Confirmed: 2014 4Runner to get changes

[kirk1233]

Let's compare the 4Runner and GC after 5 yrs of use.

I traded in a 2005 Jeep GC with 149,000 miles on it... I never broke down in that time. Did need a few repairs but no major powertrain etc...

I like the exterior looks and the idea of body on frame with the 4runner. If the interior had a bit more luxury it would have sold me. (I know about the GX460, but that is out of my budget...)

 

[TTown]

Based on the new Avalon and now the new Highlander, I believe the 4runner will get a similar makeover to its front end. Let's hope it isn't a chrome bar that extends headlight to headlight. It doesn't look good on the Highlander or every Chevy that has been rolled out the last 10 years! A more aggressive grill (if done right) could be a welcome addition to an already great vehicle. Toss in a couple of new colors, led tailights and you've got yourself a mid cycle refresh.

 

[kirk1233]

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...

I test drove the SRX with a CUE system as well. It seemed to have some issues compared with the new Jeep uconnect system...

I saw the Jeep as a compromise between the Caddy and Toyota. Capability AND tech...

 

[Curt Sauve]

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.)

The WK2 is a beautiful machine, much like the supermodel in the FIAT ABARTH commercial, and most likely just as high maintenance. In reality it's a cast off Daimler platform,prettied up by FIAT,built and partially owned by the UAW. Enjoy.

 

[terminus]

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...

Amen. I can't stand digging through menus to find something that could easily be on a button.

 

[Jhalko]

Funny, I traded my 2005 Jeep GC for my 4runner after a ridiculous number of problems including some serious transmission issues. I put 70k miles on it and that was the end of the power train warranty so it was goodbye! My LE 4runner is so much better I can't believe it. Maybe the newest GC is better but I wouldn't take the risk again.

 

[MOJoWales]

On a mid-price vehicle, which both the 4runner and GC are, if you want all the bells and whistles you will have to add them yourself via the aftermarket. Some vehicles may have specialized packages that offer good value, but in the end you simply can't get something for free.
I wanted rock solid dependability, all weather capability including occasional off-road jaunts, the ability to update the entertainment technology as I saw fit, and only then figuring in value. For me, and based on the fact other mid-price SUV's do actually get sold this is my opinion and not fact, the 4runner is in a class of by itself.

Now, regarding the "what if" the next generation 4runners changes will be, IF grandma had balls she'd be grandpa. I'm out.

MOJoWales

 

[Thai]

Look, 4runners will NEVER be a Highlander...unless Toyota eliminated one of the two and made one vehicle. Remember, overseas, Toyota Prado (which shares platform with 4runner and GX460) serves a very important purpose as an all-terrain vehicle for many folks! Toyota is NOT gonna abandon that market and sissify the 4runner when it already has a perfectly good grocery getter in the Highlander.

All this fear is unfounded. Look at the LX/Land Cruiser series...people have long soiled their pants fearing the worst and Toyota still kept the BOF + solid rear axle design. Why? Because there are other folks around the world that NEED/REQUIRE the stoutness of BOF/rear axle design.

Toyota has no need to make anything else because they already have perfectly good alternatives (see Highlander/RX series) that are selling like hotcakes! Toyota/Lexus ain't stupid to introduce competition from within to take away sales of Highlander/RX.

Now, i can see Toyota/Lexus possibly EXPANDING the Highlander platform and making the next gen GX into a high-end Highlander with 3 rows of seating. In other words, the next gen GX will NOT be based on 4runner/Prado platform, but rather be a higher end RX350 with more space and luxury. Example? See Mercedes ML and GL, both of which share the same unibody platform but just different size and luxury features.

Sissifying of 4runner ain't gonna happen.

 

[philsey]

.....
Sissifying of 4runner ain't gonna happen.

"Groceryfying", as one forum member put it.

 

[KCcarguy]

Look, 4runners will NEVER be a Highlander...unless Toyota eliminated one of the two and made one vehicle. Remember, overseas, Toyota Prado (which shares platform with 4runner and GX460) serves a very important purpose as an all-terrain vehicle for many folks! Toyota is NOT gonna abandon that market and sissify the 4runner when it already has a perfectly good grocery getter in the Highlander.

All this fear is unfounded. Look at the LX/Land Cruiser series...people have long soiled their pants fearing the worst and Toyota still kept the BOF + solid rear axle design. Why? Because there are other folks around the world that NEED/REQUIRE the stoutness of BOF/rear axle design.

Toyota has no need to make anything else because they already have perfectly good alternatives (see Highlander/RX series) that are selling like hotcakes! Toyota/Lexus ain't stupid to introduce competition from within to take away sales of Highlander/RX.

Now, i can see Toyota/Lexus possibly EXPANDING the Highlander platform and making the next gen GX into a high-end Highlander with 3 rows of seating. In other words, the next gen GX will NOT be based on 4runner/Prado platform, but rather be a higher end RX350 with more space and luxury. Example? See Mercedes ML and GL, both of which share the same unibody platform but just different size and luxury features.

Sissifying of 4runner ain't gonna happen.

I've always wondered why Toyota makes/ imports both the GX and the 4runner. I would think that it would makes more sense to change the GX to a dressed up Highlander like Nissan is doing with the JX and eliminate the FJ, then market the full overseas range of Prados as the next gen 4runner. That seems simpler and more cost-effective to me. And I think we could all find a Prado that appeals to us. Just dreaming but that what I think.

 

[RobDek]

I traded in a 2005 Jeep GC with 149,000 miles on it... I never broke down in that time. Did need a few repairs but no major powertrain etc...

I like the exterior looks and the idea of body on frame with the 4runner. If the interior had a bit more luxury it would have sold me. (I know about the GX460, but that is out of my budget...)

