The 2018 Jeep Wrangler redesign will apparently have a diesel engine option for the North America market. I wonder if Toyota will take notice and rethink the 6th gen to include a similar option?

No way in hell. The diesel as a passenger car engine is not on the incline, certainly not in the USA. There is no business case for a manufacturer not already in this market ala VW, M-B. Especially in a relatively low volume product like the 4R.

When's the last time, ever, Toyota did anything ground breaking in the 4R?

The same Jeep Wrangler (in 2 years) that is said to have a plug in hybrid in the works?

Anyway, Diesel in 4R? No.

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/11/30/...electric-2020/

I miss my diesel Jetta for commuting and long highway trips when I don’t have to take much. It was nice to come to the bottom of a mountain at highway speed and know you were going to go to the top ac running, not downshifting, and maintain your speed. Add to that over 40 mpg’s, it was great. When people bring up VW, BMW, and MB, for the diesel cars they made or make, a lot of the dealers around here at least have a hard time keeping them in stock. They sell quickly, especially to people who have owned a diesel before. You quickly appreciate them and it kind of sucks going back to a gas powered vehicle. I would definitely look at purchasing a diesel 4runner! The torque diesels put out especially at low rpm’s would be a huge improvement in these vehicles in my opinion and let’s face it, who wouldn’t want an extra 25-30% better fuel mileage to boot! The US is one of the only countries in the world that doesn’t embrace diesels and I personally don’t understand why. Probably going to get flamed for this but oh well.

I would be interested in a diesel 4Runner... but you would die holding your breath before you ever got one from Toyota in the US.

You can get other Toyotas with diesel outside of the US.

Toyota is stuck in an innovation rut, that's for sure. I was 95% sure I wanted the new Tacoma, and then I sat it in. It was so disappointing, and don't get me started on the TRO Pro models. I was "over it" within the first 10 min of sitting in the truck. No power seats on a fully loaded limited, no leather, dated ergo. And the price... what an insult. The Limited 4Runner in comparison was done right from a trim standpoint, plus they still include a Torsen center TC which used to be standard, but is now reserved for the Limited and Lexus models.

Alternately... you have people like General Motors who not only came out with a Colorado that has an option for a 2.8L Duramax Diesel, they also answered back with a real off-road package, front/rear lockers and all. I know this isn't a GM forum, but that truck is so much better than what the Tacoma is today.

2018 Colorado ZR2: Off-Road Truck | Chevrolet

Only if Toyota offered options, but they seems to be going in the complete opposite direction. They should have never removed the V8 option from their lineup. TRD Pro is a basic shock package upgrade, you can do better for the money yourself, and most people end up ripping that stuff out anyways.

Bottom line... if more companies offered a diesel option, it would absolutely be more popular.

The problem today with Diesel is emissions... good luck getting a new tow rig without needing diesel exhaust fluid (urea) which is basically piss. Then you have the whole EGR delete thing...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_exhaust_fluid