4WD vs 2WD in Texas

Hi y'all, new member here. I am in the process of looking to buy my first Tacoma, I live in the hill country of Texas and almost all of my travel is on paved roads. I've heard so many different opinions on 4WD vs 2WD and I was wondering if anyone else lives in Texas or is in a similar scenario as me and could tell me if the price and gas mileage difference is worth it? I will be using this vehicle to drive across the country to the northeast in the summer to visit family and also take it on 2-3 hour long road trips and gas mileage is mildly important but if its worth it i'm willing to pay the extra few thousand on the 4WD capability. Thank you in advance!

Edit: made a poll, thanks!

 

Will you be driving in a lot of snow? If not, and your almost always on road, 2wd is fine. I drove a 2wd truck for 10 years, no problems. I do love 4wd, as i can now explore any side road i see. People will always recommend 4wd because it works the .1% of the time you really need it.
If you're getting a manual transmission, 4wd is really nice because you can use 4 low to make up for the lack of a dog low 1st gear.

 

Thanks! No snow for me. I moved from NY to TX for that exact reason! It did get "snowy" and icy here where i live now but it was kind of undriveable for anyone at that point. I was talking to my FIL and he just got a Ford Ranger and swears by 2WD and he even drives in the northeast.

 

Lived in TX for most of my life, 2WD is fine unless you plan to off-road. If you’re visiting somewhere snowy in the winter toss weight in the bed and that’ll be good enough for most stuff.

 

Go 4WD. It's that little bit of insurance that will help you feel more relaxed should you get into some situation where it would be comforting.

Plus, given the resale value in the future, the 4WD will sell faster and for a bit more than the 2WD.

I never owned a 4WD vehicle and don't use mine often, but it really feels good to know that I have it. When shopping for my Tacoma I only considered
the SR5 V6 4WD ( Access Cab ) and I absolutely love driving it. As far as gas mileage is concerned there is little difference if any. About a month ago I
clocked ..... wait for it ..... 28.4 MPG on a short drive, and have often hit 24-26 MPG cruising down a flat highway at 70+ MPH over distances of 30-40 miles.
It's all about start and stop and easing up to speed and maintaining a steady-as-she-goes driving style.

 

I drove a 2WD for 15 years. If you want it to be solid just get a good posi for the rear, or get an electric diff locker. I never got stuck once and had it in the mud from time to time…just keep on the gas if you go through the muck…otherwise 2WD makes a great trial rig. Consider that most of not all Baja (trophy) race trucks are 2WD. I lived in Texas for 10 years when I was younger…never needed 4wd if that’s any constellation

Also, 2WD is about 800lbs lighter so you will likely notice better mpgs

 

I've lived in the DFW area for over 25yrs now, and been a Tacoma 4whl drive owner for barely 2yrs. Prior to owning this 4whl drive truck, I owned sedans, Hyundai Sonata's mostly. They performed great in what little snow Texas does get.

Back in 2020 when we had that major snow/sleet blizzard, my FWD Sonata handled it like a champ. The only way I see 4whl drive being a benefit to me is if I do serious off roading or mudding. I had the same thoughts as you "It'll be nice to have when I need it!", but so far, I haven't needed it. 95% of my driving is commuting to work on a paved highway. When I did off road it, it was light off roading. Now I find myself having to set reminders on my calendar to engage 4h and 4l, so the parts get a steady workout once a month.

Most "light" off roading can be accomplished with: A little driving skill, the proper off road tires and ground clearance.

It sounds like you need 2whl drive and good street tires (think TRD Sport or Limited), the tires make a huge difference in MPG's. The 2whl'ers with Toyo street tires on this site brag about getting 25-28mpg's. Us 4whl'ers with off road tires (but hey, they look cool as shit!), struggle to get 20MPG.

Hope this helps!

 

I've never had an issue with 2WD in TX.

Tundra is 4WD when I take long trips out of state and when needed.

