Nobody asked, but here are my thoughts on the new 6th gen anyway (which I'm somehow just seeing today for the first time).
- The styling is ok, it's like a blend between 4th and 5th gen. I never liked the styling of the 4th gen but I do mostly like this.
- I don't like the laid back angle of the windshield or the curve on the hood.
- While I am a little apprehensive of the small displacement/high output turbo engines, these are still built in Japan so I expect them to be reliable (more than the 3rd Gen Tundra and Sequoia).
- The new Trailhunter trim looks really nice (despite some of the corny interior decorations).
- Mudbath and Everest both look incredible.
I am probably not seriously in the market for one of these. I'm still daily driving my 2000 Limited with something like 230k miles on it, but I have been wanting to upgrade for years. I haven't pulled the trigger yet on anything for a multitude of reasons, though.
Years ago when the 3rd gen Tundra was rumored to have a hybrid powertrain, I started saving up because I thought they'd have great mileage. Then they actually came out with barely any bump in MPG over the 2nd gen. Really disappointing. Also my family grew to 5 kids last year (up from 2 in 2019), so any 2-row vehicle isn't going to be viable for all of us. We have a '21 Sienna which is great for family road trips, but I want to be able to take my kids camping and hunting down rough roads in a few years when the younger ones are old enough. I looked at the 3rd gen Sequoia when it came out and it was even more disappointing than the Tundra - no more rolling rear window (which I use
all the time on my 4Runner), same crap MPG, and absolutely pathetic cargo space.
Now I don't know what I want to do. I think my only realistic options for taking a family of 7 out are real full-size SUVs (Yukon/Suburban). But for the next few years I'll only be taking the older 2 or 3 kids camping, and I still want something new. This is the first time I've seen a new 4Runner that really appealed to me since the 3rd Gen, though. Can't wait to see one in person.