2014 4-Runner Rumours

[DannyLlama]

The reason the 5th gen runners have cheaper interior quality, no LED Tails, No Projector Headlights, No Center Diff

Limited Edition has a Center diff :crazy:

 

[RainCityShecks]

Quality is lacking in the 5th Gen? Don't think so!

I wouldn't trade my 2013 for a brand new 3rd or 4th Gen.

I also care less about the HID headlight / LED tail lights too. I prefer NOT to pay a premium for those.

I'll second all these notions. If you want a car/truck w/ doodads and fancy features then buy a Lexus or Landrover. I had HID's in my previous vehicle and don't miss them one bit. The only option I really miss are automatic/rain sensing wipers, that was 2 vehicles ago.

 

[Quentin]

Consumer Reports, which generally did not like the 5th Gen 4Runner, did rate the stock headlights very well... better than they rated the high dollar HIDs on my GTI. I agree with their assessment. The HIDs might have been self leveling and stupid expensive, but they didn't put light out nearly as well as my 4Runner does.

 

[fraggy]

The real difference is the 6spd trans and the V8. People that I know who have Lexus 460s getter better mileage on the highway than the 4-Runner and have a better performing vehicle. Why not have all that Toyota greatness in a more plain package such as the 4-Runner and get rid of all the frills. I thought that JD Power rated the 460 better in initial quality as well. Sure the 460 costs more, but many claim it is primarily for all those frills.

 

[harper7]

The reason the 5th gen runners have cheaper interior quality, no LED Tails, No Projector Headlights, No Center Diff is because toyota had to cut production costs to keep them at a specific price point. We won't likely see newer models come out with HIDs and LED tails, or any other niceties in future models, unless they raise the price significantly, which is unlikely, or they figure out how to build them for less, which is also unlikely.

We can just look forward to cheaper and cheaper versions, with less options as time goes on, until toyota finally decides to discontinue the 4runner.

If only toyota would offer offer these with a D4D, then consumers might start gaining interest again in a rugged body on frame SUV, that actually gets decent mileage...Of course that would probley increase the cost of the 4runner too much.

Not sure about your theory.They gave up a few things from the 4th Gen but added a whole lot more for about the same price. The looks of the interior are subjective,I like mine after some personal touch, but it's still the same high quality ABS plastics as the 4th Gen. and I've cut into both.Not sure how your judging it?

Improvements

Extensive frame and body reinforcements with braces have been added using high-tensile strength materials(aka new LC J150 frame),reworked engine mounts and a completely newly designed and much stronger rear 8.2" 12 bolt differential were added in 2010 .That's where the majority of the 300lbs of added weight over the previous generation are if I were to venture a guess.

Improved interior comfort with higher h-point and better headroom

New Off-Road options: Crawl Control, Multi-terrain Assist, KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), Active Traction Control

Standard- Star Safety System 8 airbags, which includes new knee airbags and full side curtain air bags

LED Optitron gauges that take a page out of the Lexus playbook

V6 Engine improvements.... https://docs.google.com/open?id=1VJY...JM6fxIHLu18VuE

Limited Edition has push button start with Smart key keyless entry

Rear Gate Speakers and a sound optimization mode for tailgate listening aka the "Party Mode" switch

Sequential shift transmission shifter

Puddle lighting underneath side mirrors

LED Turn signals in mirrors

120V AC power outlets, you will get two outlets, one in the center console and one in the cargo area

Opera lighting-LED footwell lighting, interior door handle lights and shifter lighting from roof mounted console LED's

Windshield wiper and mirror de-icer

Rear view monitor system

HomeLink universal transceiver standard on all models

USB port located in glove box

A compass has been included on the accessory meter display

LED high mounted rear stoplights

Available Safety Connect

Active head restraints

Rear seatback angle adjustment(recline)-big improvement in second row seating for adults

Auto up/down switches for all windows

Two 12V power outlets up front

Hidden rear wiper underneath rear spoiler, spoiler standard on all models

Inside door handle and switch lighting

All models use the bigger 13.3" front brake rotors-no caliper problems noted in the 3+ years yet

10,000 mile oil change intervals using synthetic 0W-20 oil

Min. Running Ground Clearance 9.6", the increase over the 9.1" 4th gen

 

[Quentin]

The real difference is the 6spd trans and the V8. People that I know who have Lexus 460s getter better mileage on the highway than the 4-Runner and have a better performing vehicle. Why not have all that Toyota greatness in a more plain package such as the 4-Runner and get rid of all the frills. I thought that JD Power rated the 460 better in initial quality as well. Sure the 460 costs more, but many claim it is primarily for all those frills.

Sorry, that is unscientific. The GX has a 0.35 drag coefficient versus the 4Runner's 0.365. Aero drag is the biggest player in highway speed system drag losses. Consumer Reports shows that the 4Runner is more efficient that the 460. Yes, there are surely scenarios where the GX can get better mileage, but that is the case with almost any vehicle (see: top gear comparison on an M3 and a Prius... if you go 80mph everywhere, the v8 6at combo might be more efficient). The tech in the two engines is the same and the ATs are very similar as far as operation. The torque made at the wheels at 70mph in top gear is the same (yup, I made a spreadsheet and plotted the wheel torque by rpm in top gear using the engine torque curves). Basically, as long as the engine isn't woefully undersized, all other things equal, the smaller engine will be more efficient.

JD Power doesn't rate the driveline separately either (in the publicly available data, anyway). The complaints of the 4Runner could have been brakes or suspension and that made the difference.

Either way, the V6 meets the needs of most and a supercharger will [someday] meet the needs of those that need more power. If Toyota's market study found that the V8 take rate would only be 5% and the cost it added to manufacturing (logistics, engine plant capacity, AT plant capacity, gov regulation certification, etc) didn't make financial sense, then it was a smart decision for the company. Some enthusiasts on a message board don't represent as much of the buying public as we think it does.

 

[philsey]

.....
Either way, the V6 meets the needs of most and a supercharger will [someday] meet the needs of those that need more power. If Toyota's market study found that the V8 take rate would only be 5% and the cost it added to manufacturing (logistics, engine plant capacity, AT plant capacity, gov regulation certification, etc) didn't make financial sense, then it was a smart decision for the company. Some enthusiasts on a message board don't represent as much of the buying public as we think it does.

Well said.

 

[adam2562]

Well said.

Meh.. the engine plant is there.. regulations are already met. They use the 4.6 in tundras and gx's. Doesnt take much to throw it in a 4runner.. its like the 3.5 that they put in what seems to be everything.

Hopefully.. they're holding out for a diesel.. but i doubt it within the next 2years

 

[Quentin]

Meh.. the engine plant is there.. regulations are already met. They use the 4.6 in tundras and gx's. Doesnt take much to throw it in a 4runner.. its like the 3.5 that they put in what seems to be everything.

That isn't how the business works.

<-- production engineer at an AT manufacturing facility that just went through a capacity increase. You don't just say "run more parts". You'd be amazed at the cost and additional complexity required just for different gear ratios in the at.

 

[adam2562]

That isn't how the business works.

<-- production engineer at an AT manufacturing facility that just went through a capacity increase. You don't just say "run more parts". You'd be amazed at the cost and additional complexity required just for different gear ratios in the at.

You're probably right.. i just didn't see it as an issue.. just get more materials. Reprogram the ecu.. and use the gear ratios in a gx or tundra.. all things they are already utilizing.. but someone in your field would know better