Future of the 4Runner

[Thai]

Like [MENTION=63859]gwcpa[/MENTION] is saying, the TJ is sort of the ultimate Jeep in many people's opinion. They are refined enough for the street, but still simply and ruggedly built with a proven drivetrain. They hold their value extremely well because of this. I would LOVE to have a LJ Rubicon lifted on 35's.....sooooo jealous!

For me, I am not into aftermarket modding much. Therefore, I prefer a factory rig/truck that is already plenty capable. The problem with TJ Rubicon is that the axles are not particularly strong and while the 4.0L I6 provide great torque down low, it sucks and wheezes at anything above 30 mph! In addition, the lockers tend to lag at times to lock. So, to get a TJ, you need to modify it quite a bit...but still end up with a wheezy on-road vehicle. The JK Rubi is like having cake and eat it too!

 

[M1911]

What will Toyota do in the future to compete? Easy. Direct-injection V6 for more power while sipping less fuel. Cylinder de-activation like Hondas (hopefully not! I don't trust this tech). 8-speed automatic to further decrease highway fuel consumption (maybe numerically lower final drive ratio), but still maintain strong pickup in the lower gears and thus crawl ratio. Full synthetic oil, if not done already. Smooth out the creases to improve airflow...maybe those active air shutters to improve airflow on the highway. High-tensile steel in more places to decrease weight while retaining crash strength. Further weight loss with newer technology on sound deadening and materials.

I hope Toyota does something to address the mileage. If I was replacing my '03 today I might be looking at something that gets better mileage.

 

[Thai]

I hope Toyota does something to address the mileage. If I was replacing my '03 today I might be looking at something that gets better mileage.

Of course, an easy fix may be a diesel. See Mercedes GLK250...it weighs about the same as 4runner and gets 24 mpg city/ 33 mpg hwy!

 

[Jayhawk5G]

I think the 4Runner will be safe for at least another generation. When the 5th gens first came out, Toyota even admitted that the reason why they went a little more rugged than the 4th gens and moved away from making the 'Runner more crossover-esque was because the Highlander already fills the crossover niche. There was no sense in making the 4Runner into what was essentially a Highlander with different body work.

I'm not surprised the FJ is being discontinued (there has been rumors of it since 2010,) but the 4Runner is still an essential part of the model lineup - with the Sequoia and FJ going away, there is still a need for a midsize SUV with decent towing capabilities

The FJ has too much of a polarizing "love it or hate it" design (as does the 5th gen 4Runner, arguably,) so I'm betting Toyota has eliminated the FJ in order to concentrate on dedicating more resources to building a 6th gen 4Runner that will appeal to the masses, as well as the off-road crowd. Theoretically, by doing this they will save tons of cash in R&D, tooling, advertising, etc - and with enough efforts behind the 4Runner, it could potentially outsell what the 5th gen and the FJ combined would have sold.

I really hope getting rid of the FJ brings about the benefit of more focus on the 4Runner, and does not signal Toyota moving away from off-road vehicles. I really think the LandCruiser could benefit from some love as well, I see tons of new RangeRovers very rarely do I see a 200 series LC. The LC has enough history that expanding the brand with an entry level LC would be nice, they are so expensive that unlike moving from a Camry to an Avalon you are basically doubling the cost of a T4R Limited to move to an LC.

 

[jwyshrek]

One thing you have to add here...there are less and less places to actually 'wheel' offroad.

If certain people have their way, there will be no place to go offroading in the near future.

Not to generalize, but we seem to have a generation of people who do not know how to be 'outdoors' or appreciate the 'outdoors'... (i.e., Death Valley: The eggs are out of control | Crave - CNET...take your crap with you and that's not Bambi!...seriously.

 

[Stifler]

if they brought the JK diesel to the US I would jump ship today! FOr off road I will take my Jeeps hands down any day.... for off road with comfort and room for the family and dog..... 4runner please

 

[KCcarguy]

I really hope getting rid of the FJ brings about the benefit of more focus on the 4Runner, and does not signal Toyota moving away from off-road vehicles. I really think the LandCruiser could benefit from some love as well, I see tons of new RangeRovers very rarely do I see a 200 series LC. The LC has enough history that expanding the brand with an entry level LC would be nice, they are so expensive that unlike moving from a Camry to an Avalon you are basically doubling the cost of a T4R Limited to move to an LC.

I agree with your hopes of more focus in the 4runner. I would also love to see a stripped-down LC available. Even that would be big money though. Then again, in many parts of the world the Prado (GX 460) is kind of a entry-level LC. so, maybe we already have it :shrug:

As far as Range Rover vs LC, I think it's an entirely different customer that buys a RR vs LC. RRs are gaudy status-symbols, leased for a few years, then disposed of before they go into self-destruct mode. LC's are very low-key and I think the typical buyer plans to keep their truck for a very long time. They want luxury and extreme ruggedness/ reliability in a package that doesn't say "look at me!"

 

[Jayhawk5G]

I agree with your hopes of more focus in the 4runner. I would also love to see a stripped-down LC available. Even that would be big money though. Then again, in many parts of the world the Prado (GX 460) is kind of a entry-level LC. so, maybe we already have it :shrug:

As far as Range Rover vs LC, I think it's an entirely different customer that buys a RR vs LC. RRs are gaudy status-symbols, leased for a few years by, then disposed of before they go into self-destruct mode. LC's are very low-key and I think the typical buyer plans to keep their truck for a very long time. They want luxury and extreme ruggedness/ reliability in a package that doesn't say "look at me!"

Yeah Toyota having the Lexus luxury brand sometimes makes model lineup hard because it can travel back and forth across brands.

4Runner moves up to GX460 moves up to LandCruiser and finally LX570.

I just feel like the LandCruiser name could be expanded on an utilized better than Toyota is currently doing in the US. It's almost like LC could be a standalone brand...

 

[M1911]

Of course, an easy fix may be a diesel. See Mercedes GLK250...it weighs about the same as 4runner and gets 24 mpg city/ 33 mpg hwy!

I'd love to see a diesel 4Runner. But Toyota USA seems to resist diesels.

 

[KodeRush]

As far as Range Rover vs LC, I think it's an entirely different customer that buys a RR vs LC. RRs are gaudy status-symbols, leased for a few years by, then disposed of before they go into self-destruct mode. LC's are very low-key and I think the typical buyer plans to keep their truck for a very long time. They want luxury and extreme ruggedness/ reliability in a package that doesn't say "look at me!"

Very well said about RR and LC, especially the self-destruct mode!

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Of course, an easy fix may be a diesel. See Mercedes GLK250...it weighs about the same as 4runner and gets 24 mpg city/ 33 mpg hwy!

I'd love to see a diesel 4Runner. But Toyota USA seems to resist diesels.

:behindsofa: