Trucks: Better Gas Mileage - V6 4.0l Tacoma Prerunner vs v8 5.3l Silverado

[StarsFan4Life]

Still looking at trucks here. Will a V8 5.3L Chevy Silverado Crew Cab getting better highway gas mileage than a V6 4.0l Toyota Tacoma Prerunner Crew Cab?

Both 2009 or 2010 models.

Any new deals on trucks starting tomorrow?

 

[JulesMaximus]

They both suck.

\thread

 

[StarsFan4Life]

What do you suggest?

 

[LTC8K6]

There will be little difference.

 

[MovingTarget]

Don't go for the Toyota. Get a real truck.



/flamesuit

 

[radioouman]

Amazingly, the Chevy gets pretty darn good gas mileage on the highway. fueleconomy.gov is your friend.

 

[Bignate603]

Don't go for the Toyota. Get a real truck.



/flamesuit

Considering the issues that Toyota has repeatedly had with its trucks as they age (severe rust to the point of being dangerous) I'd stick with the Chevy. I'd understand if it was just a one time thing but it's happened with multiple models over a relatively long period of time. They blamed it on their supplier, just like they did with their gas pedal issue.

 

[joutlaw]

Amazingly, the Chevy gets pretty darn good gas mileage on the highway. fueleconomy.gov is your friend.

I'm think the Chevy will get better on the highway and they would be close in the city.

I'd advise you to drive both. Are you looking at Pre-runner style Silverado? I think they make some with the Z71 suspension and 2WD, but really the 2WDs sit pretty high up (relative to a non-Prerunner Tacoma). And as I've stated before, you can get the G80 locking differential on the Chevy without a special package similar to TRD on the Tacoma.

If you are going to do any light offroading or launching a boat I'd recommend a locking diff for a 2WD.

 

[JulesMaximus]

What do you suggest?

Get whatever you want. Fuel economy of those trucks is going to be so close that the difference will be almost negligible.

 

[vi edit]

I'll say that the Silverado probably will pull better MPG under "ideal" highway conditions but the Taco will do better if you're getting into the throttle a lot.

The full size is simply a bigger, heavier vehicle that has a much larger engine to feed. Any gains in highway economy will be quicly lost in any stop & go traffic.

 

[saratoga172]

Get a real truck. An F-150.

 

[PricklyPete]

I'll say that the Silverado probably will pull better MPG under "ideal" highway conditions but the Taco will do better if you're getting into the throttle a lot.

The full size is simply a bigger, heavier vehicle that has a much larger engine to feed. Any gains in highway economy will be quicly lost in any stop & go traffic.

This. While the new technology in the Silverado may give it close to or better highway mileage than the Tacoma...I just don't see it getting nearly as good gas mileage around town.

Either way, you're only talking a slight difference between the two. You really should not be buying either of these trucks if MPG is your main concern. And if it isn't your main concern...than who cares with the mileage being so close...pick the truck that suites your needs in other ways and forget about the mileage.

 

[LTC8K6]

Ranger 4 banger gets great mileage.

 

[PricklyPete]

Ranger 4 banger gets great mileage.

Exactly...if you're main priority is MPG, then the Ranger or some other 4 cylinder truck is the way to go.

Between the Tacoma and the Silverado, the gas is going to be so similar, that you should purchase the vehicle based on what other priorities you have.

 

[StarsFan4Life]

Can I get a 09 or 10 Silverado Crew Cab LT with the 5.3L V8 for $20-22k? Is there much of a difference in the 4.8L and the 5.3L V8 in terms of gas mileage?

 

[joutlaw]

The 5.3L will get better fuel mileage. Even before Active Fuel Management the 5.3L did better than the 4.8L oddly enough. I'm not sure if it's because of more torque in the 5.3L or the 4.8L just having to work harder in a fullsize truck.

 

[StarsFan4Life]

Can I get a 09 or 10 Silverado Crew Cab LT with the 5.3L V8 for $20-22k NEW?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Get whatever you want. Fuel economy of those trucks is going to be so close that the difference will be almost negligible.

In which case I'd definitely get the Chevy. Better track record as far as trucks go and more power available from the V8.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Can I get a 09 or 10 Silverado Crew Cab LT with the 5.3L V8 for $20-22k NEW?

No.
Used, yes.

 

[caspur]

New Silverado CC LT will be in the mid-high 20k range. The 5.3 is used in everything from sedans to SUVs to pickups and is very reliable. My fuel economy typically ranges from 12mpg in the city to nearly 23 on the highway.

My Toyotas w/the 4.0l (which is also used in a variety of applications) is more consistently around 16mpg, it doesn't vary as much as the Chevy motors do.

On the basis of fuel economy, both engines average out about the same. Power delivery on the Chevy with the new 6 speed trans is much smoother than the Toyota. Of course, it also has a lot more torque to work with, which is vital during towing or hauling.

I also like the 6.2 used in the Escalades (and some Silverados), which surprisingly get the same fuel economy as the 5.3. On the Escalade it makes a burble...I love the V8 burble.

 

[herm0016]

i have an 09 gmc ( i paid about 32k new, 5.3L, z71, all terrain, loaded w/o leather) i get nearly 16 with about 75% city driving, and on the highway i get around 23 mpg with AFM.

these are great trucks, far superior to the tacoma, the tacoma is still a midsize vs. the full size gmc/chevy. take a look at the canyon/colorado if you want a midsize truck, they get better milage than the taco and are well built. ( i think they are kinda ugly though)

 

[Vette73]

Why not a 5cyl Canyon/Colorado crewcab. A LITTLE better gas milage then the 2 you brought up but the same size as the Tacoma.

 

[RU482]

Considering the issues that Toyota has repeatedly had with its trucks as they age (severe rust to the point of being dangerous) I'd stick with the Chevy. I'd understand if it was just a one time thing but it's happened with multiple models over a relatively long period of time. They blamed it on their supplier, just like they did with their gas pedal issue.

typical Asian company

 

[Sluggo]

I have a 99 Silverado 2WD with the 5.3 and it always averages between 17-18 MPG which I think is about 50/50 highway and city. I really like the truck and it has been one of the most dependable vehicles I have ever owned. Its closing in on 280,000 miles on the OEM drivetrain, I would buy another one without hesitation.

 

[lothar]

Get a real truck. An F-150.

This.