Confirmed: 2014 4Runner to get changes

I'll stick with my original opinion that 2014 will be a carryover model year with minor facelift changes if any at all.

"carryover" = no changes, "minor facelift" = changes, Which is it ?

A carryover refresh sounds like something a salesman or Politian would make up.
 
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Even carry overs will have minor changes here & there. But hell, we won't know until the spies come up with some credible intel.
 
Mid-cycle refresh. I don't expect any powertrain changes (engine, absolutely not - it is not yet 4 years old from a clean sheet design, transmission.... maybe, transfer case, nah). We'll see a nip-tuck on the nose and tail, maybe some improvements to the interior materials. New colors, possibly.

If they finally get off their arse and offer a special edition offroad version, like the TRD trail teams, I'd be very tempted to trade. I hate that the FJ gets all the love for special editions.

The Highlander redesign is fantastic for the intended purpose... families with 2 or 3 kids that refuse to buy a Sienna. It is a minivan that doesn't look like a minivan. That is what that segment is clamoring for. My sister in law has a 9 year old and infant twins. She asked about putting them in a 3rd row 4Runner. I said she was insane and she should get a Sienna instead. Then she asked about the Highlander. This new Highlander could possibly work because she really doesn't want a van. I have to say, though, that the new Highlander has an impressive cargo area with the 3rd row down.

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Then again, I'm a weirdo. I'd totally drive a Sienna. Take out all of the seats except for one captain's chair in the 2nd row for Essie and I have the perfect bike hauling ride.

No - the 4RUNNER is the prefect bike hauling ride! In all seriousness I think the Honda Odyssey "vacuum cleaner" option is the coolest thing at the NY auto show this year. Talk about a useful option! When my kids were little I would have our van spotless Friday night, inside and out. By Saturday afternoon, after a 200 mile road trip for travel soccer, there would be enough grass in the floor to weave a carpet and enough french fries, cheerios and other small bits mixed in to make the floor look like a Picasso painting. Have you guys ever played on the new turf fields? All those little bits of rubber? I used to think the kids filled their shoes completely with them before getting in the van. Having a built in vacuum cleaner is cool. Now if you had a vacuum cleaner and a compressor you could rule the world!
 
Sounds more like something is being added to the 4R lineup rather than any kind of redesign - maybe a hybrid or bringing the Tundras 4.6 V8 - that's my guess.
 
Hopefully, Toyota gets smart and make these changes: (it would totally make me want to buy one!)

1. IRS for softer & better handling
2. Lowered the ride so that people can get in/out easy
3. Fuel efficient tires with low-rolling resistance
4. Take out the heavy transfer case...AWD on demand rocks!
5. Unibody for better crash protection and less weight
6. Built-in vacuum like seen in 2014 Odyssey!!!
7. Power folding 3rd row and powered rear hatch on all grades incl Trail
8. Make the nose less redneck like...more curvy smooth flowing
9. Pull the wheelbase apart more for more rear legroom
10. 20" rims should standard, like on Venza
11. Triple zone AC for Limited
12. Parking sonars all around for better supermarket driving

Crossing my fingers!!

So basically you're describing a slightly larger Highlander?
 
Consumer Reports hasn't been the most objective system in my eyes.

While the built in vacuum is a cool idea (that'd be super useful IHMO,) the IRS and lower ride height are something that shouldn't happen to the 4Runner. Toyota is happy to have a true body on frame mid-sized SUV, where everyone and their mother is going to Highlanders with more cargo room. The 4Runner is a true blooded SUV in a segment consumed by unibody, minivan wannabe clones.

There aren't a whole hell of a lot of mid-sized SUVs left in the market and those that are left aren't that great. GM's SUVs have always had soggy, ineffective feeling brakes; Ford's have a ton of percieved body roll, and Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep? Well they're called Fiat now for a reason. Nissan's dumped the Pathfinder into crossover land (a shame really...) and Honda... well Honda has never made a real truck or SUV in their lives. One of the main reasons I bought my 4th Gen was because it was a body on frame solid rear axle SUV. These things aren't meant to ride like a Lexus, they're meant to have some luxury in a off-road capable vehicle for those people who don't want a giant Sequoia and think the FJ Cruiser is a little too small.

If Toyota dumps the 4Runner into crossover land, it'll be like them killing their sports cars back in the 90's when they made the celica FWD and axed the MR2 and Supra; its taken them over 10 years to come back with a honest to god rear wheel drive sports car. I'd hate to see the 4Runner fall to that.
 
