2019 TRD Pro's

[Carmaker1]

I just love how correct I was last year, in highlighting that Toyota sure as hell was not redesigning the N280 4Runner for MY 2019 and Motor Trend was full of it. Yet, quite a number of folks came at me for it.

The only mistake was me taking some Japanese rumour from early 2017 as reliable, regarding MY18 refresh and my internal info about the Prado 150 facelift, which [MENTION=114416]Gecko[/MENTION] was misled by. I corrected myself before the '18 became official and highlighted no redesign was shown on the national dealer level internally (yet).

Toyota has lost the plot, in how they introduced this gen in October 2009 and after a mid-cycle update in September 2013, have left it virtually untouched for 5 years. Even the Land Cruiser gets changes every 3-4 years to keep it fresh.

Luckily for them the market response to the N280 II has kept their pockets lined. Between this, their aging 12-year old Tundra, ancient Sequoia, and questionably "new" Tacoma, the greed is so obvious.

A new Tundra (954A code) has been touted as "coming soon", but my industry info placed it at August 3, 2020 SOP on modular TNGA-F. Question is, has Toyota quietly moved that forward into CY 2019 SOP, with Q1 2019 press debut. If so, expect some test mules running about by June and then some prototypes of the real McCoy by fall.

If 954A Tundra program indeed has been moved forward up to 2019 SOP as MY 2020, from 8/3/2020 as MY 2021, then I am questioning how they can manage introducing not only a new Land Cruiser, but also a new 4Runner on variations of the same TNGA-F architecture? A new Land Cruiser 300, Tundra (954A), and 4Runner (N350) will be impossible to manage within the same calendar year.

The Tacoma ends production in July 2022, with a mid-cycle facelift (design locked-in) entering production in Q3 2019 for MY 2020 (I said this back in 2015). MY 2023 is a redesign.

What do they consider to be "soon" then? I hope it doesn't mean hint at as soon in latter 2017 18 months before reveal in spring-2019, then release in early 2020 as MY 2021 redesign.

I am not in the market for a 4Runner (more of a Raptor or row-my-own-gears guy), but I like to see what Toyota is capable of when they put their best efforts forward to create a fine product.

 

[Hitman]

You have got to love Toyota. Their own press release called it "All New". I get that they are selling well, all SUV's crossovers are selling well. When you fall this far behind the current level of development in vehicle engineering, you are going to stay behind. A perfect example is the current Camry. The car had become so soft that even with a complete redo, the also new for 2018 Accord completely embarrasses it. The 4Runner is old and tired. It is going to force me to do something I thought I would never do. Stop by a Jeep dealership......

I already did. And went home with a Trailhawk Grand Cherokee. No regrets...yet. LOL

 

[Hitman]

Grand Cherokee rides pretty well. .

It rides more than "pretty well"...all Trailhawk versions (which is what I own and what you mentioned that you were considering) come with air suspension that REALLY makes for a fantastic ride. Plus, the driver selectable ride heights are great too.

 

[cocojoe53]

2018 or 2019

Although disappointed by the underwhelming changes, I can't bring myself to buying a Jeep. Yes, new they are very nice, but the true test of the dependability of a car/truck is to drive one that is 3-4 years old. There is a reason Toyotas have such high resale value. My question is, would you wait for the 2019 to come out or go for a 2018? (TRD Pro)

 

[MissouriBreaks]

Although disappointed by the underwhelming changes, I can't bring myself to buying a Jeep. Yes, new they are very nice, but the true test of the dependability of a car/truck is to drive one that is 3-4 years old. There is a reason Toyotas have such high resale value. My question is, would you wait for the 2019 to come out or go for a 2018? (TRD Pro)

I guess it all depends on what color one likes. If one likes the blue, white, or black, then go for the 2018. If one thinks that the color options may be a bit better in 2019, then wait.

Personally, I like the 2017 Barcelona Red.

 

[HOJeepster]

It rides more than "pretty well"...all Trailhawk versions (which is what I own and what you mentioned that you were considering) come with air suspension that REALLY makes for a fantastic ride. Plus, the driver selectable ride heights are great too.

The offroading capabilities of these Jeeps are embarrassing with the rear independent links. I followed one on a mild trail and he was on 3 tires 90% of the time almost tipping over. Yikes.

 

[ADK Explorer]

The new extended snorkel has a camera a top it so that you can see who's holding up traffic ahead.

 

[TomsPro]

My question is, would you wait for the 2019 to come out or go for a 2018? (TRD Pro)

Can only speak for myself. Needed to replace my 1999 Isuzu Trooper. The only thing comparable was the 4runner. Picked up a cav blue Pro yesterday. So far, I am pleased. If you find the color Pro you want, I would not wait. It was dumb luck I was able to get mine.

 

[Hitman]

The offroading capabilities of these Jeeps are embarrassing with the rear independent links. I followed one on a mild trail and he was on 3 tires 90% of the time almost tipping over. Yikes.

Yet it still managed to traverse the Rubicon trail without any issues. Go figure.

https://expeditionportal.com/jeep-grand-cherokee-trailhawk-edition-tackles-the-rubicon/

 

[Gossamer]

Yet it still managed to traverse the Rubicon trail without any issues. Go figure.

https://expeditionportal.com/jeep-grand-cherokee-trailhawk-edition-tackles-the-rubicon/

and now will spend the rest of its life rattling and squeaking because like most Jeep/Ram/Dodge products, they don't hold together very well...speaking as an owner of a Ram 2500.

