2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road - Real-world Highway MPG Test

Toyota's Tacoma is beloved around the world for its durability, off-road capabilities, and rugged feel. Fuel economy? Not necessarily. Can it at least manage its EPA number at 70 MPH? Find out here!
Sound-system test: • 2020 Toyota Tacoma - J...
Full review: • 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD...
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This video was filmed with in-ear, binaural microphones, so if you listen with headphones, it will sound like you're sitting in the driver's seat!
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Intro music by Skyler Benn.
#ToyotaTacoma #RealWorldMPG #2020Tacoma

[@PaintSandwhich]

It's crazy full size trucks get better mileage.

[@JoanAvilez]

I was driving late at night and set me 2020 trd off road to 55mph on cruise control on a 60mph hwy and averaged 29mpg on a 98mile trip

[@rambosandman4088]

blessings

[@JoanAvilez]

Man idk wth has been going but I just want to say I can’t get past 18mpg lol

[@richardseayTundra22]

Several trips with my 22 tacoma SR5 2wd at 60mph for 40 miles highway came in at 29.5 mpg

[@officialyasir]

I’m enjoying these mpg test! Good work, keep it up!

[@ahkeen]

There is a way to put the gas instead of having it dangle. Where the clip used to close the door, you can hook the string to the clip.

[@doubyseide]

This vid is great man!

[@erickim2025]

Your mpg test shows that EPA averages on the Maroni sticker are accurate, I never believed them before. But to me anything over 20 mpg is great for a truck, I was used to 13 to 15 miles, ❤ love those tacomas!😊

[@marcm4268]

YPSILANTI!! I kept glancing at the screen while I made breakfast and kept thinking to myself wherever this guy lives. It looks just like where I live. I caught the Ypsilanti exit sign. 3 cheers for DETROIT (and northville).

[@Brad_Smith_Media]

I'm beyond excited if I get close to 315 miles of range on my '19 Offroad

[@noahthomasmiller8384]

I have a 2022 SR5, and I consistently average anywhere from 23-26 on my commute to work. It’s military range roads so I lock it in at 60mph and I’m usually in that range. For a truck, that’s damn near unheard of. It costs me $70-80 to fill up from bone dry, and I usually get 370-400 miles.

[@raultejada326]

Nice 👍

[@jeremyclarkson-69]

Is it a v6

[@noahthomasmiller8384]

@@jeremyclarkson-69 It was a V6, yeah. I traded it in recently cause it got hit by someone but it was good on gas.

[@jeremyclarkson-69]

@@noahthomasmiller8384 that’s my dream work truck and I got even more convinced to buy it because of the mpg you reported it’s a shame that they hit yours did you trade in for the same truck?

[@qx4n9e1xp]

I love your music 😊

[@stevenluedke8065]

My 2017 SR5 V6 4x4 with stock tires. I just did a 240 mile trip at highway speeds between 60 - 75 mph and got 26.3 mpg. Tank average was slightly lower and I was really light on the gas pedal.

[@SuperSnakePlissken]

BS. I don't believe it.

[@DB-qm4jx]

@@SuperSnakePlissken nope mine too and I live in a mountainous area.

[@marcnunes6916]

I’m buying a tacoma because of your video. People say the tacoma gets horrible fuel economy so I never considered it before. Thank you!

[@terrynewell4749]

I'm not getting close to that with my 2020 sport, which should be better than the off-road?

[@javierescobarreyes]

Hi i enjoying these video, i am from mexico

[@DailyMotor]

Hey, thanks!

[@-Sam69]

I get 26 mpg after 250 miles because I work at night and I drive extremely calmly at 55 mph. I have a 2018 4x2 tacoma double cab 2.7l with 31 inch tires.

[@marcusmaximus.]

14.7 city 21.4 hwy 89 octane shell fuel.

[@kimjay1587]

I have a stock Tacoma V6 4x4 and I was cruising 70-75mph and got around 20-21.2 average

[@thomaslindsay1967]

What octane?

