BlackWorksInc
New member
Less real world performance with better efficiency and a large question mark on reliability and modability. Not many people are modifying their hybrids for over-land use, or dragging their lovely 500v aluminum cable undersides all over rocks and such. Throw out any hope of performance modifications, and possibly a lot of other modifications that will not play nice with the Hybrid system.
I like the idea of beefy electric motors for delicious low-end torque, but I also am familiar with how all the Toyota Hybrids drive and feel; the new 2021 Sienna is nice and you almost don't notice the lack of a V6, except ironically on acceleration; there's a little bit of a "lag" in power between the motor passing off to direct engine power, my guess it's Toyota's lovely algorithm to squeeze out more MPG vs. performance.
Bottom line, Toyota is very conservative; a Hybrid 4Runner means a Hybrid Highlander with Body on Frame (assuming they won't try and squeeze the 4Runner onto the TNGA platform and just make it unibody like most everyone else has with their Mid-Sized SUVs.) It should be clear by Toyota axing the Land Cruiser and getting rid of the V8 in the Tundra that they have no desire to pursue performance in their vehicles, even the FRS is underpowered and let's not even talk about the rebranded BMW (seriously, that thing is both a nightmare and a headache all wrapped in one.) I would love to be wrong, we'll see when the new Tundra comes out; that'll give us some glimmer of hope that the 4Runner won't be relegated to a sad future ending in the same fate as the Land Cruiser.
