2014 4Runner

Anybody reading the online articles from automotive journalists? The yahoo article link was posted by kipseverino. WOW! The reviews on the facelift are not favorable. I won't even mention the general public comments within the articles. I'm happy to have a 2013.
 
I've reserved judgement of this for a few days to give the new design time to grow on me. Here is what I think as of today:

The interior, hands-down, is a major upgrade. Anyone who complained that the current interior lacked class, and felt and looked cheesy; you're comments have been heard and answered.

The exterior - I'll start in the rear. They obviously didn't listen to the numerous surveys I (and I'm sure many others) completed regarding the exhaust smell in the cabin when the rear window is down and re-route the exhaust out the side.

they elongated the rear mudflaps. was that necessary? just more likely to get ripped off IMO.

I can do without the 4th gen-esque chrome on the rear bumper. I like the tail lights - I guess. The more I look at them the more I appreciate the simplicity of the current tails.

I don't like the side-view mirrors. Decide on plastic or color matched, but not both.

The front - I really like the headlights. As someone who has retrofitted a pair of current headlights, these take care of the hardest part, which is nice.

The grille is very big. that would make one monster satoshi. and again, the 4th gen-esque chrome piece is dumb.

I miss the turn signal/DTRL next to the fogs. And I especially don't like the fake air dam things they've replaced them with. I love [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION]'s Predator comparison - that's right on.

like others have said, I'm very happy with mine, as compared to this new one. I do think the 2014, in black, or in another dark color will look much better and make the fake air dams and grille look less obnoxious.

very long story short, if I was looking for a vehicle, and had the choice of either of these, I'd still choose mine :becky:

Toyota-4Runner_2014_photo_05.jpg~original


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This redo reminds of the 80's when the manufacturers had to scramble to meet the new bumper laws and front ends looked awkward for a few years. Not sure why they had to make the nose protrude like it does. Looks ok head on but it has goofy profile.

Curious to see how the window antenna works for reception. Some are good and some not
 
Softex is a lighter synthetic material. I think it feels more supple than the real leather in our 4Runners. It seems to have better stick as far as your butt sliding around. Especially after I condition my 4Runner seats, I'm sliding all over the place. Those are the only real differences I've noticed. Both vehicles are Blizzard Pearl with black interiors and I've never been burned up in the summer. Both seats are damn cold in the winter, but heated seats takes care of that quickly. (The 4Runner heated seats are many times better than my Prius, though. The Prius is off or 1st degree burn as far as settings.)

Now, I think my MIL's RX350 leather is nicer than both. It is a Lexus, though.

Quentin, as you have experience with Softex--does Softex feel leather-like and not plasticy/"vinyl-ish"? In a TE, would you recommend the Softex over the Trail Edition cloth seats?

Thanks!

Granted I have only seen pictures at this point, but I *really* like the interior changes and I am thrilled they got rid of the two tone dash and gray armrest console on the 2014 TE (at least I hope the interior pictures we see now end-up in the released TE version!). Before this, I was trying to figure out how involved and how much it would cost to replace the 2013 gray plastic dash (lower half of dash) and center console parts (armrest, storage comparment, etc.) with all black parts.
 
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Quentin, as you have experience with Softex--does Softex feel leather-like and not plasticy/"vinyl-ish"? In a TE, would you recommend the Softex over the Trail Edition cloth seats?

Thanks!

Granted I have only seen pictures at this point, but I *really* like the interior changes and I am thrilled they got rid of the two tone dash and gray armrest console on the 2014 TE (at least I hope the interior pictures we see now end-up in the released TE version!). Before this, I was trying to figure out how involved and how much it would cost to replace the 2013 gray plastic dash (lower half of dash) and center console parts (armrest, storage comparment, etc.) with all black parts.

Before getting too excited (and for some of you too disappointed) please note [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION]'s previous post. He shows a 2010 prototype with a mish mash of options off of all three trim levels and some never made it to the respective production models.

Toyota is changing up the 4Runner and the press release shows many cool and exciting things for each of the three models. What it has not revealed is the complete option list for each model and optional packages. So enjoy the teaser information release and the images of ONLY ONE 4RUNNER IN ONE COLOR (!) and look forward for the full story to come out in the months to come. REMEMBER this is a prototype! Who knows, they might even do away with the vents on the front cover or add back the mast antenna before production!
 
Not just that.. but even the current 4Runner gallery doesn't show the mast antenna (although you can see the base in one picture). Don't you just love marketing and advertising departments! :fro:

Toyota 4Runner 2013 | Mid-size 4WD SUV

Okki

Yeah, experience has taught me that the only true information to be taken away from this reveal is this:
They are changing the headlights and front bumper cover somewhat.
They are changing the tail lights
They are adding a few colors
They are changing up the instrument cluster, electronics and seat design a little and
They are changing the stock wheels.

