Is the 4-Cylinder Toyota Tacoma Even Worth Buying?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The standard engine on the Toyota Tacoma doesn’t give buyers V6 power. But what are the differences in capability between a Tacoma with a V6 versus one with the four-cylinder engine option? Is the four-Cylinder Toyota Tacoma even worth buying?

What is the base engine for the Toyota Tacoma? 

2021 Toyota Tacoma | Toyota

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma offers a standard 2.7 liter four-cylinder engine. This powerplant gives drivers up to 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. The base engine is standard on both the Toyota Tacoma SR and the SR5 trims. 

Kelley Blue Book says that the four-cylinder option “can get the job done.” But it won’t offer the best passing power on the highway. In addition, drivers will have less power for climbing steep grades. However, the four-cylinder Toyota Tacoma does get better gas mileage than the V6 option. 

According to EPA estimates, the four-cylinder Toyota Tacoma with a rear-wheel-drive powertrain gets 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. With four-wheel drive, the base engine gets 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. 

How much power does the Toyota Tacoma V6 engine provide? 

side view of an electric green Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro 2022 model driving on a sandy trail
2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro | Toyota Newsroom

In every trim level above the SR and SR5 Tacoma models, drivers get a 3.5 liter V6 with 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. However, buyers can opt for the V6 in both the SR and SR5 models as well. 

This V6 engine offers what Car and Driver calls “decent performance and towing muscle.” That said, this engine lends itself more to off-road maneuvering than powering past other vehicles on the highway. Most critics agree that both the four-cylinder Toyota Tacoma and the V6 don’t exactly offer exciting acceleration. 

The V6 gets lower fuel economy, but not by much. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma equipped with a V6 is estimated to get 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with a rear-wheel-drive configuration. The V6 with four-wheel-drive, as seen in the TRD Pro option, gets 18 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. When the V6 is paired with a manual transmission (offered on TRD trims) the fuel economy stats go down one mpg. 

How much can the Toyota Tacoma tow?

The Toyota Tacoma with the inline-four can tow up to 3,500 pounds. This is actually pretty decent, all things considered. There are a number of trailers and campers that fit within this capacity. 

That said, the V6 with a towing package nearly doubles that number to 6,800 pounds. If you know you’ll use your Tacoma for towing on a regular basis, the V6 might be a better option for this reason alone. 

Is the four-cylinder option worth buying? 

There are many critics that prefer the six-speed manual over the automatic transmission. If buyers want a TRD trim Tacoma with a manual transmission, the V6 engine is the only pairing option. That said, an SR5 equipped with a four-cylinder engine starts at $26,150 according to U.S. News and World Report.  

On the other hand, a V6 engine on any trim level has a starting price of $28,410. So buyers will pay a little more for the more powerful option. For many buyers, the four-cylinder engine is certainly worth buying. It’s a great way to get into a simple and reliable pickup truck with a good starting price point. 

However, the vast majority of critics advise against buying the four-cylinder Toyota Tacoma. It’s hardly more fuel-efficient, and the difference in acceleration is noticeable. In general, for buyers who can afford the V6 Tacoma model that is going to be the more satisfying choice in terms of power. Although there are compelling reasons to buy the four-cylinder model instead, as Scotty Kilmer explains in the video above, the Toyota Tacoma V6 is the more common favorite.

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Your Car’s Title: What You Need to Know

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Do you know what a car title is? Or what makes it so important? If you don’t, find out here what a car title is, along with the different types of car titles, how to transfer a car title, and what to do if you’ve misplaced your car’s title.

What is a car title? Are there different types of titles?

First things first, let’s talk about what a title actually is. For the unfamiliar, a car title is a legal document that establishes ownership of a vehicle. According to Kelley Blue Book, they are issued by the state where the car, truck, or SUV is purchased. It then accompanies the vehicle throughout its entire lifespan. Kelley Blue Book added that a car’s title is reissued each time it is sold or moved to a new state of residence.

