Still waiting for my 30 mpg Tacoma

[Brian Kent]

I fully expected that today, at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota would introduce the new Tacoma with a 4 cylinder engine that could get 30 MPG Fwy.

Well, they introduced a nice new truck, but only announced an upgrade to the 6 cylinder, no turbo diesel, and no stats on power or mileage.

I guess it is OK to wait for the info since I am planning on buying a truck in Fall, 2017.

[Chris Padilla]

My old trusty never die no matter what you did to it 4-banger (22R) 4-speed manual 1990 Toyota Pick 'Em Up would only get 27 right after the tune-up only to fall back to its usual 25.

When I shopped for a new Tacoma (got a 2006 Double-Cab, Long Bed), I was quite disappointed that the size and height of the truck had grown. The V6 on that one can get 21 if I'm careful and baby the throttle so we basically get 17 out of it on average.

[Mike Cutler]

My 2001 4WD, V6 Tacoma Xtra cab gets 17-19mpg. It gets about 12 when towing a trailer. Maybe a 4 cylinder two wheel drive Tacoma might get 30 mpg some day.
I've been driving Toyota Trucks since 1986, and they've never been particularly good on gas mileage, but then that's not the point of a truck. ;)

[Walter Plummer]

My first truck was a 1978 manual transmission Datsun that got 22 mpg. My current truck is a 2004 automatic transmission Tacoma that gets 22mpg. 37 years, shouldn't it be better?

[Jim Matthews]

There's no escaping the physics involved.

Bigger vehicle, lower MPG.
Until common rail diesels come to our shores,
28 MPG on the highway is pretty good.

http://www.mpgomatic.com/45_MPG_Pickup_Truck.html

[Rick Potter]

My 05 Ford Super Duty x-cab F250 diesel gets 16 around town and 20 when on the road at 70 or less. Driving to Phoenix at 75, I get 19. Pulling a 28' 5th wheel travel trailer 9.5 - 12 @ a steady 62MPH.

My 1970 F250 with a 390 motor got 9. Empty, loaded, trailer, around town..........9 MPG.

My daughters Dodge diesel 1 ton crew cab gets better.

[Larry Edgerton]

I just traded in a 2011 Ranger cab & a half, 2.3 5 speed 2wd. I averaged 24 in the winter and 29 in the summer. Usually loaded. When I was empty on a trip I could get over thirty, best was 34.6 really trying, two lane back country roads.

Loved the mileage, but it was just not big enough. Bought a 2014 F150, 3.7 N/A V6, six speed auto. Getting 18ish winter, 22ish summer, not too bad for a full size truck.

[Justin Ludwig]

My 2013 F250 6.7 Diesel: 15mpg around town, 21mpg on hwy running 60 (19 running 80). 12-14 pulling a 7x17 cargo trailer loaded with cabs.

My wife's Sonata: Well, that's another story.

[Jason Roehl]

Dodge claims 28 MPG out of their new small diesel (3.0L V-6, I think, dubbed the "EcoDiesel") in their 1/2-ton truck (larger than a Tacoma). I really hope this engine succeeds--I'd like to see more trucks and vans out there in the used market in a few years. With the race for more towing capability across the board, I think there's been a hole in the truck market for a long time--contractors who need to be able to haul a truck/van full of tools, get good mileage, maybe tow something small once in a while, but don't need 350 HP/800 ft-lbs of torque, where the current crop of diesels are in the 3/4- and 1-ton trucks.

As for no progress over 37 years, what was the HP in that Datsun vs. the newer Tacoma? I bet the Tacoma has at least double... Also, what were the weights of the two trucks? And then there are creature comforts, body construction and safety, longevity, and the big one--emissions.

I've driven plenty of old vehicles and newer ones. Short of a lemon, the newer ones win in every category every time.

[Brian Elfert]

Diesel is so crazy expensive, at least here in Minnesota, that diesel vehicles don't save any money unless the MPG is a LOT higher than the gasoline version of the same vehicle. I love diesel vehicles, but with diesel at 75 cent to a dollar per gallon more than gasoline and the higher costs of the vehicle it just doesn't make sense most of the time. If you need to tow large trailers, especially in the mountains, then diesel makes sense even if it costs more.

