2025 Toyota Tacoma as a tow vehicle

DonF · March 8

We have a 2022 T@B 400 Boondock we have been pulling with a 2016 Tacoma TRD and we seem to average 10-13 MPG. Our '16 is now high mileage and I'm considering replacing it with a 2025 Tacoma TRD or possibly the hybrid version. Does anyone in the Community have experience with the current generation of Tacomas as a TV? If so, what range of gas mileage are you getting? I'm also interested in Ford Rangers although the 5' bed length is a problem for us. Thank you!

Gomers2 · March 8

If you can wait a few weeks I'll let you know. I do know the hybrid delivers more low end torque with the electric motors, but does not yield appreciable mpg gains. Most tacos have 5 ft beds, but 6 is available. Be sure to get the Upgrade PKG which includes integrated trailer brake controller, plus headlight leveling controller and trailer blind spot features (plus a lot of other good stuff). There are some additional trailer features on some higher trims but they are convenience items, not power increase items. Non hybrid gets low to mid 20s no problem, sometimes higher, but I expect the towing to drop that pretty substantially. I would love to see 15+. I also looked at the Ranger but it's not for me, and we've had excellent luck with Toyota reliability.

manyman297 · March 8

There are a few YouTube videos showing some 4th gen Tacoma towing performance. I want to say the MPGs remained relatively unchanged but that may have been on the non-hybrid variant. I was hoping the towing experience on the 4th gen would be much improved but the consensus seems to be that it’s the same. Again, not sure if this is the same for the hybrid version.

blotter · March 17

Went from a 2017 Tacoma to and 2024 Tundra Hybrid (actually had a 2023 Tundra non-hybrid but it was stolen) Statistically the hybrid is not any better on the highway for fuel mileage. It's actually supposed to be worse due to the weight of the batteries. Toyota doesn't advertise the hybrid as a fuel saving system but extra horsepower to deal with turbo lag and more importantly much more torque. I'm really impressed the the hybrid system. Fuel between the non-hybrid Tundra and hybrid on highway seems to be a wash. The hybrid system doesn't normally kick in unless you're going under 50km/h. However, I have found there are odd times on the highway, down slopes and letting go the acceleration, the system sometimes went into EV mode. If you can I'd almost wait a year for the Tacoma, as this is a new model and they're still working out some bugs. The new Tacoma is so much better than the old in nearly every aspect (IMO). Also note that with the hybrid you'll lose most if not all rear seat under storage. The real fuel gains are within city driving.

manyman297 · March 18

I would agree with @blotter that I’d give it a year (or even two) to let Toyota work out the many bugs that are present in the new Tacoma. I have a 2020 Tacoma Off Road and while I think the new one is better on paper, the towing experience seems to be about the same (unless you opt for the hybrid). Most hybrid systems don’t work well at highway speeds but the added torque would be nice. It’s the price of the new gen that has me just wanting to keep my 2020 for as long as possible.

Maxcamp · March 28

2016 is 3rd generation. My 2023 tacoma mileage is about 11 mpg in S mode at 65 to 70 mph towing along appalachians. 6 cylinder.

Read up on the Towing subforum on Tacoma World forum for more info.

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Gomers2 · March 28

@DonF , I'm going to jump in here and caution you about taking advice from people who have not actually used the truck and little knowledge of it's features. There is a lot of hearsay and opinions about "new models," but this gen has been out since fall off 2023 and the engine is a heavy duty version of the proven Highlander engine. This "wimpy" engine puts out exactly the same hp as the 3.5L V6 (278), and actually delivers more torque (317 lb.ft vs 265lb.ft) The hybrid version delivers even more. You should know there are many, many owners who are very pleased with the power of the 4th gen Tacoma, both standard and hybrid engine (see r/Tacoma on Reddit). Also see The Car Care Nut on YouTube, a very popular independent Toyota specialist who prefers the new turbo 4 over the V6. Turbos do run hot so it is a good idea to change oil at 5k, but if you're towing you will do that anyway.

The post above contains many inaccurate statements. You do not need an external OBD reader; the truck has oil temp and trans temp readout right on the dash. You do not need a third party brake controller as the truck has a very customizable built in TBC, automatic trailer detection, tow mode transmission settings, trailer light test mode, 7 and 4 pin wiring, automatic trailer blind spot compensation, and sway control capable of activating the trailer brakes. Squat is about 2.25". You can add AirLift bags for about $100 if you want, but the '24 also has electronically adjustable headlights so you can lower the angle a bit if needed. As for real world mpg I will let you know, but I am cautiously optimistic since short test drives have been in the upper teens, and the truck gets about 24 mpg mixed use without a trailer.

Gomers2 · April 12

@DonF, After towing 1200 miles this week I can tell you we are very pleased with the gen4 Tacoma. Lots of power, great tow features. On the freeway through IN, KY, eastern TN we're getting about 14.7 mpg. That is with 3000lb trailer, on adaptive cruise at 68 miles an hour. Worst mpg was I65 with wind (13.5). Best was a long stretch of two lane rolling hills at 45 miles an hour (18 mpg). At 55 mph you get like 16 mpg. It's pretty clear the weight is not the issue, it's the wind resistance at higher speeds. I've only used the Tow/Haul setting a couple times. It changes the shift points and torque curve for quicker acceleration and better downshifts descending long hills. Would be useful out west I think but plenty of power to do a freeway merge without it.

Horigan · April 12

That's great info @Gomers2! Our V6 2013 Highlander gets 12 mpg, on a good day, and I've been wondering how the 4 cyl turbo would do, when we update our TV.

ckjs · April 15

Gomers2 said:

... It's pretty clear the weight is not the issue, it's the wind resistance at higher speeds. I...

A Public Service Announcement:
The power needed to overcome air drag increases by the cube of the speed increase. So e.g. speeding up from 60 to 70mph takes over 50% more power! It is really a big hit to your mpg.

kdcampergirl · April 17

We purchased a ‘24 Taco SR MT late October. Apparently it’s a bit of a unicorn (according to the dealer!) because it has a tow package (capacity 6400#) and some great upgrades. BUT…unfortunately I didn’t know we couldn’t add a 3rd party BC since this didn’t come with TBC and isn’t an upgrade possibility! Currently using a Curt Echo which so far is meh.

Have been proposing a bit on bumps especially older roads with perpendicular seams. When I have time will take it to a scale to see. Since it’s a 2020 and has a lot of gear (Air8, 2 6v AGM batts, inverter) might be too light in the tongue? Thinking it could be springs. This model has leaf springs. Hesitant to add Sumos or anything to stiffen the rear since it’s under warranty.

MPG hasn’t been great. Probably 10-12. Closer to 13 when cruising at 58mph.

Absolutely love the truck and the MT. No sag and great torque.

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2025 Toyota Tacoma as a tow vehicle

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