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As far as I know, this is the first time any evidence of this vehicle existing in prototype form has been publicly realized...

From the limited shots in this article, it's hard to tell what is different. The wing looks the same, but the taillights look different to me.

Definitely the new 4R. Rims are very similar to the new Tacoma. Rumour from the dealer reveal last Sept is it's almost identical to the taco.

Seems like the rear window is upright enough to keep the roll down rear window.

Since it's apparently based on the new Tacoma, I assume it will share the Tacoma's current powertrains.

Almost a guarantee at this point. The 2.4 turbo in the Tacoma sounds loud in the reviews I've watched. Not a nice sounding engine. The 4.0 is OK sounding, the 4.7 sounds amazing with DT headers. Hopefully the hybrid version is quieter.

Maybe Toyota ought to keep the styling like it is on that mule. Don't have to worry about pin striping ...

I'm not sure why they'd be driving around a test mule. There's nothing new about it other than the skin. Everything else is likely in full production already for the Tacoma/LC250. And anything that is different could presumably be tested incognito in a tacoma or GX550 LC250 test mule that wouldn't give the styling away.

You can be certain these "spy" shoots are from Toyota themselves and "leaked".

This is the start of the pre-reveal marketing campaign.

I noticed on the 2024 Tacomas, the moved the exhaust to the driver's side, where previously it was on the passenger's side. Exhaust on this vehicle is also on the driver's side, whereas 4.0 4Runners are on the passenger's side.

Not that it means a ton, since you can route it anywhere, but if they are using the motor from the Tacoma, they wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel with turbo manifold and down pipe.

They've kept it well hidden, but these have been testing for 3 years now. It's a marketing tease rollout, unlike some companies who are much more transparent (*coughs* BMW).

That being said, I wouldn't call it a test mule. A test mule would be a hodgepodge of the 5th gen on TNGA-F or a crude non-production body tester in general.

Definitely not a mule at this point.

At this point it's no longer a mule, but a full fledged integrated prototype test vehicle. Probably even a pilot build or the stage right before pilots (final eval). Not what you said (mule), but I strongly disagree with the misuse of the term "test mule" per the OP title. It's just a "prototype" to me, since it's the final body running around.

Exactly. Expected these to be coming sometime in the winter. These have been testing longer than these shots, but either at night or away from prying eyes. The case for every automaker...

To me a test mule is simply anything with prototype components that has not run down a final production line.

Wikipedia agrees!

"A development mule, also known as test mule or simply mule, in the automotive industry is a testbed vehicle equipped with prototype components requiring evaluation. They are often camouflaged to cover their designs."

If y'all enjoy arguing about definition of non-standard terms, have at it! ;)

I've shot many mules and pre-production vehicles over the years. The eastern Sierra Nevada of California and nearby Death Valley National Park is a hot bed of manufacturers testing in rapidly changing conditions. I lived there until 2008.

BMW used to test annually where I lived, including Mini, Rolls Royce. I've found many Audis, Chryslers, Fords, Jaguars, Hyundai/Kias.



BMW 3-series.



BMW 5-series.



BMW 3-series. Which side has the steering wheel? The driver came out of the mini mart and got into the right hand side and drove off.



BMW X-series. Note the bell tower on the hood. I found later that they were testing hybrid technology.



Another BMW, either an X or it looks like it could be a wagon.



What became the Dodge Journey.



A Hyundai Santa Fe.



A Jaguar XF mule.



A second Jaguar XF. The driver of the first car caught me taking photos of him, so when we got ahead the second car pulled out and they boxed me in, slowed me down onto the shoulder of the road and then took off at high speed.

Shooting mules can be fun and addictive!

The context is definitely being used incorrectly and Wikipedia is a horribly unreliable source, especially automotive Wikipedia with the cluster**** it has been for years.

The world at large (mainstream) sucks at accurately at understanding and correctly defining aspects of automobiles, let alone the intricacies automotive product development. The average person generally just doesn't.

A test vehicle fully representative of the production body in white is not a mule. I don't care if one random journalist or Wikipedia thinks otherwise. It's not correct and very misleading tbh. I keep seeing this and it's pretty annoying, when there's a difference.

A 200-Series Land Cruiser testing 300-Series components underneath would be a test mule. A 300-Series sheet metal and all covered up in "camo", is not a development mule. Same applies to the new 4Runner. We've never seen Gen 6 mules and probably never will, unless we get a behind the scenes development story from Toyota.


Great to finally start seeing these anyway.



These are some very great old shots! Amazing, especially seeing the X5 M mule!

I love this stuff. You're one of those well known spy photographers? Great to hear from ya, keep these old shots coming!

My point only was, I don't we will ever see any Gen 6 4Runner mules, because this is the final thing running around and not one of those. Not all test vehicles that are covered are necessarily mules

Call em pre-production "blah-blahs", "testers or just prototypes. Just not mules, when it's the real deal in final shape. The definition of a mule (animal) contradicts the obvious misuse of the term by many automotive writers or enthusiasts.

The interior and exterior, as well as underbody are probably identical to the production model tooling. Any test vehicle with that level of finality being called a mule, is disingenuous.

The new Tacoma had mules based on shortened Tundras, while the '22 Tundra mules wore a hodgepodge of the 2022 front fascia parts mixed with old 2G Tundra face and body. You had old 200 Series testing the 300, as mules. Toyota kept 99% of the actual thing in camo well hidden during 2019 and 2021.

It's crazy how these stayed under the radar this long, while we got to see Tacoma and Tundra testing for well over 2 years before they even came out. Toyota has been really secretive with the 4Runner/Land Cruiser/GX compared to the pickups, we knew pretty much everything about forever.

What if a former forum member was reincarnated with a new user name?

• What if that new forum member showed deep and historical industry information?
• What if that new forum member wrote long and rambling posts?
• What if that new forum member posted after midnight as their modus operandi?

Should that new forum member be known as @Carmaker1 -2nd

Thank you. No, I'm not one of those pro spy photographers. They have high end cameras and long lenses. I shot all those with a Kodak digital point and shoot. I did have some dialogue with Linda Priddy, one of the premier spy photographers of the day.

I've got many more photos, but no Toyotas. BMW & Co. used to set up annually at a church across the street from a hospital, where I used to park in my '02 Tacoma TRD I had at the time and happily shoot away. Others I happened upon in the wild in Death Valley or nearby. All my photos are from the 2000s, since I moved away in 2008 I haven't seen any manufacturer's testing.