5th gen 4Runner: What did Toyota delete from the 4th gen?

[ToyTech99]

Now that I think about it, that seems like a perfect way to say it:

The 5th 4Runner is now the new Nissan Xterra. The 4Runner used to be upmarket from the Xterra, but not really any more...

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I'd happily pay $36K (instead of $35K, for example) if Toyota would give me a matching spare wheel, an antenna in the glass, and a remote release fuel filler door. Hell, I'd even pay another grand for projector headlights and LED taillights.

I think the point is that they are really cheapening the vehicle to keep the prices the same. If I wanted a capable & cheap midsize SUV without all the nice features, I'd buy a Nissan Xterra. Seems to me that this is the market that Toyota is targeting now.

I agree but the general public might not and Toyota did say it was returning to it's rugged roots with the 5th gen which might be a nicer way to say "cheapening".
I like the new 4Runner but I'm also still driving a 3rd gen;I do like 4th gens too and they do have some nice creature comforts but most aren't on my must have list.

 

[4Funnr]

They deleted the douchey-soft front hood and corners.

Thankfully they made the 4runner look masculine again.

 

[ToyTech99]

I like the new 4Runner but I'm also still driving a 3rd gen;I do like 4th gens too and they do have some nice creature comforts but most aren't on my must have list.

Yeah, I think we just tend to get spoiled with the features we have and we don't really like to do without them once we've had them.

I'm sure Toyota would rather have their customers move "up" to more expensive vehicles (maybe Land Cruiser or Sequioia) instead of the same people buying 4Runners over and over again. That way they can keep the price of 4Runners low for the younger people and then they hope that current 4Runner owners will move to bigger and more expensive Toyota vehicles. That's the same strategy that you see in Mercedes with their C-class and BMW with their 3-series vehicles.

 

[dxntxn]

They deleted the douchey-soft front hood and corners.

Thankfully they made the 4runner look masculine again.

:iagree: I owned 1st, 2nd and 3rd gens. Didn't buy the 4th gen because of its looks. I'm liking the overall looks of the 5th gen. I wish it were closer to the 3rd gen in size.

 

[ToyTech99]

They deleted the douchey-soft front hood and corners.

Thankfully they made the 4runner look masculine again.

As hard as I tried, I just couldn't figure out what you're saying in regards to the hood. Here's a 4th gen hood and a 3rd gen hood. What do you mean by "douchey-soft" hood and corners? I don't see anything that could be described as "douchey-soft" on either of the last two generations.

 

[4Funnr]

I don't know. Something about the past several years, they just seem to look like suppositories in the front. I just didn't like the 4th gen. It's appearance was the only reason I never bought one. I'm just glad they made it look masculine now. That's all I'm suggesting.

 

[andycapp]

I'd happily pay $36K (instead of $35K, for example) if Toyota would give me a matching spare wheel, an antenna in the glass, and a remote release fuel filler door. Hell, I'd even pay another grand for projector headlights and LED taillights.

All of those can be pretty easily fixed with the 2011 or more likely 2012 model if Toyota sees fit. If you really aren't in the market for a new car, just wait and see what the 2012 model brings.

One of my previous cars was a 350Z and I think Nissan did a nice job evolving the car with each model year. I was disappointed when the 2004 model year changes didn't have a few of the things I wanted (like high-beam HIDs and LED tails), but I bought the car anyway. Both of those 'issues' were fixed with the changes made in 2005. Sure I was a bit bummed, but the HID high-beams and the LED tails for the 2005s were plug-and-play with the 2004 and 2003 model years. Let's hope the same thing happens for the 4Runner.

As for the spare with a matching rim, I don't think many manufacturers are doing that anymore, unfortunately. BMW was on the of the last few and I think they are mostly just putting out cars with run-flats these days. You could pretty easily get one though if you like, so that sounds like a solvable problem.

 

[ToyTech99]

All of those can be pretty easily fixed with the 2011 or more likely 2012 model if Toyota sees fit. If you really aren't in the market for a new car, just wait and see what the 2012 model brings.

One of my previous cars was a 350Z and I think Nissan did a nice job evolving the car with each model year. I was disappointed when the 2004 model year changes didn't have a few of the things I wanted (like high-beam HIDs and LED tails), but I bought the car anyway. Both of those 'issues' were fixed with the changes made in 2005. Sure I was a bit bummed, but the HID high-beams and the LED tails for the 2005s were plug-and-play with the 2004 and 2003 model years. Let's hope the same thing happens for the 4Runner.

