New for '08 "Urban Runner"

I know I'm too new to make controversial posts, and I hope no one will take offense because absolutely none is intended. But does this strike anyone else as Toyota grasping at straws? T4R sales in 2007 were 87,718 versus 103,086 in 2006, or a 15% decline. So slap a new badge on it, and some fancy equipment, and try to get volume up on a product that is near the end of its life-cycle.

But isn't a body-on-frame, solid-rear-axle SUV poorly suited for an exclusively urban application? Do you need a two-speed transfer case, as opposed to modern AWD, in the city? How many folks will buy this over an FX35/45?
 
Great features, shiddy name

I like the features, but the name was developed by Toyota's department of redundancy department. 4Runner Urban Runner? :bash:

Frankly, the name sucks! It sounds awkward and looks foolish on the side of the door. I'd de-badge that thing in a minute.

Why would Toyota name it "urban" then have a photo montage in anything but an urban environment? Someone in marketing please explain. They must have crunched numbers based on the zip codes of 4Runner buyers and lessees and determined there is an opportunity to market to the urban areas.

New England Ford dealers sell an F150 New England Patriots special edition truck. It is purely a cosmetic/feature package with a few unique badges and some chrome. (new for '08 is a hidden camera lol). Has anyone seen something similar in their area?
 
BDL said:
...So slap a new badge on it, and some fancy equipment, and try to get volume up on a product that is near the end of its life-cycle.
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i'm taking a stab thinking they're releasing this because the 5th Gen is on it's way. if memory serves well, they did something similar with the 3rd Gen. i think in 01-02 they made a Highlander model which was essentially a Sport with different trim items.

rook said:
Why would Toyota name it "urban" then have a photo montage in anything but an urban environment? Someone in marketing please explain.
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i thought about this too. only thing i could think of was even though it's being named 'urban' it doesn't limit it's off-road capabilities, hence the mountainous pictures, etc.
 
Not bad, but I'd pick a normal 4runner Sport Edition over a Urban Runner. It's too bland...radio looks wierd...seats are blah compared to the current ones...just my two cents!
 
The radio definitely looks like a TomTom Eclipse AVN2210p with slightly different coloring. This is fine by me since I like the features of that unit - which include not only navigation and an optional iPod cable (in addition to the USB port) but also Bluetooth handsfree support for various cell phones (including my iPhone). I also like the idea that all the info for the GPS is stored on an SD card rather than DVDs. Apparently, you can substitute a faster, higher capacity SD card and use software on your home computer to plan trips in advance. Of course, this is assuming that the unit in the Urban Runner package really is the same as the Eclipse.

I don't mind the X-Reas badge but am not thrilled about the Urban Runner badge on the door. How does one remove a badge properly? Is this something I would ask the dealer to do? I don't want to ruin my soon to be delivered new 4Runner.
 
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Actually the Sport Edition as it was formally known as in '02 got the actual badges and tube steps were offered in the package.

It was known as the Highlander model from '99-'00 then Sport package was the option in '01 but the '02s are the only year that actually had any formal badging anywhere on it.
Also didn't the '02s have the only silver trimmed consoles??


I think Toyota is trying to spice up a slightly tired design but we should see the next gen by late next year. I think Toyota is at a crossroads with the 4Runner with balancing off road roots vs comfort on-road and satisfying the bottom line so the next gen will be real interesting to see.
 
I am extremely perplexed. As many already know, I work at a Toyota dealership, and I own a 2006 Sports Edition (with 18" Limited Wheels).

I love the Blizzard Pearl color, and have been waiting for it to be a color option. I like (not love) the Urban Runner except for one big thing....the stereo.

I have the JBL Synthesis System and it rocks....I love it. The radio in this new one is a rebadged Eclipse...which we have in one of our other cars.....it sucks (and on this one...the Ipod cable is in the glovebox). Not only that...it deletes the center channel, rear tweeters and subwoofer.

Rebates would help me reduce my monthly payments by $250...but is it worth losing a badass stereo that I love. Yes I can put in a Scion Nav Unit....but losing the surround sound.....not so much.

This is going to be one tough decision.
 
BDL said:
I know I'm too new to make controversial posts, and I hope no one will take offense because absolutely none is intended. But does this strike anyone else as Toyota grasping at straws? T4R sales in 2007 were 87,718 versus 103,086 in 2006, or a 15% decline. So slap a new badge on it, and some fancy equipment, and try to get volume up on a product that is near the end of its life-cycle.

But isn't a body-on-frame, solid-rear-axle SUV poorly suited for an exclusively urban application? Do you need a two-speed transfer case, as opposed to modern AWD, in the city? How many folks will buy this over an FX35/45?
Click to expand...

