Highlander Gas Mileage vs 4Runner

[biglatka]

My son got my 2005 4Runner Sport V8 4WD and I bought a new 2010 Highlander V6 4WD SE about 10 months ago. I wish I had my 4Runner back!!

They are similarly equipped (except the Highlander has leather power seats) My biggest disappointment is the gas mileage. I've gotten as low as 14.4 around town to a best of 24 mpg, babying it at a constant 65mph, on the road in cruise control. With the 4Runner the bottom number was about the same and I have gotten 21mpg on the road in the best conditions at the same speed in cruise. It almost doesn't seem fair, with a lighter vehicle and smaller engine to get only 3 mpg better on the highway and the same gas mileage in the city.

The quality of both are good, sans recall for gas pedal on Highlander (no recall on 4Runner), but the 4Runner, overall, was a better vehicle in just about every respect, with a price premium that was not that much more.

The Highlander is ok and runs good, but the 4Runner was great and ran better and the small gas mileage penalty was worth it.

I guess that sums it up.

C'est La Vie, just had to vent.

PS: The new 4Runner has been degraded (cheapened) and is a shadow of its former self so that is not an option.

[peterk9]

Originally Posted by biglatka

My son got my 2005 4Runner Sport V8 4WD and I bought a new 2010 Highlander V6 4WD SE about 10 months ago. I wish I had my 4Runner back!!

They are similarly equipped (except the Highlander has leather power seats) My biggest disappointment is the gas mileage. I've gotten as low as 14.4 around town to a best of 24 mpg, babying it at a constant 65mph, on the road in cruise control. With the 4Runner the bottom number was about the same and I have gotten 21mpg on the road in the best conditions at the same speed in cruise. It almost doesn't seem fair, with a lighter vehicle and smaller engine to get only 3 mpg better on the highway and the same gas mileage in the city.

According to the Toyota specs, the V6 4WD is rated at 17 city and 22 highway so you seem to be exceeding the hwy figure. I don't know about the U.S. but here in Canada, the mileage figures are normally listed on the list of features attached to the windows of the vehicles at the dealers. Also, you are driving all 4 wheels full time on the HL. Not sure about the 2005 Runner.
In any case, to the forum.

Peter

[TrailDust]

Something has to account for the difference in mileage since a lot of owners--myself included--get much better mileage than that.

[biglatka]

Originally Posted by peterk9

According to the Toyota specs, the V6 4WD is rated at 17 city and 22 highway so you seem to be exceeding the hwy figure. I don't know about the U.S. but here in Canada, the mileage figures are normally listed on the list of features attached to the windows of the vehicles at the dealers. Also, you are driving all 4 wheels full time on the HL. Not sure about the 2005 Runner.
In any case, to the forum.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the quick response and the welcome to the forum. The 4Runner was a full time Torsien (sp?) system with a low range, lockable center differential and no 2WD option. I think, as I remember, the sticker stated 14 to 17mpg. When in cruise it would really have to take a steep hill to get it to downshift, whereas the Highlander downshifts more times than not on hills that I don't consider very steep. So on those roads I don't use cruise and modulate manually, staying in fifth most of the time. The Highlander cruise control system is too under damped and wants to bring you back to the set speed right away rather than gradually as I would do manually, thus avoiding the downshift.

I know it's like comparing apples to oranges because the 4Runer had such a "torquey" powerful engine (4.7L), actually it's the one in they had in the Lexus, Sequoia, Tundra and Land Cruiser. No more though, the 2010 and 11 4Runners are limited to a 4.0L V6. The others went to a new 4.6L or 5.7L V8.

Just something I have to live with and not a big deal. I don't mind paying for the gas if I also get the performance for it. Otherwise, I'm happy with it, it runs good and so far, knock on wood, no trouble. My wife drives it most of the time anyway and she's happy with it, so that's what counts. I stick to my 6-speed manual Miata whenever I get a chance except in the snow (suicidal in an inch of snow). Its a lot more fun to drive, especially in the warmer months with the top down.

Anyway glad to find this forum and pick up some get tips or just shut the s**t.

The climate here in upstate NY is probably similar to yours as we get a lot of snow and cold weather too.

Take care,
Marc

[lets456]

I have a 2002 Explorer which I gave to my daughter. I would get 12 MPG around town and 20 MPG highway driving if I babied it. With my V6 Highlander I get around 17-18 MPG around town and about 24-25 on the Highway. I have a heavy foot and sure i could get better mileage. I was getting less than desirable gas mileage until i disconnected the battery terminals and let the "software driven" transmission reset and get used to my driving habits. BTW, I get much better gas mileage in the summer due to blends and temperatures.

[biglatka]

Originally Posted by TrailDust

Something has to account for the difference in mileage since a lot of owners--myself included--get much better mileage than that.

I wish I knew. Maybe it's not broken in yet as I have just 5000 miles on it. We don't "lead foot" it around, don't baby it either around town, just drive the way we did the 4Runner. That's not computer mileage, but rather calculated after fill-up. I know the 4Runner had a notoriously optimistic computer but the Highlander seems to be much closer to accurate readings. Will see if it improves as we put more miles on it and it warms up a bit. The sticker indicates 17-23 MPG and we do get 23-24 on a road trip at a steady, not to exceed, 65-70 mph (GPS). What's your mileage range???

