Choosing between a Toyota Tacoma V6 and four-cylinder starts with the model year. This comparison mainly applies to 2016-2023 Tacomas, which offered a 2.7-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6. The V6 provides much stronger performance and towing ability, while the four-cylinder suits lighter work. Fuel economy is closer than many buyers expect.
Quick Answer
For a 2016-2023 Tacoma, choose the 3.5-liter V6 if you tow, drive steep grades, carry heavy loads, or want stronger acceleration. Choose the 2.7-liter four-cylinder for light-duty use and simpler operation. Do not expect a large MPG advantage because comparable automatic models had the same EPA combined ratings.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016-2023 V6 produces 278 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft. of torque, compared with 159 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. from the four-cylinder.
- Maximum towing rises from 3,500 pounds with the four-cylinder to as much as 6,800 pounds in selected V6 configurations.
- Comparable 2023 automatic 4×2 models both carried a 21 MPG combined EPA estimate.
- Cab, bed, drivetrain, transmission, equipment, passengers, and cargo affect the truck’s usable towing and payload capacity.
- New 2024-and-later Tacomas do not offer a V6. Toyota replaced it with turbocharged four-cylinder gas and hybrid powertrains.
Understanding Power Differences: V6 vs. Four-Cylinder
For 2016-2023 models, the engine comparison is between Toyota’s naturally aspirated 2.7-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6. According to the official 2023 Tacoma specifications, the four-cylinder produces 159 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque. The V6 produces 278 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft.
That gives the V6 about 75% more horsepower and 47% more torque. You will usually notice the difference while merging, passing, climbing hills, carrying cargo, or pulling a trailer. The four-cylinder can handle routine transportation, but it has less reserve power when the truck is loaded.
| Specification | 2.7L Four-Cylinder | 3.5L V6 |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 159 hp at 5,200 rpm | 278 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 180 lb.-ft. at 3,800 rpm | 265 lb.-ft. at 4,600 rpm |
| Automatic transmission | 6-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Manual availability | Not offered on later third-generation models | Available on selected TRD models |
| Maximum advertised towing | 3,500 lb. | Up to 6,800 lb. with the required configuration and equipment |
Note: This comparison does not apply to new 2024-and-later Tacomas. Toyota’s fourth-generation Tacoma uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The gas version launched with outputs ranging from 228 to 278 horsepower, while the available i-FORCE MAX hybrid produces 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. See Toyota’s fourth-generation Tacoma announcement for details.
Comparing Engine MPG: Which Offers Better Fuel Economy?
The four-cylinder does not deliver the large fuel-economy advantage that the original engine-size comparison might suggest. Drivetrain, transmission, tires, cab style, speed, temperature, terrain, and payload can matter as much as cylinder count.
For the 2023 model year, Toyota listed the following EPA estimates:
| Engine and Drivetrain | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four-cylinder automatic, 4×2 | 20 | 23 | 21 |
| V6 automatic, 4×2 | 19 | 24 | 21 |
| Four-cylinder automatic, 4×4 | 19 | 22 | 20 |
| V6 automatic, 4×4 | 18 | 22 | 20 |
The four-cylinder saves about 1 MPG in city testing, but the V6 4×2 automatic has a 1 MPG higher highway rating. Both automatic engines have the same combined rating when you compare equivalent 4×2 or 4×4 configurations.
Manual-transmission V6 models were rated lower. Depending on the trim, a 2023 V6 manual 4×4 carried a 17 MPG city, 20-21 MPG highway, and 18 MPG combined estimate.
Pro Tip: Compare two actual trucks with the same drivetrain, cab, bed, tires, and transmission. Comparing a four-cylinder 4×2 with a lifted V6 4×4 can make the engine appear responsible for fuel use caused by other equipment.
Towing Capacities: Which Engine Handles Heavy Loads Better?
If you plan to tow regularly, the 3.5-liter V6 is the stronger choice among 2016-2023 Tacomas. Toyota rated four-cylinder automatic models at 3,500 pounds. V6 ratings varied by configuration, with many trucks rated between 6,400 and 6,700 pounds and selected automatic 4×2 models reaching 6,800 pounds.