 

The mileage on the highway, is not an issue. I see no difference on my 4X4, in fact, I regularly get 25-27mpg on the open road doing 55-64mpg on flat lands, and 21-22 at 75+ on the same ground.

The 4X4 is totally worth it. It's better to have and not need than wishing you had, but even though opinions differ, there are no regrets on my end

 

You would be fine with 2WD, but consider this: When it's time to sell it, people like me up in the rustbelt would jump at the chance to buy a well-maintained used 4WD from Texas! Vehicles down south or southwest are usually 2WD which really narrows the marketability to a broader, national audience. That also can be said of a double cab with the V-6: Easier to sell since that's what almost everyone wants. MPG difference is negligible. This may not make a difference to you but I always try to play the long game.

 

South Texan here… you’ll be fine with a 2WD.

 

You make a great point sir. Like I said, my 4whl drive truck is a pavement princess and kept in a salt-free/dry climate. I guess that means it will be in a higher demand when it comes time to sell it, regardless of the mileage.

 

Sounds like 2WD is the way to go for you. I drove a 2WD Ranger for years in upstate NY and later had a 2WD Silverado work truck to get on and off construction sites with. A 2WD Tacoma will be plenty fine for you on paved roads and the occasional Texas snow storm. If you do get caught in a storm, put 200lbs of sand bags in the bed.

BUT it sounds like you want to be talked into a 4x4. So just buy what you want if it fits your finances.

 

I can't say I'd ever even consider buying a 2wd truck.

 

Welcome to the forum

Ask yourself:
1) What were your previous vehicles, did they serve your needs?
2) In your last ten years of driving how many times have you actually needed a 4x4?
3) Are you genuinely going to change your lifestyle in the next 10?
4) Is your real truck use moving bags of mulch from Home Depot to the back yard and not much more?

Nothing is free in life, the 4x4 costs more to buy, maintain, operate and probably a bit more to insure as well.
It weighs more therefore is slower, gets lower fuel mileage and has a lower payload.

Resale frequently comes up, perhaps in North Dakota 2wd would be a big factor.
If there are many in your area probably not so much so.
As a general rule every well maintained Tacoma sells, there is a butt for every seat you might say.

Finally the "better to have it and not need it" point -- does a single guy living in an apartment buy a chest freezer because Swanson dinners might go on sale? Buy what you need.

 

A few years back I needed the 4wd to get across that 40 during a pretty good snow/ice storm. I was in a Dodge 1500 4x4, I had my two sons with me and I had to get to the OKC to pick up my wife at Will Rogers. Anyways that was some years ago but I bet that I 40 still gets some winter weather now and again.

 

I’m in New Mexico and I drove my ( bought new) 1986 2WD Toyota PU for many years with no worries, if there was snow I would put some weight in the bed, it went everywhere I needed it to. In 2009 I did purchase my 4WD dbsb PU as we needed more room and decided it may be nice to do a little more exploring and not to have to put weight in the bed ( got lazy ). I still have both trucks and they’re great

If you don’t need the 4WD I would say go 2WD, less maintenance, maybe a little better gas mileage and it’ll cheaper Thinking about this now, I so rarely even put my Tacoma into 4WD and I bet I’m not the only one, but on the other hand it is way cooler to say you drive a 4WD

 

I also live in the TX hill county and just bought a TRD OR 4x4. Prior to that I had a Chevy Colorado 2WD. Never had a problem with it on regular roads but it rarely left pavement. I got the 4x4 Taco to open up a bit more fun off of the main roads. If you plan to stay on the streets, you really don't need it.

 

Never heard anyone say that they regret buying a 4wd instead of a 2wd. Heard plenty people say they regret buying a 2wd instead of a 4wd.

 

~ $3,500 premium for a 4X4. Over 10 years of ownership, not that much, roughly a buck a day.
If you are thinking about a 4X4, you are probably going to regret not getting one.