Sufficient Power In the 2025 Gas Motor?

[Dr_Al]

If you're worried about it then don't get the hybrid. Since it's a part of the transmission, not the engine there's always the possibility that the transmission could be less reliable. But it's nothing more than an electric motor. As far as regen braking goes that's basically like using the engine to control your speed going down a hill (compression braking). However, instead of the engine slowing it down the electric motor is now a generator (like how almost every train engine works) that provides resistance.

Nothing is foolproof but I would be more worried about the turbo on the non hybrid. If you are in town (stop and go traffic) the turbo will be working much harder if it doesn't have the electric assist. I would make sure to let the engine idle a bit before shutting it off to let it cool down. Cooking the oil in a hot turbo by shutting it off too soon can cause damage.

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[john124]

I have an sr5 which is gas and it accelerates very well and smoothly and its honestly pretty quick at the start cause the torque comes so low, and it feels even better in sport mode. Im sure the hybrid version is better, but I never feel like the vehicle needs more power cause its so responsive and never has a moment where you press the gas and it lags to rev up to gain speed. If you have the money get a hybrid, but also take a look at the land cruiser at that point cause they are also hybrids similarly priced and the land cruiser honestly looks really good imo, but this new 4runner also looks really sporty. Also i've heard using premium fuel ads hp and torque which im not sure how much it is noticeable and really necessary, but its also nice that the 4runner doesn't need premium fuel unlike land cruiser.

 

[JoeYota4Runner]

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!

Yes it has plenty of power in my opinion. I never thought a 4-cylinder engine could match a V6, but we just drove to PA from Florida and through the mountains you couldn't even tell it was a 4cylinder. We have a 2014 Tundra also so I how that one performs.

 

[JoeYota4Runner]

If you're worried about it then don't get the hybrid. Since it's a part of the transmission, not the engine there's always the possibility that the transmission could be less reliable. But it's nothing more than an electric motor. As far as regen braking goes that's basically like using the engine to control your speed going down a hill (compression braking). However, instead of the engine slowing it down the electric motor is now a generator (like how almost every train engine works) that provides resistance.

Nothing is foolproof but I would be more worried about the turbo on the non hybrid. If you are in town (stop and go traffic) the turbo will be working much harder if it doesn't have the electric assist. I would make sure to let the engine idle a bit before shutting it off to let it cool down. Cooking the oil in a hot turbo by shutting it off too soon can cause damage.

The turbo doesn't work unless you give it a lot of gas, right ? I don't see that as a factor in stop and go traffic.

 

[john124]

The turbo doesn't work unless you give it a lot of gas, right ? I don't see that as a factor in stop and go traffic.

no it makes the torque at very low rpm which means it accelerates significantly as soon as you give even a little gas, that's the benefit of a small turbo. For example the old v8 made a maximum 320lbft of torque but it did this at 3200rpm vs the 2.4l turbo which makes 317 at 1700rpm which is basically as soon as you press the gas. Thats why it feels like it accelerates well even without the additional torque of the hybrid because it starts accelerating as soon as you press the petal and not only once you've floored it. If you are in stop and go traffic this might rather be bothersome as the ride might be a bit jolty every time you give a little bit of gas. A large turbo compared to the engine would experience some lag but thats not whats being used here.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

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).

If the gas engine shuts off when not moving, how does it save on mpg? You aren't travelling any miles when standing still. Not trying to sound like a smart a$$, legit question because I thought turning the engine on and off uses more gas. Of course, if sitting in a traffic jam when you are not moving for an extended period of time is different, but at a normal traffic red light.....????

 

[JoeYota4Runner]

no it makes the torque at very low rpm which means it accelerates significantly as soon as you give even a little gas, that's the benefit of a small turbo. For example the old v8 made a maximum 320lbft of torque but it did this at 3200rpm vs the 2.4l turbo which makes 317 at 1700rpm which is basically as soon as you press the gas. Thats why it feels like it accelerates well even without the additional torque of the hybrid because it starts accelerating as soon as you press the petal and not only once you've floored it. If you are in stop and go traffic this might rather be bothersome as the ride might be a bit jolty every time you give a little bit of gas. A large turbo compared to the engine would experience some lag but thats not whats being used here.