I hope Chrysler put that Jeep in a museum because it's truly a rarity!!! WeyHey...they got one right!!! OK...lets see if it can be done again...LOL

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Funny, I traded my 2005 Jeep GC for my 4runner after a ridiculous number of problems including some serious transmission issues. I put 70k miles on it and that was the end of the power train warranty so it was goodbye! My LE 4runner is so much better I can't believe it. Maybe the newest GC is better but I wouldn't take the risk again.

Last fall we were looking to replace our 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee HEMI QD2. It had no major powertrain issues but it had about a million small issues, from the dust shield on the transmission breaking, to the flickering interior lights caused by the faulty turn signal switch, to an oil sensor needing replaced, etc.

We initially were going to replace it with a WK2, and while I think the new Grand Cherokee pre-refresh was a beautiful design the interior felt cheap, and on a whim we left the Jeep dealer and drove to the Toyota dealer to test drive a 4Runner. It was over after the test drive, everything felt tighter, the acceleration V6 to V6 was similar, and the base 4X4 in the Jeep was really an AWD unit with no low range.

If Jeep wants to really compete, then like Volvo's selling point is saftey they need to focus on quality and reliability. Make Jeep synonymous with reliability and off-road ability. I wouldn't consider another Jeep after owning the 4Runner... oh and the new "Cherokee" is an abomination.

 

[kirk1233]

Last fall we were looking to replace our 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee HEMI QD2. It had no major powertrain issues but it had about a million small issues, from the dust shield on the transmission breaking, to the flickering interior lights caused by the faulty turn signal switch, to an oil sensor needing replaced, etc.

We initially were going to replace it with a WK2, and while I think the new Grand Cherokee pre-refresh was a beautiful design the interior felt cheap, and on a whim we left the Jeep dealer and drove to the Toyota dealer to test drive a 4Runner. It was over after the test drive, everything felt tighter, the acceleration V6 to V6 was similar, and the base 4X4 in the Jeep was really an AWD unit with no low range.

If Jeep wants to really compete, then like Volvo's selling point is saftey they need to focus on quality and reliability. Make Jeep synonymous with reliability and off-road ability. I wouldn't consider another Jeep after owning the 4Runner... oh and the new "Cherokee" is an abomination.

Agree on the new Cherokee they should have used a different name for that vehicle. The front end is a shame.

If we were comparing 2013 Jeep -> 2013 4Runner I probably would have got the 4Runner. The 2014 (they got it on the lot the day I was test driving, was told first one sold in PA maybe mid atlantic) GC really seems like a big step up in interior. Hopefully I won't pay reliability wise.

Watch the 2014 4runner add an infotainment option and more interior refinements on the Limited that would have made me go with the 4Runner. Maybe they should do a "Super Limited" like Jeep has the Overland and Summit for those looking for more gadgets and luxury but not quite at the Lexus stage...

 

[vicpick58]

Last fall we were looking to replace our 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee HEMI QD2. It had no major powertrain issues but it had about a million small issues, from the dust shield on the transmission breaking, to the flickering interior lights caused by the faulty turn signal switch, to an oil sensor needing replaced, etc.

We initially were going to replace it with a WK2, and while I think the new Grand Cherokee pre-refresh was a beautiful design the interior felt cheap, and on a whim we left the Jeep dealer and drove to the Toyota dealer to test drive a 4Runner. It was over after the test drive, everything felt tighter, the acceleration V6 to V6 was similar, and the base 4X4 in the Jeep was really an AWD unit with no low range.

If Jeep wants to really compete, then like Volvo's selling point is saftey they need to focus on quality and reliability. Make Jeep synonymous with reliability and off-road ability. I wouldn't consider another Jeep after owning the 4Runner... oh and the new "Cherokee" is an abomination.

I am also a convert from Jeep to 4Runner, after owning two Grand Cherokees a 2000 that I put 280k miles on and a 2004 that I put 218k miles on. I finally got tired of all the little things going wrong.

The 4.7 engines and 545RFE transmissions were excellent an never gave me any trouble, but everything else was not quite as great.

I love my 4Runner and would not go back to Jeep now.

 

[farmerjon]

See, I'm perfectly happy with my 3rd gen 4Runner. Simple, works well, no fancy electronics. As for electronics, I have simple aftermarket stuff I can add, like a GPS ($5 TomTom from a yard sale) to the windshield, or my cool JVC stereo on the dash... Heat works, A/C works... 4x4, clearance, and a comfortable ride for me.

Don't need fancy stuff, or all this electronics. Sure, a vacuum cleaner would be awesome, but I'm fine without it. Above all, it's super reliable. Yes, the new ones might be reliable as well, but I'm saying that there is less to break.

I'm happy. I don't have to worry about any of this stuff. At least the 4th gens are still simple to be a replacement for my 3rd gen if the 3rd gens become too rare.

 

[RandyDaytona]

See, I'm perfectly happy with my 3rd gen 4Runner. Simple, works well, no fancy electronics. As for electronics, I have simple aftermarket stuff I can add, like a GPS ($5 TomTom from a yard sale) to the windshield, or my cool JVC stereo on the dash... Heat works, A/C works... 4x4, clearance, and a comfortable ride for me.

Agree with the rest, but this part especially. When I bought my used 4th Gen, I went out of my way to find something without factory nav. In my opinion - regardless of vehicle/manufacturer - they all put so many bells and whistles on the things that it makes it harder to use. Dashboard GPS for me all the way.

That Highlander is looking more and more like a sedan every day. I like the fact that the 4Runner is a "truck." If the 2014 changes make it any less of one, that would be a huge mistake by Toyota.