4 vs 6 cylinder V6 - Why a 4 Cylinder Car or Truck Engine is the Best Choice For Most People 

Remember, these 2.7 iron block Tacoma engines can actually take a lot more punishment than the aluminum block V6 engines. Its not hard to find these with 400k + miles with good maintenance.

I changed spark plugs on a F150 V8 and the two in the back were tough. I also changed an alternator on a Chevy Traverse, had to take wheel off. Then I realized the previous 4 Toyotas I owned didn’t require anything so I’m going back to Toyota and buying a 4 Cylinder Taco.

Wish Toyota brought back the 5spd manual for the 4 cylinder

I have a 2006 Tacoma 4-cylinder with 172,000 Mi and it runs perfectly. Very smooth with decent power, about 23 to 24 MPG average. That's about 18 City and 29 Highway. Yes there is much more room in the engine bay which is great for service and the very rare repair. I can do spark plugs in 20 minutes lol. As for new parts, mine has only needed a new water pump, AC condenser and the coolant bypass pipe. Getting the 4-cylinder was an easy decision because I don't tow and only occasional haul camping gear and dirt bikes, and help friendsmove of course. This truck does everything I need and I love it. Thanks for the good video.

I have a Taco, a '99 I purchased new 22 years ago. 2.4L 4 banger, 2WD, standard cab, nothing fancy. Was $12,500 out the door. It's been a great little truck, now with 156K miles. I've hauled with it, sometimes heavier loads (firewood), on occasion, but not often and not too far. It got the job done. The motor itself is bulletproof and easy enough to work on. Not a fast truck, but not too slow. I'm ready to buy a new Taco and I've studied the V6 and while it reportedly gets roughly the same MPG as the 2.7L, I can't justify the added expense (purchase + maintenance) and I'll factory order with the 4 banger. This video helped me decide after much thought and research. For me, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

3 days ago I got a Toyota Tacoma my third Tacoma, first time getting a 4 cylinder, I can’t really tell the difference! Love it, way cheaper and can’t complaint! Just love it!!

Also for full size trucks, they should bring back inline 6 engines, notoriously smooth, generally simpler, and exactly what this video suggests, just what you need!

I just took a trip to the Bad Lands, Wall Drug, Mount Rushmore, Grand Tetons, Boise and Salt Lake over 5k miles in my 2018 Ford Escape 1.5 liter turbo from Michigan with four of us and it didn't miss a beat! No loss of power in the mountains even with the air on at 106 degrees in Idaho and it ran great! Driving 84 mph I averaged 24 mpg.

I loved my first 2 Tacoma's with 4 bangers. Now I have a 2021 V6 4x4 Tacoma. Needed it for towing a bigger boat. Great in the mountains too. Simple as that.

simple and plain with education, just subscribed.

A 2022 6 cylinder automatic cannot compare to my 2011 4 cyl in a manual. Totally agree with your assessment.

well said. love how you made it simple for people to understand👍

Thank you so much for your honesty,great video and very helpful !

A good honest strait forward review. Much appreciated 👍.

Yes, I have Tacoma 2.7..4cylinder..very happy with it,

I’m bout to get a 4 cylinder Hyundai sante fe this very day. By the time anyone reads this I will probably be owning the happily driving down the street! All I’ve ever heard about 4 cylinder engines has come from my old dad who insists they are inferior and take up more gas. He probably was right 30 years ago but I’m glad to hear all those positive things about the engine I’m about to own. Very informative. Liked. Commented and subscribed.

This was so helpful! Thanks

EXCELLENT video! Thank you for explaining the difference. 😊

Of course, I owned 2011 taco sr5 preR 2.7L run awesome. It get me there every time!

My taco is a 4 banger 2.7L manl and he's peppy and great on gas. I mean... It used to be around 50 to fill him up and now it's 100 but still, compared to other trucks I have driven, he is WAY better on gas. He has a lot of get up too so I'm ok with 4 cyl.

