I've heard speculation that we'll be seeing the 5th gen 4Runner in Detroit in January, but have yet to hear any facts or hints about it being displayed (and have still not even seen a spy shot of a test mule yet). With the Detroit show being less than one month away, will the next gen Runner come out of hiding or will we have to wait for Chicago in February or New York in April?

Or do we actually have to wait yet another grueling year???

Thoughts?

Since we don't have any members saying they picked up a '09 and with probably plenty of '08s available. If Toyota shows off the next gen, I will say more than likely it's going be a '10 model. Is Toyota going to skip the '09 MY and go right to '10?

If that is the case, there are going to be great deals on the '08s.

There are '09 on the lots now but little has changed but the new Trail Edition is an '09 and we won't see a 5th gen til late next year as an '10 model.

http://www.toyota.com/4runner/

The local dealership general manager with whom I know very well, told me that he personally saw the 2010 4Runner in Los Angeles behind the scenes and it's a beautifully designed model complete with box and ladder frame, slightly different powerplant and he thought it was a six speed tranny, auto of course.

He doesn't know why the 09 4Runners have been very slow to move out to dealers and he himself has been waiting on a 09 Trail Edition, possibly for me, if he can make the numbers 'right'.

That's all he told me that he knew and this was four weeks ago or so.

If a vehicle is ready for production, it's going to be in a show. There's no reason to hold it back because the more advertisement/buzz/interest/etc. the better. Toyota is in the business of selling cars and trucks and anything that helps them do it they are going to do. The next gen 4Runner has already been pushed back, but once they've spent the time and money engineering and re-tooling a plant (and the other million things they do to get a car in production) they've got to start seeing a return and so I'm sure we'll see it soon. As to which particular show it debuts at, I can't say, but we've heard Chicago or NY, not Detroit.

I will say, however, that for a new design, I find it very strange to not see pics or hear any concrete info (other than rumors) about what it's going to be like. I guess if it's going to manufactured in Japan it's easier to keep under wraps than say GM or Ford here in the USA, but still I find it hard to believe we haven't seen anything to this point. Since this isn't a main stream marketed vehicle or a highly anticipated car like the Volt, I guess the media just doesn't care to find out anything. Plus, they may be worried about moving this year's stock and don't want canibalize sales with a new model waiting in the wings so they'll hold off until one of the later shows to get half-way through the model year.

In summary, I really don't know!!

Well, here we are, the Detroit Auto show has started, the Prius is unveiled and no 4Runner. I expected better.

I received a phone call and e-mail (both today) from two executives from Toyota whom I know and they told me that re: Denver's not seeing any 2009 4Runners as of yet at all... Toyota has loads of 2008's that they'd like to sell.

One of them is going into an important meeting tomorrow and he's hoping to get an answer to: 1) are 2009 4Runners going to be allocated to Denver 2) will 2009 4Runners especially the TE be manufactured and/or shipped and 3) is there any word or is it premature if there will be a 5th generation for 2010.

As mentioned, there have been zero 2009 4Runners in Denver and this (Colorado) is the second largest market for 4 x 4's after Southern California.

If something new comes up, I'll post it.

I believe this thread is about the 5th gen 4Runner, not the 2009 4th gen 4Runner.
If you want to see what the 2009 will be like, just look at a 2008.

I can confirm this- talked to the owner of my local dealership who I also know well and he has personally seen the 5th gen in LA as well, described it just as you did. The car will be realized in 2010 and will take styling in ways such as the Highlander and Sequoia (Boo I like our 4Runners lines). From what he was telling me it was a great looking car with a redesigned interior as well. I am 100% sure this is legitimate information as well.

I'm going to the autoshow next week, I'll post some photos of the new 4runner.

By the way, do you guys plan on buying the 5th generation 4runners?

I hate the new body styles as well as the 4th gens, when my truck finally breaks down I'm getting an '02 3rd gen 4runner.

As long as they raise the stinking seats up off the floor, I will definitely trade my 03 SE for a 5th gen in 2010.

Those of you who know others that have seen/heard about the redesigned 2010 4runner, will it be showed to the public at any upcoming auto shows by chance? So the LA show was in November and certain people got a behind the scenese glimpse of it or what?

Any more details on the new powertrain besides the 6sp tranny?

I am very excited to get more info on this, my 2006 lease is up on my V8 SE.

It was a dealer invite and with company personal that got to view the car, no press. No pamphlets or photos were handed out either, they are trying to keep it close to the vest. It is 100% done and functional, production is ready to start for next year.

Stopped into Toyota and saw my friend, General Manager and he invited me into his office and showed me the recent (today's) letter from Toyota.

They've purposely cut production and he detailed every model for me with actual production numbers of the last three months and expected production in the next month or two, depending on model.

Seems like Toyota will produce some 4Runners this spring and the volume will depend on whether or not the economy's problems deepen or they sense a recovery is in the works.

The factory will continue '09 4runner production despite the last few months basically zero production. There has been no mention or the TE 4runner at this current regional (Colorado/Rocky Mtn) allocation.

2010 production is on-track and being scheduled and the new 4runner will be manufactured in a new design. It will at this time have the 4.6 liter V8 engine with a V6 option as well. The Gen. Mgr did see the 2010 4runner and he thought it was an excellent design, still with box/ladder frame.

Everything according to the factory, is 'flexible' depending on the economy.

Did he get a look underneath?

Is it IRS or a solid axle in the back?