Lol, rookie numbers. I daily drove my 96 Bronco from 1996 to 2018. From what I can tell, it was built better then the 5th gen. Sure it had its cancer, but what truck in the rust belt does not. Frame was still good, no major maintenance required. My TuRD has a lot to prove to me. So far so good as long as I don't scratch the interior by looking at it and hope the cancer stays out of the frame, but I doubt it.

3rd gen still turns my head. I miss my Sport.

Retrace the history of the Highlander...

Today’s version is highly diluted/neutered version of the original.

Are you talking about the 3rd gen 4Runner Highlander model that was available for like 6 months?

Let's hope Toyota doesn't do to the 4Runner what Nissan did to the Pathfinder.

The last thing I want is all the safety crap and electronic bells and whistles! Thankful there are still a few vehicles being built that I can drive myself!

If it ain’t broke then don’t fix it son
Designed from within
Mike

The least Toyota can do is to make carplay work

^^^^ agreed, they've always been behind the curve with infotainment

That would make the 4Runner a Highlander. So it’s unlikely Toyota would do that as they would end up with two similar vehicles in their fleet.

"add some electronic bell and whistles, such as TSS (Toyota Safety Sense), BSM with RCTA, ICS with RCTB, ..."
.
I don't even know what all that crap is. I guess I don't need it.

Don't get me wrong, I like useful technology like Loomis Conquest fishing rods, Daiwa Steez and Shimano Metanium reels and such, although I haven't found a use for reels with digital braking systems. I hope the big truck comes today with my 4th Conquest rod. And no, in case anybody is wondering, I didn't pay the full sticker of $649 for this one either.

The answer is actually very simple and it's just what LC said. The 4R has no like for like competitors. The closest competitor is probably a LR Discovery. Or the Wrangler. Or the Tacoma. Or the Highlander. Or JGC... most of which have very little in common with each other.

The Highlander on the other hand must constantly update to keep itself competitive with, or unique from, its competitors. The Highlander is a very capable tall sedan, or mini minivan, whichever you prefer to call it, but these are a dime a dozen (if a dime = roughly $30,000).

While the 4R becomes more differentiated the more it stays the same.

I just priced out a *very fine* Discovery for only $77,000...

I love reading all of the, "BECAUSE A 4RUNNER IS A MAN'S CAR AND WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' BELLS AND WHISTLES" comments on a vehicle that has automatic and electronic everything, except for the few safety systems that surfaced in the last 4-5 years. The engine and transmission are outdated, but the 4Runner really isn't the prehistoric, testosterone-generating Conestoga wagon that helps many of you sleep at night. It's a vehicle that's old school in execution and has been minimally updated over the years because Toyota does not see the value in investing to change it.

The reality is that Toyota has tried to kill off the 4Runner multiple times over the last 20 years by neglecting it, and hoping that consumer interest will drop and they can retire it without much pushback. Somehow, their efforts to abandon and indirectly kill it have only made it more desirable to a certain group of buyers. Let's be honest - the people on this forum who buy 4Runners make up maybe 1% of owners. The rest are people who buy 4Runners based largely on their reputation for reliability, ability to tow and because they like the image and heritage.

The 4Runner has been thrown a lifeline by two things: the renewed consumer interest in SUVs, and Toyota developing a new scaleable BOF architecture (TNGA-F) that will underpin the Tundra, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, GX, Prado, Tacoma, etc. Such a platform makes producing the 4Runner less expensive and easier to justify. Once the 6th gen 4Runner arrives sometime around 2022, expect all of the things you all claim to hate to be there: Toyota safety sense, electronic power steering, an 8 or 10 speed automatic, turbo powertrain, hybrid option, etc.

The Highlander's product cycle follows the Camry and Avalon, which are all higher volume and in more competitive segments, so that's why it's updated more frequently. The Highlander is actually a priority for Toyota - the 4Runner really hasn't been since the 90s.