I am with ATCRich. I have an 06 Sports Edition and I too love the V-8. It is very smooth and shifts seemlessly. When I was comparing gas mileage between the two engines the listing on the paper stated, in the city you have a 1 mpg difference and on the highway you have a 2 mpg difference. For me it was just worth it to get the V-8.

If we have to take a really long trip, we take my wife's camry (4 cylinders of fuel economy). Unless the weather rears its ugly head, then we pack up in the 4Runner. Anyways thats my $0.02.

 

I just bought the LTD V8 and love it...it's fast, smooth, and quiet. I test drove both and to be honest, could not tell much difference between them. The 8 takes off faster, but as everyone knows, the "new" car - be it a 6 or an 8 - is still a new car and they all feel great. MPG was not too much different, and due to that, I chose the 8. Slightly more horsepower, and a little more torque. Very happy with this truck.

 

HP is minimal from 6 top 8 only 20 hp but TQ is like 70 more... The mpg is 1 mpg stated and actually I feel if you always lay into it the 8 should do better because it will work less the the 6 would to get to the same speed at the same time because of the increase in TQ. 6 is fine for most people but if they offer it and the price difference is a few hundred dollars becasue the 8 comes with certain things standard like the trailer hitch and side airbags that are option on the 6. when we priced it out for an 07 limited it was like 800 bucks more for the 8... We chose the 8....

 

I got an 07' 4Runner V6. I did drive both. Since I didn't notice any significant difference I chose the V6. If your going to tow definatelybuy the V8. If yournot going to towthen save yourself some moneyon your purchase price& also a small amount each month on gas.

 

Dear HRunner,
I rarely post but this topic caught my attention. I leaseda 2003 V6 4Runner SportEdition, and recently exchanged it for a 2007 V6 Limited. The engine is unchanged butI went from the 4-speed transmission in the 2003, to the 5-speed in the 2007 (standard equipment on both models).BAD MOVE. The V6 performed much better with the 4sp and feels gut-less with the 5sp. I wish I had been more cautious in test driving the 2007.If I could do it all over again, I would definitely get the V8. Having said that, the V6 with the 4sp was a dream. Plenty of power,rarely needed to downshift going up hills...
You mentioned wanting a 2005 model. If the 2005 V6 has the 4sp, I'd say go with the V6, no problem. If it has the 5sp transmission, I would stay away from the V6.
Just my 2 cents worth.

 

Oops, just noticed how old that original post was. Like I said, I don't post often.
Has anyone else noticed the difference between V6 4sp and V6 5sp??

 

Im not sure what other owners are getting in terms of MPG out of their 4Runners. But my 06 Limited V6 4.0L got 24.3MPG last week in a 150 mile drive from Sacramento to San Jose. Highway speed at about 70 - 75 MPH. Vehicle is currently stock as from the factory on 265 70 R 18 tires, not lifted etc

 

Thanks for this message. I am wondering at how many miles one would need to replace the timing belt in V8. Does the V8 require servicing at longer intervals and does it cost more to service.

 

V6= Better gas mileage, and slower car
V8= worse gas mileage and faster Car