Horsepower & torque ratings new vs old

I have a 1999 4Runner with a V-6. I have given thought to buying a newer 4Runner. Recently I was comparing the 2020 to mine, the horsepower and torque specs. Both HP and torque were measurably more, and I assumed the newer 4Runners to have a larger tow rating but was surprised to learn it was the same. Even the payload is less on a 2020. I also noticed the newer 4Runners are weightier and perhaps this comes into play. I was wondering if anyone here has had an opportunity to drive both the old and the new and how they compare in terms of comfort and performance.

 

I drove and owned a 19841/2 and a 2023 and it's night and day. In the 90s I was either in Europe or driving a Volvo. LOL I hear that the V6 in 1999 is excellent. Never owned one so don't know first hand but The Car Care Nut on Youtube loves them and he should know.

 

Horsepower to weight ratio... 5th Gen weighs 800lbs more than a 3rd Gen. It makes all the difference.

 

That was my thought. Where did all that weight go?

 

Scale accounts for quite a bit. 5th gen is significantly larger with more safety steel. There is also additional hardware related to emissions and quite a bit more copper (wire) and computer hardware.

 

I noticed the engine has more cubic inches. Is this the same V-6 reworked?

 

different... 3.5L 5VZ-FE vs. 4.0 1GR-FE and yep, heavier motor.

Edit: Above post is incorrect. the 4L is actually lighter than the 3.5L

 

It’s a common them among Japanese (and all manufacturers).

what comes to mind is the 3rd and 4th gen maxima, with the later at the end of its production cycle making 265hp @ 3200 lbs with the then new (and since highly regarded) vq35.

every gen after that has gotten more piggish as they went.

 

The 4.0 (366#)is quite a bit lighter than the 3.5 (420#).
https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id=128

 

Well I'll be darn. Aluminum block and heads makes a big difference. Thanks for the correction.

 

No problem, I like yotas a lot like you do.

 

Modern (late-2000s) tow ratings per SAE J2807 standard are more stringent. The standard is acceleration-based (i.e. max weight the vehicle can pull and merge onto a mountain highway safely). Your 1999 4Runner would probably have its tow capacity cut by a third if subjected to modern standards.

Similar story with payload. All the federal handling and accident-avoidance tests, VSC calibrations, etc. are done at GVWR.

Even hp rating standards change with time. The 5VZ would probably be downgraded from 190 to 185 hp by today's standards. It happened with the 1GR, initially rated at 241 hp in press kits, then downgraded to 236 hp.