New Generation Improvements

[alico268]

I can't stand the interiors of the newer 4Runners. I personally hated the 4th gen, and I was so excited to see the 5th gen come out. Everything looked pretty good on the outside, and then I got inside one and was just so let down. There's just so much craptacular plastic in a $40k car. My 97 Limited's dash and trim are so much more solid than that crap.

You don't actually think the wood grain panels in you Limited are wood do you? It's the same meld of hard and soft-touch plastics that mass-produced cars have been using for a long, long time. You want more luxurious materials, you're gonna have to step into luxury nameplates.

I don't really see I big difference between the 3rd and 5th gen materials usage other than the upper-dash piece is soft-touch as opposed to the 5th's hard piece.

 

[LaO_T4R]

And I should add that I believe a TRD supercharger would be great on the V6... if only.

 

[1engineer]

I'm interested to get the opinions of the group here since I was idly thinking about this the other day. Within reason (cost, practicality, mass production, etc.) what is the one feature that you wish Toyota would bring back to the stock or available options of the 5th or future generations of the T4R?

V8? Better soundsystems? Beefier stock suspension setup?

Thoughts?

merged with identical thread.
-mod-

 

[atalarico]

You don't actually think the wood grain panels in you Limited are wood do you? It's the same meld of hard and soft-touch plastics that mass-produced cars have been using for a long, long time. You want more luxurious materials, you're gonna have to step into luxury nameplates.

I don't really see I big difference between the 3rd and 5th gen materials usage other than the upper-dash piece is soft-touch as opposed to the 5th's hard piece.

Oh man, you totally caught me thinking that this was real wood!!!! How embarrassing! Here I was thinking I had some genuine rosewood or mahogany! What a moron I must be! My opinions must be even less informed!

No, but seriously, all I was saying was that the interior of my Limited 3rd gen feels and looks more solid than the 5th gen. I'm sure it's a lot of the same materials, but the design and construction just feels and looks better to me. Plus I can't stop seeing that ridiculous Spartan helmet logo that's used for Spartan race enthusiasts in that steering wheel layout.

Oh, and that's how you demonstrate an opinion about a subjective topic such as this without needing to insult anyone's intelligence.

 

[K9Toyota]

A more aggressive factory tire on both the trail and the TRD Pro.

A manual transmission.

More front end ground clearance (lose the raked forward crap, and tuck more stuff in down under).

JBL sound system or similar available as an option.

Cooled seats in more models.

 

[alico268]

Oh man, you totally caught me thinking that this was real wood!!!! How embarrassing! Here I was thinking I had some genuine rosewood or mahogany! What a moron I must be! My opinions must be even less informed!

No, but seriously, all I was saying was that the interior of my Limited 3rd gen feels and looks more solid than the 5th gen. I'm sure it's a lot of the same materials, but the design and construction just feels and looks better to me. Plus I can't stop seeing that ridiculous Spartan helmet logo that's used for Spartan race enthusiasts in that steering wheel layout.

Oh, and that's how you demonstrate an opinion about a subjective topic such as this without needing to insult anyone's intelligence.

Not meaning to insult your intelligence with my sarcastic opening question. No offense was intended, my apologies.

 

[Runn4est]

Power liftgate.

I can see the appeal in some instances, but overall, just don't see the point. It's faster to close it yourself and if the pneumatic piston fails, you can still open and close the rear.

Last week I was golfing in NC with my uncle who brought all 4 of us in his Infinity FX50. Guess who rode home with clubs on their lap and an arm over the rear seat holding 2 more bags so they didn't roll out of the back due to the new huge spoiler? LOL

 

[jacksheadache]

Lasers.

 

[Gecko]

The power liftgate is nice for groceries and times when your hands are full... that is for sure. It's also nice because you can pop it as you walk up to the car and it's already open by the time you get there.

On the flip side, they can operate pretty slowly and I know Toyota has had some issues with the struts failing on them.

I don't have a real strong opinion either way, but assume the next 4Runner will indeed have it.

 

[Storm Runner]

Lasers.

 

[Chris1515]

I would like to see a better design of the exterior, specifically the front end. I kind of like the current body, except for the front. The Limited is too "fat" looking, and the "gills" on the SR5 and Trail look goofy.