[@kimjay1587]

@@thomaslindsay1967 87 like everyone should??

[@patrck161]

Miss them gas prices

[@Frank-James]

I have that exact truck and I only do about 19 on the highway.

[@septimustyrannis321]

I wonder if the manual transmission is any better or worse?

[@vern9093]

I got a 2020 TRD sport and I’ve been getting 22-23 dirt and 25-26 highway

[@KJ-iq7fm]

Regarding your 3-click method: If you continue to fill past the 1st-click, isn't there risk of damage to the onboard vapor recovery system (emissions system designed to recover vapors from gas tank & burn them in the engine rather than venting them to atmosphere)❓ ⛽️🤔

[@barsaf9989]

Yes, you can damage the vapor chamber. Not sure if 3 clicks is so bad though. I've seen idiots at gas stations do like 20 clicks. Makes me so mad lol. Personally I just let it click and that's it, it's full.

[@beexiong2995]

I have a completely stock 21 TRD OR DBLCAB. City I average 17. Hwy, i can get 21 at 65-70 mph. Above that you start to lose mpg because of aerodynamics working against the truck. If I drive between 55-60 mph constantly, I can get 23 mpg.

[@diegobonaventura8501]

Very informative

[@Mako2-1]

I have a trd off-road and I get 25 mpg at 70 mph. I did throw on the chin spoiler and I live in Florida so that might be what's helping me.

[@chrischilleen5131]

What's the chin spoiler?

[@Mako2-1]

@@chrischilleen5131 just the black piece of plastic that comes in the regular tacoma models excluding the pro and offroad

[@gilmacababbad-qi9ql]

Hey dude, what is your experience with the power train? The issue's about the engine sluggish and gear hunting. Thanks.

[@DailyMotor]

My father owns a similar truck, and he hasn't minded it. However, if you go to larger diameter tires, you might want to change gearing

[@09FoxRider]

Auto engineer here, I own a 07 Tacoma which is similar to this engines. Speaking from experience on Toyota engines they hold back their engines to prolong the engine life span but also to meet the gov regulations and requirements. There are modifications you can do to improve performance and efficiency, however doing changes will void your warranty and could fail emission test if your state requires them.

[@gixxersquid]

What would these said modifications be 🧐

[@09FoxRider]

@@gixxersquid depends if you’re willing to void your warranty. And if you plan to keep the truck forever, Because if you try to sell it back to a dealer, they may not accept some of the changes. There are a number of mods you can do to improve horsepower, and fuel efficiency. Other than driving habits. Oil changes, transmission changes, top tier gas only and not using cruises control. Depending on the number of miles you might want a deep cleaning to remove the existing carbon buildup on the valves. Than replace all the spark plugs with iridium. Remove the stock air filter to a cold air intake (void warranty). Try this for starters, hope it helps. My truck has over 600k and still runs fine.

[@gixxersquid]

@@09FoxRider i will definitely look into this after the after the warranty. Thanks for the tips

[@lolgetrekt6901]

How do I reset it

[@stevensushi]

I bought a trd off road it came with a lift stock, and I only get 12-14 mpg city it’s terrible

[@blvckspectrvm5398]

I have a 2020 Trd off road 6 ft. bed. I would say I drive pretty normal, really only stomp on it to get on the freeeway or pass. I average 14.5 mpg, 250-270 miles on a full tank…

[@Chuck112w]

2022 TRD sport, averaging 14.2 mpg overall. My commute is mostly highway...

[@blvckspectrvm5398]

@@Chuck112w that’s just as bad as mine, luckily I have a commuter as well. Pretty sure I’m gunna trade in the taco for something with more room and mpg’s. My dad has a brand new f150 supercrew 5.0l v8, 6.5ft bed averages 18 mpg and can get 600 miles on one tank lol

[@Chuck112w]

@@blvckspectrvm5398 Or go with the hybrid tundra this year. Else, wait 2-3 years for the hybrid Taco. I had a 2016 Silverado, averaged 15.7 mpg.

