the winter and combined with winter gas, that lowers mileage about 1 mpg or so. Currently, I'm getting about 14.5 mpg. My commute is into Boston on congested highways with lots of stop and go.

 

[jbmccul]

I've got about 100,000 miles on my '03 V8 Limited. I'm currently running snow tires in the winter and combined with winter gas, that lowers mileage about 1 mpg or so. Currently, I'm getting about 14.5 mpg. My commute is into Boston on congested highways with lots of stop and go.

Traffic mpg's are very important to me, i'll be moving to Baton Rouge for college in the fall and in a city with a million people and only 2 bridges over the mississippi, traffic is always at a standstill

 

[hgill]

If your not going to be doing any towing and going to be in a lot of stop and go traffic, I would look into the V6. I've driven them back to back, and the V6 drives just as good. Only big difference you'll notice is if your towing heavy cargo.

V6 you'll have to change spark plugs every 30k, and V8 you'll have to do a timing belt at 90k. so it even out in that sense. But if your really concerned with mileage, i would go with the V6.

 

[rseow26]

1996 4runner 320,000 miles 21 mpg

I love this bone stock V6 truck bought it 2 years ago with 296,000 miles runs excellent does not burn oil or require topping off radiator here in sunny miami florida. I use this as my work truck to haul boxes with an average weight of 2500 lbs and I still get 20 mpg around town and miami highway traffic 5mph. So with this V6 3400cc its still great with load and runs hard too, it gives my 2004 e320 a great run up to 85 mph, and I also dogged a 2008 bmw 328 coupe from 0 to 80 mph. I have not driven the V8 4runner but remember more cylinders also means more weight, more to maintain, sucky handling and braking, its all up to you consider your trade offs for the long run.

Good Luckeace:

 

[MICA4R]

thats awesome, do you have a K&N or any kind of mod that helps your mpg?

Yes, see signature. Also I put 2 15,000 Gausee Neodynium magnets on my oil filter which somehow (less microscopic internal friction>>>>>>? no clue? it just works) really improved my mileage by 1.5 MPG (can pay off those magnets after 4 tanks of gas.

 

[jbmccul]

Yes, see signature. Also I put 2 15,000 Gausee Neodynium magnets on my oil filter which somehow (less microscopic internal friction>>>>>>? no clue? it just works) really improved my mileage by 1.5 MPG (can pay off those magnets after 4 tanks of gas.

My bad, forgot to check down there. Thanks for all the help, looks like a v6 is my best bet. Hopefully i'll be able to pull the trigger on a 4r in the next few weeks

 

[lbrunner]

I have both. Best v6 mileage 20 highway on trip at 65. Best v8 on trip was 18.7 at 65. Winter gas v8 with thule cargo in mountains at 75 was 15.5! V6 on same type of trip in winter around 18.5.
Dont know how anyone gets 23+ with 4wd v6. Wish I could!

 

[klennop]

If your not going to be doing any towing and going to be in a lot of stop and go traffic, I would look into the V6. I've driven them back to back, and the V6 drives just as good. Only big difference you'll notice is if your towing heavy cargo.

V6 you'll have to change spark plugs every 30k, and V8 you'll have to do a timing belt at 90k. so it even out in that sense. But if your really concerned with mileage, i would go with the V6.

I do not do a ton of towing but I still went with the v8. I have to disagree with the comment about the v6 driving just as good as the v8. Before I bought my used limited v8 I drove over 10 different 4Runners from 2010 models, 04-08 v6s and v8s back to back over and over different mileages and everything. I even drove a v8 with over 250K on it and it drove just as well as mine does with 60k on it. That to me meant a lot.

I feel the v8 just felt better from smoother acceleration, quieter, and seemed to have better road manners. I was really gunning for the v6 because the v8 wasn't "needed" but I went with it because it made me happy. Something about that v8 just kept bringing me back to it. Yes I know the v6 gets better gas mileage but I was just happier with the v8 over and over. So if I have to sacrifice 1-3mpg, it is totally worth it. I average 15-16mpg with mostly city driving.

Another bonus is now if I want to tow something big I can, like a camper, boat, or something else down the road.

I really suggest you drive multiple 4runners over and over and get what makes you happy.

 

[zerowkul98]

I've got about 100,000 miles on my '03 V8 Limited. I'm currently running snow tires in the winter and combined with winter gas, that lowers mileage about 1 mpg or so. Currently, I'm getting about 14.5 mpg. My commute is into Boston on congested highways with lots of stop and go.

I bet that's Route 2 youre referencing! I dont miss the Concord Rotary.

We have two (2) V8's. My 2008 averaged 19.1 hwy, and i just drove from the Cape to western Ma.

My wife's V8 averaged 15.8 city.

I'll only buy the V8's, mostly because of the AWD but also because there was not much of a fuel consumption difference between it and the V6.

 

[LandRvr Convert]

I have a 2007 Limited V8 4WD and doing a manual calculation I consistently get 19.5mpg driving 75mph with the A/C on the entire trip (all highway and All at or near sea-level). This comes out to just over 400 miles out of one tank of gas.

I think that's very respectable for a 4WD V8 SUV especially considering the fact many mini vans get similar mileage with only a V6 and no 4WD (and no testosterone either!! LOL)

As others have said, it really all comes down to personal prefernce and whether or not you tow.

I have owned both the V6 4WD Runner (a 2006 Limited I owned for a year) and my current 2007 Limited 4WD V8.

I like the V8 better and I've never had a case of V6 envy, not even when gas was $4 per gallon a few summers ago. : )

Hope this helps!

 

[MICA4R]

CRUDE OIL PRICE: Oil | Energy | Petroleum | Oil Price | Crude Oil Charts | Oil Price Forecast

This may help you decide... hahaha...

 

[M1911]

I bet that's Route 2 youre referencing! I dont miss the Concord Rotary.

Nah, the Mass Pike.

Doesn't really matter though -- all the highways going into Boston are horrid. I-93, 128, the Pike, they all suck during rush hour.

 

[galactic_04]

I see about 22-24 highway depending on speed and a little over 19 around town with the V6

 

[KB084RUNNER]

My V6 gets 19.5-20.2 city and 21-23.4 hwy depending on speed. If you cruise at 65 you should get 21> If you pull the hydrocarbon filter add another 1-2 mpg.

I chose the V6 because I had a V8 GMC that was a 14mpg gas pig. The 4runer v8 isn't much better. You will get better mileage with a 5.3L Chevy Tahoe than a V8 4Runner.