Is the 6th gen 4Runner?

[Martinjmpr]

I'd actually like to see a basic Fortuner with its Hilux ladder frame rebadged as a non-luxury low-cost FJ Cruiser with a manual transmission option. But that's just me.

You and me both but it ain't happening, sad to say. Manual transmissions are going the way of the dodo.

, but I would ABSOLUTELY love to see toyota rebadge the Prado as the next 4Runner.

why would they do that when they already sell the Prado as the Lexus GX? I had a Prado when I was over in Kuwait in 2004, it was very luxurious but no more so than a GX470. Only difference between the GX and the Prado is that the Prado had the spare tire on the back door and a bigger gas tank (it was something like 200l - about 40 gallons!) I'm assuming that the space in the GX where the spare tire sits is where the spare gas is on the Prado.

Either route would be cheaper for them to make happen. The "Chicken Tax" is looking like is going to get repealed, so here's hoping.

Chicken tax only applies to trucks, not passenger vehicles like SUVs. For that matter, the reason we don't get the Hilux in the US has nothing to do with the Chicken tax. Hiluxes were imported to the US for years before Toyota started making the Tacoma in California. I had an 85 Hilux that I bought new.

 

[CookieRoe]

You and me both but it ain't happening, sad to say. Manual transmissions are going the way of the dodo.

why would they do that when they already sell the Prado as the Lexus GX? I had a Prado when I was over in Kuwait in 2004, it was very luxurious but no more so than a GX470. Only difference between the GX and the Prado is that the Prado had the spare tire on the back door and a bigger gas tank (it was something like 200l - about 40 gallons!) I'm assuming that the space in the GX where the spare tire sits is where the spare gas is on the Prado.

Chicken tax only applies to trucks, not passenger vehicles like SUVs. For that matter, the reason we don't get the Hilux in the US has nothing to do with the Chicken tax. Hiluxes were imported to the US for years before Toyota started making the Tacoma in California. I had an 85 Hilux that I bought new.

Chicken Tax: I stand corrected. But I will say this: I've seen the last generation HiLux when it was new (I want to say 2007) and it was WAAAAY nicer than a Taco of the same year. This was due to the chicken tax, at least partially. Yeah yeah, different markets, blah blah, I know. The HiLux is a very nice truck. I like the Taco, but the HiLux is better is my opinion. I'm not going to get into numbers and stuff, as it is subjective.

GX: I was just throwing it out there. The next gen GX is already slated to be a unit body. This is to make something similiar to Infiniti's JX (and Mercedes GL class). I wish them (Lexus) luck, but I'm sure Toyota will not "unibody" the Prado overseas. Of course, I can't prove this. For Toyota to make a unique product such as the 4Runner is expensive and I would think it would be cheaper to make the Foretuner (small) or Prado (big) adhere to US emissions and crash standards. Of course, I also don't work for Toyota, I'm just saying and trying to speculate.

It's fun (until some takes it too seriously).

 

[ic0517]

If the rear wiper is coming out of the bottom center of the rear window glass, then the window does not slide down.

Since this would suck, it can't be a 4Runner (like that logic?)

 

[Martinjmpr]

It's fun (until some takes it too seriously).

Oh I absolutely agree. Fun to play "what if?"

In that vein, I really think the days of the mid-sized BOF SUV and pickup are numbered.

The reason for this IMO is that the makers of these vehicles are between a rock and a hard place in terms of how big they make the vehicle. Make it too small and people won't buy it, make it too big and it might as well be full sized.

This is a problem for Toyota and Nissan and the other because every company out there that makes a mid-sized vehicle also makes a full sized vehicle. So if they make the "mid sized" too big or powerful or nice, they cut into sales of the "full sized" models and since those are bigger money makers, they don't want to do that.

IMO this is also one reason why Toyota dropped the V8 from the 4runner (and why we'll never see a V8 4runner again): It cut into sales of the much more expensive 100 series LC and Lexus V8s.

CAFE is the other culprit. There seem to be a lot of strides being made in improving the MPG of full sized vehicles like the new F150 and Ram. But with the mid-sized or compact-size trucks and SUVs, there's not a lot they can do if they still want to retain the BOF structure.

The most sensible way to go for Toyota would be to do what Chevy, Ford, and Nissan have done: Dump the BOF architecture in favor of a lighter, more fuel efficient unibody design and as for those few customers you might lose because they want a rugged, BOF design, sell them a full sized truck or SUV instead.