As for the spare with a matching rim, I don't think many manufacturers are doing that anymore, unfortunately. BMW was on the of the last few and I think they are mostly just putting out cars with run-flats these days. You could pretty easily get one though if you like, so that sounds like a solvable problem.

Well, the point is that we already HAD these things and Toyota seems to have decided that it's okay to get rid of features on a new generation, probably so that they can bring them back as part of a mid-cycle refresh. So if we really want all the features that we'd otherwise miss, then we'll have to wait and hope that they return in a few years.

As for the matching spare wheel, I think it was a nice move that every 4th gen came with one standard. Either way, we still NEED a fullsize matching spare tire because runflats are not suitable for SUVs with offroad intentions. In fact, there are many offroad parks that won't even let you in UNLESS you have a fullsize spare tire. But yeah, I can live with a steel wheel as long as the spare tire is the same size as the other tires. It just sucks that they cut the matching wheel, but as others have already said, they had to cut these kind of things to keep the price down. But I still stand by my thought that I'd pay a little more to have had those things stay in the first place. Luckily, it's fairly easy to find and purchase a matching spare wheel after the fact. I put 17" FJ wheels on my 4Runner and when I purchased them I actually got 5 of them so that I would have all matching wheels/tires.

 

[alaskaman]

I don't know. Something about the past several years, they just seem to look like suppositories in the front.

That is the f'n funniest thing I have ever read here.:hatsoff:

 

[alaskaman]

Burger tray? Boy,some of you guys have been way too pampered to complain about the lack of something so trivial. hehe

Maybe Toyota should add a panty holder for you guys too. :whipping2 j/k

Now hold on just a minute. That is the 2nd funniest thing I have ever read here. {Panty Holder:wow2:

Just speaking for myself there is a hard rule in my Runner NO panties on the burger tray. If the panties come off they are out the closest window.:girl:

 

[Uneek]

Maybe Toyota should add a panty holder for you guys too. :whipping2 j/k

I thought all vehicles sold in the US have that... the rear-view mirror, mine has auto dimming too. :lol:

You guys would never survive in a 3rd gen even a Limited version.

Well, if Toyota was trully "moving forward" with the 5th, I think there would be less complaints, not to mention we can't miss something we never had.

Toyota had to keep costs down and that's simply how it is and yes some loss of options do suck but if Toyota can keep the SR5 in the $35k price range (like they were back in '98) then I think that's pretty good and you still get more than you did back then for $35k and better technology and they are much safer.

I guess the 5th gen will make some of you move on to another Toyota or brand but I'm simply happy the 5th gen still retained it's off road prowess and didn't become another pavement pounding Highlander sibling.

What Toyota should've done is introduce a stripped model and badge it a DX or CE (cheap edition?), so the entry price to a 4Runner is the same. If the cost of upgrades has to be passed on, then do so. I prefer not to see a vehicle go backwards in terms of features.

 

[qs933]

Well, if Toyota was trully "moving forward" with the 5th, I think there would be less complaints, not to mention we can't miss something we never had.

If you look back at the introduction of the 4th Gen, you'll find a lot of complaints too.

Look how much bigger it is!
What's with the squared-off wheel wells?
Why do the taillights have a pinkish tint?
I can't see the gauges without turning on the headlights.

They also removed some features -- the color-matched mirrors on the SR5 and the passenger side auto-down window.

I don't agree with some of the choices made on the 5th Gen -- the hard plastic dash and door panels, the mast antenna, the non-locking fuel door -- but I think Toyota made the decisions it needed to make to release a vehicle they felt would be price and feature competitive.

 

[eskimochaos]

How the hell is everyone commenting on the interior from just pictures? Hvae any of you even sat in it?

 

[ToyTech99]

If you look back at the introduction of the 4th Gen, you'll find a lot of complaints too.

Look how much bigger it is!

Yeah, it was a little bigger, but that's true of EVERY new generation, including the 5th.

What's with the squared-off wheel wells?
Why do the taillights have a pinkish tint?

Those complaints are about styling, not about features/options. It's funny that Toyota did change the wheel well openings to make them more rounded and changed the taillights to LED style with a darker red lens.

