Quasi-official pics of 2010 4Runner

That murdered out one and the dark grey with the grey rims sold me on it....Man that thing is nice, thanks for the photos.
 
Thanks Sven, I edited my post on page 1 to include these 2 pics.

The new dash pic looks pretty darn nice IMO, especially the new optitron gauges - a huge improvement over the orange gauges in the 4th gen (although I think they're only gonna be on the Limited :( )

The dash may look nice but if it is anything like my 08 Tundra dash, and you have a (bad?) habit of not gingerly placing items into all those openings and pockets, then you can expect some of that pretty silver, especially down by the gear selector, to begin rubbing off after several months.

Obviously, I have yet to see the 5th generation 4Runner in person, but I was a little disappointed to see that the dash and console materials seemed very similar to my Tundra's.

EDIT: Looks like I was beaten to the punch about the Tundra's interior quality.
 
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There are a lot of fourth-generation V8 owners out there. Many of them will not want to step down to a V6. I am thinking that Toyota will not want to give up this market for long. My guess is they will come out with the V8 in the spring of 2010. One factor though is I do not know the effects of requirements to raise fleet average fuel consumptions.
 
This was the first obvious time I could see Toyota cutting corners and cheapening their vehicles.

Also, the gas filler door is no longer locked and open via remote. Another sign of cost cutting and the expense of a clean look without the finger notch.
 
I agree. I was very shocked to see the Tundra and Sequoia's redesigns move from soft plastic upper door panels to hard plastic.

The Highlander has used hard dash and upper-door plastics since the first gen. It looks nice, but rock hard when you touch it.

On the plus side, they've kept the base Highlander relatively affordable. The downside is that the hard plastic dash in the $25K base is the same as the one in the $40K Hybrid Limited.

I'm guessing Toyota is moving the price-point of the '10 4Runner downward (mid-20s and peaking at under $40K). That strategy would be reflected in the cost-cutting moves we're seeing in the exterior design -- mast antenna, non-locking fuel door (though maybe it also saves weight and removes a potential failing point in harsh climates); non-LED tails. They are adding some new tech -- Smart Key, Optitron gauges, Bluetooth, iPod integration -- but the innovations seems to be focused on the new off-road tech, not luxury or convenience features.

We saw the opposite in the 4th Gen: definitely a move towards making it a premium SUV with all the little touches -- the auto-climate A/C; the auto-latching liftgate; the multi-function armrest with the burger tray and rubbish holder; soft-touch surfaces on the dash and doors; fancy ignition that doesn't require you to hold it in "start"; etc.
 
There are a lot of fourth-generation V8 owners out there. Many of them will not want to step down to a V6.
I'm one of them.
I am thinking that Toyota will not want to give up this market for long. My guess is they will come out with the V8 in the spring of 2010.
I hope you are right.
One factor though is I do not know the effects of requirements to raise fleet average fuel consumptions.
I'll be surprised if the difference between the new V6 and the old V8 are very significant. Probably just a mpg or two, and with the current low sales of the 4Runner, I suspect the impact on the fleet CAFE average will be minimal. I think a bigger issue would be that the cost to federalize the V8, divided by the low sales numbers, would be prohibitive.
 
I'm one of them.

I hope you are right.

I'll be surprised if the difference between the new V6 and the old V8 are very significant. Probably just a mpg or two, and with the current low sales of the 4Runner, I suspect the impact on the fleet CAFE average will be minimal. I think a bigger issue would be that the cost to federalize the V8, divided by the low sales numbers, would be prohibitive.

I don't think that the difference in mileage between the V8 and V6 is the issue, it's the difference in mileage between the V8 and the I-4. V6 mileage should be relatively constant.
Bill W
 
I don't think that the difference in mileage between the V8 and V6 is the issue, it's the difference in mileage between the V8 and the I-4. V6 mileage should be relatively constant.
Bill W
CAFE fleet mileage is computed based on the number of vehicles sold. The 2WD 4-cylinder 4Runner is not going to be a big seller. So even though it will get several mpg better than the V6, it simply isn't going to have a significant impact on Toyota's fleet mileage. With sales of 4Runners being only around 2000 per month, it just won't have much impact.
 
It's up to V8 admirers to go to their Toyota dealer and test drive the 2010 4Runner. Let them know how much you love the trucky styling and such features as the 400 W power supply and the slide out cargo shelf. Tell them that the money is burning a hole in your pocket, but you just cannot bring yourself to move from the V8 to a V6. Also inform them that you are firmly convinced that a V8 will eventually come out despite what they say. Word will get back.

