Toyota Reportedly Replacing Its V8s With Turbo V6 Engines

As the industry enforces more stringent emissions requirements and the demand for fuel economy and electrification starts to grow, it’s becoming questionable why Toyota sticks to aspirated V-8 engine in its vehicles.

The Japanese automaker still equips several of its models with the V-8 as standard, including the Sequoia, Land Cruiser, Tundra, and their corporate siblings Lexus RC F, GS F, and LC 500.

But if the latest reports are correct, it looks like Toyota will be saying goodbye to the V-8 soon.

According to a report published by The Drive, an unnamed source who is “familiar with the automaker’s U.S. manufacturing operations,” is claiming that Toyota will start phasing out the UR-series of V-8 engines from its lineup. The transition will span the next three years and will see several models getting the smaller turbocharged engines.

The same source also claims to have seen a prototype of the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6, which is believed to be replacing the eight-cylinder powertrain. Among the models that will have the first taste of the new V-6 are the Sequoia, Land Cruiser, and Tundra.

In 2019, Toyota was also swept in rumors that the next-gen Land Cruiser known as the “300” generation would get a twin-turbo V-6 hybrid system in place of the V-8.

With regard to the latest report, however, Toyota declined to comment. But it shared a statement with Road & Track, saying: “We are always looking at ways to exceed our customer expectations in terms of power, fuel economy, and driving performance while meeting regulatory requirements and reducing emissions. However, we do not comment on future production, and have no news to share at this time.”