It’s important to understand that there are different types of titles. In fact, according to Car and Driver, some of the most common types of car titles include clear titles, salvage titles, junk titles, and rebuilt titles. Let’s break down what they mean:

  • Clear title: This type of title is pretty simple. It will state that the vehicle has no outstanding loans and is considered the best type of vehicle title.
  • Salvage title: A salvage title, on the other hand, could mean bad news. In fact, according to Car and Driver, this type of title is issued to vehicles with a significant decrease in value after a substantial accident, repair, or theft.
  • Junk title: Meanwhile, a junk title is for vehicles that have been sold to a junkyard. More often than not, vehicles with junk titles are sold for scrap metal or parts.
  • Rebuilt title: Insurance companies or collision centers often issue rebuilt titles after a vehicle has undergone significant repairs. A rebuilt title signifies that the vehicle is safe to drive.

Can you transfer a title?

Yes, you can transfer a car title. Transferring it is a pretty straightforward process too. First, the current owner of the vehicle must sign the title. Then, Nerd Wallet reports, the buyer of the vehicle must take the signed title to their local DMV. At that point, the state will issue both a new registration and a new title. Keep in mind that some states might also require a bill of sale to issue an updated title, Nerd Wallet reports.

You may be asking yourself if you can transfer a title without actually selling the vehicle first. In many cases, this question arises when gifting a car to a lucky family member or close friend. As it turns out, however, the process is the same. Family, close friend, or not, to transfer a car’s title, you will have to sign it, and the recipient of the vehicle will have to make the trek to their local DMV.

The best place to keep your title isn’t in your vehicle

Neat line of suburban houses. | Robert Knopes/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Now that you have a good understanding of what a title is, let’s talk about the best place to keep your car’s title. While you might think that keeping it in the vehicle itself is a good idea, that’s not true. In fact, keeping the title in your vehicle could be one of the worst places to keep it.

Say someone breaks into your car and gets a hold of your car’s title. That document is loaded with personal information, including your home address. And, let’s be honest, your home address is not the type of information that you want to get into the hands of car thieves.

The good news is that there are better places to keep it. Because car titles aren’t needed during traffic stops, it doesn’t need to be kept in your vehicle. With that in mind, CarFax recommends keeping your vehicle’s title stocked away in a home safe or a safety deposit box.

What to do if you lose your car’s title

A view of the NY DMV's signage, if you lose your car's title, you will need to visit the DMV
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. | ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

You don’t want to lose your car’s title. But if you do? It is possible to get a replacement, reports Road and Track. The process is relatively straightforward too. To get a replacement, begin by visiting your local DMV. There, you will have to provide proof of ownership of the car. You’ll more than likely have to pay a fee for a replacement title too.

Understanding what a car title is is just one of the many important aspects of owning a car. Be sure to keep it in a safe place and, remember, while replacing a car title is a fairly simple process, you probably don’t want to have to do it.

RELATED: So, What Is a Salvage Title and Is a Salvage Vehicle More Trouble Than It’s Worth?

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Kate Hudson Is About to Show You the All-New 2022 Infiniti QX60

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2022 Infiniti QX60 is almost here, and people are very excited. On social media, there’s much buzz surrounding not only the car itself, but the movie Infiniti made about the new QX60. On June 23, 2021, the new 2022 Infiniti QX60 will be debuted with some very special help. Actor Kate Hudson will be headlining the review, and showing the world all of the features of the new QX60.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 09: Kate Hudson attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 09, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

What do we know about the 2022 Infiniti QX60?

As is often the case with new cars, there isn’t a ton of information out there about the 2022 Infiniti QX60. Sure, there have been teasers and glimpses, but a real, closeup look of Infiniti’s latest luxury SUV is yet unseen.

The second iteration of the 2022 Infiniti QX60 is a three-row luxury crossover, like the one before it. It will have a 3.5-liter V6, nine speed automatic transmission, just like its Nissan counterpart, the Pathfinder. This new design is partly intended to help improve the Infiniti QX’s fuel economy. The last Infiniti QX60, which was a 2020, got 20 city and 27 highway mpg. 

