4.6l vs 5.7l

I drive a 4.6 and let me tell you, get the 5.7. mpg is only the slightest bit better with the 4.6.

 

I test drove both engines before getting mine and the 4.6L isn't bad didn't feel under powered at all. When I got in the 5.7L V8 Tundra however, I had a very fun test drive and glad I made the choice to go with a 5.7 for my needs of towing, hauling, etc. Cannot comment on the FE of the 4.6L but my 5.7L gets about 15.

 

If you're coming from a Tacoma, there is nothing wrong with the 4.6L. You spoke about having kids so the crewmax will work very well for you. Most people will say get the 5.7L because most will assume people always get trucks to tow everything or tow heavy. You never even mentioned anything about needing to tow anything heavy. If you ever do need to tow, the 4.6L will do the job and you mentioned cost. It will be cheaper for you. A lot of people will be partial and not even read what you actually ask for an opinion for. It has plenty of power to change lanes and pass traffic. Can't believe I actually read that comment as if you need the biggest engine in the world to do so.

 

I don't know the cost diff between the 4.6 and 5.7 and don't really care. Overall, a couple mpg in either direction doesn't really mean much and therefore gas mileage would not be the deciding factor for me. To me its about what you need today and possibly what you need down the road.

 

Get the 5.7 and have peace of mind your truck can handle just about anything you throw at it.

 

I have the 4.6....smooooth!....maybe being detuned a little will help with longevity of motor?

 

Just curious, why does Toyota keep producing the 4.6 liter in the Tundra ? That bitch is going on 9 years.

 

I believe it is the same motor as 5.7, just a shorter stroke....both are long in the tooth, but I prefer it that way....no stop/start or cylinder deactivation....one of main reasons I bought the Toyota....

 

Marketing. They can charge you extra for the “big” engine. Both v-8’s have to cost the exact same to make

 

1 million times this!!!!!!!

 

My thoughts on horsepower: A little is good, more is better and too much is just about right. I don't have "too much horsepower" with my 5.7 but I am never in a situation where I wish I had more. I've owned vehicles with not enough Wheaties, it is nice to have one with more than enough.

Dan

 

My reason exactly for purchasing the Tundra. Also no direct injection.

Here is a link to a good read on the 5.7.

http://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id=108

 

I really like my 2010 DC 4.6L. I bought it to haul a snowmobile trailer and fishing boat and it does a great job. I will note: the 2010 4.6L has the towing package, but I don't think at some later point the 4.6L came with a tow package. I use the tow package and have electric brakes on the boat that don't require a controller but use the 5pin connector. That works perfect. I also have the cold weather package. So both those provide a hd battery and alternator, a transmission cooler, the tow switch for towing mode and I think the gauges for the lube temps are part of the towing package. The newer at some point 4.6L don't have the towing package. I bought 2 years old so the resale value was slightly lower (what I paid) and it's still worth 5-6K less than I paid for it 6 years ago based on sale prices I see in this area. I really like the 4.6L. I'm sure the 5.7 is great too but didn't need.

Update: Jan 2020 I bought a 2020 Crewmax Limited 4wd with the 5.7L (only engine available for 2020). Honestly, my 2010 4.6L seemed to more power and towed great. I only have about 350 miles on the 5.7L so not sure if it loosens up a bit. Don't get me wrong, the 5.7L has plenty of power, but the 4.6L was no slouch. When it comes to towing over 5K I'd prefer the 5.7L and heavier rear end.

 

Get the 5.7 and let her eat, will put a smile on your face Everytime and that's worth the extra fuel.

 

Truth

 

Thank you for all of the replies and input....

 

I have the 5.7L double cab. Very satisfied with the larger displacement & the 38 gal fuel tank pulling a 30 ft. travel trailer. Get 12.6 mpg pulling. Just checked and got 17.66 on the last tankful driving without trailer. Recommend 5.7 for better resale & reserve power when needed.

 

I have owned both, some misinformation here. The 4.6 is identical in every way to the 5.7 except the engine of course. The 4.6L would pull my 3,500lb Jet boat loaded up any mountain here in Oregon at any speed I wanted. With the ability to pass uphill easy. My mileage averaged: 4.6 is 18-20mpg same tires and rims on the 5.7 14-16mpg that's empty and flat ground on cruise. For towing more than 4,000 lb get the 5.7 and suffer the mpg's in your case get the 4.6 and you won't be disapointed.
My brother had a 5.7 when I owned a 4.6, at 55mph we raced, he beat me by a truck bed @ 100mph..don't underestimate that smaller V-8. In 6 years and 85,000 miles all I did was change oils and maint. I beat the snot out of it many times.

 

As a father with three Eagle Scouts and a wife who likes to camping, better get the 5.7L.

Tent trailer, 22' travel trailer weighing 5500 lbs, or boat?

More options with a 5.7L and you can always sell to people who want to tow something.

 

I'm a little late to this thread since Toyota doesn't offer the 4.6l for 2020, but maybe my experience will help someone else. I owned a 4.6l-powered 2017 Tundra and now have a 5.7l-powered 2018 Tundra. I bought the 2017 after my Xterra's motor blew up in the summer of 2017. I owned it for 15 months and put just over 8K on it until some clown without a license or insurance totaled it. I bought my new truck around Thanksgiving 2018, and have nearly 8K on it as well. Both trucks were 4WD Double-Cabs with stock tires and wheels, though I added running boards and bumper steps to them both. As far as MPG, the trucks were nearly identical--13.5 for the 4.6l and 13.3 for the 5.7l. I know this doesn't sound great, but I have a 3.4-mile commute using backroads, so my truck rarely sees the highway.

I went with the 4.6l base-package truck in 2017 because the X blew up right after we bought a house. I thought I could be happy with the smaller engine since I rarely tow. I'm not a particularly fast driver, but the 4.6 just didn't have the grunt to move such a big truck. The engine seems to be lugging frequently, and I would get this annoying howl from the drivetrain at about 35-40mph. Maybe if the truck was 2WD or I lived in an area without so many hills it would be OK, but I wasn't happy with it. I still intended to keep it for 20 years as my retirement truck, but fate changed that.

I am MUCH happier with the SR5 with the 5.7l. My new truck moves and drives so much better. No lugging, no howl, it accelerates smoother and stronger. Just no comparison in my mind. If you are shopping for a Tundra in the future, I highly recommend sticking with the 5.7l.

 

Experience with my 2017 4.6L 2WD is exactly the opposite as yours, making me suspect that your transmission shift logic needed some kind of attention. Unfortunately, any complaint to your dealer service department would have likely ended up with no improvement or worse. Lugging occurs when the engine RPM falls far below optimal operating speed because the transmission does not downshift . My 4.6L seems to downshift TOO EARLY leading to gear hunting in hilly terrain. It can be annoying, but not enough to take it to the dealer for "adjustment".

Tow package was available on 4.6L through 2013 MY. After that, only the 5.7L got the tow package. If my towing becomes heavy and frequent in the future, I'll consider retrofitting the ATF cooler, but the engine oil cooler, transmission shift logic, and differential gearing will be a cost bridge too far.

 

4.6... smile every time I fill up

 

Isn't the 4.6 the one with the starter under the intake manifold?

 

4.6......I still smile anyways

 

ive had my 16 double cab 4.6 for 3 years now ive towed ive loaded up with cement bags too and so far i dont regret the small V8 get me thru anything as you can see

 

I think you may be right about the transmission. It always seemed like my 4.6 truck was a gear too high, especially when climbing hills. It would shift to a higher gear while I was going up a hill and then start lugging. I would often use the automatic in manual shift mode when going through the mountains. While driving in town I would sometimes put her in tow mode to keep the tranny in a lower gear. And the truck seemed to perform better when I had a heavy load in the bed.

I can't remember if I brought it to the dealer's attention when I took the truck in for service, but they generally weren't very helpful. The dealer I go to now is much better.

 

I know this is an old thread, but being a new DC 4.6L owner I thought I'd add my few cents. I haven't calculated MPG yet, but I came from a Nissan Frontier with a 4.0 V6 and my new to me Tundra feels like driving a rocket ship! It has TONS of power and plenty of guts to pass on the highway - I guess perspective is everything..

I believe the tow rating on my DC is 7900 lbs, which wasn't specified in this thread anywhere, so the 5.7 does offer an additional ~1500 lbs of towing capacity (9200-9900 depending on setup). No question if you tow heavy, you need the 5.7. That extra torque will make a difference. I tow a John boat and every once in awhile a loaded down utility or enclosed trailer for DIY stuff, so 7900 is plenty for me.

I haven't driven a 5.7 to compare and I'm sure the extra torque is fun, but I am really liking the 4.6L and the higher MPG makes it quite attractive to me for a lower cost of ownership.

If I were buying a new truck and the 5.7 was a several thousand dollar option (I don't know the price and 22s are different anyway) I don't think I'd spring for it, personally. Rather spent that money on creature comforts.

 

Having owned a 4.6, both are great motors. The 5.7 does have advantages and the gas mileage isn't much different, but we don't buy these trucks for fuel economy.

 

I’ve owned both. The 4.30 gears of the 5.7 are the difference. If the 4.6 had those i would have not traded in. 4.6 has plenty of power, the gearing sucks

 

I regret buying a 4.6. It always seems to be hunting for gears, goes to 6th and needs to drop on the slightest incline. The Trans has me concerned long term and I don't tow much at all.