I had a nice Golf with diesel engine, but that was back when diesel prices were like 25 cents more than gasoline.

[Joe Tilson]

My Tacoma (2014) gets about 21.5 mpg in town and around 23 on the interstate. They are working on engines to come out around 2017 that will get 30 mpg.

[Andrew Joiner]

There's no escaping the physics involved.

Bigger vehicle, lower MPG.

Also weight, horsepower, speed and air resistance have a huge effect. They get way over 1,000 mpg in the Shell eco marathon.

[Jamie Buxton]

For a furniture maker (me), the bigger and bigger pickups are nuts. I need to haul two adults at most (not two rows of seating and four doors!). I need to get some sheets of plywood in the bed, but it is okay if the tailgate is down and the sheets sit on a platform as high as the wheelwells. I need a lumber rack. I need the bed big enough to hold one or two pieces of completed furniture. I don't need to tow 30,000 pounds. Heck, I don't really need the truck to tow anything. That is, the truck could be smaller than my 2012 Tacoma. What else I want it to do is be fuel-efficient. The truck I just outlined could be powered by the Prius drive train, and should get 45-50 mpg combined. Sigh.

[Ole Anderson]

My only diesel was in a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix. Don't remember the mileage, probably in the mid 20's. I really liked that car, but my son wrapped it around a fire hydrant.

[Matt Marsh]

I don't think I'd ever trade my plush 21+ MPG full sized 2014 GMC Sierra Denali 4X4 5.3L Crew Cab for a cramped up, hard seated, stiff riding Tacoma, even if it did get 30 MPG.



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[Chris Padilla]

Okay, Matt, I have not ridden in a 2014 GMC Sierra Denali 4x4 5.3L Crew Cab but my 2006 Toyota Tacoma (4-door, long bed, 4.0L) is quite comfortable. In fact, I would call it a Camry with a bed. :)

[Matt Marsh]

I haven't ridden in a brand new Tacoma either, but test drove a 2005 and a 2010. Plenty of leg room, but when you get the seat adjusted comfortably for your legs, the steering wheel seems to be too far away. Seats were much harder and less comfortable. Also much much narrower in the hip room. Also the ride and handling of the Tacoma is stiffer and more truck-like. I actually went to the bank in 2005 to pick up the check for that Tacoma. The banker asked me if I had heard about the new employee level discounts that GM had initiated. I then went out and test drove a 2005 Sierra Crew Cab. The discount made the GMC cheaper than the Tacoma, and the difference in comfort was a no-brainer for me.

[Ole Anderson]

Isn't the Tacoma more of a mid size pickup, like the Colorado?

[Anthony Whitesell]

Diesel is so crazy expensive, at least here in Minnesota, that diesel vehicles don't save any money unless the MPG is a LOT higher than the gasoline version of the same vehicle. I love diesel vehicles, but with diesel at 75 cent to a dollar per gallon more than gasoline and the higher costs of the vehicle it just doesn't make sense most of the time. If you need to tow large trailers, especially in the mountains, then diesel makes sense even if it costs more.

I had a nice Golf with diesel engine, but that was back when diesel prices were like 25 cents more than gasoline.

The wife an I just did a cost of ownership comparison of a VW (can't remember if it was a Golf or Jetta) gas vs diesel. Given the difference in sticker price and MPG, over the course of 150k miles (15k/yr for 10 years), the price of gas vs. diesel would have to remain within 10 cents in order to break even. I'm not seeing the advantage at the moment. I know how to fix most things gas, diesel would be a learning curve. But on the other hand, the next truck may be diesel (towing ability) so I may reconsider diesel for out cars after our next.

[ken masoumi]

There's a lot of praises for the new Ford F150 truck ,up here in Canadian international auto show,this truck with its Aluminium body,V6(2.7 or 3.5) gets 31 Mpg,the XL is ~$20.000.

[Brian Elfert]

There's a lot of praises for the new Ford F150 truck ,up here in Canadian international auto show,this truck with its Aluminium body,V6(2.7 or 3.5) gets 31 Mpg,the XL is ~$20.000.

