Sufficient Power In the 2025 Gas Motor?

[tufftrucks14]

Here’s the deal with the hybrid…. 10 year warranty. If it breaks at anytime, you’re not stuck. It’s meant to supplement the engine, give you additional HP. So, if you’re at year 12, and it gives out, you have a gas powered vehicle if you choose to not fix it. Look into it if you’re on the fence. If I had known more about it at the time, I might have gone with the hybrid. However, with what I’m recently learning about the performance tuning, I’m glad I didn’t! It’s not that I feel it’s currently underpowered, I just want it to be bada$$! This is my first 4Runner, and my first gas powered with a turbo (owned a Dodge Ram with a Cummins diesel before). Don’t let anyone make you believe the performance tune voids your warranty either. If the OTT is professionally done, it won’t void your warranty.

Thanks and yes I’ve done a lot of research regarding the hybrid but when you look at some of the components that change (Ie brake vacuum actuator, etc) things get more complex and costly when you go hybrid. I plan on keeping this thing for a long time so I’m looking for ease of access, diy repair and this want gas only. Embarrassingly I admit I never thought of tune options so I am pumped now! I assume since the heart is the same in the hybrid and the gas I would also assume the components in the motor can handle the extra oomf as it’s getting it from the hybrid already?

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[tufftrucks14]

From 60 - 80 on the interstate, the gas powered 4Runner does great! I’m still in awe at the performance of this little 4 banger. I‘ve been on a couple 350 mile trips, and my wife had to tell me to calm down a bit. ??

I didn’t put it in the sport drive mode until this weekend. Man, it’s just unreal! Like a completely different vehicle!

Thanks this is what I was hoping to hear

 

[photorunner]

I’ve had no issues getting up to speed on the highway or passing. Definitely an improvement over the 5th gen, in my experience. I’m also getting 20mpg around town and up to 25 on longer trips as long as the speed stays under about 70. Once you get up in that range it’s more like 22mpg. I don’t plan on doing anything funky with the intake or any aggressive tuning, I have no issues with the power- plus I’m going for as much longevity as possible.

 

[LARIN]

Tufftrucks14,

You asked about Hybrid vs Gas, Gave you a better option if you wanted a Hybrid, Yes I know US has Hybrid only in the LC

 

[bancroftdg]

I have the gas only 4 cyl and think its totally fine. I'm coming from a V6 Honda Ridgeline and the Toyota 4 banger is infinitely better.

 

[Michaelkael]

I personally only test drove the gas only vehicle, and decided to with it vs the hybrid for the following reasons :
- enough power/drivability out of it, didn’t feel underpowered or anything wrong with the power delivery
- larger cargo space and lower loading floor (SUVs are high enough, adding the batteries + eventually a lift, wouldn’t be fun for my wife to handle loading stuff in the car if I’m not around)
- That hybrid isn’t for fuel economy, so it slightly helps with performance while also hurting the weight and balance of the vehicle. So if your hybrid system runs out of juice, you’re stuck with a heavier vehicle for the same gas engine.
- over time, maintenance must end up costing more for hybrid vs gas only (let alone the fact that I’d feel more comfortable doing some of it myself, and saving, on a gas only vs a hybrid engine.
- I’d be more worried to be left stranded if the hybrid powerhouse has any issue (gas is more simple).

Just my very own personal opinion ??‍?

 

[mmjsport]

There’s a video online showing the speed difference with a hybrid vs non hybrid. On take off the hybrid pulls away a little
amount of if it’s a roll race or they’re already in motion, they are almost identical.

 

[Tallgeese00MS]

Yes! The performance with the gas engine is great! I’ve also been looking at getting the cold air intake from SXTH Element and OTT tune which will bring the HP and torque up considerably. As it stands with those modifications, you will see over 330 hp and 400+ lb/ft of torque.

May be a dumb question but will the addition of the sxth element intake void any warranty? Also same for an ott tune, will that void any warranty?

 

[JR1]

My point same hp, but better looking and if you get the 1958 you got just about everything except leather which can be added for less or the same money except for an SR5

When I was shopping the 1958 was about 54K after discount. Isn’t the SR5 around 45K?

