2010 4Runner Ordering Guide Report for the U.S.

[03_4x4Runner]

Man. You V8 guys are hardcore about your V8s. I think I need to start a V8 withdrawal hotline. Give the new 6 a fair shot before you just write it off like a joke of a motor. The current 6 is a very good engine. 35 more hp and lb/ft is a substantial improvement. I may be the only one in here looking forward to it, but I certainly am.

I agree the V6 runs ok but at 54 all I ever had was V8's. I just like the sound of them more than anything. 4 cylinders and V6's just do not appeal to me for that reason. V8s just seem a little smoother also with better low end torque. I know I am a dinassoar but that just the way I am.

 

[BROOKLYN]

Man. You V8 guys are hardcore about your V8s. I think I need to start a V8 withdrawal hotline. Give the new 6 a fair shot before you just write it off like a joke of a motor. The current 6 is a very good engine. 35 more hp and lb/ft is a substantial improvement. I may be the only one in here looking forward to it, but I certainly am.

just start the v8 up and you'll understand the love affair
the roar of the engine sweet music to my ear

 

[eskimochaos]

Man. You V8 guys are hardcore about your V8s. I think I need to start a V8 withdrawal hotline. Give the new 6 a fair shot before you just write it off like a joke of a motor. The current 6 is a very good engine. 35 more hp and lb/ft is a substantial improvement. I may be the only one in here looking forward to it, but I certainly am.

Its not a new 6, its the old six with variable intake AND exhaust valves now. Nothing else.

V8's are the shit, there are few reasons not to get one. In the 4R its not like a $10000 option like on BMW's, mileage diff is negligible at best, more proven platform etc etc.

Only reason to get V6 is part time 4WD but why?

 

[GatorGreg]

V8's are the shit, there are few reasons not to get one. In the 4R its not like a $10000 option like on BMW's, mileage diff is negligible at best, more proven platform etc etc.

Only reason to get V6 is part time 4WD but why?

I agree that V8s are wonderful (I love the 4.7) but to say that the only reason to get the V6 is part time 4WD is just silly -there are many reasons (just look at the endless V8 v. V6 debates on this forum ). But it's a moot point because as we know Toyota has apparently discontinued the V8 for the 5th gen (at least for now). The Great Recession has killed the market for V8 SUVs (and almost all frame based SUVs for that matter) and I'm just thankful that Toyota has decided to release a 5th gen T4R as a frame based SUV and not kill it off altogether or turn it into a unibody cross-over.

Here is a link to some dismal sales data for July which I think more than anything explains the demise of the V8 T4R

http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/document/July_2009_PR_Sales_Chart.pdf

Summary: FJ sales down 75% July of '09 compared to July of '08
T4R down 66%
Sequoia down 72%
LX 570 down 74%
GX 470 down 42%
Note that these crappy numbers are in comparison to July '08 numbers which were already themselves crappy numbers compared to July '07. The T4R used to sell well over 100,000 units annually in the U.S., now it's barely on pace to sell 12,000

The only SUVs in Toyota's lineup to actually gain sales last month were the RAV4, Highlander, and Lexus RX, all unibodies with no V8s - and I think that was a slight fluke cuz of the impact of Cash for Clunkers - I think it started to take effect at some point in July???

 

[tx 4runner]

I agree that V8s are wonderful (I love the 4.7) but to say that the only reason to get the V6 is part time 4WD is just silly -there are many reasons (just look at the endless V8 v. V6 debates on this forum ). But it's a moot point because as we know Toyota has apparently discontinued the V8 for the 5th gen (at least for now). The Great Recession has killed the market for V8 SUVs (and almost all frame based SUVs for that matter) and I'm just thankful that Toyota has decided to release a 5th gen T4R as a frame based SUV and not kill it off altogether or turn it into a unibody cross-over.

Agree.

There is nothing that hasn't already been said- until we see some pictures or get some pricing information. Then, let the debates continue.

 

[bigbwb]

dont get me wrong, I love the 4.7L V8 in the 4th gen 4runner, I have owned a 2003 & my current 2006 both have it, but the new V6 might be better than we think. Granted, low end torque will be less, but more HP and lighter weight(IIRC the V6 is quite a bit lighter---more alum vs iron) should help performance. Just going by acceleration specs in the current V6 FJ & Tacoma(virtually same as 4runner in weight & same motor) these trucks got from 0-60 in about 7.5-7.8 sec while my 2006 V8 is only like 7.2 or so. Adding an additional 32 HP will make the V6 pretty darn close in terms of performance maybe just not so much with towing.

Again these are my opinions and I too was hoping for the new 4.6L V8 in the Tundra with the 6sp auto but oh well. If the new 4runner does not gain any more weight with the added V6 enhancements, it may prove to be very similar to the original non VVTI V8 from 2003?

Thoughts?

Brandon

 

[Alex1911]

Man. You V8 guys are hardcore about your V8s. I think I need to start a V8 withdrawal hotline. Give the new 6 a fair shot before you just write it off like a joke of a motor. The current 6 is a very good engine. 35 more hp and lb/ft is a substantial improvement. I may be the only one in here looking forward to it, but I certainly am.

My GF and two of my friends have the V6 and it sounds like a vacuum cleaner; the V6 is nice theirs are faster than my V8 (2wd V6 vs 4WD non-vvti V8) but my V8 is smoother. Besides, I want the power of the 4.6, everything in the world is getting faster, I have to keep up :satan:

Personally, I think Toyota is half-assing the motor and tranny.

 

[bigbwb]

Alex,

I am surprised their V6 is quicker than your V8 even though the V8 is heavier(Must be by quite a bit).

