6th gen 2017 4R, will it exist?

[Cheers!]

the Fortuner looks like an evolution of the current Prado they offer everywhere else in this world but North America.

I'd be curious what is happening inside toyota. They probably thought gas prices were going to continue to sky rocket and took their eyes off the truck market to focus on hybrids/EV/hydro etc... Next thing you know gasoline prices here in USA is about to dip below $1/gallon.

Toyota might have been caught with their pants down and still at the drawing boards and trying to frantically get tooling and factories setup for the next gen trucks. That plus OEM suppliers, logistics etc... that all takes time.

The F150 aluminum body and the ecoboost is pretty damn good these days, and I see a lot of new Ford Explorers on the road.

 

[rok medic]

4Runner is an institutional item may it never be changed -ha

 

[Gecko]

I've been poking around a bit in the Tacoma forums and I'm not so sure about that new 3.5L V6/6AT combo. There are a number of complaints about jerking and slipping with the transmission and evidently the MPG is about even with the 2nd gen Tacomas, despite the Atkinson cycle whizbangery and extra gear in the tranny.

While I am eager for more than 5 gears in the next 4Runner, hopefully Toyota has the issues ironed out in that transmission before it goes into the 4Runner, or there will be something different all together (8AT?).

 

[wsgoat]

I've been poking around a bit in the Tacoma forums and I'm not so sure about that new 3.5L V6/6AT combo. There are a number of complaints about jerking and slipping with the transmission and evidently the MPG is about even with the 2nd gen Tacomas, despite the Atkinson cycle whizbangery and extra gear in the tranny.

While I am eager for more than 5 gears in the next 4Runner, hopefully Toyota has the issues ironed out in that transmission before it goes into the 4Runner, or there will be something different all together (8AT?).

I think the 5th gen 4R has the potential to become a very desirable vehicle based on current available information. The 4/5 combo in the gen 5 is a known "bullet-proof" setup, with a large fan club. The 2017 4R will likely be the last of the breed. Based on the lackluster reviews of the new 3.5/6 combo and how the pending gen 6 re-design pans out, the gen 5 4R could become the next Toyota icon.

 

[JeffMerr]

the Fortuner looks like an evolution of the current Prado they offer everywhere else in this world but North America.

I'd be curious what is happening inside toyota. They probably thought gas prices were going to continue to sky rocket and took their eyes off the truck market to focus on hybrids/EV/hydro etc... Next thing you know gasoline prices here in USA is about to dip below $1/gallon.

Toyota might have been caught with their pants down and still at the drawing boards and trying to frantically get tooling and factories setup for the next gen trucks. That plus OEM suppliers, logistics etc... that all takes time.

The F150 aluminum body and the ecoboost is pretty damn good these days, and I see a lot of new Ford Explorers on the road.

The Ford Explorer is absolute garbage. I drive one for work and can't stand it. Probably the worst excuse of a "SUV" I've ever driven.

 

[sn_85]

The Ford Explorer is absolute garbage. I drive one for work and can't stand it. Probably the worst excuse of a "SUV" I've ever driven.

Whether or not you like it the thing sells, that's all that matters. I'm pretty sure Ford is quite pleased with the Explorer sales figures right now. If 4Runner sales decline or don't show any growth you can bet that either it'll become the next Pathfinder or they'll drop it completely.

 

[invisible4Runner]

If 4Runner sales decline or don't show any growth you can bet that either it'll become the next Pathfinder or they'll drop it completely.

Considering the 4Runner just had it's best sales year in nearly 10yrs, maybe it's more likely the Pathfinder will get rebuilt as a BOF.

 

[CO-Cygnus]

I doubt they'd re-do the Pathfinder as BoF.

They did, however, just redesign the Armada and it is still BoF.

 

[wfo9]

I've been poking around a bit in the Tacoma forums and I'm not so sure about that new 3.5L V6/6AT combo. There are a number of complaints about jerking and slipping with the transmission and evidently the MPG is about even with the 2nd gen Tacomas, despite the Atkinson cycle whizbangery and extra gear in the tranny.

