5th gen T4R....where do we go from here ????

F

Falls

Super Moderator
Since nobody knows ANYTHING for sure and its all just speculation at this point..... What do you think is going to happen to the 4R ? It seems to have a pretty good on & off road following.

Is it going to turn onto the family wagon/crossover SUV or stay truck like ?

Is it going to go back to a beefier look like 3rd gens ?

Smaller / bigger ??? or dare I say eliminated completely from the line up ?????? Toyota has to many SUV's to close together.

something to think about AGAIN.
 
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Maybe they'll just re-badge a Highlander and call it the 4Runner...........................................NOT!!

Why fix what is not broken, eh?
 
I think the 4Runner is selling well enough to justify its existence. Toyota has enough crossover SUV's... somebody needs to keep making real ones.

The trend these days seems to be rounding off the rear end, so that could change. But the 4Runner, Tacoma, and Sequoia all share similiar exterior design elements, and that will probably continue.

I don't know if a hybrid powertrain is realistic or not in the 4Runner. Whether it is or not, I bet they'll try to improve gas mileage somehow. The 4Runner's MPG is just low enough to make its sales dependent on cheaper oil prices. If the price of oil can go nowhere but up, Toyota will have to address that.

I would also guess that the next gen is made in North America for North American customers. Toyota has truck plants in Indiana and Texas, plus the NUMMI plant in California making Tacomas. They could add 4Runner to one of those plants or build another one.
 
The annual 4Runner sales (USA) of 90-100K units (2nd behind the Highlander) is probably the #1 reason why
I seriously doubt that Toyota would choose to discontinue the 4Runner after the current generation.

When one looks at the entire Toyota SUV line-up the 4Runner stands out with the highest towing capacity of the group.
This is yet another reason why the 4Runner is important to Toyota's SUV model lineup.

4Runner = 7300/7000 (2WD/4WD)
Sequoia = 6500/6200 (2WD/4WD)
Land Cruiser = 6500
Highlander = 3500/3500 (gas engine/hybrid)
FJ Cruiser = 5000

Personally, I would like to see a diesel engine option offered in the next generation 4Runner.
Maybe a V6 diesel that can easily handle the current 4Runner towing ratings yet still give better fuel mileage (when not towing)
than the current engine choices.

A few more inches in wheelbase/length might also be nice especially for those wanting more space for 3rd row seating or cargo hauling.
 
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I agree, the 4Runner has its special place in the SUV lineup. Sales are good enough that Toyota probably won't eliminate it and there are many people who need a real SUV but don't want the size of a Sequoia/Land Cruiser.

I expect the 5th gen to still be body-on-frame, but will become more car-like (even more so than the current gen). Toyota has been making the 4Runner more "comfortable" with each new generation, so I don't expect that to change.
 
I don't see the Toyota corporation killing off the 4 Runner just yet. It is built on the same platform as the Tacoma (new generation just started in 2005). Add in the fact that the FJ Cruiser is also a live axle platform along with the #2 ranking in Toyota's SUV sales, then the Runner has to stay for at least one more generation.

I believe Toyota would like to discontinue it but the FJ Cruiser does NOT cover enough to the vague customer area left between the car based Highlander and the truck based Sequoia. Let's not forget that the Lexus LX and GX 470 also share the platforms of the Runner and Landcruiser.
 
My guess is that they will take an evolutionary approach to the styling. Trucks that aggressive looking seem to sell very well nowadays, so they might bulk it up a little bit. I hope not too much though b/c sometimes it seems a little too much. Have you guys seen the new Tundra?? That thing is friggin huge!

I would also guess that it will have a redone interior that improves upon the already well done interior of todays 4runner. Lot's of options that come standard as well.

Oh, and maybe they might drop the v8 from the lineup and go with a more fuel efficient v6. Who knows, but I'm willing to guess that fuel costs will be a major factor in the redesigning of the next generation 4runner.

I bet it's expensive too!!!!:D
 
charlier180 said:
The annual 4Runner sales (USA) of 90-100K units (2nd behind the Highlander) is probably the #1 reason why
I seriously doubt that Toyota would choose to discontinue the 4Runner after the current generation.

When one looks at the entire Toyota SUV line-up the 4Runner stands out with the highest towing capacity of the group.
This is yet another reason why the 4Runner is important to Toyota's SUV model lineup.

4Runner = 7300/7000 (2WD/4WD)
Sequoia = 6500/6200 (2WD/4WD)
Land Cruiser = 6500
Highlander = 5360/5676 (gas engine/hybrid)
FJ Cruiser = 5000

Personally, I would like to see a diesel engine option offered in the next generation 4Runner.
Maybe a V6 diesel that can easily handle the current 4Runner towing ratings yet still give better fuel mileage (when not towing)
than the current engine choices.

A few more inches in wheelbase/length might also be nice especially for those wanting more space for 3rd row seating or cargo hauling.
Click to expand...

