Over the years, the automotive industry has seen a noticeable trend towards smaller engines in trucks and Jeeps. For decades, V8s were considered the end-all-be-all of engine designs found in thousands of trucks and SUVs. Jeeps, meanwhile, got the most out of I6 or V6 engines and still do to this day.

Mini Motors

However, as concerns over fuel economy and overall environmental friendliness became important considerations--especially to politicians—the pressure was placed on auto manufacturers to start getting more power out of smaller engines. Case in point: Toyota’s new 2025 4Runner has no option for a V8 or V6 and comes only with a turbocharged inline-four engine (plus or minus a 48kW hybrid battery pack), just like the Tacoma. Similarly, GM decided in 2022 to have its upcoming lineup revolve around the 2.7L turbocharged I4.

If you grew up with these vehicles running on V6s and V8s, it's confusing, and maybe a little irritating to see all these tiny I4 engines and hybrids become the standard. So where's it coming from, and why?

CAFE Changed Things

The chief motivating factor is the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE). In a nutshell, CAFE is a set of increasing MPG standards imposed upon auto manufacturers by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Over the past 50 years, CAFE has led to great technological advances and given us innovations like the LS and Coyote engines. However, as time has gone on, CAFE has become increasingly stringent. It’s getting to the point now where, by 2026, a full-size truck, such as a Ford F-150 8ft. long bed, will have to achieve an average fuel economy of over 32 MPG.

Positive Changes

To their credit, manufacturers are getting solid numbers out of these powertrains. The 4Runner mentioned above will generate 278 hp and 317 ft-lbs of torque. GM’s 2.7L turbo I4 makes 310 hp and 390 ft-lbs of torque, which is remarkable. The question becomes how durable these engines will be in the future—5 years, ten years down the line, do the turbocharged four-bangers still have what it takes to keep going? Only time will tell.

Conclusion

That said, we at Off Road Warehouse can help you get the most out of your vehicle in other ways. Regearing, adjusting wheels and tire sizes, and fiberglass installation are just a handful of ways we can improve vehicle performance. Visit ORW today and let us know how you’d like to see your vehicle perform; chances are, we can make it better. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram , and check out our latest videos on our YouTube channel .