TLar25
New member
Nobody asked, but here are my thoughts on the new 6th gen anyway (which I'm somehow just seeing today for the first time).
- The styling is ok, it's like a blend between 4th and 5th gen. I never liked the styling of the 4th gen but I do mostly like this.
- I don't like the laid back angle of the windshield or the curve on the hood.
- While I am a little apprehensive of the small displacement/high output turbo engines, these are still built in Japan so I expect them to be reliable (more than the 3rd Gen Tundra and Sequoia).
- The new Trailhunter trim looks really nice (despite some of the corny interior decorations).
- Mudbath and Everest both look incredible.
I am probably not seriously in the market for one of these. I'm still daily driving my 2000 Limited with something like 230k miles on it, but I have been wanting to upgrade for years. I haven't pulled the trigger yet on anything for a multitude of reasons, though.
Years ago when the 3rd gen Tundra was rumored to have a hybrid powertrain, I started saving up because I thought they'd have great mileage. Then they actually came out with barely any bump in MPG over the 2nd gen. Really disappointing. Also my family grew to 5 kids last year (up from 2 in 2019), so any 2-row vehicle isn't going to be viable for all of us. We have a '21 Sienna which is great for family road trips, but I want to be able to take my kids camping and hunting down rough roads in a few years when the younger ones are old enough. I looked at the 3rd gen Sequoia when it came out and it was even more disappointing than the Tundra - no more rolling rear window (which I use all the time on my 4Runner), same crap MPG, and absolutely pathetic cargo space.
Now I don't know what I want to do. I think my only realistic options for taking a family of 7 out are real full-size SUVs (Yukon/Suburban). But for the next few years I'll only be taking the older 2 or 3 kids camping, and I still want something new. This is the first time I've seen a new 4Runner that really appealed to me since the 3rd Gen, though. Can't wait to see one in person.
Why not look for a late model year 200 series? Or Gx460? Both of those seat 7, are proven platforms and have super reliable V8's with similar MPG to entering else, and if you bought one now it would essentially be a brand new car still.