Hey! Whew, luckily, other members quoted my thoughtful post!



Can't have enough of a good thing, right? :humble: Can you imagine what one can do with a built-in vacuum???!! I still want the rough & tough water resistant fabric...hey, my kids would love that! I love the name 4RUNNER...it makes me feel like i am driving the real deal. Historical name. Highlander makes me puke. Don't get me wrong, i still would love to take the new 4runner off-road, like over gravel road or the side of a parking lot! Geez, it would make running over curbs that much easier! :) But, with IRS and lowered ride, the new 4runner would be easier to drive on-road...and Consumer Reports won't slam it anymore!

You're an idiot! Go back to your country!
 
I think they should focus on the infotainment / electronics. I test drove one a little over a month ago and ended up with a 2014 Jeep GC. Newer cockpits make the 4runner look very dated. The screen is small and there are too many buttons. If I need the heated seats on the Jeep, for example, that is within the 8.4 inch touchscreen instead of another button. Being into tech and that being very important that would have swayed me to the 4runner (well a better dealer experience during test drive would have helped too.)
 
I think they should focus on the infotainment / electronics. I test drove one a little over a month ago and ended up with a 2014 Jeep GC. Newer cockpits make the 4runner look very dated. The screen is small and there are too many buttons. If I need the heated seats on the Jeep, for example, that is within the 8.4 inch touchscreen instead of another button. Being into tech and that being very important that would have swayed me to the 4runner (well a better dealer experience during test drive would have helped too.)
I traded in my 2010 Jeep Wrangler for a Limited 4Runner for just that reason. I was more concerned about long-term reliability and the 4Runner has a proven track record. I was less concerned about the gadgets and gizmos- though the Limited has everything anyway so I don't really understand your objection. The differences are minor aside from the fact that the Jeep GC would obviously produce a better on-road experience given its unibody construction. I am assuming you test drove the base model SR5.
 
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Like to see the 4R with a better ass end on it. I think that's the ugliest part of my SR5. A 6 speed would be nice along with some nicer interior bits.
 
I think they should focus on the infotainment / electronics. I test drove one a little over a month ago and ended up with a 2014 Jeep GC. Newer cockpits make the 4runner look very dated. The screen is small and there are too many buttons. If I need the heated seats on the Jeep, for example, that is within the 8.4 inch touchscreen instead of another button. Being into tech and that being very important that would have swayed me to the 4runner (well a better dealer experience during test drive would have helped too.)

Actually one of the reasons the 4runner is at the top of my list is for the infotainment. The manufacturers are way too slow in bringing the latest technology and I want to use mirrorlink on my stereo. It's already available on a couple of aftermarket stereos. It will be a couple of years before we truly see it implemented from the manufacturers and they will find a way to screw it up or charge for the features just like the entune system.
 
Careful what you wish for. Knobs and buttons are vastly superior - I've been trying for two days to turn down the stereo in this 2013 Cadillac ATS with the CUE system with no luck...
 
No - the 4RUNNER is the prefect bike hauling ride! In all seriousness I think the Honda Odyssey "vacuum cleaner" option is the coolest thing at the NY auto show this year. Talk about a useful option! When my kids were little I would have our van spotless Friday night, inside and out. By Saturday afternoon, after a 200 mile road trip for travel soccer, there would be enough grass in the floor to weave a carpet and enough french fries, cheerios and other small bits mixed in to make the floor look like a Picasso painting. Have you guys ever played on the new turf fields? All those little bits of rubber? I used to think the kids filled their shoes completely with them before getting in the van. Having a built in vacuum cleaner is cool. Now if you had a vacuum cleaner and a compressor you could rule the world!

I tore my ACL on those turf fields. A year of rehab later and it is all well.
 
I traded in my 2010 Jeep Wrangler for a Limited 4Runner for just that reason. I was more concerned about long-term reliability and the 4Runner has a proven track record. I was less concerned about the gadgets and gizmos- though the Limited has everything anyway so I don't really understand your objection. The differences are minor aside from the fact that the Jeep GC would obviously produce a better on-road experience given its unibody construction. I am assuming you test drove the base model SR5.

Nope it was a limited. I actually drove the SR5 as well prior. The limited was a nice ride. The infotainment/electronics (there is not even an analog speedometer, 7 inch TFT screen middle of instrument panel) and interior differences (not as much leather, more plastic, etc) were the difference, especially for vehicles priced the same...
 

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