First road trip... Better MPG than my 4Runner.

I drove my daughter and three grandsons from Idaho to Joint Base Lewis-McChord Friday in the new Tundra. First road trip with it.

It was wonderful! So much quieter and more comfortable than the 4Runner. Both vehicles feature leveling kits and the same 33" tires, so pretty much a direct comparison.

The first part of the trip is on Hwy 26, which is notoriously bad, always windy, and dangerous. Speed limit of 60 mph. Then you get on I-90 which is 70 mph, windy, and takes you up and over the pass, and then down into Seattle area. 300 miles.

I had the AC on full blast the entire trip...



Then got stuck in traffic since not only Seattle, but Taylor Swift concerts and estimated 100k+ visitors this weekend.

Gas mileage on the way there was an abysmal 14.9 mpg.

My 4Runner averaged 15.7 mpg for that trip.

Offloaded the passengers and their 300lbs of support equipment, and headed back the next day.

Cooler temps and less wind and I ended up with a 16.5 mpg average by the time I completed the 600-mile journey.

Not great, but I'm happy due to the increase in comfort and capacity.

 

Getting better gas mileage than a 4Runner isn’t really anything to be happy about, but I’m sure you know that. You’re probably just a bit surprised that a V8 full size truck with bigger aftermarket tires got better MPGs than a midsize V6 SUV. I have a 2020 Tundra TRDOR, 4x4 with 35s and a 2018 T4R
Pro with 33s and the MPGs are almost identical
But I love both rigs for similar reasons; bombproof reliability and the cool factor. Hey, if I can’t be cool at least my vehicles can be
FWIW, I remember you from the 4Runners.com forum and how you said you were leaving. It sounds like you have no regrets and I’m glad it’s working out for you! You went from one great ride with poor MPGs to a different great ride with poor MPGs, but there’s not a single member on either forum that bought our trucks with good gas mileage as a reason

 

I’m not switching because of the gas mileage. I love both. I will miss my tundra Pro but I don’t need a full size truck. Going back to the 4runner. It’s a tough call. I was getting about the same on both.

 

Looks like you have a low pressure tire warning on your dash.

These are great traveling vehicles, I have done a couple of 600 mile trips to visit relatives, always very nice.

Dan

 

It's the stupid TPMS sensors TireRack put in the rims. They won't sync. Tire shop tried and couldn't figure it out.

 

I think you could do better if your tire pressure is right...

 

Personally, I was never really in “love” with my 4Runner. I did think I was until I bought my Tundra. I got better gas mileage in the 4Runner but the Tundra is much more comfortable and nicer to drive once I got accustomed to the size/width.

 

I agree with you but for me after having it for about 2.5 years I prefer the 4runner. Everyone has their own reasons.

 

No, I respect and understand that last sentence.

 

Only reason I sold my 5th gen t4r was the incredible offer the local ford dealer gave me. Didn’t buy anything there, They gave me 4k more than the yota dealer offered. Those are great vehicles.