While I am eager for more than 5 gears in the next 4Runner, hopefully Toyota has the issues ironed out in that transmission before it goes into the 4Runner, or there will be something different all together (8AT?).

I warned people the new 3.5 would be a dud and it is starting to sound like my predictions were correct.

I recently saw a light towing test (5k...) where that had the Tacoma vs a full size Chevy vs Ford... The chevy got like 30+% better mpg despite having the v8 and being full size.... Not a perfect test, but I was surprised how bad the Tacoma with the 3.5 did for mpg while towing.

 

[CoMtn4Runner]

I would love to see a 6th Gen with a more powerful engine option. Sure better mpg would be great, but I would be fine with similar gas milage with a boost in power. People don't seem to mind the gas milage given sales have done as well as they have, but it seems like the common complaint is the power and not having a v8 option.

 

[GIJOE]

The Ford Explorer is absolute garbage. I drive one for work and can't stand it. Probably the worst excuse of a "SUV" I've ever driven.

I have two buddies that are running the Eco boost in there f150s and both have had major engine problems. Thankfully they were under warranty or Ford said the fix would have been between $5000-$8000. It happened twice to my one buddy and once to the other. All together they were without there trucks for 2 months for all 3 services. People buy fords because of commercials and because they give massive discounts on them. Why discounts? Because they weren't worth the original asking price in the first place.
You get what you pay for people!

 

[jgs9455]

Ford brining back Bronco

Ford is also supposedly bringing back the Bronco. Not sure if it will be a full-size V8 or a small Jeep Wrangler competitor. Will be another option for me to weigh.

 

[JeffMerr]

I have two buddies that are running the Eco boost in there f150s and both have had major engine problems. Thankfully they were under warranty or Ford said the fix would have been between $5000-$8000. It happened twice to my one buddy and once to the other. All together they were without there trucks for 2 months for all 3 services. People buy fords because of commercials and because they give massive discounts on them. Why discounts? Because they weren't worth the original asking price in the first place.
You get what you pay for people!

Even though I never owned a Ford I thought they always had good looking designs and could picture myself owning one down the road. That was until I drove a newer Taurus for work and now the new Explorer. We had a new explorer in the shop about 3 months after we got it. Both the Taurus and Explorer drive like crap and are complete turds when cornering or doing anything other than 65mph on the freeway. Not to mention the interior is incredibly cheap feeling. I feel that the Explorer is appealing to an entirely different demographic than the 4runner. I would think someone considering an explorer would likely be comparing it more to a highlander than a 4runner.

 

[sf jakey]

Way OT here, but I also own a 2011 f350 powerstroke, first year of the new engine. It has been nothing short of amazing, beyond comfortable, and blows away my previous 2 Duramax trucks in reliability and towing. I'm sold on Ford because of this truck, and look forward to what the new Bronco will be. From what I've seen of the new Tacoma, Toyota better just stick with the 5th gen 4runner because if the Tacoma is the best they can muster, the brand has lost its way.

 

[elemint]

Maybe so, but the new F150's are WAY ahead of Toyota in interior quality and features. I NEVER thought I would ever see the day when Ford (the lamest interiors ever, outside of the 70'S AMC and Dodge interiors), would beat the Japanese in interior design. For this I give Ford a huge thumbs up. I would never buy any American first year production vehicle, but I think by next 2017 the bugs should be mostly worked out and at that point will consider buying one, probably with the 5.0. I think the 4runners are the best vehicles ever, but what we are getting for the money is starting to come into question. And I am a guy who would be fine with manual windows. What ecoboost engines do your friends have?

I have two buddies that are running the Eco boost in there f150s and both have had major engine problems. Thankfully they were under warranty or Ford said the fix would have been between $5000-$8000. It happened twice to my one buddy and once to the other. All together they were without there trucks for 2 months for all 3 services. People buy fords because of commercials and because they give massive discounts on them. Why discounts? Because they weren't worth the original asking price in the first place.
You get what you pay for people!

