2014/2015 Grille
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I really love the new front end.
All the other SUV's are beginning to look alike from a distance - they all look like a Ford to me! Look at what they have done to the Jeep Grand Cherokee!
The 4Runner, on the other hand, stands alone. It says: "Look at me, I am different!" The new, aggressive nose suggests its' purpose - this is no mall queen.
Many people, it seems, buy a Runner, and then mod it to make it different, to personalize it. Toyota just gave us a head start.
All the other SUV's are beginning to look alike from a distance - they all look like a Ford to me! Look at what they have done to the Jeep Grand Cherokee!
The 4Runner, on the other hand, stands alone. It says: "Look at me, I am different!" The new, aggressive nose suggests its' purpose - this is no mall queen.
Many people, it seems, buy a Runner, and then mod it to make it different, to personalize it. Toyota just gave us a head start.
Raven, I agree some of them look alike from a distance. I find when you look at my 2003 from the front it kind of looks like a Highlander or a Rav4! I don't find this is the case with the 2010-2013's though...I really like the styling.
I am fully behind the idea of making the vehicle look more athletic and aggresive, but to me, it just looks like something is missing. It looks like it's been in a head-on collision and some trim pieces are missing.
I might be alone on this, and that's ok. Not trying to be negative, I just want to hear your opionions.
I am fully behind the idea of making the vehicle look more athletic and aggresive, but to me, it just looks like something is missing. It looks like it's been in a head-on collision and some trim pieces are missing.
I might be alone on this, and that's ok. Not trying to be negative, I just want to hear your opionions.
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Well, if you are OK with the aggressive, almost angry look of the lights with the frowning eyebrows, but it is the open mouthed look that is bothering you, you could always put some trim in there.
Before you do that, decide if you like the wide chrome strip they put there on the LE. I personally prefer to wide open black grill of the Trail Edition. I plan to black Plastidip the silver chin as well!
You have to go with what pleases you. Just buy one and make it your own with a few personalized touches.
Before you do that, decide if you like the wide chrome strip they put there on the LE. I personally prefer to wide open black grill of the Trail Edition. I plan to black Plastidip the silver chin as well!
You have to go with what pleases you. Just buy one and make it your own with a few personalized touches.
I like it. It is a deviation from the standard it seems everyone hovers around, even the 4th gen 4r has this standard grill set up. The 5th gen looks is what really sold me on getting a 4r (besides a few other important things), and shows it has some independence in its styling, instead of conformity.
While all of this can make an ugly ride, I think the 5th gen pulled it off great, and improved on it for the 2014 models. I am glad I got the 2015 because I think the newer grill looks even better than the 2013 models.
While all of this can make an ugly ride, I think the 5th gen pulled it off great, and improved on it for the 2014 models. I am glad I got the 2015 because I think the newer grill looks even better than the 2013 models.
Bad_Influence
New member
I have to sort of agree with the OP, the 2010-2013 front ends are just better looking, has more of a truck look in my opinion.
1engineer
Moderator
Apparently a lot more people (including me) like it compared to the '10-'13 models.
Here are the sales numbers thru Sept '14. Notice the increases in sales from '13 (old style) to '14 which is the new style. Actually the '14's would have been introduced in September of 2013. Give a few months to sell of the '13 inventory and say November of '13 is when the new style was the majority of sales. Chart:
Here are the sales numbers thru Sept '14. Notice the increases in sales from '13 (old style) to '14 which is the new style. Actually the '14's would have been introduced in September of 2013. Give a few months to sell of the '13 inventory and say November of '13 is when the new style was the majority of sales. Chart:
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1000MPH
Senior Member
The styling is a conscious effort by Toyota to appeal to different groups of buyers with each refresh. I imagine us early 5th gen (10-13) owners who don't like the '14s will like the 6th gens and the '14 owners will prefer their styling.
I prefer the early 4th gens over the later ones, too.
I was quite surprised when I saw the new Rav4s and Highlanders with the black rubber trim that disappeared on the '14 4R's.
I prefer the early 4th gens over the later ones, too.
I was quite surprised when I saw the new Rav4s and Highlanders with the black rubber trim that disappeared on the '14 4R's.
I agree. I think it kind of skips a generation.
I like the styling of the 1999 (3rd Gen) 4Runners, and the early years of the 5th Gen. I've got a 4th Gen, but I like the styling of the 2010's better.
Same thing with the Rav4's. I didn't like the styling of the 1st Gen, but I did like the styling of the 2nd Gen, and so on. Speaking of which, I recently heard that Toyota bought Subaru and that the new Rav4 and the Forester is basically the same vehicle. Not sure if there's any truth to it or not...I should do a search to see what I can find.
I really like the grille on the 2014 Tacoma. I wish they had used the same template for the 2014/2015 4Runner, but the way things seem to be going, I'll probably like the 6th Gen.
alico268
New member
Though I was a little shocked when the '14 face was revealed, it has grown on me and think they look great in person. That said, the 10-13 TE looks sooo good in silver with the black beltline; such an honest looking truck and plays homage to the old 4runner Highlander edition.