Hopefully they aren't using this version to market test design features of the next generation (i.e. turn the T4R away from it's frame/solid axle heritage and aim it at the urban/soccer mom crowd with a unibody.) Between Lexus and Toy, they have alot of SUV's and crossovers hitting many niche demographics. Are they thinking to market only the FJ for the offroad crowd in the future? I can see them try to rationalize the product lines to better suit the market.

Bottom line: leave the T4R alone!
 
BDL said:
But isn't a body-on-frame, solid-rear-axle SUV poorly suited for an exclusively urban application? Do you need a two-speed transfer case, as opposed to modern AWD, in the city? How many folks will buy this over an FX35/45?
Click to expand...

Are you really comparing an FX to a 4Runner? You have to be kidding me. An FX is built on the G35/350Z platform and is a unibody Crossover vehicle that doesn't have anywhere near the space a 4Runner does. The FX appeals to a completely different demographic than the 4Runner does. That's like comparing a Murano to a Trailblazer.
 
They should have just called the damn thing a Sport LIMITED Edition or something. :p Or they should have just kept the Sport Edition badging and refer to it as the urban package. "Urban Runner" is indeed ridiculously redundant. And again just want to say that XREAS badge looks goofy as hell. The font looks totally out of place relative to the existing 4RUNNER badge, like something out of the 1990's.

As far as the marketing department, wtf? I guess their idea of an urban environment is a snow covered mountain. ok. Might as well have a photo shoot with the 4RUNNER parked over lake water and call it a Jesus Runner.
 
It's just a Sport Edition with Limited wheels, an '03-'04 rear spoiler, and nice suede and plether seats. Oh, and the most gay badging ever. Urban Runner? I think I just threw up in my mouth.

Looks nice, but I really don't see the point. I'm not sure if I like the darker tubular roof rack and running boards. Maybe on certain paint colors...
 
wow....news spreads fast about the "new" 4runner. hahaha. i just saw a post of this on motortrend.com and now theres already a 4 page post of it on here. hahah, dont you just love 4runner enthusiasts?

im kinda mixed on this "trim" as well. its a step for the 4runner to reach more market niches, but i think its upsetting too many off road enthusiasts.

i read something in an earlier post about the 4runner turning into more of a soccer mom vehicle, in my opinion, it was going that direction, untill the unveiling of the toyota venza, i think that will curve soccer moms' opinions to get that instead of the 4runner.

and i remember the highlander edition of the 4runner as well, in fact, my twin brother has it, and that was right about the time of then end of the 3rd gen. so hopefully toyota is making an effort to come out with the NEW 4runner. i hope they dont go crazy with it though, i hope they keep the essence of the 4runner and bring back certain things from the 3rd gen that i love that the 4th gen does not have, but also include some of the 4th gen improvements on the 3rd gen. for example, something really minor but enough to make me irritated, auto up/down drivers AND PASSENGER windows. why doesnt the 4th gen have that? i love that the 4th gen does have though auto open/close sunroof as well as auto up/down rear window. id love to see the key fob also have auto up feature with the auto down feature. maybe im just wanting too much, but i hear too often about 4runner enthusiasts in like with their rigs instead of being in love with them. just my opinion.
 
BTLFED said:
Are you really comparing an FX to a 4Runner? You have to be kidding me. An FX is built on the G35/350Z platform and is a unibody Crossover vehicle that doesn't have anywhere near the space a 4Runner does. The FX appeals to a completely different demographic than the 4Runner does. That's like comparing a Murano to a Trailblazer.
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That's exactly my point. I would expect an urban user to prefer a crossover, like an FX, that will handle better and burn less fuel. I wouldn't expect a 4Runner to appeal to a buyer looking specifically for an urban vehicle, which is apparently what the new trim line is targeting.
 
BDL said:
That's exactly my point. I would expect an urban user to prefer a crossover, like an FX, that will handle better and burn less fuel. I wouldn't expect a 4Runner to appeal to a buyer looking specifically for an urban vehicle, which is apparently what the new trim line is targeting.
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I understand where you are coming from, but an actual "urban" vehicle like the FX wouldn't need removable Tom Tom navigation, so that is why I think the "urban" part of that is kinda silly lol!

I would totally buy one though.
 
Maybe they should have called it "Rural Runner" LOL

Nah, that's just as gay as Urban Runner.
 
06urbanrunner_chi.jpg

Full Article
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/06/chicago-2008-toyota-4runner-urban-runner-not-really-for-urbania/

via www.autoblog.com
 
You know, the more I look at this, the more I see the advantages in it. Yes, the name still blows, but it's basically a Sport Edition, which means you get the hoodscoop and XREAS, but you also get the 18" Limited wheels, and the humpless '03-'05 spoiler, which I much prefer over the humpback version. Another big plus is the color-keyed grille, instead of the goofy chrome grille that comes on the '06 and newer Sport Edition 4Runners.

I'd like to a see a picture of it in silver.....it would probably look really good with the black roofrack and tubular running boards.
 
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