I have the turbo icon displayed but I don’t see the indicator move unless I press pedal down kinda hard.

If the gas engine shuts off when not moving, how does it save on mpg? You aren't travelling any miles when standing still. Not trying to sound like a smart a$$, legit question because I thought turning the engine on and off uses more gas. Of course, if sitting in a traffic jam when you are not moving for an extended period of time is different, but at a normal traffic red light.....????
[/QUOTE
Mine does not have the auto off function. It’s a 25 TRD Sport. Worst function for engines I think.

 

[HVLA]

If you're worried about it then don't get the hybrid. Since it's a part of the transmission, not the engine there's always the possibility that the transmission could be less reliable. But it's nothing more than an electric motor. As far as regen braking goes that's basically like using the engine to control your speed going down a hill (compression braking). However, instead of the engine slowing it down the electric motor is now a generator (like how almost every train engine works) that provides resistance.

Nothing is foolproof but I would be more worried about the turbo on the non hybrid. If you are in town (stop and go traffic) the turbo will be working much harder if it doesn't have the electric assist. I would make sure to let the engine idle a bit before shutting it off to let it cool down. Cooking the oil in a hot turbo by shutting it off too soon can cause damage.

Exactly.

 

[HVLA]

I have the turbo icon displayed but I don’t see the indicator move unless I press pedal down kinda hard.

The turbo is spinning every time your engine is on.

 

[Dr_Al]

The turbo is spinning every time your engine is on.

Spinning, yes. Making boost, no.

 

[HVLA]

Spinning, yes. Making boost, no.

Which doesnt matter. Spinning puts wear on a part. Spinning faster puts more wear on a part.

 

[CO/ZA]

Hot take: the 2.4 turbo petrol 4Runner 6G and 2.4 turbo diesel Fortuner/Hilux drive virtually the same.

I rented a 2.8 GD6 Fortuner in Kruger NP and a 2.4 GD6 in Cape Town last November, and drove either for 2-3wks.

The performance and driving characteristics are extremely similar across these two markets' variants of "Mid Size 4x4 Focused Costco Wagons".

 

[3Putt]

If the gas engine shuts off when not moving, how does it save on mpg? You aren't travelling any miles when standing still. Not trying to sound like a smart a$$, legit question because I thought turning the engine on and off uses more gas. Of course, if sitting in a traffic jam when you are not moving for an extended period of time is different, but at a normal traffic red light.....????

You move forward on electrical power. Miles forward with no gas consumption. The gas engine kicks in at a certain speed. The difference between when you begin consuming fuel again is added mpg. I have the gas version but that is how it was explained to me.

 

[John2112]

Land Cruiser only comes in Hybrid.

I drove both the hybrid and the gas only to get an idea of power. I ended up with the trail hunter primarily because I do a lot of high altitude off-roading and that extra horsepower and torque will come in handy, especially pulling a trailer. It's a huge upgrade over the 5th gen, that old V6 struggled at high altitude and the transmission constantly hunted for gears. This thing doesn't even breathe hard going up 6 and 7% grades at over 8,000 ft in altitude. That being said, if you're not a high altitude driver the gas should be sufficient.

 

[jimr]

If the gas engine shuts off when not moving, how does it save on mpg? You aren't travelling any miles when standing still. Not trying to sound like a smart a$$, legit question because I thought turning the engine on and off uses more gas. Of course, if sitting in a traffic jam when you are not moving for an extended period of time is different, but at a normal traffic red light.....????

Idling at a stop light burns gas so negatively impacts mileage. Even better for the hybrid, turning the engine off going downhill doesn't incur engine drag so is even better than putting the transmission in neutral (no engine drag plus no fuel burn).

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