I would love to at least have an option for some top end seating in the front. I want all the adjustments and ideally a longer seat with more thigh support. I'd pay more for such an option.

I think it would also be nice to have some two-tone pain schemes available. But I know that's never going to happen.

 

[TN_TEP16]

Supercharged V6 and most importantly, painted accents in the head and tail lights instead of that awful chrome.

And to add manual seats for all trim levels. Power seats are too slow and unnecessary to me.

 

[PWD4R]

And to add manual seats for all trim levels. Power seats are too slow and unnecessary to me.

That's no an improvement. You could probably order one with manual seats but the cost will likely be higher. I am impartial for whatever seating is but most people won't buy a $50k SUV with manual adjustments


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[Jpro256]

I just bought a '16 TRD pro. Wish it had a bigger screen but it's not a big deal. Cooled seats would have been nice. And some sort of useful factory roof rack option. (The aftermarket ones are really expensive). My biggest gripe is the old school headlights. Coming from BMW, that has been the only step back. Overall im really happy with it.

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[Gecko]

What I really want to be able to "build" in the next generation is:

Trail Premium with:

• JBL Sound System
• Ventilated Leather or Softex Seats
• Blind Spot Monitor with RCTA
• Sunroof

Based on how the new Tacomas are built and Spec'ed, I think this should be possible, but I guess we'll see in time...

 

[TeamLord]

I can't stand the interiors of the newer 4Runners. I personally hated the 4th gen, and I was so excited to see the 5th gen come out. Everything looked pretty good on the outside, and then I got inside one and was just so let down. There's just so much craptacular plastic in a $40k car. My 97 Limited's dash and trim are so much more solid than that crap.

I'd buy a next gen if they figured that out and maybe toned down the body flares a bit. It's not going to happen, but who the heck knows!

We couldn't agree more! We test drove a 2016 T4R, to see if I would prefer that over our 2003. The outside looks pretty bad ass, but once you get it.... Gah!!! It was terrible. Buttons in places they shouldn't be, plastic chunky crap everywhere. It's sad. And what is up with the window controls being way up high on the door?? Hope the next gen is better.

 

[atalarico]

We couldn't agree more! We test drove a 2016 T4R, to see if I would prefer that over our 2003. The outside looks pretty bad ass, but once you get it.... Gah!!! It was terrible. Buttons in places they shouldn't be, plastic chunky crap everywhere. It's sad. And what is up with the window controls being way up high on the door?? Hope the next gen is better.

Yeah, I think you verbalized the gripe about the interior that I wasn't able to. It's not just the plastic, it's how the plastic is used. Big clunky knobs and seemingly unintuitive placement of controls is probably it. I wonder if they did the knobs big so they'd be easier to hamfist when you're off-roading? Honestly, maybe that was their thought, but they took it a step too far!

Ah well...I'll still buy a used 2015 TRD Pro in 5 years and gut the suspension and maybe be the first to transfer an interior from a 3rd gen to a 5th gen. Haha.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

Don't ya just love first world problem debates?

 

[CO-Cygnus]

Since we're all wishing upon a star here, I'll throw in my wish list. I'm sure Toyota will act promptly on it.

• Improved Engine Choices - Forced Induction V6 or updated 4.6 V8
• 8 Speed Transmission
• Factory HID or LED Headlamps
• Larger Infotainment Display
• Wider Proliferation of JBL Audio and Push Button Start
• Full Time 4WD on the Trail

 

[Hemoglobin]

I think I would be on board for a stripped down version. Honestly, the jbl stereo is still bleh in my opinion and 2k invested in aftermarket will sound better, the suspension on a ~40k truck is going to be upgradable with minimal cost. Factory wheels are going to be heavy and expensive because factory wheels... And make the front not try to look like a cross over.

Give me a 8 speed tranny hooked up to a reliable turbo v6 (or just buy the no longer used Mercedes cast iron I6 diesel rights, that thing is amazing) diesel and let me save enough to do my stereo and suspension. oh and no funky pattern on the non leather seats. This is the first car I have owned that did t have leather and it's so much better in extreme weather. But meh. I'll probably buy one regardless and they know it.