The 6th gen 4Runner will be IRS, unibody, or both.

[KidVermicious]

The next Grand Cherokee will be a crossover with independant rear suspension:

2014 Jeep Cherokee gets official in a hurry

It's a joke that this "truck" is going to have the Jeep name on it. Unless this GC completely bombs (and it won't), Toyota will follow this. Maybe with the Landcruiser, but more likely with the 4Runner. The market just isn't there for an economical all-terrain utility vehicle. Buyers want allterrain looks with fancy leather and road manners, and you can count on Toyota to do what's going to sell the most cars.

I haz a sad.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Doubt it. It shares the same platform with the FJ.

 

[KidVermicious]

FJ sales are in the tank though.

 

[mace.]

That article is about the Jeep Cherokee not the Grand Cherokee.

 

[OzarkRunner]

That thing is hideous.

 

[FRT]

That article is about the Jeep Cherokee not the Grand Cherokee.

Aye, and a quote from the article:

"the new model, giving us these four photos and confirming the Liberty replacement's name, Cherokee."

 

[KidVermicious]

Yup, I missed that. Not a replacement for the Grand Cherokee.

I don't care, it's still ugly as sin, and has no business being called a Jeep. So there.

 

[FRT]

Yup, I missed that. Not a replacement for the Grand Cherokee.

I don't care, it's still ugly as sin, and has no business being called a Jeep. So there.

Completely agree

 

[redbull9944]

I don't see this happening. Why would they make the 4Runner IRS when they have the Highlander and Sequoia for more family friendly SUVs. Toyota knows that there's still a large crowd for "off road" SUVs with at least a solid rear axle.

 

[NJshadow93]

I agree with the majority here, Toyota still puts out the 4Runner for a reason. Why do you think they don't advertise it? I have not seen a single 4Runner TV commercial since the 4th gen. They know people who want a truck-based SUV will think 4Runner. I think it was pretty gutsy for Toyota to even put out the FJ cruiser, especially in the age of crossovers. To me, that says Toyota isn't about to break away from the off road market anytime soon.

 

[Dous]

What do you "the next Grand Cherokee will be a cross-over"

It already is, no solid axle independent on all 4 corners

 

[CAN-03runner]

The next Grand Cherokee will be a crossover with independant rear suspension:

2014 Jeep Cherokee gets official in a hurry

It's a joke that this "truck" is going to have the Jeep name on it. Unless this GC completely bombs (and it won't), Toyota will follow this. Maybe with the Landcruiser, but more likely with the 4Runner. The market just isn't there for an economical all-terrain utility vehicle. Buyers want allterrain looks with fancy leather and road manners, and you can count on Toyota to do what's going to sell the most cars.

I haz a sad.

GC already has been for some time. So has explorer. And this year so has the pathfinder. So technically if they put a center diff lock in the highlander or rav4 they have unibody ifs + irs awd/4x4 to match. Plus the highlander tows apparently 5000lbs too. Maybe downhill, but thats the rating.

My coworker is a jeep fanatic. Has 4/5 models of jeeps. Claims to have information from some jeep/chrysler person that says even the wrangler is going ifs, except for the rubicon. Wtf. But I couldn't find any supporting info for this online so i remain sceptical. But with fiat in charge. They may want to bring in more comfort to the line.

 

[techno]

... The market just isn't there for an economical all-terrain utility vehicle. Buyers want allterrain looks with fancy leather and road manners...

With one notable exception.... the Jeep Wrangler. They sold over 160,000 in North America last year which is more than the 4Runner's sales for the previous 4 years combined. That's also only a few thousand units shy of the total FJ sales since launch! 90% of the motoring public wouldn't know a 'bad handling' vehicle even it it parked right in their bedroom with Bad Handling Vehicle written all over it.
Listen Toyota, build a bullet proof front and rear live axle vehicle with lockers and suspension travel, put the comforts in as options and market the crap out of it! You've got the technology in overseas models so put something together and take a meaty share of that Wrangler market!

 

[KidVermicious]

Listen Toyota, build a bullet proof front and rear live axle vehicle with lockers and suspension travel, put the comforts in as options and market the crap out of it! You've got the technology in overseas models so put something together and take a meaty share of that Wrangler market!

This is what I was hoping for back when I first heard about the FJ Cruiser coming out. I think a small, simple platform with solid axles would sell like hotcakes.

 

[Stockwell45]

If the 6th gen really does end up being IRS, you can bet the resale value for gens 1-5 will go way up. Everyone's gonna want to get their hands on one, Like the way the Tacoma is now.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Our beloved 4RNR going IRS, uni-body, and becoming a 'soft-roader'...? NOOOOOOOO!!! They've already got the RAV4, Venza, and the Highlander! Don't be like Nissan with Easypathfinder. Please Toyota don't cave!

 

[nobb]

Listen Toyota, build a bullet proof front and rear live axle vehicle with lockers and suspension travel, put the comforts in as options and market the crap out of it! You've got the technology in overseas models so put something together and take a meaty share of that Wrangler market!

So basically, Toyota should bring in the Land Cruiser 70 series.

 

[techno]

So basically, Toyota should bring in the Land Cruiser 70 series.

In my opinion, no, that is not a suitable vehicle as Wrangler competition, but they should use the platform as a base. The rear leaf spring set up on the 70 is tough and capable, but is more suited to commercial use or heavy duty load carrying or touring. Rear coils would be better and allow for improved ride characteristics and wheel travel. The 70 series styling would flop badly over here too, so that definitely needs some work. It sells in places like Australia because it has a long establish history and reputation there, something it does not have here.