[sweeneyp]

I have a FWD highlander, if i try to get good mileage, i can get 19-20 city if I barely accelerate and put it in neutral a lot. I usually get around 17-18 in the city, not gunning it nor trying to get good mileage. But it is very easy to get low mileage if one has a lead foot, I would know, I am prone to red light shenanigans haha.

[biglatka]

Originally Posted by lets456

I have a 2002 Explorer which I gave to my daughter. I would get 12 MPG around town and 20 MPG highway driving if I babied it. With my V6 Highlander I get around 17-18 MPG around town and about 24-25 on the Highway. I have a heavy foot and sure i could get better mileage. I was getting less than desirable gas mileage until i disconnected the battery terminals and let the "software driven" transmission reset and get used to my driving habits. BTW, I get much better gas mileage in the summer due to blends and temperatures.

Two questions: How long did you leave the battery disconnected and, other than the radio presets, was there anything else that had to be re-intialized?
Thanks

[biglatka]

Originally Posted by sweeneyp

I have a FWD highlander, if i try to get good mileage, i can get 19-20 city if I barely accelerate and put it in neutral a lot. I usually get around 17-18 in the city, not gunning it nor trying to get good mileage. But it is very easy to get low mileage if one has a lead foot, I would know, I am prone to red light shenanigans haha.

Well, the full time four wheel drive must cost me something, probably 1-2 mpg. I remember comparing my 4Runner with FT 4WD to a 2WD 4Runner as far as mileage is concerned and it seemed more costly at low city speeds than on the highway where the poor aerodynamics played more of a role than internal friction. The 4Runner is like a brick on wheels.

[lets456]

Originally Posted by biglatka

Two questions: How long did you leave the battery disconnected and, other than the radio presets, was there anything else that had to be re-intialized?
Thanks

I think it was about an hour. I have a base + Highlander and radio presets were the only thing I had to reprogram. Make sure you get the Highlander to learn your driving habits over several days. No gunning it or driving like 95 MPH or anything for a few days.

[biglatka]

Ok, I'll give it a try within the next few days.
Thanks

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by biglatka

I wish I knew. Maybe it's not broken in yet as I have just 5000 miles on it. We don't "lead foot" it around, don't baby it either around town, just drive the way we did the 4Runner. That's not computer mileage, but rather calculated after fill-up. I know the 4Runner had a notoriously optimistic computer but the Highlander seems to be much closer to accurate readings. Will see if it improves as we put more miles on it and it warms up a bit. The sticker indicates 17-23 MPG and we do get 23-24 on a road trip at a steady, not to exceed, 65-70 mph (GPS). What's your mileage range???

Over three years now it's hardly varied. I get a reliable 19 city and 26 highway at 70 MPH and 28 highway at 65 MPH. My driving split for a typical tank is 70% city and 30% highway, and average 22 MPG per tank. When I fill up each tankful I hold back on the vapor recovery collar and literally fill the tank to the brim of the fill neck. Only mods I've done are a K & N air filter, plus I removed the charcoal filter that serves no practical purpose. Keep my tires at 35 PSI, except when off road in soft sand or mud. I'm extremely happy with my Highlander's mileage.

[kushalnaik]

Okay, here's something that might help. I normally got 15.5 (winter, idling quite a bit) using fuel that contains 10% ethanol. I switched to 100% gasoline and noticed my fuel jump up to about 17.5 even with a good bit of idling.

I'm not sure if its the issue the OP is having, but it was something I noticed.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by kushalnaik

Okay, here's something that might help. I normally got 15.5 (winter, idling quite a bit) using fuel that contains 10% ethanol. I switched to 100% gasoline and noticed my fuel jump up to about 17.5 even with a good bit of idling.

I'm not sure if its the issue the OP is having, but it was something I noticed.

Ditto. Whenever I fill up in Nevada with non-ethanol gas, my mileage jumps 10%. I've gotten as much as 27.4 MPG at 70 MPH on a 300 mile drive. If only those rat bastards in Washington would stop subsidizing ethanol and we'd all benefit at the gas pump and in the grocery store. Soapbox stand over.

[biglatka]

Originally Posted by kushalnaik

Okay, here's something that might help. I normally got 15.5 (winter, idling quite a bit) using fuel that contains 10% ethanol. I switched to 100% gasoline and noticed my fuel jump up to about 17.5 even with a good bit of idling.

I'm not sure if its the issue the OP is having, but it was something I noticed.

Originally Posted by TrailDust

Ditto. Whenever I fill up in Nevada with non-ethanol gas, my mileage jumps 10%. I've gotten as much as 27.4 MPG at 70 MPH on a 300 mile drive. If only those rat bastards in Washington would stop subsidizing ethanol and we'd all benefit at the gas pump and in the grocery store. Soapbox stand over.

Yeah, I hear you, the cost of everything else that uses corn will go up more than what we save on adding it as a fuel. Besides, it only has about 70% of the energy content of gasoline. We're overflowing in Nat gas in this country and gasoline engines are easily converted from gasoline to use natural gas with the same performance and they're cleaner burning. The problem is the filling stations and the stranglehold the oil companies have on that. What are the energy czars in the Obama admin thinking off??? We can be self sufficient and not as reliant on oil, using Nat Gas until hydrogen fuel cell hybrids can be a viable alternative in the future.

The 14.4 mpg was the lowest reading I've gotten since I bought the car. Prior to and before Thanksgiving (warmer weather) I was getting about 16.5 mpg around town. The only gas I can seem to find is 10% ethanol here. Not that big a deal as I don't drive that much as to add up to a great sum.