The V6 can nearly double the four-cylinder’s maximum trailer rating, but the exact number belongs to the truck’s configuration, not to the engine alone.
The available V6 Tow Package included equipment such as a Class IV hitch receiver, engine-oil cooler, power-steering cooler, higher-output alternator, 4-pin and 7-pin connectors, and Trailer-Sway Control. Automatic models also received a transmission-fluid cooler.
Payload is a separate limit. People, tools, accessories, bed cargo, and trailer tongue weight all count against the truck’s available payload. A V6 does not automatically give you a higher payload rating. Check the load-carrying label on the driver’s doorjamb before loading the truck.
Warning: Never use the 6,800-pound headline rating without verifying your exact Tacoma. Cab style, bed length, 4×2 or 4×4 equipment, transmission, accessories, passengers, cargo, hitch limits, and trailer tongue weight can lower the amount you can safely tow. Follow the owner’s manual and all vehicle, hitch, and trailer ratings.
Owner Experiences: Real-World Performance of the V6 vs. Four-Cylinder
In light, unloaded driving, the four-cylinder can handle commuting, local errands, and basic truck work. Its lower output becomes more noticeable during short highway merges, steep climbs, passing, or trips with several passengers and a loaded bed.
The V6 feels less strained in those situations because it has substantially more horsepower and torque. It can maintain speed with less throttle and gives you more reserve power when road grade or vehicle weight increases. That advantage matters more than an isolated acceleration time.
For off-road driving, engine output is only one part of the truck’s capability. Four-wheel drive, low-range gearing, tires, ground clearance, suspension, skid plates, and a locking rear differential can matter more at low speed. However, Toyota paired most third-generation TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Trail Edition, and TRD Pro configurations with the V6.
The four-cylinder may still suit a basic SR or SR5 work truck that spends most of its time unloaded. Buyers who expect frequent interstate travel, mountainous terrain, towing, or off-road equipment will usually find the V6 easier to live with.
Maintenance Insights for Both Engines: Long-Term Considerations
Neither engine has a universal replacement schedule or a guaranteed lifespan advantage. Maintenance history, operating conditions, overheating, oil level, towing use, corrosion, and previous repairs usually tell you more about a used Tacoma than cylinder count alone.
The four-cylinder has fewer cylinders, spark plugs, and ignition coils. That can reduce the number of parts involved in some routine jobs, but it does not guarantee lower total ownership costs. The V6 has more components, yet a well-maintained V6 may be a better purchase than a neglected four-cylinder.
Toyota’s 2023 Tacoma Warranty and Maintenance Guide lists service checkpoints every 5,000 miles or six months. Under normal service with the specified 0W-20 oil, engine oil and filter replacement is scheduled at 10,000 miles or 12 months.
The guide shortens the oil-change interval to 5,000 miles or six months when most driving involves listed special conditions. These include regular towing or heavy loading, dusty-road use, extensive low-speed or idling operation, and repeated trips under five miles in temperatures below 32°F.
- Follow the correct model-year guide: Maintenance requirements can change by year, engine, oil specification, and operating conditions.
- Adjust service for towing: Regular towing can require additional oil, differential, propeller-shaft, and chassis maintenance.
- Check fluid levels: Do not rely only on mileage. Leaks or low fluid levels need attention when discovered.
- Keep service records: Documentation helps with diagnosis and makes a used Tacoma easier to evaluate later.
