Is this what's next for the 4runner????

[KCcarguy]

One less true SUV on the road. I see a trend forming here and my money is on the same thing happening to the 6th gen. 4runner. Take care of your trucks boys....you might not be able to buy a replacement!!! :moping:

Nissan Pathfinder prepares to cross over

 

[gptoy96]

Man, I really hope this isn't in the 4Runner's future. I don't imagine it would be, Toyota already has enough unibody SUV's.

I thought Nissan got the idea right with the current Pathfinder (well... other than the fact that it's a Nissan lol). The previous was unibody, then they went back to body on frame, now looks like they're going back again.

I can't see them messing around too much with the 4Runner formula for the next gens.

 

[KCcarguy]

Man, I really hope this isn't in the 4Runner's future. I don't imagine it would be, Toyota already has enough unibody SUV's.

I would've thought the same thing about Nissan. They've already got the Murano. I really think the only hope for the 4runner is that demand will continue in other parts of the world for midsize toyota SUVs (whatever replaces the J150). Hopefully, Toyota will continue to include us.

What I don't understand is the press and their obsession with CUV's. There are plenty of unibody/ car-based SUV's out there that are no more economical than the 4runner. The Touareg, and JGC are gas-hogs and have less space than the 4runner, but you don't see magazines calling them outdated relics.

My wife's Highlander gets about 1.5 mpg more than my 4runner.....big deal. And yes it drives nice, but it can't do the things a 4runner can.

:ybrick:

 

[jirehn]

This is really something I can understand. Thanks for the article I have subscribed to yours.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

A recent article in either Motor Trend or Car and Driver said that the 5th gen 4runner is rummered to be the last of the body on frame version.

 

[ClockWork]

Toyota will either continue to sell the 150 platform or drop it all together in the US. It is likely that Lexus will continue to sell the GX. The market for Prados (GX body) over the pond is too great for them to stop making it the proper way.

 

[gptoy96]

What I don't understand is the press and their obsession with CUV's. There are plenty of unibody/ car-based SUV's out there that are no more economical than the 4runner. The Touareg, and JGC are gas-hogs and have less space than the 4runner, but you don't see magazines calling them outdated relics.

CUV's are the "in" thing, same as what SUV's used to be. I agree though, I don't imagine there's much gas savings, they're still big vehicles. People have evolved their tastes to want what most used SUVs for anyways, grocery getters. A CUV usually has more interior room and softer ride with unibody and car based underpinnings instead of truck based.

As long as we get a few "survivors" of SUV's kicking around to keep those of us who still enjoy them I'll be a happy camper. Then again, it'll be harder to find good used SUV's as sales will go down most likely as CUV sales go up. Hopefully the 4Runner/FJC will never disappear/evolve.

 

[KCcarguy]

^^^I agree. Hopefully spare parts will be available. I could see Big Brother trying to cut availability of parts for "gas guzzlers" in the future.....the same way they wanted all the cash for clunkers vehicles to be made inoperable. As far as new vehicles, the SUV might be killed-off, but there will always be pickups to get the real work done, I guess.

 

[Acidmeld]

I dont see it happening. With the Highlander available theres no need to change over. The Highlander is the within an inch of the 4runner in almost every dimension. People will always want the 4runner for midsize towing and offroading. As long as theres a market for it the 4runner will always be around.

 

[Thai]

My wife's Highlander gets about 1.5 mpg more than my 4runner.....big deal. And yes it drives nice, but it can't do the things a 4runner can.

:ybrick:

Actually, 1.5 mpg is a big deal if you march it out over a year's drive. The lower the MPGs, the more significant every % difference in fuel economy.

Highlander gets 19 mpg. 4runner gets 17.5 mpg. Average year's drive = 12k miles

After one year (12k miles), Highlander uses 632 gallons of gas. 4runner uses 686 gallons of gas. Price for gas is $3.50 (adjusting for possible future increase).

Conclusion:

Highlander after 12,000 miles costs the owner $2,212. 4runner over the same period costs the owner 2,401...a $189 difference. How significant that is depends on your financial situation, price of gas...and also how much you drive.

Toyota will either continue to sell the 150 platform or drop it all together in the US. It is likely that Lexus will continue to sell the GX. The market for Prados (GX body) over the pond is too great for them to stop making it the proper way.

The fact that the GX460 continues to use 4runner's BOF design is a telling point because almost everyone else in GX's category uses unibody and IRS designs.

