6th Gen 4Runner Predictions!

[4RunnerAquasport]

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.

"Milking it" sounds about right. 17' model will be the longest Toyota has gone without a body change of some type for the T4R. Whether or not it's due to economic slumps in previous years and fuel prices leveling off, sales are up higher than they have been in 12 years. It wouldn't surprise me that an 18' 5th gen body returns again. That would allow them to see what the current administration does with import tariffs and if fuel prices remain somewhat stable. I'm hearing .70 cent increase for summer blend by Memorial Day. So was that Tacoma face I've seen recently, photo shopped? or did Toyota actually put that one together?

 

[jrandom]

Flew over me? I just checked today. No changes.

Okay I will explain myself, I think it's funny when somebody quotes another users sarcastic comment with a "serious" reply, doubly so for insiderness. Failure to see the forest through the trees or something like that. I guess we can blame this misunderstanding on the lack of green text to denote one being a f'n smartass.

 

[1engineer]

"Milking it" sounds about right. 17' model will be the longest Toyota has gone without a body change of some type for the T4R. Whether or not it's due to economic slumps in previous years and fuel prices leveling off, sales are up higher than they have been in 12 years. It wouldn't surprise me that an 18' 5th gen body returns again. That would allow them to see what the current administration does with import tariffs and if fuel prices remain somewhat stable. I'm hearing .70 cent increase for summer blend by Memorial Day. So was that Tacoma face I've seen recently, photo shopped? or did Toyota actually put that one together?

Photoshop.

 

[wfo9]

Wow, 2018 may still be a 5th gen. Amazing 8 years and no change. I figured they would just stop selling it.

Here is my guess on what happened (no facts at all). Toyota just planned to kill the 4runner in the US. Just like the FJ. CAFE..... But then an amazing thing happened, gas prices dropped and sales went up. Expedition overland happened.. and all the 20 and 30 somethings who live in metro areas F(with a good income and a desire to be outdoors vs their miserable desk job) wanted something more practical than a JK. The political climate changed and there is uncertainty in both directions (maybe more import restrictions but also possibly looser regulations and penalties for selling a BOF SUV)

Uh oh, we have no 6th gen 4runner...(it takes 5+ years to get a new platform engineered and mfg) OK, lets keep making that 5th gen and see what happens... easy money, right?

Still may just stop selling them. Seems dumb though.

 

[Brandonium]

I can see that. The 4Runner base is fairly loyal when it comes to that product though is it not? My 4Gen friends refuse to part with them and are eyeing 5th gens and/or the JKU but two of them are nervous about the JKU platform and reliability.

I suppose product loyalty doesn't help Toyota all that much if you hold on to their product for 10+ years. That's an entire generation plus some.

Wow, 2018 may still be a 5th gen. Amazing 8 years and no change. I figured they would just stop selling it.

Here is my guess on what happened (no facts at all). Toyota just planned to kill the 4runner in the US. Just like the FJ. CAFE..... But then an amazing thing happened, gas prices dropped and sales went up. Expedition overland happened.. and all the 20 and 30 somethings who live in metro areas F(with a good income and a desire to be outdoors vs their miserable desk job) wanted something more practical than a JK. The political climate changed and there is uncertainty in both directions (maybe more import restrictions but also possibly looser regulations and penalties for selling a BOF SUV)

Uh oh, we have no 6th gen 4runner...(it takes 5+ years to get a new platform engineered and mfg) OK, lets keep making that 5th gen and see what happens... easy money, right?

Still may just stop selling them. Seems dumb though.

 

[1engineer]

Wow, 2018 may still be a 5th gen. Amazing 8 years and no change. I figured they would just stop selling it.

Here is my guess on what happened (no facts at all). Toyota just planned to kill the 4runner in the US. Just like the FJ. CAFE..... But then an amazing thing happened, gas prices dropped and sales went up. Expedition overland happened.. and all the 20 and 30 somethings who live in metro areas F(with a good income and a desire to be outdoors vs their miserable desk job) wanted something more practical than a JK. The political climate changed and there is uncertainty in both directions (maybe more import restrictions but also possibly looser regulations and penalties for selling a BOF SUV)

Uh oh, we have no 6th gen 4runner...(it takes 5+ years to get a new platform engineered and mfg) OK, lets keep making that 5th gen and see what happens... easy money, right?