Which Tacoma Engine Is Best for Your Needs?
| Your Main Use | Better Fit | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Local commuting and light cargo | Four-cylinder | Adequate for basic use when you do not need strong acceleration or high towing capacity. |
| Frequent highway driving or steep hills | V6 | Provides more reserve power for merging, passing, and maintaining speed. |
| Towing above 3,500 pounds | V6 | The four-cylinder’s maximum rating is 3,500 pounds. Verify the V6 truck’s exact rating before towing. |
| Factory TRD off-road equipment | Usually V6 | Most third-generation off-road-focused trims were configured with the V6. |
| Maximum payload | Check the specific truck | Cab, bed, drivetrain, trim, accessories, and curb weight affect payload more than the engine name alone. |
| Lowest used-truck risk | Best-maintained example | Condition and service history matter more than choosing one engine automatically. |
Used Tacoma Buying Checklist
Engine choice should not distract you from the condition of the truck. Before buying a used four-cylinder or V6 Tacoma, inspect the following:
- Service history: Look for regular oil changes, cooling-system maintenance, and mileage-based service records.
- Cold-start behavior: Listen for abnormal knocking, prolonged rattling, misfires, or uneven idle before the engine warms up.
- Leaks and fluid condition: Check the engine, transmission, transfer case, and differentials.
- Transmission operation: Test shifts when the truck is cold and fully warmed.
- Four-wheel-drive system: Confirm that 4-High, 4-Low, and the locking differential work when equipped.
- Frame and underbody: Inspect for corrosion, impact damage, bent mounting points, and poor repairs.
- Towing history: Examine the hitch, wiring, trailer connector, brake-controller installation, rear suspension, and cooling system.
- Payload label: Read the driver-door label instead of relying on a generic online specification.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many miles per gallon does a Tacoma four-cylinder get compared with a V6?
For 2023 automatic models, the four-cylinder 4×2 was rated at 20 city, 23 highway, and 21 combined MPG. The V6 4×2 was rated at 19 city, 24 highway, and 21 combined. Four-wheel-drive versions were rated at 20 combined MPG with either engine.
Is the Toyota Tacoma V6 better than the four-cylinder?
The V6 is better for acceleration, hills, towing, highway use, and heavier loads. The four-cylinder can be a sensible choice for light-duty driving. The better used truck is still the one with stronger maintenance records and better overall condition.
How much can a four-cylinder Tacoma tow?
A 2016-2023 Tacoma with the 2.7-liter four-cylinder is generally rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds. Confirm the exact limit in the truck’s owner documentation and account for passengers, cargo, accessories, tongue weight, and hitch ratings.
Does a Tacoma four-cylinder get better gas mileage than the V6?
It can use slightly less fuel in city testing, but the difference is small. Comparable 2023 automatic 4×2 models had the same 21 MPG combined rating, while comparable 4×4 models had the same 20 MPG combined rating.
Which Toyota Tacoma years offered a V6?
Toyota offered V6 Tacoma models through the 2023 model year. The redesigned 2024 Tacoma replaced the V6 with turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder gas and hybrid powertrains.
Is the 2.7-liter four-cylinder more reliable than the 3.5-liter V6?
No universal evidence proves that every four-cylinder will outlast every V6. The four-cylinder has fewer cylinders and ignition components, but maintenance, overheating history, operating conditions, corrosion, mileage, and previous repairs have a major effect on long-term reliability.
Conclusion
For a 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma, the V6 is the more capable engine. Its higher horsepower and torque make it better suited to towing, hills, highway driving, off-road trims, and heavier loads. The four-cylinder remains adequate for light-duty driving, but its fuel-economy advantage is smaller than many buyers expect.
When buying used, do not choose by engine specification alone. Compare the truck’s cab, bed, drivetrain, payload label, tow equipment, maintenance records, corrosion, and mechanical condition. A well-maintained truck that matches your real workload is a better choice than an engine name with an uncertain history.
Sources
- Toyota 2023 Tacoma eBrochure — engine output, towing, payload, trim, and EPA fuel-economy specifications.
- Toyota USA Newsroom: 2023 Toyota Tacoma — official third-generation model information and product resources.
- Toyota 2023 Warranty and Maintenance Guide — normal and special-operating-condition maintenance schedules.
- Toyota USA Newsroom: 2024 Tacoma Introduction — fourth-generation turbo-four and i-FORCE MAX powertrain specifications.
- Toyota USA Newsroom: 2026 Toyota Tacoma — current model-year Tacoma information.