I think it's worth noting that there was a time when the only "compact SUV" out there was the likes of the Jeep CJ, Land Rover 88 or Land Cruiser FJ40. Back when I started 'wheeling in 1979, "compact SUVs" weren't even really a thing. If you went 'wheeling you either had a Jeep (which may have been "compact" in size but was otherwise similar to a truck) or you had a "full sized" SUV or pickup (FWIW my first vehicle was a 1957 International Travelall, 4x4.)

IMO full sized SUVs like the Suburban, Tahoe, Expedition, and Sequoia will always be available, as will the full-sized pickups they are derived from. Those vehicles have dedicated "market segments" that will always buy them (companies or individuals that need work trucks, people who pull heavy trailers or 5th Wheels, government agencies, etc.)

But the "compact" BOF truck and SUV occupies a shakier space in the market. They're not as capable as a full-sized and they're not as economical as a unibody car or crossover. They're "neither fish nor fowl" and as such, I think they'll disappear from the car market except in very small niches like the Jeep Wrangler.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Just to add fuel to the fire...

It wouldn't surprise me to see the 6th gen 4runner being a unibody design. I don't think it will happen because the Tacoma is getting a refresh and they seem to go along with the Tacoma updates but it wouldn't surprise me either.

OTOH I'm pretty certain if the 6th gen is a BOF design, it will be the last one. After that either the 4runner line will end or it will become a unibody and take the place of the Highlander.

 

[Stylz]

With maybe a year or so away for the redesigned 6th gen 4runner I really hope I don't regret buying a 2015 Limited 4runner!!!!!! Maybe I should hold off another year! Crap! What would all you guys recommend?? thx

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

With maybe a year or so away for the redesigned 6th gen 4runner I really hope I don't regret buying a 2015 Limited 4runner!!!!!! Maybe I should hold off another year! Crap! What would all you guys recommend?? thx

I was on the process of buying a 2015 last week. I have decided to wait to see the redesign. We should hear something by winter. If I don't like the redesign I will by a 2016

 

[DannyLlama]

With maybe a year or so away for the redesigned 6th gen 4runner I really hope I don't regret buying a 2015 Limited 4runner!!!!!! Maybe I should hold off another year! Crap! What would all you guys recommend?? thx

Hold off and compare.

Trading in isn't the worse thing in the world either, you just loose some cash.

 

[Stylz]

Hold off and compare.

Trading in isn't the worse thing in the world either, you just loose some cash.

Yeah tough choice since I like the 5th gen now quite a bit but I know I will kick myself when the 6th gen is released! Probly going to be awesome I am hoping anyways! I was going to go ahead with a 5th gen.....sell my car to a co worker and if I like the 6th gen wait a year or 2 into the new redesign and trade in but I know I will lose quite a bit of money doing that! Tough decision!!! grrrrrrrrrrrrr lol

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

I would imagine we should start seeing some soy shots this winter. I was ready to trade in my 4th gen for. 2015 last week. When I saw these picks I realized that I wanted to wait because I would kick myself if I bought a 5th and then wanted a 6th

 

[Stylz]

I would imagine we should start seeing some soy shots this winter. I was ready to trade in my 4th gen for. 2015 last week. When I saw these picks I realized that I wanted to wait because I would kick myself if I bought a 5th and then wanted a 6th

Yup I hear you! Why it's a tough decision! I am close to buying a 2015 model and I will most likely kick myself when the 6th gen gets revealed! I just figure I like this one buy it and if I like the 6th gen trade it in after 1-2 years after the bugs have been worked out of the new gen hopefully! Not 100% but leaning toward doing this . Too bad there aren't any spy shots right now for it!! Would be so much easier! Lol

 

[LandCruiser]

I would imagine we should start seeing some soy shots this winter. I was ready to trade in my 4th gen for. 2015 last week. When I saw these picks I realized that I wanted to wait because I would kick myself if I bought a 5th and then wanted a 6th

 

[Stylz]

Why can't there be spy shots now! So want to see the 6th gen since in a couple weeks my 5th Gen 4runner comes to the dealer.....I can still back out but like the 5th gen now.....just really don't want to kick my self in the ass!!

Spy Shots Now Please!! lol Unless you guys think almost 100% this Fortuner will be pretty close looking (exterior wise) for the 6th gen???!!!
If so I like the 5th gen quite a bit better.....this is too curvy...needs more chizzled looks..lol

 

[Loadedpocketz]

I'm a first time 4Runner buyer. I plan on waiting until the January Chicago Auto Show to make my decision. Hopefully the new Gen will be there and I can take a first hand look and make my decision. I expect it will be a hard call. There will likely be some good deals out there on the 5th Gen with a new model coming out.

 

[Brique]

Hey, while we're on the topic, can someone photo shop some balls onto that fortuner so we can see what it would look like built up?