 

[jimr]

Hi everyone. Quick question regarding the new 4cyl gas motor for those who are running it now. At highway speeds do you find it sufficient for get up and go as well as passing. We’re ready to order but I keep waffling between gas and hybrid? Want a simple engine I can do all my own work on hence leaning toward straight gas. Thanks for the input!

I paid the extra $2K for the hybrid option (TRD off-road). Well worth it. Added torque to already awesome getup and go of the turbo engine is great. Substantially better in-town mileage also adds to value. One big plus I hadn't thought of is how the gas engine turns off when not needed (adds to mpg), and uses the electric motor on startup from stop lights. The gas engine is then brought online only after you're moving, which makes things smoother than hitting the gas and having to wait for the engine to start (as happens in some gas-only cars I've rented).

 

[HVLA]

Anyone saying gas over hybrid for reliability makes zero sense.

1. They are the same engine and having the hybrid allows the engine to work less.
2. Toyota has been making hybrids for 20+ years. They are the gold standard for hybrids.

It comes down to what you need/want.

Need to tow regularly or more comfortably? Get the hybrid.

Want more power? Get the hybrid.

If you dont need or want those things then get the gas and save a few bucks and gain some cargo area.

Simple.

 

[Michaelkael]

Anyone saying gas over hybrid for reliability makes zero sense.

It comes to maths and statistics at this point.

It has 2 systems integrated with each other, with given reliability.
Unless any of em has a 100% reliability rate (which is not possible), having both will ALWAYS BE statistically less reliable than having just one.
PERIOD.

 

[HVLA]

It comes to maths and statistics at this point.

It has 2 systems integrated with each other, with given reliability.
Unless any of em has a 100% reliability rate (which is not possible), having both will ALWAYS BE statistically less reliable than having just one.
PERIOD.

Except if the hybrid stops working entirely then you just have the gas engine. And Toyota hybrids do not stop working. Which is why the hybrid part of the powertrain has more than double the gas powertrain warranty.

Not to mention way over half of everyone on this website will own this 4runner for less than 5 years.

 

[jimr]

Except if the hybrid stops working entirely then you just have the gas engine. And Toyota hybrids do not stop working. Which is why the hybrid part of the powertrain has more than double the gas powertrain warranty.

Not to mention way over half of everyone on this website will own this 4runner for less than 5 years.

Actually if my hybrid stops working I may be dead in the water. Reason being, I don't have the AUX switches which means no alternator which means no-go w/o hybrid working. If this is wrong someone please correct me.

 

[bakutheleo]

I do not have experience with the gas only other than a brief test drive, I bought the hybrid. Very impressive pickup--it is truly fun to drive (I am a safe driver, goes close to the speed limit, so I am not talking about stupid fun driving!). The factors I think that I think are important to consider:

1. More pickup is a plus, but not critical, as from others the gas version seems to do quite well.
2. Slightly improved mileage is good, albeit not huge. However, if you consider proportion rather than amount it is 5-10%, which adds up over time.
3. Probably somewhat less wear on the engine as the electric motor (which are generally very reliable) helps. Very likely less wear on the brakes because of the regenerative braking.
4. 2400 watt 110V power outlets rather than only 400W (may or may not be a big deal to you, but is nice to have available). Also more practical, as the engine will start/stop as needed to maintain charge--the gas 400W version would only run off the tiny car battery, and if you want to run it much you will need to keep the engine running.
5. Start/stop feature, I think, is nice. Mostly it is using the big electric motor to start, so not a load on a small starter motor. It is pretty smooth, not much of a delay on pickup (and the electric motor gives you a starting boost anyway while the engine starts, which is very quick). For brief stops (quick light) not necessarily very helpful, but for longer stops it "feels" nice and is helpful. Helpful in stop/go traffic, especially if you can maintain electric with (very) slow starts. Generally the engine shuts down when going downhill as well, plus that charges the big battery.
6. Loss of cargo space/height is definitely a downside of the hybrid. This was my biggest sticking point. There is a bit of storage in the front and back 10" or so though. For me, actually, this was the only real downside I see.

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