Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Before I start, yeah, yeah, I know, if you want good MPG, get a Prius or a Civic. 
However, given that most of us here aren't independently wealthy, my guess is that MPG is an issue for the majority of us here. Maybe not the most important issue, maybe not the deciding factor in which vehicle we choose, but it's not an irrelevant consideration, either.
Not only is fuel economy an issue that affects the wallet (which can be the make-or-break decision on whether we go on a nice, long adventure, a shorter trip closer to where we live, or just stay home) but even if gas were free, the range a vehicle can travel between fuel-ups is a pretty important planning consideration (just for example, my ability to travel long distances in my 3rd gen 4runner was pretty severely impacted by it's pi$$-poor range of <300 miles on the highway and as low as 200 - 250 miles in low-speed driving.) It wasn't an insurmountable obstacle, but it added a complication that didn't need to be there.)
So, having said all that, I'm very happy to report that I've been getting some pretty phenomenal mileage from my new-to-me 2007 (4th gen) 4runner with the V-6.
For those interested, here is my Fuelly "Badge:"
It shows an average of 18.1 which is a bit on the low side of average, but what needs to be noted is that the vast majority of miles I have tracked were when I was pulling a 1200lb trailer, usually over some pretty high (9,000'+) passes in Colorado.
The most recent MPG I tracked was the first long highway trip I've taken without the trailer, 404 miles on a single tank, and consuming only 18.95 gallons for an average of 21.3. For a two-and-a-quarter-ton (4300lb curb weight) Body-on-frame SUV with a 235hp V6 and 4 wheel drive, I consider that to be amazing.
Now, to be fair, this was done under the most favorable conditions possible: Flat highways between Denver and Laramie, WY, most of it spent cruising at 45 - 65 mph with minimal winds. But, I think it's a good illustration of what this platform is capable of, even though, for example, if I were to drive this to work every day, my MPG would undoubtedly be lower (I have a cheap little economy car I drive to work so I don't need the 4runner for that.)
From an exploration-vehicle standpoint, the best part of this for me was that even after 404 miles, I still had over 4 gallons in the tank - which is to say, over 450 miles of range with a comfortable "reserve" of 20 - 30 miles.
Some may laugh at the thought of "hypermiling" a 4runner, but I'm going to keep doing it as long as I have the truck. I can't say I love every single thing about the 4th gen but I have to admit that the Toyota engineers did a darn good job when they designed this vehicle.
However, given that most of us here aren't independently wealthy, my guess is that MPG is an issue for the majority of us here. Maybe not the most important issue, maybe not the deciding factor in which vehicle we choose, but it's not an irrelevant consideration, either.
Not only is fuel economy an issue that affects the wallet (which can be the make-or-break decision on whether we go on a nice, long adventure, a shorter trip closer to where we live, or just stay home) but even if gas were free, the range a vehicle can travel between fuel-ups is a pretty important planning consideration (just for example, my ability to travel long distances in my 3rd gen 4runner was pretty severely impacted by it's pi$$-poor range of <300 miles on the highway and as low as 200 - 250 miles in low-speed driving.) It wasn't an insurmountable obstacle, but it added a complication that didn't need to be there.)
So, having said all that, I'm very happy to report that I've been getting some pretty phenomenal mileage from my new-to-me 2007 (4th gen) 4runner with the V-6.
For those interested, here is my Fuelly "Badge:"
It shows an average of 18.1 which is a bit on the low side of average, but what needs to be noted is that the vast majority of miles I have tracked were when I was pulling a 1200lb trailer, usually over some pretty high (9,000'+) passes in Colorado.
The most recent MPG I tracked was the first long highway trip I've taken without the trailer, 404 miles on a single tank, and consuming only 18.95 gallons for an average of 21.3. For a two-and-a-quarter-ton (4300lb curb weight) Body-on-frame SUV with a 235hp V6 and 4 wheel drive, I consider that to be amazing.
Now, to be fair, this was done under the most favorable conditions possible: Flat highways between Denver and Laramie, WY, most of it spent cruising at 45 - 65 mph with minimal winds. But, I think it's a good illustration of what this platform is capable of, even though, for example, if I were to drive this to work every day, my MPG would undoubtedly be lower (I have a cheap little economy car I drive to work so I don't need the 4runner for that.)
From an exploration-vehicle standpoint, the best part of this for me was that even after 404 miles, I still had over 4 gallons in the tank - which is to say, over 450 miles of range with a comfortable "reserve" of 20 - 30 miles.
Some may laugh at the thought of "hypermiling" a 4runner, but I'm going to keep doing it as long as I have the truck. I can't say I love every single thing about the 4th gen but I have to admit that the Toyota engineers did a darn good job when they designed this vehicle.
