What’s normal fuel economy on a newer 5th gen?

Indeed. I was impressed I got 400 miles on a tank without being close to running on fumes. At the rate I was going I mighta gone 450 miles. But then I surely woulda been asking for trouble.

 

Sorry your state sucks for taxes/cost of living. Hopefully the amazing weather and outdoor spaces make up for it.

I spent a few weeks in LA and San Diego visiting friends a few years back, I decided I'd love to live there. I did more research when I got home though, and decided I liked NOT being homeless more than I liked the idea of living in CA.

 

I start to panic when I see the fuel level approaching 1/3, lol, I think only twice I drove so long to see the low fuel light in my whole life and I also have a 5 gal fuel canister in any vehicle except truck has 2. Talk about OCD... Also, driving often with very low gas can cause the fuel pump to overheat, reducing it's life.

 

The only takeaway I got from this thread is that there is a drastic difference in appearance of the instrument clusters between model types and years.

 

There's nothing wrong with being cautious.

However, I've put hundreds of thousands of miles on multiple vehicles. I have always driven until the light comes on, and never had an issue. If driving until the light came on would cause a problem, they would make the light come on sooner.

 

On my 3rd Gen the gauge read empty and gas light would also come on with 5 gallons left. With an 18 gallon tank that was unnerving. I never seemed to put more than 14 gallons in it when it claimed it was “empty”. There was a sending unit fix that I never had done, just lived with it.

I guess Toyota has kept the conservative 5 gallon standard across the generations to protect dumbass consumers from running dry.

 

Understood, not arguing at all, I was told that a long time ago, and it made sense for me, since fuel can act as coolant when passes through pump, especially in vehicles that have a return line (like 4Runner). Also, on some vehicles (like some gasoline Jeeps), the pump goes out any time over 100k no matter how much fuel you drive with in the tank because they make them cheap, so there is not a good way to confirm this 100%. Although in 4Runner's case, being such an old design, it is likely they figured this out...

 

I definitely don't want to run it dry, as I believe the fuel lubricates the pump. I think there's enough fuel in there to keep the pump cool as long as you're not running it down to the last gallon or so.

 

Fuel "lubricates" the pump for as long as fuel is running through it. So the only time it doesn't is when you run it dry. The more important thing that fuel does is cool the fuel pump. The more fuel in the tank, the less fluctuation in temperature.

 

Right. That's why I said I wouldn't want to run it dry.

 

I'm gonna shoot for 400 miles on every tank. Getting 400 miles without refueling makes me think the gas mileage can't be that bad. I just won't look at the receipt showing it cost me like $65. Now imagine if these things had a 28-gallon tank. Then we could be getting like 500 miles. Boy would the MPG be good then!

 

Had a Ram Ecodiesel tuned by Green Diesel, I could go 600 miles per tank (24 gallon) if I would keep it 60-70, summer only. Winter diesel has less BTU and burns faster. Now if Toyota would bring a 4Runner/Taco/Tundra with a diesel... they have a decent 2.8 turbo overseas for the smaller trucks.

 

Guaranteed extra 5mpg. Just power it with the onboard inverter. True hybrid now.

 

How is it in mall parking lots?

 

Maybe it will also keep dust off the window and hatch.

 

In my opinion, I am more willing to pay for gas than I am to pay for repairs and maintenance. I traded a VW Tiguan (2017, German built) today toward the 2022 4RUNNER, and I can tell you that VW was a costly beast to run. It used 91 fuel, had the brakes completely done after 26,000 miles, has a rusting oil pan VW refused to cover, bushings in the front suspension are going and the factory battery died at 28 months, and Apple Car Play will not stay connected since the car was 6 months old. It has 56000 Kms on it (around 31,000 miles) and is already in need of another $2000 in maintenance and repairs. I just know, running on regular fuel, that the 4RUNNER is going to be more kind to me.

 

Are you sure you had a German built one?

Because most of the ones for the US market are built in Mexico.

That’s part of the reason I don’t buy a VW.

 

Easy breezy

 

Lol, that is funny! That fan must have way over 400W, you may need a generator. But you can call that a hybrid w/o problem, airboat and suv... Nice fan btw.

 

17 city. Never drive highway.

 

21' ORP with 6k. Combination City/Hwy driving. Consistently averaging 20+ MPG.

 

It’s a truck, it doesn’t get gas mileage.

 

RSG Sliders and Stock Size KO2s

I see about 18.5-20Mpg highway 16-18Mpg city.

lost a few Mpgs right off the bat when I swapped tires from Stock, and also again when I added the sliders

 

The best way to answer the OP's question is like this; If your worried about fuel economy the 4 Runner is not for you.
Many can afford to buy a vehicle and not care about total fuel costs, some cannot.

My 2014 FX4 F150 Eco boost averages about the same as my wifes 4 Runner. On a good day, the F 150 can do better. I didnt expect the 4 Runner to do very well (fuel economy) compared to other SUV's of same size. As my wife said, a Ford Explorer would look stupid with a lift kit and mud tires. Thats why I purchased the 4 Runner. Gotta love a country girl!

 

My advice is to buy it before these legendary engines become obsolete due to fuel regulations.

There will always be economy cars out to buy for work.

But I believe this 4R reliable engine combo is leaving soon.

I agree with others I’d rather buy gas than do repairs.

I researched this 4r for two years and love it. Not towing my boat I average 19-20 but I am in Michigan at sea level. I think some who live in different elevations suffer more with mpg.

Regardless life is short. If you can afford it buy it before they are gone. Nobody knows the reliability of these new engines coming out but this one they do. Just my two cents

 

12-15 MPG going up and down a 700' high mountain daily in 3rd gear.

 

2021 Pro, 5 months and 7,200 miles. Best average yet at 19.1 mpg on recent tank. Usually around 18.5 mpg. It's trending up!

 

Drive under 65MP/H along with under 2000 RPM , you will get 22 + MPG , i tried may times and i was always got better millage on per gallon .

 

I get 15 mpg combined, 17 highway at 70-75. I'm at 2.5 inch lift on 33's with a roof rack with lights, 2 roam boxes and probably 200 lbs of extra weight. That said, the mpg will fluctuate greatly, it seems to be all about the "easing into throttle" if you want to achieve decent mpg with these cars.

All that said, if you buy one, and even if you were cursed at 7mpg, you will love the car too much to get rid of it.

 

2019 SR5, totally stock. I get about 19 on the highway. occasionally use a roof cargo box which strangely doesn't seem to affect mileage