LandCruiser
New member
Next gen 4Runner will be a unit body crossover like every other vehicle it competes against.
2017 Wish List
- Thread starter Threev8s
- Start date
WCVanHorne
New member
I think the problem is the fundamentally the V8 and getting back to a nice multimode Torsen on all trims. To me these were a real step back.
While there is a lot of backroad/mountain/offroad use of the 4Runner (and this should be one of its main niches) most of us need to get there. That means hours on the highway, often towing something modest. This is where the lack of a V8 is the most noticed.
The travel/camping (sport utility you know) is were compromises should not be made. I really notice the lack of torque on the highway with any wind and my modest trailer, never mind going though the mountains. Heck even with just a ski box it is ridiculous for the thing to have to kick down to third in order to maintain speed on a modest grade. Sometimes I actually think I'm driving my Yaris.
Now poorer aerodynamics in Gen5 vs Gen4 probably have something to do with it but a friend of mine with the Gen4 V8 gets consistently better highway mileage than I do. I think most of us would burn the same amount of gas, or potentially less, with an efficient V8.
Plus seeing a putrid little Durango with a 5.7 Hemi (cylinder deactivation or even hybrid!) in it just angry's me up! :mmph:
WCVanHorne
New member
While I know it can seem a little futile given the latencies of automotive design, I wouldn't call it silly. I think manufacturers ignore customer feedback at their peril, particularly from their core, power user or evangelist base.
I actually think it's pretty clear most people are 90% happy with the 4Runner and most wish list items are cosmetic or pretty easily handled with aftermarket mods. Drivetrain seems to be the big issue and, as I said, I find it hard to believe going to a V8, 6-speed, Torsen across the range wouldn't be a "good thing". Save the trim levels for the Nav toys and leather.
I think the flight of many manufacturers from this segment (mid sized, off-road, durable, body on frame) has given Toyota a golden opportunity to grab more customers and I think every one of them would love a V8.
For those of you wanting v8 4wd today, you might look into gx460.
2014/15 gx460 base model is around $46.5 + ttl (after discount). That is almost limited 4x4 $$.
It has 6sp and v8 and a huge 7in screen for back up. It is full time 4wd. Kdss standard. Super bright led headlights standard.
2014/15 gx460 base model is around $46.5 + ttl (after discount). That is almost limited 4x4 $$.
It has 6sp and v8 and a huge 7in screen for back up. It is full time 4wd. Kdss standard. Super bright led headlights standard.
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smallfry
New member
Off the subject for a second: I was on the management team that built the GM Proving Grounds just NE of Yuma, Az and the stories they told us about beating the crap out of the cars during testing was interesting.
WCVanHorne
New member
You know that would be tempting if I were in the market. However it looks like you are stuck with the 3rd row.
LandCruiser
New member
Well, since we're putting up a wish list, here's what I'd want out of a 4runner
-4.7L V8
-center diff with locker, but can be run in the open position in 4WD for rain and snow without binding
-rear locker
-cloth interior
-basic cloth interior, 5 seats
-factory 3-4" lift (mildly revised suspension geometry)
-metal bumpers front and back'
And since we're still fantasizing, sell a few each year with a solid front axle (Toyota did it with the 105 series Land Cruiser).
You know what, screw that, just sell 3000-5000 70 series Land Cruisers in the US per year.
-4.7L V8
-center diff with locker, but can be run in the open position in 4WD for rain and snow without binding
-rear locker
-cloth interior
-basic cloth interior, 5 seats
-factory 3-4" lift (mildly revised suspension geometry)
-metal bumpers front and back'
And since we're still fantasizing, sell a few each year with a solid front axle (Toyota did it with the 105 series Land Cruiser).
You know what, screw that, just sell 3000-5000 70 series Land Cruisers in the US per year.
My wish list (with the realization that the major decisions have already been made by the product team):
- 6-speed transmission (not because I need/want it, but because it'll eliminate the comment about the "ancient" 5-speed from every single review)
- larger screen for the nav/audio display (the 7" or 8" from the Tundra or Highlander would be fine) -- keep it as a touch screen
- add the color 4" display in the gauge cluster from other Toyota/Lexus models that shows navigation, audio, etc.
- grab handle on the B-pillars to help rear-seat passengers enter and exit
- power lift-gate
Keep:
- the same length, height, and width
- the 3rd row optional (or eliminate it -- don't make it standard)
- the 2nd row as a 3-person bench (not captains chairs that effectively turn it into a 4-seater)
- the power rear-window (signature feature!)
- the concealed rear windshield wiper (minor, but I now notice the stuck-on appearance of the rear wiper on other models)
Neutral:
- hard dash plastics -- I know the trend is to have soft-touch plastics (or leather, like the GC Overland), but how often do you really touch your dash? I don't mind the nicely textured plastic on the 4Runner.
- LED DRLs -- also an overused trend; wouldn't mind if they used them, but not a big deal since every vehicle seems to have them now
- 6-speed transmission (not because I need/want it, but because it'll eliminate the comment about the "ancient" 5-speed from every single review)
- larger screen for the nav/audio display (the 7" or 8" from the Tundra or Highlander would be fine) -- keep it as a touch screen
- add the color 4" display in the gauge cluster from other Toyota/Lexus models that shows navigation, audio, etc.
