4Runner 5th Gen - Last of the Dinosaurs

[mteolus]

The new Nissan Frontier will be for sale sometime later this year. The Bronco is Back in 2021 and even the Dodge Dakota will be back in 2022. Unless I am missing something, the Land Cruiser 2007 and the 4Runner 2010 are the last of the dinosaurs. After seeing the new Ford Bronco, I think it is time for Toyota to step up to the plate.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

The new Nissan Frontier will be for sale sometime later this year. The Bronco is Back in 2021 and even the Dodge Dakota will be back in 2022. Unless I am missing something, the Land Cruiser 2007 and the 4Runner 2010 are the last of the dinosaurs. After seeing the new Ford Bronco, I think it is time for Toyota to step up to the plate.

Absolutely. Toyota better up their game for the 6th gen. The competition from Bronco is well-welcomed. 35s stock? and heard travel is around 11.5 inches. zomg.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

The new Nissan Frontier will be for sale sometime later this year. The Bronco is Back in 2021 and even the Dodge Dakota will be back in 2022. Unless I am missing something, the Land Cruiser 2007 and the 4Runner 2010 are the last of the dinosaurs. After seeing the new Ford Bronco, I think it is time for Toyota to step up to the plate.

Anytime another brand comes up with something new, people always say Toyota needs to step it up yet people will still buy them as is. The Sequia and Tundra have been the same since 2007.

 

[peekaboo]

4Runner fits a nice niche for people that want comfort, space, and also offroading. Bronco/Wrangler do not do that.

If you want the 4Runner to be like a Bronco... then buy a Bronco.

 

[MooseT4R]

4Runner fits a nice niche for people that want comfort, space, and also offroading. Bronco/Wrangler do not do that.

If you want the 4Runner to be like a Bronco... then buy a Bronco.

Comfort?! With all the lush features that 4Runners come equipped with? Even the Limited interior and tech is worse than a well equipped Hyndai.

 

[peekaboo]

Comfort?! With all the lush features that 4Runners come equipped with? Even the Limited interior and tech is worse than a well equipped Hyndai.

Eh, I came from a BMW, now have a 4Runner. I doubt the Fox shocks help that much, but I love the space and comfort of the ride. Drives like a dream... for now . I prefer the 4Runner.

In comparison to the Wrangler at least, it is no contest.

 

[bring_it_on]

Short of a completely new vehicle, Toyota shouldn't turn the 4runner into a Wrangler or even a Bronco. If you want a short wheel base toy that has limited space and load (it has to be a mix - you can't have great payload but no place to put it) but can otherwise tear the trail up on 37's you shouldn't really be buying a 4runner. The Jeep already does a great job at it. Most folks would know that getting into a T4R. Find your balance in terms of cost, size, payload, off road performance (like wheel travel, articulation, clearance etc), and on road manners and pick a vehicle accordingly. Some will fall on the two door Jeep side of that spectrum while others will fall on the Raptor, RAM or the LC200. The 4runner sits somewhere in the middle of that pack. Those "compromises" that many feel are also features that are vital in an overland vehicle especially when you are looking at moderate to long trips with 2-3 people. You can do that on a 4runner. You can't do that on a 2 door Jeep or Bronco unless you want to live with a whole host of compromises or tow a trailer. A few years ago, I drove a Ford Ranger derived long wheel base SUV in Asia. It was horrible but had 4x4 low and could pack a ton of people. The Bronco is everything that that vehicle wasn't but I doubt the folks who used it would consider trading something that small for it.. Horses for courses I suppose.

That said, keeping within this category, there are probably a ton of things Toyota can do to improve performance on the OR and above trims assuming they continue to offer those. You could easily upgrade everything that the vehicle already has and bring it to the std Toyota is capable of designing today while adding things like a front locker or the ability to clear slightly larger tires. But please keep the size. IMHO, most will be fine and continue to live with those compromises (angles) and exchange that for payload, volume and comfort.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Short of a completely new vehicle, Toyota shouldn't turn the 4runner into a Wrangler or even a Bronco. If you want a short wheel base toy that has limited space and load but can otherwise tear the trail up on 37's you shouldn't really be buying a 4runner. Most folks would know that getting into the vehicle. These are different categories of 4x4 vehicles. Find your balance in terms of cost, size, payload, off road performance (like wheel travel, articulation, clearance etc), and on road manners and pick a vehicle accordingly. Some will fall on the two door Jeep side of that spectrum while others will fall on the Raptor, RAM or the LC200. The 4runner sits somewhere in the middle of that pack. Those "compromises" that many feel are also features that are vital in an overland vehicle especially when you are looking at moderate to long trips with 2-3 people. You can do that on a 4runner. You can't do that on a 2 door Jeep or Bronco unless you want to live with a whole host of compromises or tow a trailer.