[@sc4261]

Who drives 55-60? I did not buy this truck to drive slow every where I go just to get the mileage indicated on the sticker. At 75-78 (speed limit 75) this trick is horrible. Constantly down shifts and the slightest hill shifts down to 3500+ rpm. Bought this new 2022 TRD off road to replace my aging F150 (no F150 available for 6+ months). It gets worse MPG than my 2015 V8 F150 which I regularly drove 79 to 80 mph. And by the way, if there is a breath of headwind you can knock another 2-3 mpg off of that number. Grossly under powered for a V6 in such a small truck. Hopefully resale is still good when I am ready to go back to Ford power and this crazy car market settles down.

[@chodiusmaximus4042]

I only average 18 MPG even if i try to baby the pedal. The other day on I43 to Green Bay, I only averaged 15mpg for some reason lol, with cruise control on.

[@thomaslindsay1967]

Same here just took a trip from Milwaukee to Springfield il left at 130am running about 75mph truck was saying 15.8 most of the way took about 17 gallons to fill up . On the way back I put some lucas fuel additive to increase the octane most the way back truck was saying 21.5 I didn't top yet. But there just under1/4 tank left in tank

[@thomaslindsay1967]

Mine is a manual transmission

[@andresjoseph5663]

2023 TRD OR auto stock. Average city/highway is 14mpg. I drive normal not aggressive. Pretty disappointed with the mpg I’m getting rn. I’ve driven trucks all my life, I’m no stranger to bad fuel economy… but for a brand new vehicle, Tacomas are embarrassing.

[@PHILLIPS8822]

Re gearing to 4:88 gears help

[@chrischilleen5131]

help with mpg or performance?

[@miamiSincar]

65 mph is the sweet spot

[@clover7359]

It depends on what you mean by sweet spot. If you mean balancing traffic flow/disturbance and fuel economy, you might be right. If you mean the best speed for pure fuel economy, you'd be mistaken. The most fuel efficient speed for these trucks is the bottom of 5th gear (automatic) or 6th gear (manual) where it's right at 1100 rpm, which is 36 MPH (or 1200 rpm at 35 MPH for the manual). That's flat ground though. Going downhill can extend that, but only if you can coast down the hill in Deceleration Fuel Cutoff mode. Going uphill will drop the most fuel efficient speed but not by much.

[@monarchlifestyle6299]

Is this a 4 cylinder or 6?

[@Vtethers1314]

6

[@christopherburbidge972]

The only way to get any descent gas mileage is on the highways. I’m at 9gallons in town and I drive it softly since my Tacoma is new/2021. Bought it with 9k on it. I’m getting 9MPG in town and the local Delearship says nothing is wrong! WTF!? I always put premium in it.

[@theabrahamshow]

Do you leave it idling a lot?

[@ManuelLopez-ng7mx]

My trd off road won’t go past 260 miles to empty .. how much miles to empty get ?

[@vitocorleone3724]

Manuel Lopez 260 miles till empty when you fill up, or 260 miles till empty regardless of the amount of fuel in the tank?

[@EricMosqueda]

Mines 310

[@rayklein1291]

I have a 2017 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 v6 with 15,000 miles, and the best mileage I can get on the highway is 16.2 MPG !! I drive carefully, a lot of that is in cruise control. The vehicle is stock in every way and not modified. I mentioned this bad gas mileage to the Toyota dealer and he said that's normal! What gives? I don't drive it that much because of the mileage! My Ford F350 diesel LB 4x4 gets better highway mileage!

[@-Sam69]

Then you don't know how to drive

[@rayklein1291]

@@-Sam69 You do'nt have a clue.

[@09FoxRider]

Check you air filter, clean your mass flow sensor and your intake values. This process only take 10 mins but it will benefit you in the long run. Normally after 10k you should have carbon build up on the intake values add shots of sea foam in through the vacuum line and you should see lots of smoke burn off. This is sometimes cause by bad oil changes or incorrect oil put in. My 2007 Tacoma 4x4 350k miles and she get 22 combined.

