For most people, including car reviewers, 4wd, Body-on-frame, high clearance, modability is not desired anymore in the SUV universe.
For most people, simply getting to and from work on a paved road is all they need out of their car.
The traditional BOF 4runner makes sense for people who:
a) need it to travel in remote areas
b) want it because they want to explore and go off the beaten path
c) who like the drive/feel/look/character of the vehicle.
Those types of people are in the minority, so their opinions on what features or vehicle attributes are cool or worthwhile will have little reception in the overall SUV market. That being said, I think Toyota is smart to keep up production of the 4runner, even if it is a niche market. Their sales have been strong (relatively speaking) and it certainly has helped with their "rugged" image/marketing regimen.
Also, I find myself less and less interested in what most car reviewers say nowadays. I'll listen to see if there are any glaring mechanical deficiencies, but otherwise I don't need a journalist to lecture me on how a BOF SUV is outdated and how a Jeep Cherokee crossover is everything I'll ever need in an offroader...nevermind Jeep and Fiat's subpar reliability rankings.
http://www.jdpower.com/sites/default/files/2015020%20VDS_Final.pdf
Last edited:
