My Carvana experience. Goodbye i-force-max

[Woodsmith]

I'm going to start an argument, I really don't want to be that guy, but I need to correct the statement you made (that I've bolded).

I want to start with the "basically no MPG gain" comment.

“[The motor(electric)] is fundamentally designed to really support that part of the torque ramp and power ramp where you know the turbos are coming up to speed,” said Sheldon Brown, chief engineer for the Tacoma. “It helps us with our peak torque and then of course, when our turbo efficiency starts to fall off, it can come back in and assist.”

"Because of the small battery, the Tacoma Hybrid doesn’t have a dedicated EV mode. It can drive around on pure electricity at the ECU’s discretion, briefly, at low speeds, and the system can shut off the engine for coasting on the highway. Fuel economy isn’t the priority either. Compared with their gas-only equivalents, hybrid Tacomas get around 2 mpg more in the city, 1 mpg more on the highway, and 1 mpg more combined. Really, this is about performance."

“We didn’t follow the path of just a hybrid system that focuses on fuel economy,” Moritsu explained. “So powerful, torquey, agile, maneuverability, and performance, those were the priorities. And we were able to balance that with the environmental performance of the vehicle as well. That was the biggest challenge for development.”

Anyone who dismisses the Hybrid powertrain because of basically no MPG gain doesn't understand the point of the system, period. Dismiss it for taking up cargo area, or possibly an expensive repair out of the warranty period, but don't dismiss it for something it was never primarily designed to provide.

And as for the "just a little more power" comment...where in the world of automobile HP and TQ discussions are an additional 148 lb ft of TQ "just a little more?" It's almost half again as much (46% increase) as the non hybrid powertrain. Torque is what you feel when you drive. As a two time previous 4Runner owner, power, or lack thereof, was my single biggest complaint, and Toyota knocked it out of the park with the new IForce Max system we have. It's not a race car, I understand that, but come on...saying the hybrid has just a little more power is just unfair.

That's a great post. You really stated the facts. I sold my 5th gen and got a 6th gen Limited iForceMax Hybrid. There is a HUGE difference in overall power. Pulling our small
Lance travel trailer over some northwest mountains (North Cascades Hwy, for example) made my 5th gen gasp and struggle. My new 4R pulls it like it's nothing. I removed my air dam first thing and I still average over 20mpg around town and above 23mpg on the highways. (Not pulling the trailer) Entering a freeway is absolutely fun with the acceleration this 6th gen has.

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[Joe Dirt]

Yep,
keep it light, keep it simple. These engines run the same on the highway as the hybrids do. The only difference is a little added torque for the trailer pull when accelerating around town. They use the same engines.

It was a easy one for me to make the non-hybrid decision because of the added cargo space and the way that I use these 4 runners. It just works for me that way. Good luck and congrats!

 

[4funner]

To close the loop on this thread, I found and purchased a new everest trd off road non hybrid and am very happy with the choice. Had to travel 2.5 hours to get it. From selling the hybrid to carvana and buying this I came out ahead $8,000.

In my first 600 miles I am at 21.9 mpg average. My average with my hybrid after 4000 miles was 18.9 mpg.

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