Still impressive, nonetheless.

 

[Thai]

I already did. And went home with a Trailhawk Grand Cherokee. No regrets...yet. LOL

DId you consider the 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL? For me, IF i were to get a Jeep, then that is my ONLY choice.

 

[Phyzman]

DId you consider the 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL? For me, IF i were to get a Jeep, then that is my ONLY choice.

I'm looking at those new JL Wranglers hard. I worry about long-term reliability. But the JL seems like a significant modernization with few elements of the vehicle untouched by the refresh. The colors are certainly a blast: HellaYella and Mojito, especially.

If Toyota runs one more year of the 2009 4R, I'll go with the JL Rubicon. I've got until Summer 2019 to sort it, so I'm just playing the field for now.

 

[WallyT4R]

I'm looking at those new JL Wranglers hard. I worry about long-term reliability. But the JL seems like a significant modernization with few elements of the vehicle untouched by the refresh. The colors are certainly a blast: HellaYella and Mojito, especially.

If Toyota runs one more year of the 2009 4R, I'll go with the JL Rubicon. I've got until Summer 2019 to sort it, so I'm just playing the field for now.

That's cool but you should realize it's definitely not a "refresh". It might look the same but everything on the JL is new from the axles up. About the closest thing to the old one is the 3.6 engine option and even that has been more than refreshed...

The new updated "PSU" Pentastar has already been implemented in the Grand Cherokee and has these new upgrades:
15% higher torque below 3k RPM
>6% better gas mileage
+5hp on Grand Cherokee
2-speed variable valve lift (one speed for better fuel economy and another for preserving power)
Torque driven cam phasing valve timing system (cuts oil demand and reduces knock during hot starts, also works better with ESS).
New fuel injectors allow for better atomization
Internal friction reduced by using HG-R1 on the timing drive guide-faces, low-tension piston rings, new valve springs, carbon coated piston pins
Lightest Pentastar ever (326 lbs)

 

[Phyzman]

That's cool but you should realize it's definitely not a "refresh". It might look the same but everything on the JL is new from the axles up. About the closest thing to the old one is the 3.6 engine option and even that has been more than refreshed...

The new updated "PSU" Pentastar has already been implemented in the Grand Cherokee and has these new upgrades:
15% higher torque below 3k RPM
>6% better gas mileage
+5hp on Grand Cherokee
2-speed variable valve lift (one speed for better fuel economy and another for preserving power)
Torque driven cam phasing valve timing system (cuts oil demand and reduces knock during hot starts, also works better with ESS).
New fuel injectors allow for better atomization
Internal friction reduced by using HG-R1 on the timing drive guide-faces, low-tension piston rings, new valve springs, carbon coated piston pins
Lightest Pentastar ever (326 lbs)

With luck it performs well on its IIHS tests. That *should* be part of the modernization, as important as detents.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

I already did. And went home with a Trailhawk Grand Cherokee. No regrets...yet. LOL

Love the look of the JGC. Hopefully, it treats you well. Still have the 4Runner?

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

DId you consider the 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL? For me, IF i were to get a Jeep, then that is my ONLY choice.

I took a Rubicon JL for a test drive recently. I would love to have one. It was a very nice ride and was nicely equipped.

 

[Thai]

I took a Rubicon JL for a test drive recently. I would love to have one. It was a very nice ride and was nicely equipped.

For me, i love the JL. However two main (safety related) things hold me back:

1. No full-time 4wd. Being in snow and rain a lot, this is a biggie for me. Part-time 4wd is not for me. On the JL, to get that, i have to get Sahara model...but lose out on the off-road goodies of Rubicon.

2. No side airbags for rear bench. This is a biggie as well because i have a family. Yeah, i understand that Rubicon sits high, but why didn’t they include side chest/head airbag that pop out from the side of the rear bench (like that found on the front seats)??

IF they can include both of the above by mid cycle facelift, then i will seriously look at one.

 

[LandCruiser]

For me, i love the JL. However two main (safety related) things hold me back:

1. No full-time 4wd. Being in snow and rain a lot, this is a biggie for me. Part-time 4wd is not for me. On the JL, to get that, i have to get Sahara model...but lose out on the off-road goodies of Rubicon.

2. No side airbags for rear bench. This is a biggie as well because i have a family. Yeah, i understand that Rubicon sits high, but why didn’t they include side chest/head airbag that pop out from the side of the rear bench (like that found on the front seats)??

IF they can include both of the above by mid cycle facelift, then i will seriously look at one.

I'm waiting for the pickup.

 

[Hitman]

DId you consider the 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL? For me, IF i were to get a Jeep, then that is my ONLY choice.

No, I don't have much interest in the Wrangler. It's lacking in on-road refinement and features. I think maybe the new one will be better in that regard, but only the JK was available when I purchased my Grand Cherokee. Overall, it's a great vehicle so far. I'll keep it for the next four years for sure and then decide if I want to keep it once the factory warranty expires.

 

[Hitman]

Love the look of the JGC. Hopefully, it treats you well. Still have the 4Runner?

Yes, I do. It has been relegated to vacation house duty, so it doesn't see much action these days. I think it only has a few more years before the frame rots to the point that I'll have to take it off the road completely. It's really getting bad.