The 2016 Toyota Tacoma marks the third generation of the segment leading pickup truck. It is redesigned inside and out, and the significant changes are under the hood. The truck now uses a smaller 3.5-liter V6 that makes 42 more horsepower than the 4.0-liter it replaces. It also picked up an extra gear with the 6-speed automatic transmission. So, the big question is – is the new Tacoma more fuel efficient than the truck it replaces? We ran the real-world highway MPG loop to find out.
Engine downsizing is a continuing trend in the automotive industry. As the technology progresses, smaller engines make more power and perform more efficiently. Of course, highway MPG has to do with more than just the engine. Transmission, driveline components, and aerodynamics are just some of the elements that contribute to highway efficiency.
Toyota did a lot of work to tune the drivetrain and the aerodynamics of the new Tacoma. The goals were to make it more efficient and also quieter for the long haul. I can confirm that the 2016 Tacoma is quieter at 70 MPH and also feels more stable than the 2015 truck.
The TFLtruck highway MPG loop standard procedure is to fill up using the “double click” method (fill up, wait 30 seconds, and top off); then get on the highway and set the cruise to a GPS verified 70 MPH; run 98 miles and fill up again to get the MPG calculation.
Check out all the details in this TFLtruck MPG test video (the MPG results are near the end of the video).
[Spoiler alert: the table below shows the MPG results.]
| 2015 Toyota Tacoma |
2016 Toyota Tacoma |
||
| Model | DoubleCab 4×4 TRD Sport | DoubleCab 4×4 TRD Sport | |
| As Tested $ | $34,535 | $35,280 | |
| Engine | 4.0-liter V6 | 3.5-liter V6 | |
| Transmission | 5-speed Auto | 6-speed Auto | |
| Power (hp / lb-ft) | 236 / 266 | 278 / 265 | |
| Axle Ratio | 3.73 | 3.91 | |
| Fuel Tank (gal) | 21.1 | 21.1 | |
| EPA rating MPG | 16/21 | 18/23 | |
| Speed (mph) | 70 | 70 | |
| Route (mi) | 98 | 98 | |
| Elevation Avg (feet) | 4,900 | 4,900 | |
| Highway MPG | 20.7 | 22.2 |
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, reporter, and software engineer. He has been a contributor at TFL since 2011.