All I'm asking for from the 6th gen is 2 things: BFA and a MUCH easier pathway to fitting 34/35s on. Don't really care about 37s. If I wanted 37s id build a crawler haha. Oh and maybe better fuel efficiency with maybe a 6 speed auto.

 

[08TxRunner]

Competition is good. Look what the Mustang/Challenger/Camaro did for each other over the last 10 years.

 

[delloro]

The new Nissan Frontier will be for sale sometime later this year. The Bronco is Back in 2021 and even the Dodge Dakota will be back in 2022. Unless I am missing something, the Land Cruiser 2007 and the 4Runner 2010 are the last of the dinosaurs. After seeing the new Ford Bronco, I think it is time for Toyota to step up to the plate.

If not, then give us a real dinosaur - Series 70 LC.

 

[bring_it_on]

If not, then give us a real dinosaur - Series 70 LC.

As long as we are dreaming, I wish they would just do a new 80 series..

 

[salsanacho]

Given how popular the Gladiator version of the Jeep is, I'd be curious when Ford plans to come out with something like that for the Bronco.

 

[Jetboy]

I'd be happy with just a modern infotainment, an 8AT, and a modern engine. Either a small turbo 6 like the ecoboost 2.7 or a small v8, or even just a great modern v6.

And a much better pathway to fit 34-35" tires would be great. Fawk - just build in enough caster adjustment for a 2" lift. Is that too crazy of a request.

Oh - and some halfway decent headlights.

 

[mteolus]

I'd be happy with just a modern infotainment, an 8AT, and a modern engine. Either a small turbo 6 like the ecoboost 2.7 or a small v8, or even just a great modern v6.

And a much better pathway to fit 34-35" tires would be great. Fawk - just build in enough caster adjustment for a 2" lift. Is that too crazy of a request.

Oh - and some halfway decent headlights.

I agree, sucks that you have to make modifications just to fit 33's. How about fitting 35's without any mods. It would have been nice to have the GX 6-speed transmission and an option to get 4.56 or 4.81 gearing. The 4-liter may have been adequate for most with lower gearing and the 6-speed. Perhaps a little bit of a better approach and departure angle as well along with more ground clearance (9.6 inches is a lie). Also an inclinometer and altimeter stock. I love the Bronco's new dash that has an optional place to mount a GoPro or phone. And lighting, geeez, that doesn't even need to be said.

So yea I left out the Tundra and Sequoia dinosaurs, that leaves 4, all Toyotas.

 

[Wolfman’s Brother]

If the 4 door Bronco has enough room with the rear seats folded flat for my wife and I to sleep, our 4Runner will be for sale in 2-3 years.

 

[slowveloce]

Given how popular the Gladiator version of the Jeep is, I'd be curious when Ford plans to come out with something like that for the Bronco.

I thought that Gladiator sales were tanking? I never see any of those ugly things-even a trip to Colorado I saw maybe two, yes anecdotal -but 4runners, Tacos and Wranglers were everywhere.

 

[jp.vegas]

I thought that Gladiator sales were tanking? I never see any of those ugly things-even a trip to Colorado I saw maybe two, yes anecdotal -but 4runners, Tacos and Wranglers were everywhere.

They are tanking, that's why you see incentives galore for a brand new model.

 

[itr1275]

It's designed by a bean counter not an enthusiast.

The reality is the 4runner doesn't do take the lead for anything in stock form, but it's good enough for all most any of it.

Design criteria is - Unless it can attract a soccer mom (or dad) it's not main stream enough to justify the engineering time. i.e. Don't count on Toyota sinking money into a specialized vehicle. They want you to modify it at your expense. They only have to put the idea out there and some 3rd party will take the risk for very little profit margin. Once it's works Toyota will mainstream it. This is the model Toyota has.

Bet you didn't know that you were a beta tester did you?

The next gen will be a hybrid. Which may not be so bad off road except for the weight. Crawling with an electric motor is much more efficient than gas and has more torque. The Rubicon is ~22 miles. That's within the battery range of most hybrids.

 

[tls3601]

I recently drove a JL Wrangler Unlimited, lots of Gladiators on the lot, but not a single Jeep Rubicon Unlimited, most dealers here in Phoenix have like nothing on the lot! Plenty of Gladiators though

 

[salsanacho]

They are tanking, that's why you see incentives galore for a brand new model.

Ah, I thought they were doing well. I guess i'm thinking of last year when they were all the rage. I guess that's cooled considerably.