Genuine guy, loved that U didn't beat around the bush, just plain, direct , to the point information. Thank you

Great video and advice for those not car savvy. Liked and subscribed 🤙 new fan, all the way from Australia

I have a 2018 with a 2.7 good mileage around 24 MPG. Very easy to change the oil. I can get away with the 4 cyl because I don't tow.

I take care of 2 cars. 1 highlander 2AZ-FE & 1 1st gen Rav4 3S-FE engine. For my family. The Rav4 is slow but it goes. Its used for grocery shopping & I put Castrol High Milage. The Highlander is the car I drive to work. Back & forth. I change different oils for that because the lovely "check engine" light shows up. Right now I'm using Valvoline, full synthetic high milage. Yet the car drives so good I can go 80mph on the freeway smoothly.

Even with the break and engine light on for months, my 98 Toyota Camry LE is still running with over 200k miles. Love it although NEEDS to be checked.

Thank you so much thats very useful information

Super helpful! Thanks!

I was only looking for a 6-cylinder. I’m sold! I’ll be looking at 4 cylinder as well. Thanks!

I another thing not mentioned here is how much you save when at idle. Up here in Canada in the winter many warm their cars or trucks up first for a few mins each day long enough that you would notice a real difference in your fuel consumption after a little while between the two.

Thank you so much...sir....I learn about car!! Blessed always....peace from CA!!

Great job, very well done. Many thanks.

Great video!

Insightful video thanks!!

I have a 2.5 Nissan Frontier 2019 pulled a Ford 1/2 ton off a trailer with my frontier plenty of power for me love it

Opted for the V6 Tacoma SR, need to haul 1200 of hay every 2 weeks and tow a two horse slant a couple of times a year. Were it not for those requirements, I would have gone with the 2.7 4 banger.

Thanks for the information

Thanks for the info 👍

Thanks! im really happy after watching this video!

I love my 2006 Tacoma 2.7 access cab 4x2

Awesome video..good explanation..

I own a 2007 Tacoma 4wd, 5 speed, V6 4.0L with 350k miles on it. The truck runs great and I have had no major issues. The V6 is a very smooth and reliable engine for any truck if your doing off roading and towing. I tested the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and the one thing I notice they sound more like a race engine. Some other issues are the hard shifting and the lack of power. Typically these engine needs to be equipped with a turbo charger or even any electrical battery system to help over come the lack of power.

I drive both the 4 banger for work and the 6 for personal use, honestly I rather take the v6 any day it runs the way a truck should, if money ain’t an issue go with the 6

This was excellent. Thank you

Interesting stuff - have definitely heard this about Subaru Outback, go with the 4 vs 6 cylinder but the concept is sort of counter-intuitive outside the gas mileage but you make good points. Wife has the 4 cylinder Honda CR-V Turbo and the gas mileage is excellent near 30mpg.

Great channel, info thanks

He is spot on. If you don’t tow your good to go.

I pull a 17 foot bass boat and trailer with no problems at all with my 2017 4 door Tacoma 4 cylinder. For the few times I use it to pass a vehicle I really don't have problems. I've been able to get as much as 29 miles per gallon on the highway. I like it !!!!

Wow! Such an educative tips. I observed that v6 engine are far from vibration when AC is on than 4 cylinder engine. 4 cylinder engine easily vibrant when driving with ac. Why so?

Own a Pajero/Montero 3.2lt Generation 4- diesel 4 cylinder, has the torque of an old v8 petrol. Just such a great engine on so many levels.

My 2019 tacoma 4cyl works for me on Oahu. Mostly 35mph or less driving. Got it just b4 flu shutdown. Best move ive made in years...

Excellent video. You're particularly good at explaining things ... If it's worth it, to you, could you do a video answering "How can the Tacoma Sr 4cyl 2.7L with only 159hp tow 3,500 compared to something like RAV4 with only 2.5L with MORE hp (180) and is even 500lb lighter curb weight but can tow only 1,500lb? Is something funky going on in the transmission? Gear sizes?

