V8... Just because?

[EH007]

Just for the record and clarity: Assuming a 5mpg difference and $2/gallon gas, the cost difference per 1000 miles is $33 between a V8 and a V6.

Calculation: (1000mi/(20mi/gal)*$2/gal) - 1000mi/(15mi/gal)*$2/gal) = $33.

So that would be about $.03/mile at $2 gas and 5mpg delta.

Someone check my math--I could always be wrong somewhere.

It's a linear equation, so if the difference is 2.5mpg, then you're looking at $16.5/1000 miles. If gas doubles in price, then it'd be $66/1000 miles.

Seem right to me. But for someone like me who averages 18,000 miles per year, that would add up to a lot of money per year, even at $2/gal for gas. And imagine the difference if gas goes back up to $4/gal. I'm not too concerned with gas mileage because I wouldn't be driving a 4Runner if it was very important to me, but then again why have the added fuel costs when the V6 is more than I'll ever need?

BTW, I just happened to check the EPA fuel economy numbers and the V6 4Runner is actually rated 4 mpg higher on the highway than the V8 4Runner. I think that validates my own data, based upon a full year of driving both V6 & V8 4Runners.

 

[Schmatt]

EPA numbers:

V6 2x4: 16 city, 21 highway
V6 4x4: 16 city, 20 highway

V8 2x4: 15 city, 19 highway
V8 4x4: 14 city, 17 highway

So if you are comparing apples to apples, it is a 2 mpg increase with the V6 (at best).

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/bymodel/2008_Toyota_4Runner.shtml

 

[EH007]

EPA numbers:

V6 2x4: 16 city, 21 highway
V6 4x4: 16 city, 20 highway

V8 2x4: 15 city, 19 highway
V8 4x4: 14 city, 17 highway

So if you are comparing apples to apples, it is a 2 mpg increase with the V6 (at best).

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/bymodel/2008_Toyota_4Runner.shtml

Based on the numbers you posted, it looks like a 3 mpg difference in highway numbers (4wd). Most of my miles are on the highway, so that's more meaningful to me than the city ratings.

 

[Bradky32]

V8

I have an 04 V8 SR5 4x4 and I cannot imagine having gone with the V6. I am coming off of a 2000 V6 Tacoma. The difference is unimaginable and the gas mileage is nearly equivalent. The 4runner is heavy, yet never even breaks a sweat with the V8. RPM above 2k is strictly voluntary and always on purpose!

 

[Fishy1]

Based on the numbers you posted, it looks like a 3 mpg difference in highway numbers (4wd). Most of my miles are on the highway, so that's more meaningful to me than the city ratings.

I get 20.5 on the highway at 65mph....with my 2007 4x4 V8 and between 16 and 17 MPH city driving....

 

[Schmatt]

Does anyone see or think there is a mileage difference between the VVTI and non-VVTI V8 models?

Generally less HP = better mileage, but maybe the VVTI is a bit better moving air through the engine?

 

[EH007]

Does anyone see or think there is a mileage difference between the VVTI and non-VVTI V8 models?

Generally less HP = better mileage, but maybe the VVTI is a bit better moving air through the engine?

It would be easy to look up the EPA ratings, except for the fact that the EPA changed the way they rated fuel economy after the 2003 model was out. Using the current EPA ratings for an '03 and '08 V8 4Runner, the numbers are the same (14 city, 17 highway) for both. But the window sticker for a 2003 V8 4Runner had a rating of 15 city and 19 highway using the "old" test methods that were known to be inaccurate.

So I guess it is safe to say that the fuel economy between a 2003 and 2005+ V8 4Runner is a wash.