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Did Toyota make a V8 Tacoma?

No, Toyota has never produced a V8-powered Tacoma pickup truck. The Tacoma has always been equipped with four-cylinder or V6 engines.


Tacoma Engine Options


The Toyota Tacoma has been in production since 1995, and throughout its history, it has been offered with the following engine options:



  • 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine

  • 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine

  • 3.4-liter V6 engine

  • 3.5-liter V6 engine


Toyota has focused on providing efficient and capable engines for the Tacoma, but a V8 option has never been part of the lineup. The Tacoma is designed to be a midsize pickup truck, and a V8 engine would likely be too large and powerful for the vehicle's intended use.


Why No V8 Tacoma?


There are a few key reasons why Toyota has not produced a V8-powered Tacoma:



  • Fuel Efficiency: A V8 engine would significantly reduce the Tacoma's fuel efficiency, which is an important consideration for many midsize truck buyers. The four-cylinder and V6 engines in the Tacoma provide a good balance of power and efficiency.

  • Towing and Payload Capacity: The Tacoma's four-cylinder and V6 engines provide ample towing and payload capacity for the vehicle's intended use, making a more powerful V8 unnecessary.li>
  • Pricing and Positioning: Adding a V8 engine option would likely increase the Tacoma's base price, potentially pricing it out of the midsize truck market. Toyota has positioned the Tacoma as an affordable and capable midsize pickup.


In summary, while a V8-powered Tacoma may appeal to some enthusiasts, Toyota's focus on efficiency, capability, and affordability has led the company to stick with four-cylinder and V6 engine options for this midsize pickup truck.

Is the Toyota 5.7 V8 a good engine?


Yes, the Toyota 5.7L V8 is generally considered a very good and reliable engine, known for its longevity and performance, though it has a few known issues. It is praised for its durability and is capable of reaching high mileage with proper maintenance, but potential problems include some early model cam gear and timing chain issues, along with later concerns like broken intake valve springs and oil leaks. 
You can watch this video to learn about common issues with the Toyota 5.7L V8 engine: 47sI Do CarsYouTube · Mar 23, 2025
Pros of the Toyota 5.7L V8

  • Reliability and longevity: The engine is known for its robust design and can last for hundreds of thousands of miles, with many examples reaching over 400,000 to 500,000 miles. 
  • Strong performance: It produces a significant amount of horsepower (381381381 hp) and torque (401401401 lb-ft), making it well-suited for towing and heavy-duty use. 
  • Solid build: The engine is considered "over-built" and can handle more power than it produces stock, with many owners adding superchargers or tuning it for increased performance. 
  • Timing chain: Unlike some older engines, it uses a timing chain, which typically requires less maintenance and can last the life of the engine. 

This video demonstrates how to perform maintenance on the Toyota 5.7L V8 engine: 41s8020 AutomotiveYouTube · Nov 21, 2024
Potential drawbacks and common issues
  • Early model problems: The first model years (around 2007) had some early issues, including problems with the cam gear and timing chain tensioner. 
  • Valve issues: There have been reports of broken valve springs and dropped valves, though this is not a universal issue. 
  • Oil and coolant leaks: Some owners report issues with cam tower oil leaks and coolant leaks from the valley pan. 
  • Fuel efficiency: As a large V8, it is not very fuel-efficient. 



Which Toyota has a V8 engine?


Toyota has a history of V8-powered cars, particularly in its luxury and truck lines, with the Land Cruiser, Sequoia, and Tundra being prime examples. The company also had the UZ engine family for luxury vehicles and is developing a new twin-turbo hybrid V8 for future sports and performance cars.
 
You can watch this video to learn about the history of the Toyota Land Cruiser V8: 1mCroton MotorsYouTube · Jul 26, 2025
Previous and current V8 models

  • Toyota Land Cruiser: The Land Cruiser has been a long-time home to V8 engines, including the 4.7L 2UZ-FE and the 5.7L 3UR-FE. 
  • Toyota Tundra: This full-sized pickup truck has featured a V8 engine, capable of handling heavy towing. 
  • Toyota Sequoia: The Sequoia SUV has also been equipped with a V8 engine. 
  • Lexus Models: Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus, has used V8s in models like the LX 570, GS F, and the LC 500. 
  • Toyota Crown Majesta: The luxury sedan featured the 3UZ-FE engine before the UZ engine family was retired in 2013. 

This video explains the features of the Toyota Land Cruiser V8: 59scarwowYouTube · Aug 14, 2025
Future V8 development
  • Toyota has confirmed it is developing a new twin-turbo hybrid V8 for future high-performance and luxury vehicles. 
  • This new V8 is part of a modular engine family, with variants expected for sports cars and larger models like the next-generation Land Cruiser, Sequoia, and Tundra. 
  • This new engine aims to blend performance with modern hybrid efficiency, designed to meet global emissions standards. 



Is a Toyota Tacoma a V6 or V8?


With the available Tow Package and 3.5L V6 engine, the 2022 Toyota Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 pounds.



Did any Tacomas come with a V8?


And drop it into the engine bay of the Tacoma. All the fuel lines line up um everything just works and then the fact that the 47. And uh V8s were in the 4ERunner.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.