2003 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4cyl 2.7 automatic 250,000 and going strong.....Love it all the power I need

very useful information

Nice info. I like my little 4 cylinder truck.

Thanks for an Awesome Explanation ❗💝❗💪❗✌❗🛠❗💪❗✌❗

Very good explanation gracias 👍

hi there i bought a 2015 used second gen. tacoma 2 wheel drive the engine has a 46k miles it has a i4 2.7 liter engine that's all i need for my family day to day commute everywhere we go and i drive to work 15 min. everyday i also own a 1995 corolla dx since i was 21 yrs old my high school graduation gift now im 47 i still have it and drive her

I’ve owned a 07 Tacoma 4 cylinder and a 09 Tacoma 6 cylinder. The 4 cylinder was the better truck in my opinion. The 4 cylinder actually was better off-road too. Obviously if you buy a TRD the TRD is probably better.

super helpful video thank you so much! makes a ton of sense! :) followup question: as a person currently shopping for a used AWD or 4WD car on a budget of $8k-$15k, I'm looking at a lot of cars/SUVs in the category of: -year anywhere from 2000-2017 -milage anywhere from 50k-100k miles -both 4-cylinders and 6-cylinders I am someone who doesn't live in the mountains but makes lots of trips to the mountains to snowboard/hike/climb etc...all year around My question then is based on what you say in the video about cars made in the last 10 years having good well engineered 4-cylinder engines: Would there be a year mark where for a car older than that you might suggest getting the 6-cylinder in my case, say for example older than 2010 (since it looks like this video is from 2020)? Or would you still say the 4-cylinders dating back to say (2000-2010) are still a better option than the 6-cylinders from that time? Thank you so much, loved the video, very well done, I subscribed as well! :)

I have a 4 cyl Tacoma and I love it. Yes it can use some more power but I have the 5 speed manual which is WAY better than the automatic. I was able to tow ~7000 lbs without much issue, uphill start from 0 was a little touchy. The power issue won't be an issue once I stick a supercharger in it.

Very helpful explanation. Muchas gracias amigo.

I agree with you!! The problem is that they don’t do 4 cylinders anymore all you can find is 6 cylinders in the market unless you go and get the new Ford Maverick and I telling you that isn’t the best.. thanks for your video!!

2016 4cyl manual 4x4 181,000 miles and going strong no issues. Work truck lots of highway miles.

4 cyl is so much better cast iron block... tough as nails

Makes sense! 👍

Good points but both engines are good. I would have been happy with either, but found a 2010 v6 with tow package (6500 rated towing) and 47k miles. Have been getting 18.5 mpg and am happy with it, really smooth and nimble truck.