Even if the new front design is so polarizing, the interior changes more than make up for it, and that's where you spend all your time in the vehicle anyway.
Even if the new front design is so polarizing, the interior changes more than make up for it, and that's where you spend all your time in the vehicle anyway.
rdswriter
New member
I gotta agree with Stephen in the prior post... at first I was a little like "what the f..." but it grew on me - alot - and I think looks great compared to other cookie-cutter front ends.
That being said... I'm not a big fan of the Toyota logo and would like to replace with an aftermarket "TOYOTA" badge on the front of the 4R. My GoogleFu isn't that great, but I can't seem to find anyone making a 2014/15 grill with this type of option except Toyota via their TRD Pro edition. In looking at the 4Runner TRD Pro grill from images on the web, it appears to be the same front end as the 2014/15 SR5 & Trail, but with a new upper grill and (I'm speculating) a plastic cap over the crossbar with "TOYOTA" badge. If so, can someone out there with inside Toyota access and/or better GoogleFu determine if these TRD Pro grill parts are or will be available to those of us wanting to switch out? I sure hope Yes.
That being said... I'm not a big fan of the Toyota logo and would like to replace with an aftermarket "TOYOTA" badge on the front of the 4R. My GoogleFu isn't that great, but I can't seem to find anyone making a 2014/15 grill with this type of option except Toyota via their TRD Pro edition. In looking at the 4Runner TRD Pro grill from images on the web, it appears to be the same front end as the 2014/15 SR5 & Trail, but with a new upper grill and (I'm speculating) a plastic cap over the crossbar with "TOYOTA" badge. If so, can someone out there with inside Toyota access and/or better GoogleFu determine if these TRD Pro grill parts are or will be available to those of us wanting to switch out? I sure hope Yes.
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I personally think most of the people who would give a darn about how the front of the 4Runner looks (regardless of which generation/model) are probably right here on this forum. The general populace could probably care less, and don't even notice the difference. That said, even many of us here could care less. I think the "polarizing" debate is limited to an insignificant few. To me, it's kinda like debating that non-functional hood scoop on the Trail Edition. If it matters to you, then you probably don't need a 4Runner for it's designed purpose. Different years are gonna have some cosmetic changes so Toyota can claim they're "different", but it's more hype and marketing than function. I'd rather save my debate for the functional changes that may matter on the trail....but that's just me.
F1scher
New member
I liked the way the 10-13 Trail models looked. I thought it looked aggressive, but still maintained some subtitles. I did not like the SR5 or Limited front ends nearly as much - I thought they looked much more pedestrian/crossover like. I think that many of us here would agree, as lots of people with front end damage (or alot of spare cash) have done a TE front end conversion.
With the '14s, the front ends are a bit more uniform, and I think that aggressive look carries through better to the SR5 and Limited models which obviously account for a vast majority of the sales. While I agree most 4Runners which are sold, are sold to a population largely different from those of us on this forum, I do think the updated front end, and the aggressiveness of all the trim levels, has contributed well to the increase in sales.
My dad thinks the '14 looks like a fish. I think it looks mean, and it grows on you.
However, past the visual difference in the front end, the increase in sales I really think has more to do w/ the much nicer cabin space, increased marketing by Toyota (you can actually find 4Runner ads running on network television), and decreased competition for a true body on frame 4x4.
With the '14s, the front ends are a bit more uniform, and I think that aggressive look carries through better to the SR5 and Limited models which obviously account for a vast majority of the sales. While I agree most 4Runners which are sold, are sold to a population largely different from those of us on this forum, I do think the updated front end, and the aggressiveness of all the trim levels, has contributed well to the increase in sales.
My dad thinks the '14 looks like a fish. I think it looks mean, and it grows on you.
However, past the visual difference in the front end, the increase in sales I really think has more to do w/ the much nicer cabin space, increased marketing by Toyota (you can actually find 4Runner ads running on network television), and decreased competition for a true body on frame 4x4.
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Canon Bob: I totally agree with you regarding function over form. (even 'though you did identify me as one of "the insignificant few"! :sobbing: )
I'd like to think that I bought a great truck for all the right reasons - it has to do the job I wanted it for. It does please me, however, that I LOVE the look of it as well!
Begs the question - would I have purchased this vehicle if I hated the front end?
~ signed, Nikon Dave ! :hatsoff:
I'd like to think that I bought a great truck for all the right reasons - it has to do the job I wanted it for. It does please me, however, that I LOVE the look of it as well!
Begs the question - would I have purchased this vehicle if I hated the front end?
~ signed, Nikon Dave ! :hatsoff:
1000MPH
Senior Member
I will admit that the front end does not look as bad in person. If I had to replace mine today I would probably get an Sr5. I don't agree that the changes are purely cosmetic. I think the '14 design is far less functional. I shudder to think how trashed my Trail would be if the fender flares and bumpers were painted instead of plastic.
HighOnRice
New member
I'm loving the look of my '14 Trail. Not going to lie, the first time I saw it, I thought 'wow, that's one fugly mug' but it grew on me. Now all I see is a bulldog when I stare at the front, and I mean that in a good way lol.
