I'll hazard a guess without really knowing the answer (hey, isn't that how most forums work anyway?). It's probably not about horsepower, but more likely about torque. Often a slightly larger engine can yield enough of a torque bump to be considered worthwhile, even if HP numbers are unimpressive. In some cases the torque numbers aren't much different, but peak at a lower RPM so there's a bit more oomph. One more possibility, if there's more torque, there might be a slight improvement in MPG.... no small thing these days.

You mentioned a lazy motor..... that can be a trait of a torque-rich slower-revving engine.

 

The point is it makes for a cheaper entry level vehicle. Some folks want a certain vehicle without all the bells & whistles. The Tacoma is a classic example.

 

Basically here is where both motors stand:

2.5L
180hp @ 6,000 rpm
173ft-lbs @ 4,100 rpm

2.7L
187hp @ 5,800 rpm
186ft-lbs @ 4,100 rpm

Both engines get peak torque at the same rpm. I guess maybe 14 ft-lbs may be a big deal to some. I have driven the 2.5L and it has decent oomph from a dead stop. I did drive a 4 cylinder Venza several years ago and it seemed dead. I am willing to bet that the Venza weights far more than a Rav4.

Toyota could have gone the direct injection route with the 2.5L and get 200hp and 200 ft-lbs EASILY. DI can allow 100 hp per liter nowadays. That's before a turbo too.

But anyways, the Venza is probably on its way to the grave yard. Sienna dumped the 4 banger and I have a feeling the 2.0 turbo from the NX will make its way to the Highlander.

I guess in my perspective, such a small gain would not make much sense to put a whole new engine. Unless of course the 2.7L already existed. If so, then why are 4 banger Tacomas being sold with a gimped engine? Is it to get buyers to buy the V6?

 

Hell if I know. I wouldn't have bought either 4-banger anyway. For me, if it's a Tacoma, it's a V6. Same as if I bought a Camaro, it would have a V8.

Easy for me to say..... we bought a double-cab and the only engine was the V6!

 

13lb/feet of torque isn't a bad bump imo, but numbers don't tell the whole tale. The peak numbers are at the same RPM which tells me the curve isn't too far off, but that could still be a bit different since torque doesn't always smoothly peak like horsepower. In all likelihood it was just cheap and easy to make to give the lower end models more grunt which isn't anything new with Toyota though when the 3SFE and 4AFE were bored and stroked for an extra 200cc to become the 5SFE and 7AFE respectively it did quite a bit to change the torque curve, especially in the 7AFE where it is a much nicer driving vehicle than the 4AFE. The DI option is not economical as it requires an all new cylinder head, whereas the 2.7L head probably only required slight tweaks or scaling plus I'd imagine the ECU required minimal rework as well; while these cars now are a different breed it is well documented early 5SFE can be run on a 3SFE computer without an ill effects and I believe the 7AFE is similar though both require reusing the smaller engine's existing manifolds and distributors.

 

You think to meet CAFE standards they offered it? obviously price point too? Venza is dead.

 

You are somewhat backwards. Toyota actually "created" the 2.7 liter first. It's the 1ARFE (1 being the first iteration of the engine). The 2.5 liter is the 2ARFE (2 being the 2nd iteration of the engine).

Like others mentioned, the torque bump is not negligible. You will notice the 1ARFE is located only in larger and heavier vehicles, whereas the 2ARFE is strictly for smaller and more compact vehicles. Also in some versions, the 1ARFE was actually a nearly 20HP and 20 lb ft of torque bump (Gen 6.5 Camry LE/XLE). All else being equal, the displacement bump in the 1ARFE will always allow for slightly more power and torque.

 

the 2.7L was available in the Tacoma for a while before the 2016 lineup....

My guess is it has some appeal to the old Hilux group who steered clear of the 3.0L and would always favor the lower powerful, sort of laggy 22r.... and that's because the 22r was a boat anchor, but one that would just keep going with general PM and throwing some chain guides at it...

 

Those are completely different engines.

The Tacoma 2.7 is a 2TRFE engine primarily used in truck applications. The Highlander, Venza, Sienna 2.7 is a 1ARFE used primarily I'm larger family haulers.

 

Can I just point out the obvious that this thread is outlandish considering the push for 4 cylinders vs small 6 cylinder engines in the other thread and how the 4 cylinder would be better in almost every other way?


There is some talk about the engines (geared more towards taco's, but both are mentioned as is a Venza test drive)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4-cylinder-2-7-liter-dual-vvt-i.162685/

 

Id agree that it was probably torque. No doubt the 2.7L builds torque lower and faster than the 2.5L did. Its just like when Toyota went from the 1.8L in the Celica to the 2.4L in the tC. The 1.8L was more fun and more free revving but the 2.4L was more usable in everyday driving situations.

 

Well, I don't know "What the Point" of the 2.7 is, but the 2.7 in my '95 Tacoma 4x4 has over 406, xxx miles on it.
It's never been opened. Just kept it tuned and clean oil.
Though it's the 3rz, not the ones mentioned above.

 

Well, I don't know "What the Point" of the 2.7 is, but the 2.7 in my '95 Tacoma 4x4 has over 406, xxx miles on it.
It's never been opened. Just kept it tuned and clean oil.

That is impressive. How did you tune it?




Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App