Quote:
Originally Posted by MAST4R
Now Toyota has a big choice to make. Will it let the 4R degenerate like the USDM Land Cruiser? Or will it keep up with the Bronco and Wrangler? Anything less than a factory 35" option on the new 4R will be a big disappointment.
Back in 2010, the 4R may not have been a rock crawling competitor to the Rubicon but it absolutely smoked the Wrangler at everything else. Now the Bronco is coming for both though the fact that it is a Ford is already a big red flag as far as I am concerned
|
This is one of those times where it's important to separate what enthusiasts want and what the other 95% of buyers want, and then set expectations accordingly. I see the Bronco as much closer in execution to the Wrangler than the 4Runner, and while off-road folks like to loop them all into one class because they're "midsize" and BOF, they're really quite different.
We can sit here and desire solid front axles, 35"s from the factory, manual transmission, a bare bones model, less electronics, etc... but guess what? None of that is what MOST people who buy 4Runners want.
4Runner is a great starting point for enthusiasts to build from, but it will never be a Wrangler or Bronco in execution because that's not what 95% of 4Runner buyers want. People buy 4Runners for different reasons - they want reliability, a nice ride, decent handling, a car that's comfortable for a road trip, one that will go for 200k miles with no problems, tow well, and also one that's workable on forest roads and some camping trails when it's needed. THAT is the core 4Runner buyer... 35"s from the factory and solid front axles are not.
Of course Toyota can and probably will offer a factory lift on the next TRD Pro model with bigger tires and some trick hardware, but Toyota isn't forgetting that most 4Runners are bought by soccer moms, sorority girls and dads who don't want a crossover, so we can't either.
I think what you're really asking for is the return of the FJ Cruiser, which I think is definitely something Toyota should do to directly battle the Wrangler and Bronco while letting the 4Runner do what it's good at. If they veer too far off the proven 4Runner formula, they risk losing buyers and at that point, Toyota will probably just retire it in favor of the Highlander like they've been trying to do for over a decade.