|
You have to distinguish between "EPA highway test" and say 70mph highway cruising. 70mph highway cruising is easily almost 40mpg with the 4.100 diff. With 3.727, you're looking at over 40.
IMO constant cruise power/efficiency is most important, because if you drive right, you can accelerate with extremely high efficiency, and then stick it into 6th as soon as possible.
But yea, 4.100 diff will sorta kill your mpg. 10% less load at these ultra low load levels could be a lot of efficiency lost (probably like 5%). If the spec sheet is not lying about the diff option I think I would want the 3.727. No one needs to be accelerating really fast below 30mph.
Now this compromise wouldn't be so bad if Toyota bothered to fit a tiny bit longer 6th gear to make the car an mpg monster in 6th.
|