My realistic knowledge based prediction:
-3.5L v6 as in Tacoma but with greater efficiency and power PLUS electrification. This will allow all the low end torque the consumer could want. Electrification doesn't mean fragile. Toyota has mastered this. Expect a an electrified 4runner to race the Baja 1000 and win.
-Without a doubt, a Body On Frame, and expect it to be as as heavy duty as the Hilux but a bit wider for North American tastes. With Toyota's TNGA this is very possible and likely. See the article I posted in my previous post for more on this.
-It will emphasize overlanding more than hardcore offroading (just as it does now). This is what the vast majority of consumers want. Even Jeep is making this transition slowly and carefully despite their image as a hardcore offroader.
-Two tone roof and body color just like is optional on 2019 Rav 4 and 2018 camry. There is a line of people waiting to get this option so expect it on the 4runner.
-Possible AWD only. AWD is better in most driving situations including snow but selectable 4wd is better in others such as offroading. But what if you can combine the advantages of selectable 4wd with all wheel drive? Then you have a system better than both. Something like this is seen in the 2019 Rav4. The rav4 is a light duty "adventure" vehicle (aka dirt road offroading which is enough for 95% of consumers). Expect something like this but more aggressive in the 4runner.
-External reservoir, internal bypass shocks Just like the 2019 4runner TRD Pro with 11 zones.
- OLED rear view mirror like 2019 Rav4.
-Without a doubt the latest Toyota Safety Sense which will, at the very least, be able to bring your vehicle to a complete stop without any driver input.
-Overall, faster acceleration, shorter stopping distances, quicker turns, more fuel economy, better off road. Sounds too good to be true but as the facts show its very likely and at a competitive price to boot. How, you might ask? Toyota has cut cost massively within the last couple of years (up to 40%) while improving quality. They can afford to introduce more UHSS (ultra high strength steel , which is not the same as high strength steel) than ever before. This makes the vehicle lighter, stiffer, safer and a little more flexible from the design standpoint (aerodynamics and in other aspects). Along with innovative technologies and redesigns such as, lighter and more compact transmissions (therefore lower mounting height for lower center of gravity but more clearance due to compactness) but with much stronger internals (like new camry and rav4), higher efficiency gas engine plus electrification, independent wheel control and other features, a lot more is possible than what we are used to seeing. These technologies can be seen in new Toyota cars on the road today. They are not concepts.
-5.9GHz Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) for vehicle to vehicle communication extremely likely to talk to other cars and prevent accidents as much as possible. Cadillac uses it now in one of their newer models and Toyota uses it in Japan currently.
-And absolutely without a doubt... no diesel. Simply not worth it in an unstable political environment where the next president can introduce/push for new EPA standards.
Toyota laments that they didn't sell more 4runners in the last few years. There are a few reasons for this. First and foremost and very surprisingly, they didn't market it aggressively. Second, they tried to please too many different types of consumers, the mall crawling soccer mom and the adventurer. There is a fine medium that appeals to both but within reason. Expect to blown away my friends.
-3.5L v6 as in Tacoma but with greater efficiency and power PLUS electrification. This will allow all the low end torque the consumer could want. Electrification doesn't mean fragile. Toyota has mastered this. Expect a an electrified 4runner to race the Baja 1000 and win.
-Without a doubt, a Body On Frame, and expect it to be as as heavy duty as the Hilux but a bit wider for North American tastes. With Toyota's TNGA this is very possible and likely. See the article I posted in my previous post for more on this.
-It will emphasize overlanding more than hardcore offroading (just as it does now). This is what the vast majority of consumers want. Even Jeep is making this transition slowly and carefully despite their image as a hardcore offroader.
-Two tone roof and body color just like is optional on 2019 Rav 4 and 2018 camry. There is a line of people waiting to get this option so expect it on the 4runner.
-Possible AWD only. AWD is better in most driving situations including snow but selectable 4wd is better in others such as offroading. But what if you can combine the advantages of selectable 4wd with all wheel drive? Then you have a system better than both. Something like this is seen in the 2019 Rav4. The rav4 is a light duty "adventure" vehicle (aka dirt road offroading which is enough for 95% of consumers). Expect something like this but more aggressive in the 4runner.
-External reservoir, internal bypass shocks Just like the 2019 4runner TRD Pro with 11 zones.
- OLED rear view mirror like 2019 Rav4.
-Without a doubt the latest Toyota Safety Sense which will, at the very least, be able to bring your vehicle to a complete stop without any driver input.
-Overall, faster acceleration, shorter stopping distances, quicker turns, more fuel economy, better off road. Sounds too good to be true but as the facts show its very likely and at a competitive price to boot. How, you might ask? Toyota has cut cost massively within the last couple of years (up to 40%) while improving quality. They can afford to introduce more UHSS (ultra high strength steel , which is not the same as high strength steel) than ever before. This makes the vehicle lighter, stiffer, safer and a little more flexible from the design standpoint (aerodynamics and in other aspects). Along with innovative technologies and redesigns such as, lighter and more compact transmissions (therefore lower mounting height for lower center of gravity but more clearance due to compactness) but with much stronger internals (like new camry and rav4), higher efficiency gas engine plus electrification, independent wheel control and other features, a lot more is possible than what we are used to seeing. These technologies can be seen in new Toyota cars on the road today. They are not concepts.
-5.9GHz Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) for vehicle to vehicle communication extremely likely to talk to other cars and prevent accidents as much as possible. Cadillac uses it now in one of their newer models and Toyota uses it in Japan currently.
-And absolutely without a doubt... no diesel. Simply not worth it in an unstable political environment where the next president can introduce/push for new EPA standards.
Toyota laments that they didn't sell more 4runners in the last few years. There are a few reasons for this. First and foremost and very surprisingly, they didn't market it aggressively. Second, they tried to please too many different types of consumers, the mall crawling soccer mom and the adventurer. There is a fine medium that appeals to both but within reason. Expect to blown away my friends.
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