I agree about the diesel and think one will show up soon.
 
The 5th Generation? When does that come out, in a year or two?

Hell, I just got my 4th Gen. And the last new car I bought was an '84 Volvo that I finally sold 2 weeks ago.

Wake me up when the 9th Gen. 4Runner comes out. I'll probably need a 4th dimension pilot's certification and cranial implants to drive it. (actually, I could use those right now).

Merry Xmas, you Futurists!

JP
 
jpalaska said:
The 5th Generation? When does that come out, in a year or two?

Hell, I just got my 4th Gen. And the last new car I bought was an '84 Volvo that I finally sold 2 weeks ago.

Wake me up when the 9th Gen. 4Runner comes out. I'll probably need a 4th dimension pilot's certification and cranial implants to drive it. (actually, I could use those right now).

Merry Xmas, you Futurists!

JP
Click to expand...


LOL , the 5Th fro, what some say will be out end of the decade sometime.

Merry Christmas to you & your family:D
 
[QUOTE

Highlander = 5360/5676 (gas engine/hybrid)

[/QUOTE]

That would be great, but....

Highlander = 3500/3500 (V6 gas/hybrid)
 
JungleJim said:
[QUOTE

Highlander = 5360/5676 (gas engine/hybrid)
Click to expand...


That would be great, but....

Highlander = 3500/3500 (V6 gas/hybrid) [/QUOTE]

Thanks for correcting my mistake! I posted the GVWR by mistake instead of the Towing Capacity.
 
are you guys actually thinking they are going to discontinue the 4runner at any point soon? look at the land cruiser, its legendary, and the 4runner is fast approaching legendary status as well. i think toyota will keep it for as long as they sell (which will be until SUV's are all outlawed and burned). as far as a diesel choice in the next gen 4runner, not gonna happen in the states. if the new tundra isnt coming with a diesel, what makes you think an suv is going to? toyota has said before that they wont be bringing diesel's to the states any time soon, so dont hold your breath. i think the next gen 4runner is going to be about the same size as the 4th gen with more power and a higer focus on offroading (they have been really successful with the FJ, so why not keep going in that direction)

i would love to see a double live axle, diesel, 400hp monster 4runner, but unfortunatly i dont think toyota is listening to what i want...
 
Probably stay similar to the current gen in terms of styling with more car-like comforts. I don't think it will change in styling too drastically, especially with the transition from each past generation to newer generation. I hope the roll down rear hatch glass doesn't get deleted or IRS either.

I don't see the 4Runner becoming a soft-roader either, since that niche is filled with the Highlander and RAV4. I've read speculation that the next Highlander will be more car-like similar to a Murano or CX-7, more emphasis on on-road performance than utility.
 
Falls said:
Hybrid (lol) = scam the consumer

Don't see the 4R going there.......
Click to expand...

I do not see the 4Runner going Hybrid because it would seem that the towing and off-road capabilites would make that too difficult and costly to achieve.

I still think that Toyota will eventually realize that a diesel engine option makes sense for the 4Runner for those that put a lot of mileage on a vehicle,
those that tow or go off-road. If Toyota ever wants to expand the new Tundra into the Heavy Duty Truck market, a diesel engine option is a
necessity that simply cannot be ignored.

Only time will tell if Toyota comes to their senses and offers a diesel option for the next generation 4Runner and Tundra.
 
What do you think is holding the american diesel up here in N. America ?

Surely they have the technology to meet the requirements.
 
Falls said:
What do you think is holding the american diesel up here in N. America ?

Surely they have the technology to meet the requirements.
Click to expand...

There are new diesel fuel and engine regulations for 2007 and beyond manufactured vehicles.

While I believe Toyota could meet or exceed the new requirements, I wonder about the North American buyer and their lack of knowledge for diesels re: maintenance, cold weather, fuel gelling, etc.

Diesels require more hands on maintenance and while their engines run 'forever', you got to stay on top of them in a 'different kind of way' than gas engines.

I don't know if the American consumer is ready for this.

BTW, diesels are my everyday business. ;):
 
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I think it would help to further define the targeted demographic for the 4Runner and ask to what extent that target will change.

For instance, I would hazard a guess that the present 4Runner is primarily targeted at males, 30 to 50 years of age who can afford toys such as boats, trailers, etc. that need to be towed, desire for a rugged occasional off-road/expedition trip - or the appearance of, use it as a primary vehicle - no secondary vehicle or other daily driver and want a higher level of luxury fitting with the age and expectations.

Typically, car manufacturers grow a particular model with an age group. So I could see the 4Runner as a 5th Gen. model being more luxuious - fully on par with the LandCruiser just mid sized.

I also believe that the 5th Gen. will be green directed. Again, as we age and allegedly become more environmentally sensitive there will be an expectation of bio-diesel solutions and increased mpg.

I also think there will be even an increased focus on safety which is a focus of folks that are getting older. Not to mention the desire for better cost efficiency.
 
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