6th Gen 4Runner Predictions!

[jwkilgore]

Knowing Toyota, i think the 6th gen will be very predictable (pretty much the new Tacoma as a 4Runner). They don't really care much about this platform IMHO, They see it as a small niche product with no real future (milk it, but don't invest much). They will reach into the parts bin and throw some proven stuff they already have together.... Any R&D would be throwing money away. I also predict this will be the last BOF 4runner produced.

I respect the information in your posts, but I'm going to disagree with this one. At 76.9k units sold in 2014 and almost 80k units sold YTD through October, the 4Runner is hardly a "small niche product". The FJ was (14.7k last year), but not the 4Runner. Add in the fact that it's essentially the same vehicle as the Lexus GX (22k last year, 20k YTD) and the Land Cruiser Prado and you've got hundreds of thousands of units worldwide every year.

You're right about not doing R&D for the 4Runner, though... that's because they don't have to. The R&D is done and then real-world tested in the flagship brands first: Lexus and Land Cruiser. KDSS started in the GX, then came to Land Cruiser, and finally hit the 4Runner years later. The V8 and 8-speed auto I'm predicting aren't pie-in-the-sky; they already exist in the platform and only have to be moved over. I'll admit the V8 is a stretch, but not the 8-speed.

 

[sooperedd]

Look to the new TACO for all want to know about the 4RUNNER.

1. Will still be "truck like" but lighter.
2. Will be the same as the TACO (BOF)
3. Remain IFS and 4 link
4. This is tougher to guess but I don't think you'll see SR5/SR5 Premium/Trail/Trail Premium/Limited/TRD. I think Toyota will simplify the models.
5. Will remain a little higher than a TACO

Toyota being the leader in the Hybrid market will allow them to produce these type of vehicles longer than other manufacturers, but we are going to pay more $$$$ for them.

There are a lot of variables though; Lexus is REALLY trying to up it's game and sales. I could see Toyota wanting to use the production line currently used for 4Runners to produce more Lexus vehicles and drop it or move production to the U.S. I don't think Toyota is producing as many Tundras as they had hoped to.

 

[d_clark]

1. BOF - smaller,/lighter
2. V6 with 8speed transmission.
3. No change to existing suspension.
4. Premiums will be dropped

 

[flyrv9]

Bring over the auto folding mirrors from the Sequoia.

SD card reader for Nav and Entune updates. Just download and install!

You spend 40K for a vehicle they should be free - FSM too!

 

[elemint]

More squared look
New engine tha can get 25 mpg. (Sad that a Ford f150 can get this kind o mpg, but toyota cannot)
Much improved interior. Again, I never thought I would see the day when ford truck interiors would make toyota look like an AMC product. Come on toyota, stop coasting on your success or you are going to lose many more customers.

 

[sn_85]

More squared look
New engine tha can get 25 mpg. (Sad that a Ford f150 can get this kind o mpg, but toyota cannot)
Much improved interior. Again, I never thought I would see the day when ford truck interiors would make toyota look like an AMC product. Come on toyota, stop coasting on your success or you are going to lose many more customers.

Buy a Ford then...

 

[flighht2k5]

More squared look

New engine tha can get 25 mpg. (Sad that a Ford f150 can get this kind o mpg, but toyota cannot)

Much improved interior. Again, I never thought I would see the day when ford truck interiors would make toyota look like an AMC product. Come on toyota, stop coasting on your success or you are going to lose many more customers.

Those claims about the ecoboost numbers are not accurate at all. Most actual numbers I see are in the mid teens.

 

[Jetboy]

Those claims about the ecoboost numbers are not accurate at all. Most actual numbers I see are in the mid teens.

Yep. Ford advertising and reality rarely meet. Toyota almost always matches or exceeds the epa rating.

That said - there's no reason a 4runner can't get 25mpg highway. The Honda pilot does. The Highlander does. Both weigh basically the same and are the same size. The new tacoma gets 23 and a 4runner should be more aerodynamic. Instead of using a small engine with a turbo you can do the same thing with a big engine and de-power using atkinson cycle operation. That option is more efficient because you have a very long power stroke to compression ration. The thermal efficiency is significantly better than any turbo engine.

