Prediction: 6th gen to have a standard, massaged 3.5L and SR5/TRD/Limited hybrid

[Big_Cuss]

Was thinking about engine options for the 6th gen, and think we'll see the following:

-Base level 3.5L, massaged/tuned as compared to the Taco (tho the Taco might then get the same) to something more like 285+ hp and 280 tq.

-Upgrade for $X,000 to a 3.5L Hybrid, with a little more hp, but a lot more torque. This would line up well against the Jeep Hybrid, and Toyota has the R&D to do it right at a high volume (I'd think this engine will sell more than the standard one). Also adds the ability to run some campsite utilities off the giant battery overnight without a generator or dual battery setups.

-Also, the hybrid might allow for 5-10 miles of electric-only low speed operation, which would really improve city gas mileage.

Thoughts?

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Nope. The 3.5 is not a truck engine and has huge customer complaints in the Tacoma. Word on the street is it will disappear from the Tacoma due to this which I hope it does. I bought a 2016 Tacoma brand new, traded it in after 3500 miles, couldn't stand it. Bought my 2016 4Runner brand new and couldn't be happier. If we're talking predictions and fantasy worlds, I hope the 6th gen has an aggressive look like the 5th gen but has a V8 option.

 

[Bourbonator]

There is a 10 page thread on this in general discussion.

Read this..

ETA: Carmaker1's comment, second on the page, pretty much spells it out.

ETA 2: and I guess the mods nuked the thread..

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

There are lots of threads on this. Truth is though, it's all speculation. No one has any clue what the 6th gen will bring or when it'll even be here. This has been going on for 4-5 years, it'll continue into the 7th gen lol

 

[Jayhawk5G]

The problem I have with the hybrid speculation is that a lot of owners use these trucks off road including water crossings. I don't know how batteries or electric motors would hold up to that kind of usage.

I'm not saying it won't happen, but I'm sure Toyota's engineers will be working hard to design and test a system that will withstand that kind of abuse... and so it won't arrive until it meets their standards for reliability and durability.

 

[nimby]

Was thinking about engine options for the 6th gen, and think we'll see the following:

-Base level 3.5L, massaged/tuned as compared to the Taco (tho the Taco might then get the same) to something more like 285+ hp and 280 tq.

-Upgrade for $X,000 to a 3.5L Hybrid, with a little more hp, but a lot more torque. This would line up well against the Jeep Hybrid, and Toyota has the R&D to do it right at a high volume (I'd think this engine will sell more than the standard one). Also adds the ability to run some campsite utilities off the giant battery overnight without a generator or dual battery setups.

-Also, the hybrid might allow for 5-10 miles of electric-only low speed operation, which would really improve city gas mileage.

Thoughts?

I think you're pretty close to what will actually happen.

The 3.5 might have a more aggressive tune and/or different trans to alleviate complaints about a Tacoma comparison.

If it does go to a 3.5, I'm hoping it has a turbo, but I think that's unlikely.

I'd be willing to bet money there will be a hybrid version.

 

[vondy21]

The problem I have with the hybrid speculation is that a lot of owners use these trucks off road including water crossings. I don't know how batteries or electric motors would hold up to that kind of usage.

This is not necessarily an issue, the Rivan EV can wade 3 feet of water, it’s only limited by the fact it would float any deeper. All the electronics and motors are sealed.

I guess it would depend on the design of the Toyota hybrid though. I’d think they would design for it though.

I think a 3.5 Hybrid is very likely. Would be perfect for us city dwellers who have to commute at an average 18 mph. Plus the added torque.



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[John.Adam]

I hope they bring back the v8 but I doubt that will happen.

 

[Jetboy]

The problem I have with the hybrid speculation is that a lot of owners use these trucks off road including water crossings. I don't know how batteries or electric motors would hold up to that kind of usage.

I'm not saying it won't happen, but I'm sure Toyota's engineers will be working hard to design and test a system that will withstand that kind of abuse... and so it won't arrive until it meets their standards for reliability and durability.

I think electric drive should be the ideal option for deep water crossings. Especially if you can plug the engine intake and run for a few hundred feet on electric drive.

I've been over the hood deep in mud/water in my trail rig. Engine dead due to electrical - BUT the winch worked just without any problem. The high voltage spark, especially in older engines with a distributor were very hard to keep running under water. But electric motors should work normally in most cases if the system is well engineered and manufactured. For me that was a potential selling point. In my case with the winch - I pulled the truck out of the water crossing, pulled the spark plugs, blew the water out (starter still worked fine), put the plugs back in, fired it up and off we went. It's hard to kill a Toyota!