What is the MPG for a 4WD crew cab? They usually tout the MPG for a 2WD base model yet the crew cab is the one I see most of and anywhere in the Midwest you would be crazy not to have 4WD at least for resale value.

[Matt Marsh]

Yes it is Ole.

[ken masoumi]

What is the MPG for a 4WD crew cab? They usually tout the MPG for a 2WD base model yet the crew cab is the one I see most of and anywhere in the Midwest you would be crazy not to have 4WD at least for resale value.
17/23 mpg,(city/HWY),with the Aluminum body I was hoping to see better numbers.

[thomas hsieh]

Is it me or the tacoma 2016 looks ugly?

[Larry Edgerton]

What is the MPG for a 4WD crew cab? They usually tout the MPG for a 2WD base model yet the crew cab is the one I see most of and anywhere in the Midwest you would be crazy not to have 4WD at least for resale value.

Thats what a salesmen will tell you. Its balogna. When it comes time to sell you will indeed get more, but not enough to cover the cost of 4wd, insurance, extra fuel and added maintenance. Not even close.

With new design winter specific tires there is a lot less reason to drive a 4wd. I am a contractor and I have been getting by just fine with 2wd for my last 3 trucks. I live way the heck out on the edge of the Pigeon River Forest in a heavy snow belt and its not a problem. My total costs are averaging 40% less. If you don't really need it 4wd is just an added expense.

[Joe Tilson]

My wife and I love the ride of our 2014 Tacoma. It rides a whole lot better than her 2006 4runner, and gets better mileage. We take the truck because of the smoother ride. Thomas they are trying to make cars and trucks look tough and bad these days. The Tacoma is to small to look tough,especially when a dually is coming at you with a load of tools in the back. I've been there and it ain't fun.

[Brian Elfert]

Thats what a salesmen will tell you. Its balogna. When it comes time to sell you will indeed get more, but not enough to cover the cost of 4wd, insurance, extra fuel and added maintenance. Not even close.


I know from buying a used truck a while back that the resale value difference for a 2WD is substantial. I could buy a used 2WD truck for about $5,000 less than a 4WD model. I don't personally know anyone who uses snow tires on their truck, but I haven't ever specifically asked either. Snow tires aren't particularly inexpensive especially if you get a set of rims for the snow tires. About the only people I know with snow tires have rear wheel drive vehicles like a BMW.

If you buy used then 2WD probably really makes a lot of sense since they are usually much less expensive than 4WD. If buying new, and not buying a base model work truck, you would have a hard time even finding a 2WD truck on the lot. Most drivers think they need 4WD and dealers cater to that by only ordering 4WD most of the time.

[Matt Marsh]

I know from buying a used truck a while back that the resale value difference for a 2WD is substantial. I could buy a used 2WD truck for about $5,000 less than a 4WD model. I don't personally know anyone who uses snow tires on their truck, but I haven't ever specifically asked either. Snow tires aren't particularly inexpensive especially if you get a set of rims for the snow tires. About the only people I know with snow tires have rear wheel drive vehicles like a BMW.

If you buy used then 2WD probably really makes a lot of sense since they are usually much less expensive than 4WD. If buying new, and not buying a base model work truck, you would have a hard time even finding a 2WD truck on the lot. Most drivers think they need 4WD and dealers cater to that by only ordering 4WD most of the time.

I agree with Brian, here in Northern MN, you'd have a hard time getting even book value on a used 2wd pickup. You'd probably have to special order a new one at any of the local dealers. The new dedicated snow tires such as the Blizzaks are wonderful, but I'll take a 4wd with good quality ATs on all 4 corners any day of the week. I commute 27 miles one way to work every day. Whenever it snows, I get called in at 3 a.m. before the highways are plowed for snow removal at the University where I work. I use to do it in a 2wd pickup. Ice or snow, not fun!

[Stan Calow]

I gave up waiting and got a Honda Ridgeline instead. A compromise. I had a 1990-something Taco before they were named Tacomas. Great truck and I wanted the same thing - two seats, 4wd, 4 cylinder. No such thing anymore. I remember when these were called mini-pickups. Now I can't fit an extended cab Tacoma in my garage.