Is the 4Runner almost dead?

[STLDAVE]

Just finished dong the Toyota Owner Intersection Survey and thought this page was interesting. Notice that the 4Runner isn't listed anywhere under the small, mid, or large SUV categories? They did list the Sequoia, the Highlander, and the RAV4, but not the 4Runner. Could this be an omen?

 

[jeffmorris79]

I talked to my Toyota reps last week about the 4runner to clear up some unibody rumors, and by no means is this thing going away.

 

[blacksheep4]

Just finished dong the Toyota Owner Intersection Survey and thought this page was interesting. Notice that the 4Runner isn't listed anywhere under the small, mid, or large SUV categories? They did list the Sequoia, the Highlander, and the RAV4, but not the 4Runner. Could this be an omen?

Based on the title "Owner Intersection", my guess is that because you are already a 4runner owner, they are trying to get a feel for what other Toyota products appeal to you. They already know you are interested in the 4runner because you bought one haha. Where do your needs/ interests "intersect"?

 

[The Waco Kid]

OH NO YOU KILLED OUR CHANCES OF GETTING A 6TH! You chose "Definitely would not consider" on other!! THAT'S US. CURSES!!!!!!


Notice they didn't include the LC either? It's a conspiracy.







Back to reality: They chose one vehicle for each segment. The only segments with more than one vehicle are Mid and Large SUV, and maybe one of the car segments.

 

[philsey]

My take is that this survey is done by a third party who will sell the results to mfgrs other than just Toyota. If Toyota did it, all those other brands would not be there.

Besides, to 99% of the US population, the 4R is unknown anyway. Again, a clue as to it being third party.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

My take is that this survey is done by a third party who will sell the results to mfgrs other than just Toyota. If Toyota did it, all those other brands would not be there.

Besides, to 99% of the US population, the 4R is unknown anyway. Again, a clue as to it being third party.

I have to agree that most people do not know what a 4runner is. When I tell people I am taking the 4runner they think I am talking about my Honda atv.

 

[4R Play]

4Runner is listed on the next page under "Diesel Super Charged vehicles".

 

[probos]

For a while now the 4Runner has filled a very niche market. Doesn't surprise me that it's not listed on that survey. That said it wouldn't surprise me if was radically changed for the 6th gen to gain market share or just goes away.

 

[Jeff M]

Judging by the sheer amount of 2014/15 4Runners I see daily in my neck of the woods, it tells me they are still selling well. In addition, I see a ton of pre-2014's, 4th Gens and even 3rd Gens daily.

 

[PHXTE]

Depends on where you live. They're every other car on the road out here in AZ along with Jeep Wranglers.

Toyota sold 76k 4Rs here in the states in 2014, so it's not a niche vehicle. For reference, that's the same ballpark as Ford sells Mustangs and GM sells Camaros and I don't think anyone would argue those are unknown or niche.

 

[LAB4US]

Here is a site that can give you sales figures on any make model historically to the current month...no cost, no registration at site.

Sales Stats - GOOD CAR BAD CAR

For the record, 4R sales are strong, undoubtedly more than enough to keep producing/selling the model, but they are nowhere near Ford Mustang/Chevrolet Camaro sales...

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Toyota getting rid of the 4Runner would be an epic failure on the level of Coke changing their formula.

Ain't going to happen.

 

[kittyhawksurf]

Yea. 2016 is going to be the 5runner.

 

[ihateBL]

but at the same time they didnt put down any jeep wranglers, jeep cherokees and nissan xterras. i would think that this is more cars that are mostly perma-asphalt (always on paved roads).

 

[B984rnr]

I did have a sales person try to convince me that the 5th gen 4runner was the last generation. He said it would be retired with the FJ. i kind of chuckled.

Just my opinion, but I seriously doubt the 4runner is going anywhere. Toyota has the Highlander for grocery getters, the RAV4 for the crossover people and that is in hybrid now! So the line up from Toyota pleases the less truck like desires of the masses.

The Land Cruiser sits at about $80k and isn't in reach of most people, especially for off road duty. The FJ is discontinued. The only thing left for off road duty, which Toyota has a long history of supporting, is the Tacoma and 4runner. Both of which traditionally share a lot of components reducing production/development costs for Toyota.

Combine that with sales numbers of the 5th gen, specifically the '14+ refresh and I think Toyota would be pleased with where the 4runner sits.

Grain of salt as this is from wikipedia, but still...

 

[wanderMT]

Wouldn't surprise me to see end of 4Runners (as we know them now), in the US anyway. Fuel mileage standards are about to take big jump, and take a look at Pathfinder sales after their castration.

 

[teb]

I don't think it's going anywhere.
People already have the option of buying a highlander.

 

[Cheers!]

The 4runner in my opinion needs to get 20% better fuel econ.

I have been driving around in a 2014 Chev Silverado LTZ 4x4 with the 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 engine for a month for work and it gets better fuel econ than my 2015 4Runner limited.

I'm driving the silverado hard because I'm not paying for gas or the truck, and it has 20.8 mpg average over the last 1100 miles. My 4runner which I drive way softer is getting me somewhere around 15.5mpg avg for the past 4000 miles.

Granted it could be argued that the rental truck I have for work has 23,000 miles on it (it's a Hertz truck) that is broken in. Albeit unkindly and that my 4runner is barely broken in. I somehow doubt I will be able to get 3.5 mpg more after another careful 4000 miles on my 4runner.

The silverado doesn't drive too well. But it is heavier is getting better fuel econ than the 4runner. It's nuts!

Toyota needs to figure out an extra gear for the automatic transmission, cylinder deactivation at steady state cruise and be able to take some weight out.