IMO if Toyota were willing to step up their product options, the 5.0L atkinson v8 and 8 speed could be tuned to better than 25mpg. It basically runs as a 3l ish displacement in atkinson cycle mode with very high thermal efficiency. It's should be more efficient at highway cruising in atkinson than the 3.5L with the energy demands of the 4runner. It'll never happen, but it's possible.

 

[elemint]

The 2.7 can get 25mpg if you keep the turbo out of it.

Those claims about the ecoboost numbers are not accurate at all. Most actual numbers I see are in the mid teens.

 

[Jetboy]

The 2.7 can get 25mpg if you keep the turbo out of it.

IMO the power from that engine would be great match for the 4runner. Toyota would never accept 150k mile engines though. Ford openly publishes an expected lifespan of 150k miles for the turbos and that seems to be about right. Whether that's worth the fuel savings depends on your market. Toyota buyers wouldn't be happy with it. Ford buyers probably don't care as they're generally viewed as a more disposable product.

The 2.0 Turbo is a pretty complex little package and might be a bit on the small side for a 4runner. But it should be very reliable as it's all in house design and manufacture as a complete engine package turbos and all.

 

[t-man]

I'll accept nothing less than a V8 with at least 300 hp and 350 lb/ft of torque! Preferably the 5.7 from the Tundra so I can throw the supercharger on it! Lol
Just pinched myself to wake up....

 

[flighht2k5]

The 2.7 can get 25mpg if you keep the turbo out of it.

Kinda defeats the purpose doesn't it?

 

[probos]

I think they will take a pretty "easy" route for the redesign 4Runners. For styling I'm sure it will be based on either the Prado or Fortuner -- they'll 4Runnerize it. Probably go with the engine in the Tacoma as well as transmission. I guess I don't see them sinking tons of money and time into it.

 

[NuclearN8]

1. BOF with all new exterior and interior
2. Tacoma engine and transmission
3. Same as 5th Gen except KDSS/MTS/CC standard on new LEP model
4. SR5/SR5P, TRDOR/TRDORP, LE/LEP(has KDSS substituted for XREAS with MTS and CC), TRDP (gets Tacoma TRDP Fox IP shocks)
5. 4% bump from last Model year of 5th gen.

 

[Fomer_FJ_owner805]

For sure they will put the smaller V6 thats in the new Taco because of the mandated MPG rules. So better MPG less HP/torque.

 

[Vinsil]

 

[Quentin]

What we see will be largely dependent on the regulations (do the fuel economy mandates get scrapped next year?) and the economy. If the economy continues the recent trajectory and the mandates stay, I could see a small displacement diesel supplementing the Tacoma's 2GR-FKS (3.5L gas) as ROW diesel regs start catching up with US regs. If the economy stays strong and fuel economy regs are scrapped, I could see a turbo V6 happening. If the economy starts crapping out, we will be back to the same basic boundary conditions of the 5th gen: volume will drop considerably and we will get the 2GR-FKS from the Tacoma as the sole engine option.


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[JSparky]

I'm gonna step outside the box and say we won't be getting the 3.5, at least not in the same tuning as the Taco. I could see the 2.8 turbo hey offer in the Prado making an appearance stateside.

 

[LandCruiser]

Nearly 100% sure at this point Lexus will kill the Prado GX and Toyota will bring the new international Prado model into the US as a 4Runner--probably with at least two trims, the base and the luxo barge.

I doubt they'll let us ever have a V8, then again Trump promised to make the EPA great again. Expect a spartan RWD/switchable 4WD and the typical luxury full time 4WD with every suspension aid box ticked.

 

[tobyson21]

oooh I like this game!

Ok, so I think it'll be modeled after the international platform vehicle Fortrunner. BOF.

Engine: 3.5 liter with an 8 speed. or...

I am hoping for an atkinson cycle 4.6 liter DI engine option. Coupled with an 8 speed, good for 17 city 24 highway. Regular gas. (Tow rating 7K lbs would be great!)

LE will be full time 4WD as it is today. Driver assist aides loaded up: BSM, RTA, auto cruise control etc... LED lights would be great too!

It'll sticker for 49K with V6, 51K with V8.

I hope it gets Android and Apple integration! I dont' ever use my navi, I think they should do away with it. Waze + Spotify and I'm good to go.

I hope that I'm close to right!

T