Toyota Tacoma V6 Gas Mileage (All Model Years)

The beloved V6 Tacoma has a powertrain that is well-balanced in terms of fuel efficiency and performance.

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The tough and adaptable V6-powered Toyota Tacoma is an excellent vehicle choice. If you plan to make a purchase, it’s important to understand the gas mileage, whether you’re going on off-road adventures or are just looking for a dependable car to get around with. 

This post will focus on the Toyota Tacoma V6’s gas mileage data for all model years. We have you covered for everything from official mpg ratings to practical factors affecting fuel efficiency.

Official MPG Ratings

First, let’s get into the numbers. We’ve compiled a comparison of 6-cylinder Tacomas for all model years that are compatible with the V6 engine, including the mpg for highway, city, and combined. 

Keep in mind there’s a 1-2 mpg variation between V6 configurations due to 4WD vs. 2WD and other factors. 

Model Year	Combined MPG (up to)	City MPG (up to)	Highway MPG (up to)
2023	21	19	24
2022	21	19	24
2021	21	19	24
2020	21	19	24
2019	21	19	24
2018	21	19	24
2017	21	19	24
2016	21	19	24
2015	19	17	21
2014	19	17	21
2013	19	17	21
2012	19	17	21
2011	18	17	21
2010	18	17	21
2009	18	17	21
2008	18	16	20
2007	18	17	21
2006	18	16	21
2005	18	16	21
2004	19	17	22
2003	19	17	22
2002	18	16	21
2001	18	16	20
2000	19	17	22
1999	19	17	22
1998	19	17	22
1997	18	17	21
1996	18	17	21
1995	19	17	21

(fueleconomy.gov)

Comparison Between the V6 and 4-Cylinder MPG

A 4-cylinder engine is generally more fuel efficient due to having less horsepower and being smaller in size, which reduces the weight of the vehicle.

V6 engines, on the other hand, tend to consume more fuel since there’s more volume flowing into the car engine cylinders. 

Take the 2023 Tacoma as an example: both the 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder models can get up to 21 mpg combined, but the 4-cylinder can get 20 mpg in the city compared to 19 mpg on the 6-cylinder. 

(Capital One, cascadecollision.com)

Factors That Affect Real-World Gas Mileage

Many people rely on the official EPA fuel economy ratings for guidance, but these numbers may differ from what you experience in real life. There are plenty of factors that can affect your outcome, including: 

How and Where You Drive 

The EPA combined figure is calculated with the assumption that most people drive 55% of the time in the city and 45% on the highway. If you live in an urban city, you probably spend a lot of time in traffic congestion. As a result, most of your driving should be calculated as city use. 

Highway mpg figures also assume you’re going 50mph or higher. If you tend to drive slower, it’s considered city driving, even if you’re on the highway. If you frequently stop and go, you can reduce the EPA combined rating by as much as 27%. 

It was also found that ‘calm’ drivers, who avoid speeding and unnecessary lane changes, can improve their fuel economy by up to 35%. 

If you drive in 4WD constantly, you can lower your fuel efficiency since engaging all four wheels makes the engine work harder. 

Weather Conditions 

Weather conditions can also affect your fuel efficiency. For example, hot weather and mountainous regions affect mpg because using air conditioning and other electrical accessories can decrease efficiency.

Similarly, cold weather and frequent short trips reduce mpg since the engine doesn’t operate until it’s warmed up. 

Vehicle Condition and Maintenance 

The condition of your vehicle and how you take care of it matters in terms of mpg. For example, if you have low tire pressure or improperly aligned tires, your car will need to work harder on the road.

Towing a trailer with a poorly tuned engine can also lower fuel economy. 

Vehicle Variations 

All vehicles are different, and bigger cars usually have lower mpg.  Engine size can also affect fuel economy, along with aftermarket modifications and additions like cargo racks. By default, different trims and models have varying mpg estimates. 

It’s worth noting that newer vehicles don’t have optimal fuel economy right away. This only happens after the engine has broken in at 3,000-5,000 miles.

The EPA also doesn’t test every new vehicle for fuel efficiency. The amount of vehicles that are randomly tested only account for about 10%. Instead of real data, these estimates are usually based on the automaker’s provided estimates. 

(fueleconomy.gov, Edmunds, Motor Biscuit) 

Frequently Asked Questions

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Make the Most of Your Tacoma’s Gas Mileage 

Gas mileage is unquestionably a crucial consideration when choosing a vehicle. We have investigated the ins and outs of the Toyota Tacoma V6’s fuel efficiency, from official ratings and average figures for different model years to practical considerations based on your lifestyle and driving habits. Knowing what to expect from your Tacoma’s gas mileage will help you make the most of this versatile truck.