Poor gas mileage

[Lando]

I really liked the sierra, but needs changed and I didn't have a full family to take places anymore with 2 of my 3 kids moving out of the house. It was also sometimes difficult to back out of the driveway in a full sized truck with neighbors parking directly across from my driveway entrance. However, the main thing that finally made up my mind was the DoD issue these trucks have. I change my oil often, but just didn't want to be stranded somewhere on a trip needing new lifters and pushrods or more and a warranty that was expiring. I briefly considered a 3rd gen tundra, but the engine problems scared me there as well.

I totally get it Paul. I like the 5.3L GM, it’s a good motor. I’d have no concerns putting miles on it.

As for the Tundra, I think they have worked out the engine issues for 2025 and even 2024 after a tough beginning.

To me the Tacoma is a small truck, and I like the parking ability etc. of it too (though a bit let down on its turning radius, maybe cause it’s 6’ box?). It is totally the right sized truck for the city where I live. Before I had a Silverado and an Accord for a daily.

I’m good with the mileage I’m getting, and think the fuel tank should have been about 10-15 litres bigger. But overall really enjoying my first Toyota.

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[Paul85]

I usually get 22-24 mpg which is better than my gen2, truck has more torque and better pickup. I just wish the tank was the same size so I could go longer between fill ups. I still go the same distance at 340 miles when not loaded down.

You also have a pre-runner which has none of the 4wd components on it and less weight which is nice when it comes to mpg.

 

[Mini2nut]

Jeep is rumored to be re-engineering the 2026 Wrangler AND Gladiator to accept the corporate 5.7L Hemi. That is going to be a tempting combination.

https://moparinsiders.com/report-hemi-v8-production-to-begin-in-august/

 

[TacoFreak]

Jeep is rumored to be re-engineering the 2026 Wrangler AND Gladiator to accept the corporate 5.7L Hemi. That is going to be a tempting combination.

https://moparinsiders.com/report-hemi-v8-production-to-begin-in-august/

No doubt, but I bet they will make a Taco look like a cheap date.

 

[tacorancher]

Jeep is rumored to be re-engineering the 2026 Wrangler AND Gladiator to accept the corporate 5.7L Hemi. That is going to be a tempting combination.

https://moparinsiders.com/report-hemi-v8-production-to-begin-in-august/

I feel like the hybrid Tacoma is the right amount of power. I don’t really care for much more. I drove a raptor and I wasn’t wishing I had that bit of extra juice. The Tacoma low low end torque really hits the spot for me. And I can keep the truck at 80 for several hundred miles up and down hills and in direct headwinds not breaking a sweat.

 

[Ozzy269]

You are definitely right about that! Wasn’t my top priority and thank God lol

 

[RokeHi]

Filled up today across the street from my work, afterwards truck showed 340 miles to empty. My commute home is 38 miles. When I pulled into the driveway it showed 321 miles to empty. ???

 

[tacorancher]

Filled up today across the street from my work, afterwards truck showed 340 miles to empty. My commute home is 38 miles. When I pulled into the driveway it showed 321 miles to empty. ???

It adjusts itself based on realtime data

 

[RokeHi]

It adjusts itself based on realtime data

Thanks for letting me know.

 

[307Taco]

You'll never get good mpg with heavy LT tires and added weight like a topper. More weight=less efficiant. It's just not going to happen.
Your mpg average is quite low though, are you doing a lot of warm ups or idle time? Most people get bigger LT all terrains or mud terrains and it just kills mpg, but even a heavy all season highway tire like you have will make an impact. You'd likely be better off with a lighter, mild all terrain tire for your use case, something like the Firestone Destination AT2 is very light but has great traction and decent strength.
I'm also in Wyoming so know the environment, and have had multiple Tacomas (16 TRD-OR, 18 TRD-OR, 21 TRD-OR, 22 SR5, 23 SR) and now a 2025 TRD Off Road. I use my Tacomas mostly for weekend exploring (off road, forest service roads, weekend drives) and occasionally for around town or to work. All of my Tacomas have averaged 19 mpg or higher overlall. The 25 is new, and I don't have a lot of miles but so far it is getting on par with my 3rd gen TRDs (the SR and SR5 got a bit better since they're lighter and had lighter all season tires). I track each and every fill up and know the mpg for every vehicle I've owned. Underestimating weight as a factor of mpg is a common issue. If you kept your stock tires you could swap them back on and I'd bet dollars to doughnuts your mpg average will increase.
These are great little trucks for what they are, but try to make them work like a half ton and they will likely do it, but at great cost to mpg.

 

[Paul85]

You'll never get good mpg with heavy LT tires and added weight like a topper. More weight=less efficiant. It's just not going to happen.
Your mpg average is quite low though, are you doing a lot of warm ups or idle time? Most people get bigger LT all terrains or mud terrains and it just kills mpg, but even a heavy all season highway tire like you have will make an impact. You'd likely be better off with a lighter, mild all terrain tire for your use case, something like the Firestone Destination AT2 is very light but has great traction and decent strength.
I'm also in Wyoming so know the environment, and have had multiple Tacomas (16 TRD-OR, 18 TRD-OR, 21 TRD-OR, 22 SR5, 23 SR) and now a 2025 TRD Off Road. I use my Tacomas mostly for weekend exploring (off road, forest service roads, weekend drives) and occasionally for around town or to work. All of my Tacomas have averaged 19 mpg or higher overlall. The 25 is new, and I don't have a lot of miles but so far it is getting on par with my 3rd gen TRDs (the SR and SR5 got a bit better since they're lighter and had lighter all season tires). I track each and every fill up and know the mpg for every vehicle I've owned. Underestimating weight as a factor of mpg is a common issue. If you kept your stock tires you could swap them back on and I'd bet dollars to doughnuts your mpg average will increase.
These are great little trucks for what they are, but try to make them work like a half ton and they will likely do it, but at great cost to mpg.

The LT tires, absolutely. Those things weigh a ton compared to what ships with the truck. Topper? I guess it depends. I have a soft foldable one that weighs very very little. From everything I've read for many many years, the mpg savings of having a topper vs no topper is 1-2 mpg better with a tonneau cover My topper is light, but taut and flutters very little when on the highway. I don't warm up the truck more than about 10 seconds. I now have 2600 miles on the truck and my mpg has gone up 1-2 mpg in town driving, still around 15 mpg on the highway at 70 mph (the limit). If I drop it down to 60-65 and have everybody pass me, I get closer to 17-18.

 

[Sagebrush]

You'll never get good mpg with heavy LT tires and added weight like a topper.

One of the first things I did was get rid of the factory tires and install 10-ply LTs that were the same size and then I added my Smartcap, which is about 170 pounds. The last thing I want is a flat with a 4-ply.

I get 22-23 MPG on the highway, but I drive like an old guy.

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