 

[audiciter]

Maybe so, but the new F150's are WAY ahead of Toyota in interior quality and features. I NEVER thought I would ever see the day when Ford (the lamest interiors ever, outside of the 70'S AMC and Dodge interiors), would beat the Japanese in interior design. For this I give Ford a huge thumbs up. I would never buy any American first year production vehicle, but I think by next 2017 the bugs should be mostly worked out and at that point will consider buying one, probably with the 5.0. I think the 4runners are the best vehicles ever, but what we are getting for the money is starting to come into question. And I am a guy who would be fine with manual windows. What ecoboost engines do your friends have?

A pretty modest F150 XLT with 4wd is also approaching $45-48k. We're talking cloth seats, split bench with console, 4-door.

My parents new fusion interior materials feel like junk, honestly. I haven't been in a newer than 2012 F-150 so I don't know what they have done there but it wasn't much different then.

I also hear a lot of people say toyota is missing out on a lot of technology and features. The only technology I can say that would be nice to have on my TE would be the dual climate controls but that is minor. I have heated mirrors, heated wipers, backup camera, nav, sat radio, usb, etc. What other technology are we looking for?

 

[-JD-]

Don't fall for it guys.

As someone who owned a 2011 TE and traded it in for a new Ram ecodiesel, I too was swayed by the luxurious interior, high quality materials, ample features, abundant technology, and high tech drive train (More power AND better economy). After owning it for a few years now I haven't had many issues, but spending the last few years on the forums it seems like a few times a week you would see a post pop up of someone having a serious issue with a critical component. The truck looks and drives great, touch and feel of everything is great, but after a while you really start to get the impression that the old Chrysler adage will hold true; "It's a great car...when its running".

Most people seem to get terrible service from Chrysler. Parts availability is terrible keeping people waiting months without their brand new trucks and repair costs out of warranty can get to be astronomical. I've read more horror stories about dealing with lemon law buybacks, hiring lawyers and fighting the manufacturer in the last two years than I have seen in a decade on Toyota forums.

After a few years of ownership I'm starting to feel lucky to have had a problem free experience and have decided not to push that luck and trade it in while it still has some value and get back in a 4Runner. (I'm also worried that once these trucks, launched in 2014, start to hit the used market out of warranty their value will plummet. I'm not sure this complicated engine makes sense to buy without warranty). Sure, i'll be giving up some features, power and fuel economy. I'll have a dash thats made of hard plastic rather than covered in padded leather *gasp*, but I'll also have a vehicle that I feel confident taking out into the back country, that I know is unlikely to hit me with huge repair costs during ownership, and I feel more confident about my ability to repair myself if I do have issues.

I too used to be one of those people denigrating Toyota for their 'old' 4L and 5spd transmission when other brands are putting newer, much more advanced drivetrains in their vehicles these days. But I've come to realize that this is exactly why I, and I think so many others, like Toyota's in the first place; Proven dependability. Say what you want about the 4runner powertrain, but at this point you cant really say it doesn't have a proven record, and there is a lot of value in that, at least to me.

 

[amheck]

I'm having a tough time with this, too. I currently drive a 2004 4Runner Limited and would like to buy a new truck this year. I like the 4Runner, but I feel that it lacks some technology for a $43k truck. The Durango looks nice, but yeah, I'm just not sure about the durability. The Pilot has some really nice features, but I'm not sure about driving around town in one of those. ound:

I'm hoping 2017 will add a couple nice things to the 4Runner, so I'll hold off until then.

Subscribing here, hopefully we hear about the 2017 soon.

 

[dekeman]

By all accounts, the 2017 will also be a carryover, with the 2018 being the new 6th Gen. Meantime, don't overlook the Tundra. Best truck for the buck.

(And no one here will care, but wow, I just matched my post number (993) with my favourite car!!)

 

[Quentin]

Don't fall for it guys.



As someone who owned a 2011 TE and traded it in for a new Ram ecodiesel...(More power AND better economy).

270>240. Power and torque are not interchangable.





I'll grant you that diesel is more efficient, though.