V6 vs V8... who's faster/quicker ?

[AlphaQup]

This may have been brought up already in the past, but I cant seem to do a search on any topics relating to "V6" or "V8" due to the 3 letter minimum per word, used by the search engine.

I hear so much stuff from all the V8 owners about how powerfull the V8 is, but I seldom hear any V6 owners speak up. I mean, I own a V6 and I think it's pretty damn quick, but then I've never drivin the V8 for comparison. I'd just like to know statistically or even better, your own personal experiences... which one would be the faster/quicker one out of the 2.

Any bites?

 

[007Runner]

The V8 is the premium engine. This is why it costs more then the V6. The V8 produces more torque at a lower rpm and is faster then the V6 engine.

 

[boston_kevin]

Like 007 said, the V8 produces more low end torque and a little more horsepower than the V6. That being said, the V6 also weighs in just over 250 lbs lighter than the comparable model V8 (i.e. SR5 vs SR5)... I know people more more time who could run the numbers for you, but the V8 will slightly edge out the V6 in terms of acceleration with 1-2 people in the vehicle. I drove both in '04 and honestly couldn't tell that much of a difference between the two off the lot, and that was when the V6 had the 4spd and the V8 had the 5 spd tranny. Towing and off-the-line acceleration is the V8 strong points. Nimble feel and moving acceleration (20+ mph) is a very strong point for the V6.

My V6 tows 4200+ lbs weekly in the summer, regularly gets up in the white mountains of NH (skiing and camping), used as a school bus (yes I have the 3rd row) for my 3 boys and their friends, and averages 20+ mpg (when I am not towing). None of my passengers (even when towing) have ever said my V6 was slow.

Okay, let the V6/V8 debate begin...again (we all know it is inevitable)

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

oh, my V6 will smoke any V8 out there! especially since I took off the running boards! :biggrin2:

 

[RonMAIDEN]

There was a comparo test V6 vs V8 and the 1/4 mile difference was only a tenth or two going to the V8.

 

[yotarunner]

V6

I have not had the chance to drive the V8, but I do drive my V6 every day and I must say that Its very quick, I'm very satisfied with the pick-up, passing etc ....... I have the 4spd automatic trans ....
What is the diference between the 4spd auto & the 5spd auto

 

[HeavyD]

I test drove both the V6 and V8 when I was shopping for my '06. In a combination of city and highway driving I couldn't tell much difference in acceleration but the V8 sounded better.

I went with the V6 because it seemed to handle so much better in 2WD. With a Sport model the handling difference may be negliagable but my Dealer had an abundance of SR5's on his lot and was more willing to deal on those. The Limited was out of my budget.

 

[fitzt4r]

I too took both engines for a spin when I was shopping for my truck and the only difference I noticed was that the V8 was much quieter than the V6. They both had phenominal acceleration and passing speed but I opted for the V8 pretty much b/c it was quieter and doesn't have to work as hard to accomplish the same task.

I think I would have been just as happy with the V6. Either way, you can't lose.

 

[jpalaska]

I recently drove a 2007 SE V6 and a 2007 SR5 V8 back-to-back at the dealership up here.
So they weren't the same trim.
The V6 was great, not lacking in acceleration or anything else. But the V8 was definitely quicker from a standstill or from low speeds when I punched it.

I got the V8 because I want to be able to tow a boat, snowmachines on a trailer, and my 911 on a trailer. Besides the greater torque, I chose the V8 also because it has the added tranny cooler.
And,yes, I got it because I love acceleration.

Both engines are terrific. I don't think very many people would be dissatisfied with the V6. If the V8 didn't exist I definitely would have gotten a T4R with the V6.

JP

 

[POS Racing]

Re: V6

Originally posted by yotarunner What is the diference between the 4spd auto & the 5spd auto

One more gear! :bigok:

 

[dingo]

:corn:

Let me just get comfortable here... Ah, that's it. This thread will get interesting really soon...

 

[TeCKis300]

There is no contest. In outright speed, the V8 is quicker. The V6 however is no slouch in itself and will probably give you 90% of the performance of the V8.

The hp ratings between the two are not too far apart. But the V8, with it's added torque with get off the line much quicker especially when laden.

Another consideration though is if you opt for 4wd, the V6 will feel sportier because you have the option of running in rwd only mode vs the V8 which is full time awd.

 

[qballjr13]

To be honest (and I dont I am the only one that will admit to this) I bought the V8 because it says V8 in the grill...no other reason! I am a gearhead through and through...so having the V8 is more fun to talk about

 

[GatorGreg]

V6 vs V8... who's faster/quicker ?

I think my old 5 spd '00 might be quicker off the line then the V8s. Yes they've got an extra 77 hp and 89 lb/ft of torque, but I've got better gearing and I'm carrying about 620 fewer pounds. I think it would be a driver's race up to about 30 mph - then I'd get blown away for sure

 

[Mark86]

The added weight of the skid plate and sport bumper makes my V8 slower.

 

[gonzo]

when i test drove 4runners in '04, the v6 that i test drove was a dog. the v8 felt like it had way more power. back in '05 i brought my v8 in for some work and the dealer gave me a v6 as a courtesy vehicle. this v6 seemed just as quick, if not quicker than my v8.

maybe it changes a little form truck to truck, maybe the 4spd/5spd tranny made the difference, who knows?

no matter what the case, you probably couldn't go wrong with a v6. i know that if i could do it over again i probably would get one.

 

[OUTRNNR]

...The hp ratings between the two are not too far apart. But the V8, with it's added torque with get off the line much quicker especially when laden...

Don't forget that the added torque of the V8 means better pulling power throughout the rpm band so downshifting is not as necessary at cruising speeds. Not sure how the peak HP and torque looks on the V6, but I doubt it makes the same percentage of its torque in the lower rpm range as the V8 does.

0-60 is only a couple tenths difference, stock for stock. Quarter mile is probably less than a second. But add 5 people and a couple hundred pounds cargo to each and I bet those times deviate more.

 

[TeCKis300]

I am a car nut as well and am always willing to spend a few hundred here and there to get more HP. Figured I would do it right and buy more power up front. I have yet to be too tempted to buy performance parts yet.

And yes, the torque curve on the v8 is significantly fatter especially in the midrange. I would love to see an overlay though. It can cruise and pass effortlessly without kicking down a gear.

 

[Baba Booey]

Don't forget that the added torque of the V8 means better pulling power throughout the rpm band so downshifting is not as necessary at cruising speeds. Not sure how the peak HP and torque looks on the V6, but I doubt it makes the same percentage of its torque in the lower rpm range as the V8 does.

0-60 is only a couple tenths difference, stock for stock. Quarter mile is probably less than a second. But add 5 people and a couple hundred pounds cargo to each and I bet those times deviate more.

I'm not disputing anything you have said, but the V6 is 210 lbs. lighter than the V8. Therefore, the nominal horsepower and torque advantages of the V8 aren't quite as great as they appear when you consider the adjustment needed to be made when comparing power-to-weight ratios.

However, even when the power-to-weight ratio adjustment is made, the V8 still has more power than the V6.

 

[boss]

i think all of you are forgeting a big thing. when i drive i really love to hear the engine. the v8 sounds mean like a tiger.

i always get the v8 when ever i can

78 camaro 5.7
83 olds 5.0 (sold)
96 740i 4.4 (sold)
06 4r sport 4.7

if i had the v6 i would still love it.