From the specs of the new 4.6, the gas mileage would have been probably just as good as the V6 in the current 4runner. I guess Toyota felt it was not necessary due to the economy and maybe getting more buyers for the GX. They will most likley add the V8 for 2011 just after I have my 2010

Well I sure hope the 5th gen does not weigh any more at all otherwise I will be bummed.

 

[steezemcqueen]

no manual???

failsauce

 

[eskimochaos]

no manual???

failsauce

I hope you werent even remotely hoping for that. Not saying it wouldnt be nice but lets be realistic.

BTW, it would make the 4banger seem quicker than it is.

 

[G.I.G.]

While the V6 may be seeing significant HP gains in the 5th gen, it is still comfortably south of 300 ft lbs of torque.

Like a wise man once said...."there's not replacement for displacement" :

 

[eskimochaos]

While the V6 may be seeing significant HP gains in the 5th gen, it is still comfortably south of 300 ft lbs of torque.

Like a wise man once said...."there's not replacement for displacement" :

As other have said, a V6 sounds unusual in an SUV. As you said, its torque that will get you over that really steep hill, or pull that heavy boat, not HP.

 

[nighthawk]

no manual???

failsauce

A manual is the only reason I would have picked the 4 cylinder over the V6. epic fail that they didn't at least give that option on the 4 cylinder.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Ok,Toyota is trying to return the 4Runner to a more niche off road vehicle and keeping the price down so the lack of a V8,KDDS,6 speed makes sense since off road the V8 isn't any better than the V6 and really the only advantage to the V8 is for towing;even the 1/4 mile time with the V8 is only marginally quicker.
The priority here is to not compete with other models in the Toyota lineup and make the 4Runner it's own vehicle and keep costs down which is the main goal here hence the lack of some options. I guess there will always be plenty of people that will never be happy with a 4runner;I remember all the *****ing when Toyota released the 4th gens.

Be glad Toyota is moving in the direction it is instead of turning the 4runner into pavement pounder that needs significant upgrades to make it off road.

 

[jlmilligan]

Ok,Toyota is trying to return the 4Runner to a more niche off road vehicle and keeping the price down so the lack of a V8,KDDS,6 speed makes sense since off road the V8 isn't any better than the V6 and really the only advantage to the V8 is for towing;even the 1/4 mile time with the V8 is only marginally quicker.
The priority here is to not compete with other models in the Toyota lineup and make the 4Runner it's own vehicle and keep costs down which is the main goal here hence the lack of some options. I guess there will always be plenty of people that will never be happy with a 4runner;I remember all the *****ing when Toyota released the 4th gens.

Be glad Toyota is moving in the direction it is instead of turning the 4runner into pavement pounder that needs significant upgrades to make it off road.

X2 - Anyone can make a 4x4 grocery getter. Make something different, some will love it, some will hate it. The people that love it will create a following that will last forever and turn into many more sales down the road. Your typical grocery getter will just be traded in in two years anyway. Lets save that job for GM. Just take a look at the GMC Envoy (aka Saab 9-7, Chevy Trailblazer, Oldsmobile Bravada, Isuzu Ascender, Caddy Srx)

 

[nighthawk]

The only thing I'm not happy about the current 4Runner is the fact that it is not available in manual. Doesn't matter what Toyota says or does about going back to it's roots, I will never be happy with a new 4Runner again because I know Toyota doesn't care about the few of us that prefer manual.

 

[steezemcqueen]

The only thing I'm not happy about the current 4Runner is the fact that it is not available in manual. Doesn't matter what Toyota says or does about going back to it's roots, I will never be happy with a new 4Runner again because I know Toyota doesn't care about the few of us that prefer manual.

i agree 100%

if the 5th gen came with a manual, i wouldn't care about the engine or much else. as long as it was still a 4runner and had 4wd. that is going to be the only thing that will prevent me from buying one..well that and money

 

[marcz62]

What he said

The only thing I'm not happy about the current 4Runner is the fact that it is not available in manual. Doesn't matter what Toyota says or does about going back to it's roots, I will never be happy with a new 4Runner again because I know Toyota doesn't care about the few of us that prefer manual.

I will suffer with another automatic, but I would love a manual also. I would bet that there are more of us out there than you might think. I know we are the minority but it sure would make the 4runner even more kick ass than it already is.:driving:

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I will never be happy with a new 4Runner again because I know Toyota doesn't care about the few of us that prefer manual.

I really doubt it has anything to do with Toyota caring,it has to do with ther bottom line and the buying demograph of the current 4Runners doesn't dictate the need and cost of offering a manual tranny but that could change with the new Runner which could offer one in the next year or two since the FJ will most likely be discontinued and the 4runner will be the main off road capable SUV in the Toyota lineup.

 

[nighthawk]

I'm actually waiting for the 4th gens to be older or if I can find one affordable enough to rebuild. I've dreamed of getting a 4th gen Sport Edition and putting a Tacoma drivetrain into it. The only question which I haven't been able to get an answer for is whether the Tacoma manual tranny can fit into the 4Runner. It'll be many years away as my wife just got a new Rav4 (I was eyeing the 09 Sport Edition 4Runner but the price was beyond what we could afford so ended up getting the Rav4). I still dream that one day I'll have a manual 4Runner. I've driven them before and I really really love it. Most likely scenario for me however is to probably get a 3rd gen in a few years. I just hope there'll still be some with low kms still by then, but you never know, as you said, with the FJ being removed, they might bring back the manual 4Runner, but I do doubt that as they already took out the manual 4runner in 2001 when the only other option of a manual 4WD was the Tacoma.