There is a big miss conception here about the capability aspect of a 4 cylinder engine. It is untrue that towing or going up and down mountains should have any more affect on 4 cylinder versus a 6 cylinder the stress of the motor isn’t actually dependent on towing or driving as much as people may think believe it or not but actually the main difference added by having more cylinders or changing the pattern from inline to a V formation is simply for piston efficiency moving up and down the cylinder is slightly easier to do at an angle instead of vertical but there are benefits to an inline motor which is inline motors will typically build a greater percentage of torque over an equal amount of horsepower meaning the torque load is handled better and more efficiently in a inline motor however a V formation motor will have a better throttle response which is typically why they will build better horsepower range the rpm horsepower and torque curve build faster but the torque and horsepower fall off much sooner than an inline motor which if you are doing a lot of towing then that is a bad thing which also is the same for going up a steep incline which is why inline diesel motors are much more common in industrial vehicles such as tractors, semis, skid loaders, dump trucks etc.. because they handle the load better and have less overall stress what people do not realize is horsepower is really only good for spinning your wheels over faster horsepower is measured by what the average horse could move somewhere around 1300lbs horsepower in a motor will determine how faster the crank will spin and how fast the pistons will recover on each stroke and the faster it spends the quicker the vehicle will be but the lower your percentage of ft.lbs of torque decreases it changes a lot of variables but the main reason vehicles have limitations is not so much as the motor but actually comes down to the drivetrain your axles, transmission, driveshaft etc.. endure the most amount of stress and it takes a lot of energy to make all of the parts to move and get a vehicle up to speed horsepower will get you to that speed faster but without torque the motor will have to work much harder to get the vehicle moving think about it like a boat the wider the boat is the better it displaces water the more stable it is but a boat that’s more narrow with a deeper V can cut through water easy and be faster overall but risks flipping because it’s water displacement and center of gravity is much more narrow and much higher off center torque is what handles the brute force and will determine the stress a motor will endure when towing or driving up a steep hill or mountain so a 4 cylinder engine can handle just as much as a 6 cylinder engine the problem is what the gearing is setup as which will determine how the vehicle will handle different scenarios if your axle gear ratio is very low you will have a much greater torque response you will get off the line quick and you can climb and pull a much greater amount but your top speed will be very reduced if your gear ratio is much higher let’s say a 3.55 then you can achieve much higher speeds and get better fuel mileage but your torque control will be severely reduced which will have a big impact on how your vehicle will handle driving up hill and hauling a trailer that’s why a vehicle will downshift when driving up hill or hold a gear longer with a load the higher the rpms the greater the torque band the less it has to work to achieve the same thing so with the right gear ratio you can have lower rpm = lower stress on the motor and maintain a stronger torque response which ultimately will handle the work load better and more efficiently and will allow you to use less horsepower and the less horsepower a motor has the less stress is put on the motor (Sorry to anyone who reads the whole text kinda got carried away but you get my point it all comes down to personal preference and what you’re gonna do with it)

Yeah. Bought a new Tacoma this year. Really wanted an SR5 with the 4 cylinder. However, I HAD to have a manual transmission. For 2023, only the TRD trim with the V6 can be had with that manual, so sadly I let the 4 cyl go.

Great VId! Thanks

What do you think of the 4 cylinder engines that come in 2002 Suzuki vitaras or Chevrolet trackers?

Finally a fair comparison. Before 4wd all pickups were 2wd and most people were happy. I am one of those rest of us people you were talking about. I don't need bragging rights. I have a 2022 2.7L 2WD and completely happy with it. Where I live it has been over 12 years since we had any significant snow or ice. Why should I spend an additional 10k for the V6 and 4WD, bragging rights. I think not.

Well if you live in the city with lots of flat roads, and just want a truck/car to get you places, go for the 4 banger. In my country, most cars are 4 bangers with V6's and V8's (V8's like on a Land Cruiser that only rich people buy) reserved for higher end cars which the general consumer doesn't need nor buy. For heavy works like towing, off-road, hauling, we have diesels for that.

4 cyl is easier and cheaper to maintain in the long run

There’s pros and cons to everything the question is can you deal with the cons if yes then go for the more cylinders V6 V8s can be lots of fun too drive

And. I even got the manual transmission. my mechanic said it was a amazing little motor. he said smart getting the manual. would have been disappointed with automatic.

Coming up to 4 years ownership and my Toyota engine 2GR fse has been bullet proof on 84k milage so far.

Question, does a trailer that's taller (cargo) than a Tacoma but within the tow rating, add more wear/shorten the life of the engine? I realize the drag decreases fuel efficiency but wasn't sure if that drag would also shorten the life of the engine over time. Thanks

Nice video 👍

I bought yesterday Tacoma from 2008 with 2.7. Damn, I'm in shock how powerful this engine is. Sure for European reality it drinks gas faster than russian guy a bottle of vodka, but really I'm surprised how good it accelerated with 2,2 tons of weight. I have hope this car is going to stay with me for a really long long time because it is love from the first sight and better if she doesn't break my heart too quickly.

I wish you could get the 4-cylinder with a manual in the Tacoma. Not the case anymore.