 

[TRDSmokedU]

Meh, at least they are trying. The (toyota recent) interiors are freeking horrible. Effing wow that is a disaster.

This link has some better interior shots. It looks better and appears to have more soft touch materials.

2016 Toyota Fortuner interior and exterior leaks out

 

[the great him]

from my understanding of things, and this is coming from toyota dealers and managers ect. the 200 series LCs will be the last LC the US will see, EPA and friends are pushing for no more framed SUVs. so toyota will not bring back the LC, the GX will be unibody, the new 4runners will be unibody(probably sharing the same set ups). if you look recently at other auto makers -ford, chevy, jeep, dodge, they have all gone to lower and wider SUVs all with IRS(with the exception of the jeep wrangler -but its still lower and wider). this to me speaks of the next step in evolutionary design is unibody.

im guessing the reason they are pushing and want the unibody so bad is environmental issues somg and emissions restrictions are getting very very strict and they want to keep going that way. well the issue with that is, you still have older vehicles on the road that only have to meat the criteria of the time they were sold... so i see two things here, those laws will change making older vehicles harder and harder to pass by raising their standards, and thus eliminating them out of the gene pool. then with all the new unibody vehicles out, once they are in a wreck or two they will be toast. unibodys are "safer" to both parties in accidents as they absorb more of the impact than a full frame vehicle does, and its easier to build in/design crumple zones into them... so after a couple of even smaller crashes they are totaled and you are forced to buy a new vehicle. then you have the newer "cleaner" motor and updated emissions regs... -this is why most auto manufactures have also gone away with manual transmissions in favor of automatics, as they tend to keep the motor in more optimal RPM ranges increasing both economy(mpg) and emission = efficiency.

as for this new fortuner, no its not coming to the US, its a SUV for the hilux, much like the 4runner is an SUV for the tacoma. toyota has also already stated it will not be bringing a diesel to the US. -than you EPA and us emissions. basically this is the round about way of the US doing what Japan has done by putting a ten year/mileage cap on cars over there... hence why we have the ability to get such low mileage Japanese motors to replace our higher 300k+ motors.

i have no proof of any of this, only hear say from people at toyota who have been there a long time, and attend some of the higher up meetings.

 

[CookieRoe]

This link has some better interior shots. It looks better and appears to have more soft touch materials.

2016 Toyota Fortuner interior and exterior leaks out

Here's a better link: 2016 Toyota Fortuner debuts in Thailand, from RM133k

It's definitely a nice truck.

 

[TRDSmokedU]

Here's a better link: 2016 Toyota Fortuner debuts in Thailand, from RM133k

It's definitely a nice truck.

I like it. I think the interior looks great. Thanks for the link.

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

from my understanding of things, and this is coming from toyota dealers and managers ect. the 200 series LCs will be the last LC the US will see, EPA and friends are pushing for no more framed SUVs. so toyota will not bring back the LC, the GX will be unibody, the new 4runners will be unibody(probably sharing the same set ups). if you look recently at other auto makers -ford, chevy, jeep, dodge, they have all gone to lower and wider SUVs all with IRS(with the exception of the jeep wrangler -but its still lower and wider). this to me speaks of the next step in evolutionary design is unibody.

im guessing the reason they are pushing and want the unibody so bad is environmental issues somg and emissions restrictions are getting very very strict and they want to keep going that way. well the issue with that is, you still have older vehicles on the road that only have to meat the criteria of the time they were sold... so i see two things here, those laws will change making older vehicles harder and harder to pass by raising their standards, and thus eliminating them out of the gene pool. then with all the new unibody vehicles out, once they are in a wreck or two they will be toast. unibodys are "safer" to both parties in accidents as they absorb more of the impact than a full frame vehicle does, and its easier to build in/design crumple zones into them... so after a couple of even smaller crashes they are totaled and you are forced to buy a new vehicle. then you have the newer "cleaner" motor and updated emissions regs... -this is why most auto manufactures have also gone away with manual transmissions in favor of automatics, as they tend to keep the motor in more optimal RPM ranges increasing both economy(mpg) and emission = efficiency.

as for this new fortuner, no its not coming to the US, its a SUV for the hilux, much like the 4runner is an SUV for the tacoma. toyota has also already stated it will not be bringing a diesel to the US. -than you EPA and us emissions. basically this is the round about way of the US doing what Japan has done by putting a ten year/mileage cap on cars over there... hence why we have the ability to get such low mileage Japanese motors to replace our higher 300k+ motors.

i have no proof of any of this, only hear say from people at toyota who have been there a long time, and attend some of the higher up meetings.

So they are going to stop making trucks too? Sounds like bs to me