Everything To Know About The Four-Cylinder

Toyota engines have become well-known for their reliability over the last few decades, with many still driving in excellent condition today. One such reliable powertrain found in Toyota’s small pickup trucks and the 4Runner in the United States is its 2.7-liter inline-four-cylinder. Not every 2.7L Toyota engine is the same, though.

This article is a deep dive into which Toyota models were equipped with the 2.7L, the variations of this displacement inline-four, their common problems, and we’ll determine if one is better than the other. Here is everything you need to know about Toyota’s 2.7-liter engines for the American market.

Which Models Have The Toyota 2.7L Engine

Both iterations of Toyota’s 2.7L engine in the United States were featured in the brand’s small pickup trucks and SUVs. While they were famously reliable, respected powertrains, they were not powerful enough to withstand the extra weight of larger models like the Tundra or full-size Land Cruiser. In some foreign markets, models like the Land Cruiser Prada (a smaller version of the Land Cruiser), Hiace, Hilux, and other models had the 3RZ and 2TR engines. As for the American market, buyers could find a 2.7L engine under the hood of certain trims and model years of the T100, 4Runner, and Tacoma.

1994–1998 Toyota T100

Toyota

The Toyota T100 lasted from 1993 to 1998, but its first model year was only available with a 3.0-liter V6 engine. Surprisingly, that V6 only made 150 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, which is marginally higher torque than the 2.7-liter engine that powered models from 1994 to 1998. Starting in its second model year, the T100 was powered by the 3RZ-FE four-cylinder, among other engine choices over its lifespan. The T100 also had access to a 3.4-liter V6 in 1995, which was then given a supercharger for the TRD trim in 1997 that boosted power to 245 horsepower and 285 lb-ft of torque.

1996–2002 And 2010 Toyota 4Runner

Toyota

As one of the most coveted off-road SUVs of all time, the third-generation Toyota 4Runner’s four-cylinder engine shines bright. The 1996 to 2002 4Runner was equipped with the same 3RZ-FE 2.7-liter inline-four-cylinder engine as the T100 we just mentioned; it was tuned for the same output of 150 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. That wasn’t the end of the 2.7L 4Runner, though. For a single model year at the beginning of the fifth generation, the 2010 Toyota 4Runner could be powered by the 2TR-FE 2.7L engine. The fifth-gen is one of the most reliable off-road SUVs of all time, but the entire rest of the generation was powered by a 4.0-liter V6.

1995–2023 Toyota Tacoma

Toyota

The Toyota Tacoma is the only model in the United States to be powered by a 2.7-liter engine for 28 years; for nearly its entire existence, you could buy a Tacoma with a 2.7L engine. The 1st-gen Tacoma was equipped with the 3RZ-FE producing the same outputs as stated before, but any Tacoma from 2005 to 2023 (the end of the third-gen) with a 2.7L has a 2TR-FE. Starting with the Toyota Tacoma’s second generation, the 2005 Tacoma was the first Toyota in the American model to feature this new inline-four. It turned out to be as reliable as any other Toyota engine, which is why it stuck around for so long.

The Mighty 2.7-Liter Toyota

Now that you know which models were powered by Toyota’s 2.7-liter engines, it’s time to learn the difference between the two. The 3RZ-FE and the 2TR-FE are both 16-valve Toyota engine models, but they perform differently and come from different engine families. Toyota 2.7L engine torque specs and horsepower vary depending on the engine and car model; the 3RZ is slightly weaker in comparison, and the 2TR’s outputs vary from model to model.

Toyota 3RZ-FE

Bring a Trailer

You may have also heard of Toyota’s 2RZ engine. This was another four-cylinder engine from the brand, but came with 2.4 liters of displacement and different specifications. It’s in the same engine family as the 3RZ, but was found in the 1995 to 2004 Toyota Tacoma before being replaced by the 2TR that we’ll get to next. With that being said, the 3RZ-FE is one of the best four-cylinder engines the world has ever seen. We don’t say that lightly, either, but after over three decades of abuse, many of them are still running strong in third-gen 4Runners around the country.

The 3RZ-FE’s name breaks down into three parts: the “3” is simply the third iteration of the “RZ” engine, and the “FE” refers to its DOHC (dual over-head camshaft) and electronic fuel injection. This 2.7L four-cylinder produced 150 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque in all applications in the US, which was fine for 2WD models and for people who simply wanted a daily driver. Buyers who planned on using their vehicles for towing, hauling, or off-roading in most 4WD scenarios typically opted for each models’ six-cylinder engine, when available. It was produced globally from 1994 to 2004, and found in American models for its entire duration.

Toyota 2TR-FE

Toyota

The 2TR-FE’s name breaks down in a similar manner to the 3RZ; the “2” refers to the second iteration of the “TR” Toyota engine, and the “FE” is exactly the same as the other 2.7L – it’s a DOHC with electronic fuel injection like many other modern engines. The TR engine started with the 1TR-FE, which could be found in models like the Dyna, ToyoAce, Hilux, and more models around the world. The United States didn’t get the TR until the introduction of the 2TR-FE in 2005 with the Toyota Tacoma’s second generation. Depending on the model it was equipped to, this 2.7L made 160–164 horsepower and 178–181 lb-ft of torque.

Common Toyota 2.7L Engine Problems

It’s Toyota. What More Can we Say?

Toyota

Both the 3RZ-FE and the 2TR-FE boost Toyota’s reputation for reliability, so it’s no surprise that there aren’t many common issues with these engines. According to Motor Reviewer, a website with engine specifications and reliability information for nearly every engine you can think of across mainstream brands, the two engines only had a couple of problems each.

The 3RZ can easily live to see 250,000 miles or more with proper care and maintenance – in fact, one was just torn down and reviewed to show why these engines are so sought after. The 3RZ’s timing chain can typically last for about 150,000 miles before needing to be replaced, after which it could cause huge problems if it breaks while driving. As for the 2TR, Motor Reviewer explains how these engines had problems with oil leaking from the front crankshaft seal until 2008. If you run into that oil leak in your Toyota, a new revised version of the seal generally fixes the problem for good.

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Summary: Toyota’s Engines Are the Best Part

The Old Four-Cylinders Will Out-Live Everybody

Toyota’s four-cylinder engines are usually over-built and under-powered, which results in some of the most reliable powertrains in any car. As far as power outputs go, there’s only a small difference between the 3RZ-FE and the 2TR-FE. The 2TR is newer and tuned for more power that might be necessary on some off-road adventures or when towing a loaded trailer. Is one really any better than the other, though? Well, the 3RZ is one of the most solid and sought-after four-cylinder engines ever – even today. Both are set to last 250k miles or more with proper care and routine maintenance.

Sources: Toyota, MotorReviewer, Fraser Engines