6th Generation thoughts of mountain driving

What are the initial thoughts about the 4 cylinder and how well it may do in the mountains? I live in Colorado and wondering if I should get the last year of the 5th generation or wait until the fall for the new one.

 

Being a turbocharged engine, it should do very well at elevation. The 5th Gen is the epitome of reliability and the 6th Gen reliability is unknown at this point. There are people of faith in Toyota and believe the 6th Gen will be reliable. Time will tell if this is true or not.

 

The T24A-FTS has been used in the Tacoma, NX, Highlander, etc. since 2021/2022ish and hasn’t been causing trouble yet. We will see how it does long-term but for now it seems alright.

it’ll probably be a better experience at elevation as mentioned.

 

At elevation it should do even better than the 5th gen. Them turbos are super helpful in thinner air!

 

It’s already been said but in terms of power, it won’t even be close. Naturally aspirated engines lose about 15-20% at elevations of 5k ft vs sea level. To have the turbo will be to recapture the power loss.

With respect to reliability, you know the 4.0 V6 on the 5th Gen is really reliable. It’s a proven motor and very very simple by modern standards but also is quite inefficient though under stressed. It’s interesting to read about the same population of fervent Toyota supporters who swear their allegiance to the brand because of their conservative approach to product development, R&D and durability testing, simultaneously say how the new engine is gonna be a dumpster fire and unmitigated disaster. While it’s def a more complicated engine, if someone is gonna make sure it’s hearty and reliable, it’s Toyota. They wouldn’t gamble the franchise (Landcruiser, Tacoma and 4Runner are legendary brands unto themselves). Toyota knows why people buy Toyotas… stubborn reliability and resale value as a consequence. This is a turbo motor engineered as a Toyota turbo motor from inception. It isn’t a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder they then strapped a turbo to like people are making it sound. The compression, cylinder wall pressures under boost, heat generation all have been considered. Not to mention the state of modern materials and metallurgy that also allow for reliable motors with technical specs not possible a decade or two ago.

 

TL;DR:
It won't be as reliable as the 1GR (no modern engine likely will be again), but it shouldn't be unreliable.

OP: everything that can be said here is speculation. Check the 4th Gen forum on Tacomaworld in about a year for real information.

 

Besides the turbo performing better at elevation, it also has more torque at a lower, usable range which will noticeably improve driving mountain grades.

 

bruh the Tacoma in 21 has a 2trfe 2.7 na NOT the 2.4 turbo (unknown and unreliable) 4th gen Tacoma engine (2024)

 

Or check out the 3rd gen tundra forums (v6 turbo) where it’s a 3 year old platform and the bearings are still failing on brand new models at 20k miles)

 

It’s new in the 2024MY Tacoma but what I mean to highlight is that it has been put in the 2022MY (2021 production) NX and 2023MY (2022 production) Highlander before that and hasn’t been blowing up Hyundai/Kia-style yet.

(not to mention the RX, Grand Highlander, etc. but those are also newer)

I’m sure there will be changes between transverse, longitudinal, gas-only and hybrid applications but so far I’d say no news is good news.

 

I’m surprised it’s even 6-7% given the way turbos work. If they boost on the basis of PSI and you have thinner air, they just cram more of the thinner air into the engine until that same boost pressure is achieved…. To an extent. Obviously there is an inflection point where it’s not necessarily possible for them to spin up and spool to shove as much thin air in and you’re shy of the desired boost/air (oxygen) to make the stoich work out optimally for the air/fuel.

How much does a pound of thin vs thick air weigh… one pound is the answer… just more of the former to reach one pound.

 

Not the same engine = more speculation

2005-2006 4.0 Tacos had systemic head gasket failures. Is that relevant?

 

It might be the best 4runner yet. The turbo like Tacoma is supposed to be commercial grade. Probably better differential gearing and more transmission gears should make power better, but a hybrid is what you want for towing. Parts commonality with Tacoma and Land Cruiser should make them cheaper and more dependable.

 

It's unknown, but somehow it's already unreliable?

What does a different engine in a different vehicle have to do with anything?

 

I am soooo glad I got my 2019. I would certainly kill a 4 banger turbo, especially since Turbos don't normally last much passed 150k in general.

 

You can read this and close the thread.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forced_induction

https://www.garrettmotion.com/news/...at-elevation-counteracting-lower-air-density/

 

It will drive with more power than the 5G. Our Subaru ascent with the 2.4l turbo(wrx engine) is waaaayyy more powerful than the 5G.

The subbie driving up the initial incline on i70 or 285 from Denver is effortless, rpm around 3k for keeping up with traffic or passing, during that initial climb

the only unknown is longevity, compared to the 4.0 v6

 

Really? I had a Volvo 850 with original turbo at 260k miles. A 3 cylinder smart car 650cc with turbo and had 130k miles with original turbo. Not to mention the old turbo diesel Mercedes-Benz engines.

 

Why only Americans worry about this? I used to live in Switzerland and Austria but nobody purchased a car based on elevation. People used whatever they had. For sure snow tires and chains are mandatory but rarely saw a V6 engine vehicle on the mountain. Mostly 1.4 and 1.6 liter 4 cylinder.

 

233k and counting on the original turbo in my '07 Volvo. Owners typically get over 300K on them.

4banger turbo is going to be quicker than the 4.0, especially at elevation.

 

Yeah, generally turbos need a little more maintenance too. Not to say you can't get 200k+ on a quality Turbo like from Volvo, but generally they are not going to go 300k.

 

What extra maintenance do turbos require?

People worship the 2UZ, and I would consider a t-belt replacement every 100k a lot more maintenance intensive than a turbo.

 

Turbo needs no maintenance. Change the oil at 5-6k miles and don’t floor it when it’s cold. After heavy towing or uphill run let it idle for a minute. That’s it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn5hrhTEERQ&t=268s

 

to recap engines w/turbos

1. In cold environments, give engine time to warm up the oil.
2. If you must drive right away, don't floor it. Keep RPM down.
3. More importantly than warm it up, cool it down. Keep engine on 1-2m after you get to destination.
4. Air Filters need to be watched more closely. More air/dirt gets sucked in by turbos and go through more air filters than traditional engine.
5. Drive smart, not hard. Don't be driving high RPM, high load, all the time. Keep RPMs down, especially if you have a manual. Always be in a lower gear.

No way most everyday city drivers going to do all this. Lol

 

Every day city drivers only encounter point 1. They won’t tow or do a racetrack day.
The guy explained exactly what I said about turbo engines.