[@pewbangpew8109]

Did it ever get better? My 2020 OR gets like 17.5 highway 😵‍💫

[@probegt75]

I know if I run 75mph I get about 14 mpg which is pathetic. Big block V8's get better mileage

[@woc3785]

Just got a 2021 OR 4wd, anything over 80 seems to be below 15, unless you have a tail wind. Wind is the biggest factor at highway speeds. I was hoping the engine was just breaking in, nope, at least not at 2,000 miles. Wish I didn’t trade in my 2013, loved the 4 liter. I keep my vehicles for several years, I don’t think I’ll be keeping this that long. After three Tacoma’s in a row, I don’t think there will be a forth until they redesign it.

[@douglasbaker5949]

Try 55 mph that’s what all vehicles have been setup to get their best mileage at.

[@DailyMotor]

If I do 55 on a 70 mph highway I will be killed. Either by others, or myself.

[@douglasbaker5949]

@@DailyMotor i understand that. You’re telling me you don’t have access to any state or county highways that are 55?

[@havvaguler6111]

Toyota Tacoma

[@fergie1926]

Hi

[@DailyMotor]

Hi

[@xMrFuzZyKitteH]

I only get 280 miles out of my 2020 trd offraod compared to the sport I use to have I would get close to 400 miles 😭😭 I'm loosing a fortune on gas since it's my daily and I let my dad borrow it for work 😭😭😭

[@jay.0621]

wow! what's the diference between the sports and off road?

[@xMrFuzZyKitteH]

@@jay.0621 as far as I know is all the 4x4 features the sport is just a 2wd

[@heavycream6682]

@@xMrFuzZyKitteH Thats weird my v6 4x4 sr is getting around 370 miles per fill. Are you running crazy tires or commuting at 80 mph?

[@thechamberofchillz9705]

You must floor it everywhere you go.

[@davidr.1517]

I have the same problem. I had a 2018 4x4 sport that got between 19 and 23 miles to the gallon and my 2020 off road is getting 14 to 17 miles to the gallon with stock everything. I don't know what's going on but I'm contacting Toyota headquarters. The dealership said they do not have any software updates so I'm contacting Toyota Custmer Care to see if they will help? Update.....I just read that there is a fix from Toyota. It's call an TSB-0092-20. ECU tune Update or ECU calibration to the new 4B33

[@algorerhyth]

No pee breaks ...

[@sworks7124]

Hell no the Tacoma is the worst gas guzzler there is. I have never seen my 2021 Tacoma meet any standards for fuel even at speed limits.

[@carsonwhitesel9195]

$23 for 10 gallons😭

[@GATORADDAM]

I have a 2019 TRD offroad and I've talked to literally dozens of people with Tacomas. No one.... I mean no one gets 22 mpg. I don't know what you did or who paid you for this review but it's total bullsh*t!

[@chersolos]

For reals I hit 20 one time on cruise control.

[@09FoxRider]

The truck does get that mpg but you have check your mileage. Tacoma are mostly GDI engines and require cleaning of the intake value once every 10k. Also adding bigger tires and weight will effect your mpg. The 3rd gen model have a 3.5 V6 engine which mean they run high in rpm. Ideally you should drive at 70 mph and get about 2500 rpm or less for a 4x4.

[@jimmy-et1pm]

I have a 2018 trd pro...and like my 2016 offroad, the tranny hunted gears. Then I heard they could reprogram the tranny...to gear up(keep the rpms lower)...and stay there. Both got reprogrammed and both would do 22-24 on the highway....doing 70-75 mph. Oh, the cruise control is CRAP for MPG. Ask your dealer about the reflash of the tranny. Oh, the ride quality of the TRD is way better than the Offroad....smoother ride.

[@havvaguler6111]

Toyota Tacoma