Access vs Regular cab

I can't make up my mind in shopping for a tacoma. I love the reg cab look but the little extra space of the access cab would help a lot. My question is, is the 4 cylinder enough to move that much truck around good and still get good milage?

Can anyone give me some advice???

My reason for wanting the 4 cylinder is the price difference btw.

Thanks for all y'all's feedback. It has really helped. I have another question also. How does the 4clylinder(rc&ac) do with light towing. Ex. Small boats, motorcycles, 4wheelers, small campers,etc...??

 

I don't think the 4 cylinder gets very good mileage

 

access. I have a double and dont think I could easily get along without the full back seat, but not having it at all would be tough.

 

6cyl has more power!!!
Had a 4cyl hilux-now have 6cyl--NO BRAINER-get the 6.ESPECIALLy in the mountains--I see you are in NC-East Tn here.
MPG differnce is not much- probably about 2MPG depending on your driving.
The extra power is worth the MPG loss. Do you tow anything?
Or just a daily driver?
The reg cab does look better--EXTRA cab is way better.
Just an FYI from someone that HAD a reg cab 4CYL.
It was GOOD--6cyl extra cab is BETTER.
If it says TOYOTA-you cannot go wrong-GREAT TRUCKS-no matter what you get.

 

I have a 2.7 reg cab...5spd.... it has plenty of power..... avg mpg is 21.4 doing in town driving...have gotten as much as 23.9 on the highway doing 70 mph in mountains of southern Ohio through WV.

Photo: http://bit.ly/1k6QQKk

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Test drive a 6cyl-and a 4cyl- your money-your choice!
I have owned BOTH--my money goes for the 6

 

I have a 2014 AC 4cly manual 4X4 and it has more than enough power for what I use it for. Its not fast but it get along just fine but that is just my opinion. I test drove the 6cyl and the 4cyl auto but when I test drove the 4cyl manual I knew that was the truck for me. My wife tried to talk me into getting a 6cyl auto AC 4x4 TRD but I liked the base 4cyl manual better. Don't rely on what we say and get to the dealerships and just drive all the different configurations and figure out what is best for you and what makes you happy.

 

I have a 4 cyl 2.7 reg cab 4x4 auto. It has plenty of power. My gas milage is recorded below. For value and the most bang for the buck, reg cab is the way.

 

access cab, nice having that extra room inside

 

5 lug FTW.

Gets great mileage once you learn what driving conditions are ideal and work with them instead of against them.

Prerunner or 4x4? Meh... 2.7 doesn't do that much better than the 4.0.

 

Depends what you want to do. I love my reg cab, short wheelbase and the back doesn't end up a garbage dump

 

The 4X2 Regular Cab wheel base is 109.4"
the 4X2 Access Cab wheel base is 127.2"
The Prerunner Double Cab short bed wheel base is 127.8"
Just to add to the discussion, my 4X2 Regular Cab Auto get 24-26 MPG mixed driving. I wish I had an Access Cab, but this is what I could afford at the time.

 

I have a 2012 4x4 regular cab five speed.
It does just fine , I towed close to three thousand pounds from slc Utah to standpoint Idaho . Lots of mountains. It did just fine ... I have towed my motorcycle often and the truck barely knows it back there. Mind you it's a light bike . I have been very happy with mine I get between 22 /23 mixed with at tires and a mid rise shell and rack on it . Have gotten as high as 25 when I did a whole tank of gas around Yellowstone at 45 mph

 

If you go with the 4 I'd recommend a manual. My dad just bought a 2014 access cab with auto and it doesn't want to go imo. I have an 04 access manual on 33's and it still does pretty well accelerating. I chose the access for storage. I have pulled a 3000lb boat with mine and I thought it did pretty well. Pulling up the ramp was the only time I could have used more power. I just put it in 4 low and have no issues with lack of power.

Test drive a manual 4.0 the other week and I'm not gonna lie the power was nice!

Test drive them both and see what you like better.

 

I got the 2.7 because I wanted a reg cab. The second reason was price, then reputation. The fact that it gets a little better mileage is a bonus. Lack of power is a byproduct.

 

X2

If I could have got the 4.0 in a RC I would have but the 2.7 is a great motor!

 

I've had two reg cab 2.7 manuals now, and I can't fathom this NOT being enough power. Frankly, I think you need to adjust your expectations a bit if the 2.7 manual doesn't have enough snot for you. Or learn to drive, either way.

If I shift too hard I chirp the tires. I routinely have to back off the throttle before the merge point on I95, and in south Florida short ramps are notorious!

I've hauled 1400# in the bed for three counties. I've pulled a 4X4 Tahoe frame-sucked in sugar sand out with horses to spare. I've crawled through floodwater over the hood.

If this base 2.7 with the 5 speed doesn't have enough power for you...frankly, you're doing it wrong. And I've gotten an average of 22-23MPG across every tank of gas...since November of 09.

Search my username at Fuelly and you'll see every gallon of gas that passed through both trucks.

 

+1

Compared to my '94 with the 22RE, not only does my '08 get 5-6mpg better, it's a freaking powerhouse.
That '94 could barely maintain speed on a steep grade, and if someone cut me off and I had to let off the gas, I was done... 40-50 the rest of the way up the hill with my foot on the floor in 3rd.
My '08 is bigger, heavier, quieter (not much) more comfortable, better ride, and can accelerate up a steep grade from a stand-still to the limit.

 

I love my regular cab and the power is enough imo. Just do some test drives and figure out what works.