I have a 2012 Tacoma 2.7 access cab. It’s my daily, I abuse it a lot and I have the confidence to say that this little truck won’t ever betray me on the road. It’s rwd so of course I’m gonna slide it around corners and on freeway ramps when I can. My only complaint is that it’s slow, 159hp in a pickup truck just isn’t enough and to get to freeway speeds, acceleration is just sad. But this truck won’t ever leave you stranded on the road, unless your tires are punctured.

Can you do a comparison of engine displacements/size like 1.4 Vs 1.8 Vs 2.0/2.2 Vs 3.6?

You are spot on! I bought a Toyota Tacoma SR5 with the V6, and the performance is not that great. I cannot imagine the 4cyl being much worse. I'm looking to trade in my truck for a 4cyl manual tranny as that was what I had in my 1989 Toyota 4WD pickup and that engine was plenty powerful for getting to work and back, and going to Home Depot to buy Sheetrock and materials. I never had a single complaint about the 4cyl. The V6 Toyota engine has gremlins that will force me to take it to a mechanic, and I have been doing my own work on my cars for the last 30 years. They're making them more difficult for us to work on our own cars.

Thanks

I live in FL. It’s very common to own boats, jetskis etc. If you are buying a truck to do truck things, get the truck engine. If you’re using it to go out to dinner and to buy groceries, 4 cyl and save money.

My '94 Ford ranger 2.3L has 430K miles ...and still going strong.

@budget mechanic. What are your thoughts about 4cyl turbo engines??? CVTs?

A four cylinder can be set up to toe if done correctly with a transmission cooler, cold air intake, and air shocks. A V-6 has more power but requires a lot more upkeep and maintenance and to me is not worth the cost.

My Lexus IS250 has an intake manifold right over the 3 spark plugs on the driver side. Changing spark plugs for me is easy, but usually if it’s not covered like that. On my old Toyota 2004 corolla it was super easy. I was still able to change the spark plugs inside my Lexus it just took a lot longer and more of a hassle. One thing I like about a V-6 though is that it’s smooth and provides extra power when needed.

The 2nd and 3rd Gen Tacoma’s 4-Cyl makes more horsepower and torque than my ‘90s vintage Nissan 3.0L V6. Not much more, but they do have more power AND get better mileage. New 4-Cyl > Old V6. Great video and point. 👍👍

Hi , I drive VW Golf 5 1.4 patrol engine and 80 ps . My RPM goes over 4000 when I am at 140 km in 5th gear . Is it normal? Thanks.

Just hit 300,000 today on my 4 cylinder- don’t need a bigger V6 since I don’t tow lol

Awesome vid! The 2trfe is one of the best 4 cylinders Toyota has ever made....and that's saying something!

Do you think the 2022 or 2021 Toyota sienna will be an issue because it has a four-cylinder engine now? Will it be better to just look for a V6 minivan?

What if you live in snow belt? Since 4 cylinder only comes with RWD on double cab? Just mod winter tires and rims?

Ive had two 3RZ tacomas, now i drive a 5vz 4runner. That toyota 4banger will go forever and get decent mileage, but holy crap...the extra power of the V6 makes a big difference when traffic flows at 80mph on the interstate. I love my 5VZ 3.4L. 275k miles and gets over 20mpg on the highway. My 3rz tacomas got about 28mpg hw on 31 inch tires. The 4banger is the better trail motor, but id get the V6 is you drive far on the highway, even if it burns more gas. You dont buy these things to save gas. 4banger tacos are just slow, the only downside to them. 1st gen tacoma beats the 3rd gen taco in a drag race, Btw

Hi everyone, I have Toyota Tacoma with 2.7 engine (2020s) and is it possible to install TRD hood ? same year/ I want to upgrade it

My 22r toyota 4x4 from 1993 still runs strong

nuff said . . new sub. 👌🏾

I Have a 4cyl 2021 Tacoma I use it to Tow my 16 Ft Bayliner open Bow and haul Lumber. While Im not breaking a speed record it does the job havent had any issues. Drive it to work 60 miles a day no issues at all.