I'm tempted to call this a large understatement, it will definitely be a huge step forward. The 5th gen is very antiquated, this is a 2005 powertrain that had updates to the 4.0L V6 in 2010. Best I can tell, it's the last 5-speed automatic sold in the US new. The "new" 2020+ infotainment screen looks like it's from 2015, and I think it is.

The 5th gen earned its great reputation, but even in 2010 with that new body it was running several year old powertrains that it kept. The next generation is comparatively going to be a quantum leap forward, in my opinion. 17mpg with a modest amount of 4400RPM torque, going through five forward gears? That's going to be replaced with 23mpg with 50% more torque at less than half the RPM going through eight gears. Crash structure should be dramatically safer as well, and it will be a dramatically more rigid vehicle. 15 years is a long time.

I do love the 5th gen, but as has been said, "it's well past its 'sell by' date".

Not contradicting you on the math, but it’s been my observation over the years that among off road vehicles, advances in efficiency come at the expense of capability and reliability. Maybe a quantum leap sideways.

I think that depends. The Toyota 4.0L V6 is a more complicated engine than their older 3.0L V6, and it's far more efficient, powerful, and reliable. Overhead cam engines seem more complex than OHV, and they don't seem to have caused any reliability harm.

Jeep has had problems with their 3.6L V6 since it came out, and weirdly enough, them shoving a 2.0L turbo 4cyl as an option into the Wranglers seemed to improved efficiency, power, and crucially reliability. Their 8-speed automatic is more reliable than their older 5-speed was.

Sometimes it appears possible to have your cake and eat it too. I'm wary of many brands being capable of producing a reliable hybrid, but not Toyota, they're quite proven.

I'm not sure how a more powerful engine and more transmission gears would make a 4Runner less capable offroad. Thanks to that 5-speed with a tall first gear, a 5th gen's crawl ratio is anything but impressive; 8-speed should help. I've been in situations where an engine bogging down and falling off the powerband would be dangerous, which shouldn't be a concern in an engine that slings out 450+ lb-ft of torque below 2000RPM.

We'll see. I doubt that Toyota's reliability reputation will be harmed by the new corporate powertrains. They seem to have worked hard on them, and are trusting them in many big-name nameplates. They'd be foolish to allow themselves to screw it up here. I expect them to prove very reliable by the third model year or earlier, maybe there will be early teething issues, maybe not.

Overhead cam engines are simpler, especially if the cylinders are inline.

The more powerful engine in question is a turbocharged 4. Thats a high stress job. Generally speaking, and all other things being equal, a smaller turbocharged engine will be less reliable and shorter-lived than a larger normally aspirated one. Reasonable men can agree to disagree on that, but there it is.

You’d think that with the release of every new model a car company would get better and better at its craft. But that’s often not the case, is it? Hence the adage “they don’t make them like they used to.”

Toyota’s reputation is well deserved. And when compared to other marques they come out on top reliability wise. But we’re not comparing the 6th Gen 4Runner to other marques. We’re comparing it to the 5th Gen. The most reliable model made by the company that makes the most reliable cars. (Have you ever seen the Car Care Nut’s videos of the 5th Gen 4Runner? They are a glowing tribute to the 5th gen’s no-compromise design. Stirring. They will bring a tear to your eye.)

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m rooting for the 6th Gen to be an improvement. A success. I want you to be right. I just think the odds are against it. Certainly, though, the 6th Gen will be superior in terms of the features that @arouth wants.

When I was just a lad, between curses at the hydro-electric transmission in the 1937 Cord he was working on my Daddy told me “Son, always remember: complexity is the enemy of reliability.” (It may not have happened exactly like that, but that’s the way I remember it.)

There is an old, old, saying: The only substitute for cubic inches is cubic dollars.

Depends on what's important to you. The one word I wouldn't use to describe the 4Runner is modern. Had a '19, traded in for a '21 that has the push button and bigger infotainment. Just got to drive a '15 with KDSS.

Just an opinion but they're pretty much six of one and a half dozen of the other to me. Some people like the post 2020 updates but most don't really change my life. One exception, tire pressure. I love this and use it regularly.

Miles, condition, and what do I want to drive over the next 3-5 years? 2024 old school 4runner, trade in now. 2024-newer Tacoma, Landcruiser, 2025-newer 4runner then hold to see if these new generations are for you.

Hybrid, hold what you have now. if you don't like the new generation Toyotas then trade for a used 2024 4Runner. since you have a low mile reliable vehicle there's no immediate pressure to act.

Upgrade! Do it!!!

I went from a 2010 Trail Edition to a 2023 ORP last fall. Creature comforts are definitely worth it imo! Push button start, keyless door handle/tailgate touch unlocking, heated seats, heated steering wheel… might be getting old & a little soft, but creature comforts are more than just nice to have (esp when it’s cold)!

Do it!!!

Since it's been 10 years I'd say either way you'll enjoy being in a new car. If it were me, I'd wait for the 6th gen to come out, not because I want it but because that's when you'll likely find some really great deals on the current model year. Plus, if it turns out you really like the 6th gen you can go that route too.

I'd say go for it! I sold my 2015 Trail Premium with KDSS and moonroof and only 60,000 miles on it to my daughter and bought a 2023 ORP with KDSS and moonroof. It drives exactly the same except it has all the cool new technology features as you describe including Apple CarPlay and I couldn't be happier!

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