 

[rideexileex]

Idk... I know the 4Runner isn't in the light truck market exactly, but when compared to the Colorado ZR2 with a diesel, talk of the Ranger Raptor, etc, the Toyota's need some more power. They've never had the trend of it, edging more toward reliability, but I still have some hope deep down that they'll bring back a diesel or factory turbo engine (thinking ecoboost). I'm so torn on new vehicles (I'd go Ford, but value drops like rock compared to Toyota), and new Toyota's are still gutless in comparison, which is why I'm still sitting, waiting, and hoping. But the 6th gen 4Runner was due, what, back in 2016/7 or something?

 

[Big_Cuss]

You know, every freight train is a hybrid lol. The diesel is just a constant-low-rpm generator for the electric motor.

So in a use case where high torque from a stop and/or low speeds, and high distance range is desired, a hybrid is ideal.

 

[Forcerunner23]

Nope. The 3.5 is not a truck engine and has huge customer complaints in the Tacoma. Word on the street is it will disappear from the Tacoma due to this which I hope it does. I bought a 2016 Tacoma brand new, traded it in after 3500 miles, couldn't stand it. Bought my 2016 4Runner brand new and couldn't be happier. If we're talking predictions and fantasy worlds, I hope the 6th gen has an aggressive look like the 5th gen but has a V8 option.

X2

Had a ‘17 Tacoma TRD OR and got rid of it at 10k miles. The lack of low end torque on that motor and shift happy 6 speed auto made that an annoying drive through the mountains. Great for lighter cars or a minivan but not so much on a truck.

V8 or forced induction on a 6th gen would be the only things to sway me into a new one.


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[Jernik]

I hope they don't turn the 4Runner into a minivan like Nissan did with the Pathfinder. However, looking at sales for the Pathfinder, the numbers are better now than they ever were. That makes me worried for the 4Runner...

 

[Baystate4Runner]

I hope they don't turn the 4Runner into a minivan like Nissan did with the Pathfinder. However, looking at sales for the Pathfinder, the numbers are better now than they ever were. That makes me worried for the 4Runner...

Toyota already has a 4Runner sized 'minivan' 'Pathfinder' styled vehicle - the Highlander.
Would make no sense at all for Toyota to produce two similar vehicles.

 

[Jernik]

Toyota already has a 4Runner sized 'minivan' 'Pathfinder' styled vehicle - the Highlander.
Would make no sense at all for Toyota to produce two similar vehicles.

True, and I hope that means the 4R will stay true to what it is. Odds are it probably will, but you never know...

 

[ccpietscheck]

Whatever happens, it must maintain a powerful engine and the "boxy" and aggressive shape.

If they don't i will be massively disappointed!

 

[DirtyHarry]

Nope. The 3.5 is not a truck engine and has huge customer complaints in the Tacoma. Word on the street is it will disappear from the Tacoma due to this which I hope it does. I bought a 2016 Tacoma brand new, traded it in after 3500 miles, couldn't stand it. Bought my 2016 4Runner brand new and couldn't be happier. If we're talking predictions and fantasy worlds, I hope the 6th gen has an aggressive look like the 5th gen but has a V8 option.

I had a 2016 SR5 Tacoma and I tried my damnedest to make the 3.5 bearable.

Tune, exhaust, cat delete, intake.

NOTHING made as enjoyable and derivable as my 2019 4runner.

I hope that 3.5 disappears.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

I had a 2016 SR5 Tacoma and I tried my damnedest to make the 3.5 bearable.



Tune, exhaust, cat delete, intake.



NOTHING made as enjoyable and derivable as my 2019 4runner.



I hope that 3.5 disappears.

There’s no way Toyota will keep the 4.0 just for the 4runner. The 3.5 is used all across the Toyota/Lexus line. It will definitely be in the next gen 4runner. There’s nothing wrong with the 3.5. It just needs the right tune and the right transmission.


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[coreystinson]

I hope they don't turn the 4Runner into a minivan like Nissan did with the Pathfinder. However, looking at sales for the Pathfinder, the numbers are better now than they ever were. That makes me worried for the 4Runner...

I agree, this is why I am about done "dallying" around. The 5th gen does not have an awesome look but I am afraid of what nonsense might be around the corner.