- grab handle on the B-pillars to help rear-seat passengers enter and exit
- power lift-gate
Keep:
- the same length, height, and width
- the 3rd row optional (or eliminate it -- don't make it standard)
- the 2nd row as a 3-person bench (not captains chairs that effectively turn it into a 4-seater)
- the power rear-window (signature feature!)
- the concealed rear windshield wiper (minor, but I now notice the stuck-on appearance of the rear wiper on other models)
Neutral:
- hard dash plastics -- I know the trend is to have soft-touch plastics (or leather, like the GC Overland), but how often do you really touch your dash? I don't mind the nicely textured plastic on the 4Runner.
- LED DRLs -- also an overused trend; wouldn't mind if they used them, but not a big deal since every vehicle seems to have them now
I would like less play in the steering wheel. My '14 feels like an old diesel truck.
I think 6 gears would be sufficient, it would make highway cruising a lot more pleasant.
HID headlamps on the Limited. Idk why they added projectors and no HID.. Lame.
Heated steering wheel.
8" wide 20" rims. Really 7" looks stupid and isn't common so there aren't many tire choices.
Height adjustable passenger power seat and power adjustable lumbar on limited.
Blind spot monitoring. The Camry even has it yet this thing could actually use it...
I think 6 gears would be sufficient, it would make highway cruising a lot more pleasant.
HID headlamps on the Limited. Idk why they added projectors and no HID.. Lame.
Heated steering wheel.
8" wide 20" rims. Really 7" looks stupid and isn't common so there aren't many tire choices.
Height adjustable passenger power seat and power adjustable lumbar on limited.
Blind spot monitoring. The Camry even has it yet this thing could actually use it...
flighht2k5
New member
i think i just threw up in my mouth
why? It would lie to you and tell you were going the right direction when in reality you were about to drive off a cliff!
1engineer
Moderator
You guys kill me.
Almost everything on the different lists can be had by buying a Land Cruiser or a Lexus 460. What? Oh you don't want to spend anymore money than what a 4Runner, in it's current configuration, costs? So you guys want a V8 with all the bells and whistles and Toyota reliability and durability with no more additional cost? Wait, if you want all that stuff like Ford, Jeep and GM offer you just need to go buy those vehicles.
You can get:
Reliability and durability for $$$
or
Bling, bells and whistles for $$$
or
Reliability, durability, Bling, bells and whistles for $$$$$$$
Land Cruiser FTW.
If I could bring myself to drive something that costs $80K I would buy a new Land Cruiser. It is the ultimate SUV. Rode in a new one last week and they are really really nice with exceptional capability.
Almost everything on the different lists can be had by buying a Land Cruiser or a Lexus 460. What? Oh you don't want to spend anymore money than what a 4Runner, in it's current configuration, costs? So you guys want a V8 with all the bells and whistles and Toyota reliability and durability with no more additional cost? Wait, if you want all that stuff like Ford, Jeep and GM offer you just need to go buy those vehicles.
You can get:
Reliability and durability for $$$
or
Bling, bells and whistles for $$$
or
Reliability, durability, Bling, bells and whistles for $$$$$$$
Land Cruiser FTW.
If I could bring myself to drive something that costs $80K I would buy a new Land Cruiser. It is the ultimate SUV. Rode in a new one last week and they are really really nice with exceptional capability.
LandCruiser
New member
If they sold the Land Cruiser in the international configuration with all the drivetrain bits and no bling (I'd be cool with the steel wheels), and the price was closer to 50k not the eye-watering 90k most are selling for--then yes.
The American car market seems to still be afflicted by the brain-damaged notion that something that is capable off road needs to have every luxury feature available... because when you're in knee deep snow and mud and your boots are encrusted with some sort of primordial ooze, you really want an interior that resembles an Italian man purse.
philsey
New member
^This. For me, it's a "diminishing return" thing. What I get from the 4R is worth $X to me.
Sure, I "like" the 460, but I don't get back in personal value what the extra money costs me. Besides all 3 times I've gone to look at one, I'm totally put off by their stupid barn door.
I look at its (extra) features, and ask myself, "do I NEED this"? -- answer is "no".
Nor do I care if my vehicle has 4 rings, a star, or a big L on it.
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The V8 with Toyota reliability and durability was already done in the 4th gen. I imagine getting rid of the FJ and GX, are part of a reallignment to rope in vehicles that were overlapping too much. For example the 4Runner outsold both the FJ and GX combined in 2013 and pretty handily too, at 51,625 4Runners to 25,267 FJ/GX. So I don't think it's unrealistic to assume the V8 w/ 6-speed could easily come back to the 4Runner.
While you are right the LC hits all the marks for the most part, I don't think people cross-shop an SUV that's over twice as expensive as the average Limited T4R. If Toyota axed the Seqouia, and lowered the price of the LC then that might change. I don't see that happening though.
I included the 2.7 Ecoboost style option because Toyota has indicated in the past that turbocharging is epxected to be brought back to meet power/mpg goals. Looking at vehicles like the Supra, Toyota obviously has experience in this area. Ford may be having some issues with the Ecoboost, but they are selling like hotcakes and offer an exciting combo of power and fuel efficiency. I assume Toyota could do it better...