Still may just stop selling them. Seems dumb though.

Auto manufacturers are in business to do one thing... make money right? In order for them to do that, they must provide a product that consumers will buy. Forecasting what that product is going to be several years down the road is tough. Personally, back in 2010 I thought the car future was going to be CUV and small cars. Well, here it is in 2017 and bigger is better...again. Fuel costs play a major role in this development and there is no shortage of fuel at a low cost. In addition the political climate is such that, at least for the foreseeable future, vehicles like the 4Runner will continue to enjoy a big demand.

Look at what the other guys are doing. Ford is bringing back a BOF Bronco and bringing the Ranger back too. Both are inefficient compared to a Focus but...big deal. GM is tricking out their twin pickups and rumored to build a BOF SUV on that platform as well.

On the home front, the 4Runner is selling record numbers even though it is seven years old. Right now, people want these vehicles. Sure, CUV's are popular (Honda CRV sold 357K last year) but so are the BOF Jeeps too. Jeep is coming out with a truck next year!

Bottom line, the 4Runner and vehicles like it are in demand for the next several years. I agree that Toyota was caught with their pants down with regards to 4Runner development but, like any good company, they will change it up and offer a 6th gen in the next few years. It's what their customers want.

 

[MRM69]

I say it stays the same other than a new special color, with that being the Heritage Blue from the FJ Ultimate Edition. That color would look sweet!:guitar3:

 

[sn_85]

Wow, 2018 may still be a 5th gen. Amazing 8 years and no change. I figured they would just stop selling it.

Here is my guess on what happened (no facts at all). Toyota just planned to kill the 4runner in the US. Just like the FJ. CAFE..... But then an amazing thing happened, gas prices dropped and sales went up. Expedition overland happened.. and all the 20 and 30 somethings who live in metro areas F(with a good income and a desire to be outdoors vs their miserable desk job) wanted something more practical than a JK. The political climate changed and there is uncertainty in both directions (maybe more import restrictions but also possibly looser regulations and penalties for selling a BOF SUV)

Uh oh, we have no 6th gen 4runner...(it takes 5+ years to get a new platform engineered and mfg) OK, lets keep making that 5th gen and see what happens... easy money, right?

Still may just stop selling them. Seems dumb though.

They should kill it off and just bring over the LC70 series in its place!!!

 

[Toffees]

Auto manufacturers are in business to do one thing... make money right? In order for them to do that, they must provide a product that consumers will buy. Forecasting what that product is going to be several years down the road is tough. Personally, back in 2010 I thought the car future was going to be CUV and small cars. Well, here it is in 2017 and bigger is better...again. Fuel costs play a major role in this development and there is no shortage of fuel at a low cost. In addition the political climate is such that, at least for the foreseeable future, vehicles like the 4Runner will continue to enjoy a big demand.

There seems to be evidence supporting gas price increases cause a sharp decrease in demand for certain types of vehicles, but there is less sensitivity to decreases. This is probably due to memory (we're scared of increases, so these ideas factor larger in our decisions) or the cycle of buying cars (if I bought a CUV I won't necessarily sell it when prices go down), so it's reasonable to suggest/presume that certain types of cars show greater sensitivity to gas price fluctuations and longer time to rebound (although the JK data may counter that point.)

Look at what the other guys are doing. Ford is bringing back a BOF Bronco and bringing the Ranger back too. Both are inefficient compared to a Focus but...big deal. GM is tricking out their twin pickups and rumored to build a BOF SUV on that platform as well.

I'd guess the Bronco and Wagoneer are being rolled out again as brand management, which Toyota has little need for new product. The 4R is indicative of their brand: 1 model for 30+ years without major changes from year to year.

On the home front, the 4Runner is selling record numbers even though it is seven years old. Right now, people want these vehicles. Sure, CUV's are popular (Honda CRV sold 357K last year) but so are the BOF Jeeps too. Jeep is coming out with a truck next year!