Now, what will the final production ready vehicle look like and have as standard features? I'll let you know in September lol. Don't get caught up in the hype. [MENTION=55815]Okki[/MENTION] has it right - Marketing and advertising guys are masters when it comes to wording and images. They don't lie but they stretch the truth to E string tautness.
 
Rockers

I've been studying these pictures hard - I'm about 95% sure these rockers will work on the 2010-2013 SR5/Limited. The pieces seem to line up just right.

The front fender flare on the trail is different, but these look like it will be two pieces one for the rocker (just like the trail) and an extended small piece for the fender flare.

If they do swap that will be awesome! That should mean trail sliders will fit no prob with no trimming! This is what I've been waiting for - hopefully!!!
 
I found another pic on the web of the 2014. As you can see the antenna mast is still there but I'm kinda digging on the new Brown/Green color.
4IL5_110812_Kissin_Catfish.jpg
 
Reduced the chrome on the SR5/Trail, but in the process added chrome interior door pulls... hmm. Could be mixed modeling pics, but all models are black now, so maybe not.

And I'm having tough time thinking this will look good:

"In addition to the distinctive new grille, the premium Limited's front design stands apart with a chrome-plated grille insert and chrome front bumper that extends to the fog-lamp bezels."
 
Anybody reading the online articles from automotive journalists? The yahoo article link was posted by kipseverino. WOW! The reviews on the facelift are not favorable. I won't even mention the general public comments within the articles. I'm happy to have a 2013.

I was thinking the same thing. A lot of people are trashing it, some going as far as to compare it to Jeep's new widely panned failure with the Cherokee.

I don't think it's that bad by a long shot, and I wonder how many commenting are even the target market or in the new car market at all? However this certainly isn't the reaction Toyota hoped for.

My wife doesn't like it at all... fwiw
 
I've been studying these pictures hard - I'm about 95% sure these rockers will work on the 2010-2013 SR5/Limited. The pieces seem to line up just right.

The front fender flare on the trail is different, but these look like it will be two pieces one for the rocker (just like the trail) and an extended small piece for the fender flare.

If they do swap that will be awesome! That should mean trail sliders will fit no prob with no trimming! This is what I've been waiting for - hopefully!!!

I agree, but I think the rear door fender trim will have to be replaced. It looks like it tapers-in like the TE. Altogether very promising though! I think it might even take a few hundred bucks off a TE conversion (assuming you don't mind keeping color-keyed flares).
 
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I've been awaiting this announcement for a while. I love my 2002 4Runner Sport but would like to upgrade after 10 years.

I'm not a big fan of the new front end. Toyota needs to ditch the silver and keep it black. Here's my quick Photoshop edit of the 2014 4Runner. I had a 1997 Hunter Green 4Runner...wouldn't mind getting that color back.

When they arrive at my local dealer, I'll be giving one a test drive.
 

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Some of the shopped pictures in darker colours with blacked out center bumper actually don't look bad, but I will be keeping my 11' for the foreseeable future. Wonder what the 2018 runner will be like.......:thumb3:
 
I've been reading this thread and looking at all the press photos since Saturday (and it reconfirms that most auto sites are nothing more than regurgitations of manufacturers' press releases).

The nose caught me off guard; totally not what I expected. However, after seeing the first photos of the 4th gen (remember all that grey cladding?); the 4th-gen's mid-cycle refresh (I did not like the round fog lights in a non-round hole); and then the 5th gen (thought the white limited caught in a pre-release photo looked like a first-gen Scion xB), I've come to the conclusion that I need to see it in person.

I really want to see the Limited, with the slight change to the wheels and the chrome grill area (totally not sure how this will look given how large that area is).

One thing is for sure: the 4Runner is distinctive. And I don't think that's a bad thing. Those looking for a minivan alternative are much better served by the new Highlander, Explorer, or Pathfinder. The "general public" reactions aren't too surprising. The 4Runner isn't for them.
 
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Since when do the rear, side windows have defrost? I have a 2012 SR5, and mine do not.

I'm going to guess those are the radio antenna. Two antenna grids in separate windows, for diversity tuning.

3rd gens had the power mast antenna, and a grid antenna in the right rear window, for diversity tuning.
 
I'm sure the 2014 is going to be a very solid 4R, but I am VERY glad I got my TE in 13 rather than 14.

The front of the 14 4R is just not doing it for me.....at all....among other details.

Now the interior improvements? Nice....but I can't get past what they've done to the front.
 
WV is a nightmare for hitting deer. I was figuring that I'd do my TE conversion on my white SR5 when I hit a deer. The more I look at this, the more I'm convinced that I'll probably do a '14 front. It will require new headlights, hood, and bumper for the nose. Skirt, flare cap, rear flare for the sides. Rear bumper skin for the back. Of course, that assumes that the supports behind the bumper are the same... but the more I see it, the more I dig the new look.
 

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