2014 4Runner

My dealership in Wisconsin got one of each model in.

Stopped by and saw them today, took some pics.

White Limited from the back



Black SR5


Silver TE


I think they look great in person. I was surprised how the SR5 and Trail almost looked lifted, as opposed to mine. I'm assuming that's because they don't have running boards?
 
I looked at and test drove all three models yesterday. The model I was most interested in is the Trail Premium.

The question I have is: Does anyone know what the so-called Softex material on the seats actually is?

The salesman said it's lighter than real Leather, (like I care about a couple pounds on a 4500+ lb SUV) and more durable. It sounds suspiciously like Vinyl to me.

I'm not interested in recreating the days of my youth, when I stuck to my parents Vinyl car seats, in the summertime.
 
2014 Super White Trail/SR5

I noticed while looking over the 2014 eBrochure last night that the white offered on the Trail and SR5 is called Super White. I'm curious as to whether this continues to be Toyota code for "you just spent $40K for a new car with no clearcoat".

My white 1997 Tacoma wasn't clearcoated. I detailed a white 2008 4R a few weeks ago with no clearcoat (pretty neglected appearance-wise and really chalky!), and I have a friend with a white 2010 Tundra that isn't clearcoated. Sad thing is, GM has been clearcoating white since the late 80's!

I'm the biggest Toyota fan you'll find, but to me this is unacceptable. If you're buying to keep it 5 years no problem. Or if you're buying for the long haul and you're meticulous about detailing you'll be fine. But if you're buying for the long haul and you're not waxing regularly, single stage white could become frustrating.

Again, this is ONLY a suspicion based on Toyotas history. I just want anyone getting ready to spend this kind of money to be aware of what they MAY be driving off the lot. I imagine in this day and age most people assume most all new cars are clearcoated.
 
The Waco Kid said:
According to the brochure, the Trail is 3 almost 3 inches taller. Is there a reason for that?
Click to expand...

The height dimensions listed in the 2014 brochure are the same as those listed in the 2010 brochure for all models. I find that interesting as it appeared that the black roof rack for the '10-'13 TE was about an inch taller than the silver rack of the SR5 and LE. Maybe it was just my perception?
 
93toy said:
I noticed while looking over the 2014 eBrochure last night that the white offered on the Trail and SR5 is called Super White. I'm curious as to whether this continues to be Toyota code for "you just spent $40K for a new car with no clearcoat".

My white 1997 Tacoma wasn't clearcoated. I detailed a white 2008 4R a few weeks ago with no clearcoat (pretty neglected appearance-wise and really chalky!), and I have a friend with a white 2010 Tundra that isn't clearcoated. Sad thing is, GM has been clearcoating white since the late 80's!

I'm the biggest Toyota fan you'll find, but to me this is unacceptable. If you're buying to keep it 5 years no problem. Or if you're buying for the long haul and you're meticulous about detailing you'll be fine. But if you're buying for the long haul and you're not waxing regularly, single stage white could become frustrating.

Again, this is ONLY a suspicion based on Toyotas history. I just want anyone getting ready to spend this kind of money to be aware of what they MAY be driving off the lot. I imagine in this day and age most people assume most all new cars are clearcoated.
Click to expand...

I believe the black is also not clearcoated. With Toyota at least, from my understanding, if there is pearl in the paint, then there is a clear coat, if it is just a flat color, like black and white, it is single stage.

If you like those colors and want to durability of a clear coat, you can always get it Opti-Coated (or Opti-Guarded). But it is pretty lame it doesn't come that way from the factory. Just like it is lame their frame coating doesn't cover the welds.
 
Good point about the black as well. My 2000 4runner was black and it wasn't clearcoated.

I'm just afraid someone would incorrectly assume that all colors are clearcoated and not find out until it's too late. And with Super White making it's first appearance on a 5th gen I know some people are going to be ready to buy.
 
93toy said:
....Super White. I'm curious as to whether this continues to be Toyota code for "you just spent $40K for a new car with no clearcoat".