Apparently the V8 will be installed in the new Lexus GX. Therefore it would be rather easy for Toyota to put it in the 4Runner as well.
 
It's up to V8 admirers to go to their Toyota dealer and test drive the 2010 4Runner. Let them know how much you love the trucky styling and such features as the 400 W power supply and the slide out cargo shelf. Tell them that the money is burning a hole in your pocket, but you just cannot bring yourself to move from the V8 to a V6. Also inform them that you are firmly convinced that a V8 will eventually come out despite what they say. Word will get back.

Apparently the V8 will be installed in the new Lexus GX. Therefore it would be rather easy for Toyota to put it in the 4Runner as well.

My wife is wanting to also check out the new 2010 Lexus GX. I like some of the new proposed features it should have over the 4Runner. Needless to say, I am anxious for the introductions of both models.
 
Actually, I would contact Toyota North America and express your desire for a V8 before banking on the local dealer. They will get the word much more quickly and they will probably take your comments more seriously.

You're just going to tell some $100 per auto sales guy that you want a V8, where he'll argue the merits of the new V6, then write you off as someone who isn't going to buy the 4R and forget about you the minute you leave.

http://www.toyota.com/help/contactus.html
 
Actually, I would contact Toyota North America and express your desire for a V8 before banking on the local dealer. They will get the word much more quickly and they will probably take your comments more seriously.

You're just going to tell some $100 per auto sales guy that you want a V8, where he'll argue the merits of the new V6, then write you off as someone who isn't going to buy the 4R and forget about you the minute you leave.

http://www.toyota.com/help/contactus.html

Yeah, maybe someone should start a petition to bring back the V8 in the 5th gen. But maybe that's already in the works. Who knows for sure?
 
I like it...it's got the shape of a sequioa, the headlights of a highlander, the edgynes of the FJ...and the soul of a 4runner
 
Actually, I would contact Toyota North America and express your desire for a V8 before banking on the local dealer. They will get the word much more quickly and they will probably take your comments more seriously.

You're just going to tell some $100 per auto sales guy that you want a V8, where he'll argue the merits of the new V6, then write you off as someone who isn't going to buy the 4R and forget about you the minute you leave.

http://www.toyota.com/help/contactus.html
This is the way I see it. Toyota planned on the V6 & the new V8 for the 5th generation 4Runner. Gas goes way up, the economy goes in the tank. Having the V8 seems to be too much and they were too far into the planning of the new 4Runner, so they put the V8 in the Lexus and decided to get a cheesy 4 cylinder to fill out the model. If they stayed with the V8, most people would of bought the V6 and a lot of people would criticized them for being dinosaurs. Now if someone wants a V8 they can get the Lexus. If gas prices stay somewhat stable and customers scream for the V8, they can ride in on a white horse and save the day and put one out, maybe even for the second half of the 2010 model year. If gas goes up and the economy gets worse, then no V8 and they MIGHT even sell a few 4 cylinder 4Runners.

They changed the plastic cladding on the 4th generation quickly, the point is, Toyota can change things around IF the market demands it. We will just have to wait and see. (That is how I see it.)
 
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In the 2010 Tundra, the new 4.6L V8 MPG is 15/20. The V6 for the similar rig is 15/19. (difference is probably due primarily to the 6spd tranny in the V8). Maybe there is hope for a V8.....or maybe a 6spd tranny in the V6?
 
This is the way I see it. Toyota planned on the V6 & the new V8 for the 5th generation 4Runner. Gas goes way up, the economy goes in the tank. Having the V8 seems to be too much and they were too far into the planning of the new 4Runner, so they put the V8 in the Lexus and decided to get a cheesy 4 cylinder to fill out the model. If they stayed with the V8, most people would of bought the V6 and a lot of people would criticized them for being dinosaurs. Now if someone wants a V8 they can get the Lexus. If gas prices stay somewhat stable and customers scream for the V8, they can ride in on a white horse and save the day and put one out, maybe even for the second half of the 2010 model year. If gas goes up and the economy gets worse, then no V8 and they MIGHT even sell a few 4 cylinder 4Runners.

They changed the plastic cladding on the 4th generation quickly, the point is, Toyota can change things around IF the market demands it. We will just have to wait and see. (That is how I see it.)

:iagree:
 

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