Pathfinder losts its ways long time ago...so, this is not unexpected. However, i want to see what Nissan does with the Xterra...now, THAT would be interesting to follow!

I dont see it happening. With the Highlander available theres no need to change over. The Highlander is the within an inch of the 4runner in almost every dimension. People will always want the 4runner for midsize towing and offroading. As long as theres a market for it the 4runner will always be around.

I agree. If Toyota hasn't done it yet, then it is unlikely that they will do it soon. The fact that the 5th gen continues to be BOF with solid rear axle and skidplates tells me that Toyota is not about to abandon the off-road/camper crowd anytime soon. And as noted above, overseas demand for a rugged SUV has not diminished.

I remember when the 4th gen first came out in 2003, i hear this same thing about the 5th gen being a sissified SUV.

 

[KCcarguy]

Actually, 1.5 mpg is a big deal if you march it out over a year's drive. The lower the MPGs, the more significant every % difference in fuel economy.

Highlander gets 19 mpg. 4runner gets 17.5 mpg. Average year's drive = 12k miles

After one year (12k miles), Highlander uses 632 gallons of gas. 4runner uses 686 gallons of gas. Price for gas is $3.50 (adjusting for possible future increase).

Conclusion:

Highlander after 12,000 miles costs the owner $2,212. 4runner over the same period costs the owner 2,401...a $189 difference. How significant that is depends on your financial situation, price of gas...and also how much you drive.

If $189 is a big deal to someone, that person should not be looking at buying a new vehicle.

To the Highlander's credit, it's a nice-driving vehicle and it's very spacious for it's size. Ours was also surprisingly capable in last year's blizzard. CUV's definitely have their place.....I just don't want it to be my only choice.

 

[Glock_19]

If the 4Runner goes the way of the CUV I wouldn't stick around.

I'd rather have an Outback than a 4Runner CUV. Although, the most likely scenario is that I'd just buy a Taco and be done with it.

 

[KCcarguy]

^^^I'm with you. A Taco quad cab with a camper shell would work for me.

 

[034RUNNER]

The only crossover I really like is the Infiniti FX 45/50.

Still, I trust a 4x4 SUV more in bad weather and whatnot. No crossover for me.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I thought the Pathfinder crossed over a while back since they definetly took off road out of the equation long ago. If the Xterra becomes a CUT then I'd feel let down.

Toyota will discontinue the 4Runner before they make it into another Highlander.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

I agree with what others have said, Toyota has a full line up of vehicles so they don't need to compromise one of them to fit a different market since they have another model to fit that market. The "new" Pathfinder looks more like a minivan than an SUV. Though we've seen more vehicles/designs go the way of the Venza/Highlander, there are still enthusiast vehicles like Jeeps and 4Runners that sell well. I think the FJ would be cut before the 4Runner, but that is just my opinion

EDIT: I voted "no" because my 4th gen will still be alive and kicking when the 6th gen comes out!

 

[Spiggie]

Gross design even! Whatever I buy next it has to have the big truck feel. 05 v8 does it perfect! That however doesn't look like it would...

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

Crossovers will always be "chunky cars" to me, I'll gladly spend less money on older, proven platforms.

 

[OzarkRunner]

Put me in the "I'd buy a crew cab truck" camp. Some crossovers are nice, and I don't doubt Toyota's ability to build a good one, but I'll trade some miles per gallon for a serious 4WD system.

 

[bob3dsf]

no way. If my T4R went tits up and a new one was a CUV, I'd either buy another older one or a Tacoma Double cab. When looking to replace my F-150, my wife was against a big truck since she's petite and the size was a bit of a problem. I decided to "Compromise" with the 4Runner. I've always wanted one anyways... I Win! The T4R was the only thing I was ever considering. To humor her, we looked at the Pilot. Sure it is roomier, but it's a wannabe truck and the 4WD is a wannabe 4WD. So , I remained steadfast and played up the so-so gas mileage of the Pilot and the greater wind noise, etc. etc...

I understand that the truck-based SUV is possibly becoming a bit of a niche market, but that its a loyal market segment (for lack of a better phrase). One way to look at it is that Toyota can corner that market. They already have a virtually bombproof reputation there anyhow. Proven off-road capability, excellent reliability, etc.

I also read somewhere that Nissan is discontinuing the XTerra next model year.