My white 1997 Tacoma wasn't clearcoated. I detailed a white 2008 4R a few weeks ago with no clearcoat (pretty neglected appearance-wise and really chalky!), and I have a friend with a white 2010 Tundra that isn't clearcoated. Sad thing is, GM has been clearcoating white since the late 80's!
Click to expand...
The seat with the painful hard spot, tiny navigation screen, and the outdated 5-speed transmission are also evidence that they are charging the same prices as competing vehicles, but giving less in return. Consider the other choices. For example, a Dodge Durango R/T with a V8 which can run as a 4 to save fuel, an 8-speed transmission, the technology package (cross traffic and such), power ventilated leather seats, fancy sound & navigation system (big 8.4" screen), 3rd row standard for those who might need it, rain-sensing wipers, polished wheels, and a long list of other features has an invoice price of $41,640, and dealers on both coasts are selling them for 5% below invoice, which is $39,558. I drove one Saturday, and it is an impressive package. The cargo hold of the 4Runner is wider, a big plus for me, but it lacks the big under-floor storage of the Durango.
 
UncleBilly said:
From what I've read elsewhere it is a type of vinyl, suppose to feel real good. What did you think?
Click to expand...

I didn't feel as good as the Leather in the Limited, IMO. It was a cooler day in the mid 50's, so sticking to the seat like you would the old Vinyl seats on a hot and/or humid day wasn't an issue. Still, I prefer real Leather at this point.

Rocky5000100 said:
Not really a vinyl, heres a good description:

New artificial leather gains increasing Toyota acceptance
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting that.

It sounds like sticking to the seat in hot weather shouldn't be an issue with the Softex. OTOH, it also sounds like aftermarket Leather is the way to go in a Trail or SR5, if you have any reservations about the feel of Softex.
 
FStephenMasek said:
The seat with the painful hard spot, tiny navigation screen, and the outdated 5-speed transmission are also evidence that they are charging the same prices as competing vehicles, but giving less in return. Consider the other choices. For example, a Dodge Durango R/T with a V8 which can run as a 4 to save fuel, an 8-speed transmission, the technology package (cross traffic and such), power ventilated leather seats, fancy sound & navigation system (big 8.4" screen), 3rd row standard for those who might need it, rain-sensing wipers, polished wheels, and a long list of other features has an invoice price of $41,640, and dealers on both coasts are selling them for 5% below invoice, which is $39,558. I drove one Saturday, and it is an impressive package. The cargo hold of the 4Runner is wider, a big plus for me, but it lacks the big under-floor storage of the Durango.
Click to expand...

That sounds like of things to break/go wrong. And since it is a Dodge.....
 
The video above unfortunately is not a surprise considering the bad quality of Dodge... I have had a lot of experience over the last ten years with Dodges and can say without doubt that they are Craaaap! Cheaply made, unreliable, badly designed interiors, CRAP!!!
 
When was the last time you saw Toyota do a 4Runner commercial? Or push advertising for the 4Runner. They are putting out all kinds of advertisements for the 2014!

Toyota is rebranding the 4Runner back into the outdoors mans SUV. Which means the FJ is done. They are trying to get away from the soccer mom mobile and attract more of the FJ, xterra, JKU type crowd (which is great for us).

They'll probably push the highlander more as a family SUV and continue this "keep it wild" campaign going to generate some new sales on the 4Runner.

I'm excited to see what their advertising deptment can come up with. I'm hoping they'll do a trail teams edition some time too.
 
I stopped by a dealer today to check out the 2014's and they had a black SR5 Premium on the lot. I will echo the comments from others who said they look pretty sweet in person. Based on internet photos, you would get the impression that the headlights are huge and cartoonish, and that the grill is massive. In person, I was surprised that the headlights are actually quite small, and that the dark accents with fog lamps are also very petite. The headlights and the tails look very good on black. I certainly look forward to seeing a Gray Trail Premium in person, because that's what I'll be getting next year.
 
The Waco Kid said:
According to the brochure, the Trail is 3 almost 3 inches taller. Is there a reason for that?
Click to expand...

desertred said:
The height dimensions listed in the 2014 brochure are the same as those listed in the 2010 brochure for all models. I find that interesting as it appeared that the black roof rack for the '10-'13 TE was about an inch taller than the silver rack of the SR5 and LE. Maybe it was just my perception?
Click to expand...
yeah, the 10-13 Trail roof rails were a couple inches + higher than the standard SR5/Limited roof rails, accounting for the difference. now that Toyota's standardized a single roof rack across the entire 4Runner line, it's odd that they're still saying the Trail is taller. maybe they neglected to update the spec.
 
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