Bottom line, the 4Runner and vehicles like it are in demand for the next several years. I agree that Toyota was caught with their pants down with regards to 4Runner development but, like any good company, they will change it up and offer a 6th gen in the next few years. It's what their customers want.

I'd watch what they test in other markets; Fortuner success (or failure) and changes to the Prado will likely be your first indication of changes to the 4R.

 

[toku58]

I've heard from my local dealer that the 2018 will be the last year for the 4runners.
Anyone else hear about this???

 

[phillyd2]

I've heard from my local dealer that the 2018 will be the last year for the 4runners.
Anyone else hear about this???

Yep. Heard the exact same thing but when I heard it the year was 2010. :blah:

 

[Bilbo]

Big Tax?

Maybe Toyota is waiting to find out if there will be a 20-35% tariff on vehicles not made in the US? I don't think 4Runner sales will be great if an SR5 sells for $55K.

 

[Porqupine82]

Auto manufacturers are in business to do one thing... make money right? In order for them to do that, they must provide a product that consumers will buy. Forecasting what that product is going to be several years down the road is tough. Personally, back in 2010 I thought the car future was going to be CUV and small cars. Well, here it is in 2017 and bigger is better...again. Fuel costs play a major role in this development and there is no shortage of fuel at a low cost. In addition the political climate is such that, at least for the foreseeable future, vehicles like the 4Runner will continue to enjoy a big demand.

Look at what the other guys are doing. Ford is bringing back a BOF Bronco and bringing the Ranger back too. Both are inefficient compared to a Focus but...big deal. GM is tricking out their twin pickups and rumored to build a BOF SUV on that platform as well.

On the home front, the 4Runner is selling record numbers even though it is seven years old. Right now, people want these vehicles. Sure, CUV's are popular (Honda CRV sold 357K last year) but so are the BOF Jeeps too. Jeep is coming out with a truck next year!

Bottom line, the 4Runner and vehicles like it are in demand for the next several years. I agree that Toyota was caught with their pants down with regards to 4Runner development but, like any good company, they will change it up and offer a 6th gen in the next few years. It's what their customers want.

I agree with what you are saying. I also believe that the 4runner will remain BOF for the next several decades.

 

[1engineer]

I've heard from my local dealer that the 2018 will be the last year for the 4runners.
Anyone else hear about this???

Yep. Heard the exact same thing but when I heard it the year was 2010. :blah:

When I bought my new 1984 4Runner the dealer told me they were not going to produce any in 1986...
blah, blah, blah.

 

[05Rrunner]

One good thing should be with this body style extending so long is the aftermarket support should get better.

 

[changingtime]

next gen could be like the Toyota Fortuner


http://i.ndtvimg.com/i/2016-11/2017-toyota-fortuner-review_827x510_71478508083.jpg

 

[Runn4est]

Maybe Toyota is waiting to find out if there will be a 20-35% tariff on vehicles not made in the US? I don't think 4Runner sales will be great if an SR5 sells for $55K.

There's already a 25% tariff on Japanese trucks... Also no jobs are lost on the 4Runner, as it has never been made anywhere else but Japan.

 

[mscot]

There's already a 25% tariff on Japanese trucks... Also no jobs are lost on the 4Runner, as it has never been made anywhere else but Japan.

Yeah. As if Trump were educated enough on trade to understand something like that.

My guess is a facelift and new interior but same basic design for 2018. They can do that for next to nothing, not even need to do much testing. Ride that for a few years and see what their competition does so they know how big they have to go to compete.
I can't see Toyota letting it go if Chevy and Ford end up with bof suvs.

 

[1engineer]

Yeah. As if Trump were educated enough on trade to understand something like that.

My guess is a facelift and new interior but same basic design for 2018. They can do that for next to nothing, not even need to do much testing. Ride that for a few years and see what their competition does so they know how big they have to go to compete.
I can't see Toyota letting it go if Chevy and Ford end up with bof suvs.

You are new. No politics. We come here to get away from that 24/7 crap storm from both sides.
-mod-

 

[Antman]

When I bought my new 1984 4Runner the dealer told me they were not going to produce any in 1986...
blah, blah, blah.

Yep. Heard the exact same thing but when I heard it the year was 2010. :blah: