According To Owners, The 2024 Toyota Tundra Isn't That Fuel-efficient

Toyota is continuously working towards hybridizing its lineup, and this is most apparent in the brand's SUV and truck lineup. For 2024, we got the first Toyota Land Cruiser with a hybrid four-cylinder and for 2025, Toyota RAV4 is becoming a hybrid-only SUV model.  

Things are partially the same with the third-generation Toyota Tundra, which owners love to modify. We know the main purpose of a downsized Tundra engine, with or without a hybrid aspect, is to improve fuel economy, but that isn't always the case, it seems. 

In the Facebook group, “2023-2024 Toyota Tundra Owners”, one owner posted an image of its fuel economy, which sparked a heated discussion about the new Tundra's fuel economy while towing. As many of these owners come from the previous-generation Toyota Tundra, which had a 5.7-liter, naturally-aspirated V-8, comparisons were made, between the smaller, twin-turbo V-6 of the new Tundra and the old Tundra's V-8. Spoiler: it's not all in favor of the newer engine. 

A thread in the Facebook group by Steve Wilen shares a dashboard image showing 6.9 MPG while towing an RV. We can only assume this is the non-hybrid version of the V-6 engine since the owner hasn't clarified. That said, the 2024 Toyota Tundra has almost identical towing capacity in all trims – 10,890 to 11,400 pounds depending on the trim. The Tundra Hybrid brings towing capacity up to 12,000 pounds. 

The combined fuel economy for the 2024 Toyota Tundra is 22 MPG for the 2WD and 20 MPG for the 4WD variant, according to the EPA cycle. To put things in perspective, the previous-generation Toyota Tundra with the 5.7-liter V-8 only does 14 to 15 MPG. This, however, is without towing a trailer. T 

There is a strong belief on the internet that larger engines are simply better at towing. One user on the Facebook thread says the old, 5.7-liter V-8 Tundra managed 9 MPG while towing 11,000 pounds behind it. 

Granted, the owner of this "thirsty” Tundra shares his truck has a lift kit and 37-inch tires, which due to a higher center of gravity would negatively affect aerodynamics. That said, according to a Reddit thread, the lift kit and tires combo reduce fuel economy by around 2 MPG. Even if the Toyota Tundra gets 8.9 MPG while towing, that's still almost identical to the old, V-8 Tundra.  

What does all that mean? 

It has been proven, on numerous occasions, that downsized engines are not always more fuel-efficient. In normal driving, they outperform their bigger, naturally-aspirated counterparts, but as soon as you tap into the power of the turbochargers, fuel economy goes out the window. A larger-displacement, naturally-aspirated unit is, generally, more understressed than a smaller turbocharged one. 

As another Facebook user, Heath Machamer, comments, “When you lean on the turbos this gen is thirsty".  

The paradox is that before the third-generation Toyota Tundra came along, people complained about how outdated the second-generation Tundra was. Now that the third-generation Tundra is here, people are lusting after the old model's dependable, V-8 power. What are your thoughts on this?

Do you think the old V-8 Toyota Tundra is a better workhorse or would you give the 2024 Tundra a chance? Please, click the red link below to write your comment and join the discussion.

About the author

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image sources: 2024 Toyota Tundra