Toyota Tacoma Gas Mileage

Toyota Tacoma Engine Options

In order to provide you with such exceptional fuel economy, the Tacoma offers two engines to choose from. Each one provides you with plenty of power to get you well on your way to your next jobsite or weekend getaway.

This truck comes standard with a 2.7L 4-cylinder engine producing up to 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. This is the engine that lets you earn that EPA-estimated 20 city/23 highway MPG.¹ Its rock-solid mechanical design makes it a force to be reckoned with out on the road.

When you need more power, you can upgrade to the available 3.5L V6 engine. This powertrain enhances your vehicle's capabilities, with up to 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. When equipped with this powertrain, the Tacoma can get up to an EPA-estimated 19 city/24 highway MPG.¹ 

Overall, you can expect to still earn an impressive fuel economy—even when getting improved engine power.

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Toyota Tacoma: Transmission Options

In order to provide the fuel-efficient ride that you want out of the Toyota Tacoma, this vehicle comes standard with a 6-speed Electronically Controlled automatic Transmission. This transmission gives you plenty of gears to work with to make sure you keep the RPM down while on the open road. The smooth acceleration is great when you have a trailer to tow or need to merge onto the highway.

To give you more control over how your vehicle shifts, though, you can make use of an available 6-speed manual transmission. When using a manual transmission, you’re in control of your RPM, so you can make sure you don’t use more fuel than you need to.

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Fuel-Saving Tips

Whether you’re interested in reducing your vehicle's emissions or just want to make fewer pit stops on your drives, all drivers can agree that improving fuel efficiency is something to strive for. While solid engineering can go a long way toward making a vehicle more efficient, your driving style plays a huge role too.

One of the most important things to consider is how hard you’re pressing on the throttle. If you push your engine, you’ll use up more fuel. However, if you coast along the road, you’ll save a lot more gas. Smooth acceleration is key to making the most out of each drop of fuel.

The same can be said for braking. Braking steadily will ensure that no energy is wasted as you stop. Conversely, jamming on the brakes will put the energy generated through gas combustion squarely onto your brakes. Not only does this waste that energy but you’ll put undue stress on your brakes, resulting in increased wear and tear. Brake smoothly and your Tacoma will thank you.

Another major factor in your vehicle's fuel economy is the tire pressure. The less pressure in the tires, the more resistance they create on the road. By keeping the tire pressure at its recommended level, the engine doesn’t have to work harder to reach higher speeds.

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What Affects Fuel Economy?

When it comes to fuel economy, there are several factors that are constantly at play. These are things to keep in mind while you make your regular drives every day. When you drive smart, you’ll end up saving both time and money at the pump.

The overall weight of your vehicle plays a major role in its fuel efficiency. Any pickup is a heavy machine to get moving. It’s all put on the engine to live up to that expectation. Simply put, the more your vehicle weighs due to passengers and cargo, the more fuel it will need to get moving.

The Tacoma features a maximum payload capacity of up to 1,685 pounds when properly equipped. It also offers 100.1 cubic feet of passenger volume. As you add more gear and more people to fill those spaces, keep in mind that you’ll need more fuel to get going.

Aerodynamics are a constant when it comes to overall miles per gallon. The Tacoma, like many modern vehicles, is designed to cut through the air as you travel down the road. Once you reach a high enough speed, however, the wind resistance will be too great to overcome. Keep your speed steady to counteract any unnecessary increase in fuel usage.

As you travel at high speeds, you’ll want to keep the windows closed. Why, you may ask? When moving quickly, windows that are cracked open allow that high-speed wind to enter the cabin and create more drag. That means the Tacoma will need more fuel to maintain its current speed.

If you start to feel warm, let the available dual zone automatic climate control system take over. It’s just one of the many features in the Tacoma that are designed to keep you comfortable on your ride.