The QX60 will be capable of 295 horsepower and be able to tow 6,000 pounds. Although the horsepower is the same as its predecessor, the towing capability will be 1,000 pounds more than the 2020. If 1,000 pounds was the difference between getting your mini-yacht to the beach, you’re in luck.

How will Kate Hudson introduce the new QX60?

CNET says that Kate Hudson’s introduction is going to be like a mini movie premiere. Infiniti asked film director Zak Snyder to make the movie starring Hudson called “Infiniti Presents: Conquer Life in Style with All-New QX60.”

Hudson is an Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe award winner. She has done over thirty films and is also an author and fashion entrepreneur. Infiniti chose Hudson because she represents their target market: successful business owners with kids. Plus, people love Kate Hudson, which makes the QX60 more likeable as well. 

Okay, but what will the inside of the 2022 Infiniti QX60 look like?

That remains largely a mystery. There have only been a few glimpses of the new Infiniti, including some monographs and teasers. So far it looks like the 2022 QX60 will be a huge improvement upon its predecessor, at least in terms of design. The new QX60 should have a nicer, more luxurious interior and a large infotainment system. 

Safety will come in the form of the ProPILOT Assist. ProPILOT Assist includes cruise control, steering assistance, and navigation features. 

The new 2022 Infiniti QX60 will start at about $45,000. 

There aren’t a lot of details around the new 2022 Infiniti QX60 movie itself, either. Maybe Infiniti is hoping that by drumming up intrigue around the movie, there will be even more people tuning in to see the 2022 Infiniti QX60 as well. We’ll just have to wait and see what it entails. 

RELATED: 9 2021 Luxury Cars With Advanced Safety Systems

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2021 Might Not Be the Best Time to Buy a Used Car

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’re planning on buying a used car this year, you might want to hold off. The used car market is surging right now and while that’s a good thing for used-car sellers, it’s not so good for used-car buyers. The recent new-car inventory and chip shortages drove up the pricing on used cars, which means that it might actually be a smarter idea to buy a new car instead.

Used car prices are up year-over-year

A Used Car Lot | Getty Images

When perusing the classifieds online on sites like Car Gurus or Autotrader, you might find that many prices are a little higher than they should be. For instance, Car Gurus has its own indication to let you know if a car’s price is “good,” “great,”, “fair,” or “overpriced.” Don’t be surprised if you end up seeing a lot of the latter two ratings nowadays.

According to Consumer Reports, used car prices jumped nearly 30% year-over-year, from May 2020 to May 2021. With many dealers asking close to MSRP for new cars, many buyers are looking to the used car market to find their next means of transportation. However, those prices are higher than average right now, making the thought of buying a new car a little more feasible to some.

Buying a new car this year could be a better idea

Consumer Reports also mentioned that while used car prices are high, the silver lining is that dealers are paying top dollar for trade-ins. This can work in your favor, especially if you’re planning to buy a new car. Buyers typically have the most leverage when they’re trading in their current car for a new one as dealers favor being able to obtain used cars to sell while getting rid of their new car inventory.

“If you’re planning on financing (a new car), it comes with a promotional APR offer as well as some manufacturer to dealer cash, in the usual case,” Ari Janessian, from Boston Automotive Consulting, said. “At the very least, consider new because the depreciation schedule on a new car is predictable right now. What you’re paying for used cars right is what no one has ever paid for in history. But what you’re paying for new is pretty much what everyone is paying, or less than that.”

The market will subside eventually

Those additional discounts that you can typically get on a new car could make that route much more attractive. Although, depending on the used car that you’re looking at – and depending on if you’re buying it from a dealer or private party – that could be a better route as well. It really depends on the situation.

However, if you can hold off buying a new or used car for 2021, then that might be the most ideal situation. Consumer Reports also mentioned that the market will calm down eventually, which could be by the end of 2021. If anything, we would suggest saving your money, if possible, until next year. Or if you really can’t wait, then maybe by a new car on New Year’s Day.

RELATED: Buying a Car on New Year’s Day Could Be a Good Hangover Cure

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