I can't see the gauges without turning on the headlights.

This was fixed right away by simply having the instrument illumination turn on whenever the engine was running.

They also removed some features -- the color-matched mirrors on the SR5 and the passenger side auto-down window.

I don't agree with some of the choices made on the 5th Gen -- the hard plastic dash and door panels, the mast antenna, the non-locking fuel door -- but I think Toyota made the decisions it needed to make to release a vehicle they felt would be price and feature competitive.

 

[xravexboix]

Did someone mention the rear trash bag holder on the 4th? That thing is useless. Do they still have it in the 5th?

It's gone. Just a solid rear to the console box now... vents are still there though.

Is the Burger Tray still there on the 5th Gen?

I love that little feature, I use it every day. It's little things like that, is why I love my 04.

From everything I've been reading on the 5th Gen, there is no way I'll ever consider "upgrading" to this new generation. Toyota cut just too many corners on it, to save them costs.

The burger tray (part of the front console lid) is gone. The burger tray (part of the rear "armrest/cupholder contraption") is also gone. The new rear armrest looks quite nice though.

-----

I finally got to sit in one yesterday (factory reps came by). 1 SR5 and 1 Limited model. I saw a TE (base TE) a week or so ago, but no reps were around so I didn't want to jump in someone's car, haha.

1. Deleted "pull strap" from the rear hatch. Not a problem for me, but would be for shorter people. The model I saw was a pre-production, so it may be in the production model... but it was a bit disappointing to not see it.

2. Gauges - A faux carbon fiber look. Not really my thing, but some will like it. I prefer the 4th's style.

3. Added Party-Mode button- though I don't tail gate, the button's official "Party Mode" designation will definitely be a conversation starter for years to come.

4. Feel of buttons - I'm not a fan of the oversized buttons...

 

[qs933]

Yeah, it was a little bigger, but that's true of EVERY new generation, including the 5th.

The 4th Gen wasn't just a little bigger. Width went from 66 inches to 75 inches. Length went from 183 to 189. Weight went from 3.7K to 4K. I remember people grumbling about how the 4Runner "ballooned" between gens.

Other than weight (increased from 4K to 4.4K), the 5th Gen is just marginally larger (width, length, height) than the 4th.

Those complaints are about styling, not about features/options. It's funny that Toyota did change the wheel well openings to make them more rounded and changed the taillights to LED style with a darker red lens.

This was fixed right away by simply having the instrument illumination turn on whenever the engine was running.

The point is, the 4th Gen wasn't perfect at launch either. While I doubt that they'll move back to a locking fuel door (the 4th Gen was the exception in Toyota's truck lineup) or change to soft-touch materials for the dash, I'm sure we'll see the typical tweaks and improvements over the 5th Gen's lifecycle.

 

[MikesToy]

I'm surprised there's no handle on the driver's side.

 

[ToyTech99]

The 4th Gen wasn't just a little bigger. Width went from 66 inches to 75 inches. Length went from 183 to 189. Weight went from 3.7K to 4K. I remember people grumbling about how the 4Runner "ballooned" between gens.

.

Not sure where you got your numbers, but they are quite a bit more than the numbers I got from my Toyota brochures. I used to have a 2000 Limited 4WD and I now have a 2004 Sport Edition 4WD. Here are the numbers straight out of the brochures for both of my 4Runners:

Width:
2004 - 73.8"
2000 - 70.9"

Height:
2004 - 71.6"
2000 - 69.3"

Length:
2004 - 189.0"
2000 - 183.3"

Curb Weight:
2004 - 4330
2000 - 3995

So I'm not sure what you're talking about when you say the 4th gen is MUCH bigger than the 3rd gen. If anything, it's marginally bigger at best. Parked next to one another, the 4th gen and the 3rd gen appear to be very close in size. It's not like the 4th gen looks a lot bigger or anything, and the numbers certainly prove that too.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The 4th gens do look bigger and a 6" lenght increase is pretty significant but it's not like the 4th gens became a tank.

Here's J.A.'s site pics with his 3rd and 4th gens but I'd like to see a side by side shot from the front but the 4th gens are definetly bigger even just by first glance. Click the pics to enlarge.
http://www.top4runners.com/ja/2007/lift.html