Toyota design question...

[genew]

I have wondered about this for awhile and haven't been a member here too long so it may have been answered before.. The 4 Runner has always been sort of the baby land cruiser, sort of the tough guy on the block. My question is why do the Toyota people sort of style the Highlander off the land cruiser and if anything style the 4 Runner off the Sequoia?? Now this is just my opinion but it seems like this is just backward???? Am I the only one who thinks this? Before you jump on me the keyword is style. I know the 4 Runner is tough and the Highlander is not my question is just about style.

 

[KCcarguy]

Functionally the 4runner may be a "baby Land Cruiser", but no generation of the 4runner has ever looked like it's LC big brother. I do agree that the Highlander has some LC design traits (which is a good thing), but the 4runner has always shared more styling-wise with the Tacoma/ Pickup than with the LC. Which makes sense; because the 4runner is a SUV version of the Toyota Pickup. Toyota gave a big nod to the 3rd generation with the new 4runner....along with a bit of FJ Cruiser. The general consensus is the next-genaration Tacoma will share the 5th generation's styling.

I see what you're saying about similarities with the Sequoia, particularly the angled C-pilar, etc. But that is a design trait common to 4runners since the 1st gen. I think it's more a case of the first gen. Sequoia being styled to look like a big 4runner than vice-versa.

 

[Ryan F.]

This is a pretty cool thread. I hope that the long time 4 Runner owners chime in. I had never really thought of the design similarities between the 4 Runner, Sequoia, or the Land Cruiser. I don't see a ton of connectedness, and that's what makes the 4 Runner so special. I think that Toyota sees us as a breed unto ourselves. What I mean is this...one might buy a RAV4 (I did) and see the next logical step as the Highlander (I didn't). One might buy a Sequoia, and see the next logical step as the Land Cruiser (although cost might be a factor). One might buy a 4 Runner and die driving it (I will). I also think that there is a connectedness styling wise between the Taco and the 4 Runner and the Tundra and Sequoia (as has been mentioned).

I came from unibodies exclusively. My long time salesman urged me to drive the Highlander (he was thinking RAV--Highlander). I did. Pretty nice, but I could never get a handle on the styling (keeping with the design themes). There is a lack of passion in what they did there because many who buy them in my mind want a mini van alternative--and it does that very well. I have to have something with passion, and the 5th Gens are perfect to me (styling wise as well as the body on frame construction). I do see the resemblance to the previous Gens, but I love the angles and creases. I have never been a fan of everything rounded off.

 

[WIT4R]

As mentioned before, I think the 4runner is SUV counterpart to the Tacoma, the way the Sequoia is to the Tundra. I think if any vehicle that would be considered the "baby brother" to the Land Cruiser it would be our Lexus GX (known as a Toyota Prado overseas). It has a lot of the same features as the Land Cruiser.

But I love the 5th gen's styling. I'm glad they went with to the square boxy shape with the flared out wheel wells. It has a very masculine look to it that is all its own. I'm also glad they made it a little bigger too because the extra space really comes in handy.

Honestly I think its one of the few suv's out there where you still feel like a man when you drive it. Because one trend that I've noticed in SUV design, is that they are being designed to be more appealing to women.

 

[Mark86]

I never thought of the 4Runner as a baby Land Cruiser. IMO, the late 90's-current Land Cruisers are more luxurious and refined. While they are capable vehicles, I think the 4Runner is more of a "utility" vehicle.

I think each Toyota SUV has their unique place in the lineup: RAV4- compact SUV that can do it all, Highlander- crossover for the family, 4Runner- offroading vehicle for the family, FJ Cruiser- expedition vehicle, Land Cruiser- luxury SUV, Sequoia- rugged people mover which can tow

Besides the Tacoma, the 4Runner is most closely related to the GX470. Just look at the 4th generation 4Runner and 1st generation GX470- they have a ton of similarities. I think the 5th gen 4Runner and 2nd gen GX460 have less in common than in previous years.

 

[Ryan F.]

Honestly I think its one of the few suv's out there where you still feel like a man when you drive it. Because one trend that I've noticed in SUV design, is that they are being designed to be more appealing to women.[/QUOTE]

+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 Hell yes brother!!!!:guitar3:

 

[jspagna1]

I have a 97 TR4 that has 158,000 miles and is still running strong. Have not liked any of later generation 4Runners as they just were not bing enough and did not want to step up to the Sequoia (too big).
Now that my yougest daughter is starting to drive and she wants my baby, the 5th gen 4Runner is the one I've been waiting for. Toyota I feel went back to the 3rd gen roots and the size is now just right while keeping it rugged. I never buy the first year of a new design so will now be considering a new 4Runner in the next year or two.
Just hope the reliability is still there as well.

 

[Dagobah]

Functionally the 4runner may be a "baby Land Cruiser", but no generation of the 4runner has ever looked like it's LC big brother. I do agree that the Highlander has some LC design traits (which is a good thing), but the 4runner has always shared more styling-wise with the Tacoma/ Pickup than with the LC. Which makes sense; because the 4runner is a SUV version of the Toyota Pickup. Toyota gave a big nod to the 3rd generation with the new 4runner....along with a bit of FJ Cruiser. The general consensus is the next-genaration Tacoma will share the 5th generation's styling.

I see what you're saying about similarities with the Sequoia, particularly the angled C-pilar, etc. But that is a design trait common to 4runners since the 1st gen. I think it's more a case of the first gen. Sequoia being styled to look like a big 4runner than vice-versa.

I agree with most of this, except when you said that no generation 4Runner has ever looked like a LC. I "half" agree with that. I think if you are of this line of thinking, and someday happen across, say, a 96 limited Runner, and a 96 LC parked next to each other, it will blow your mind how similar they look. I think the fender flares really make the 3rd gen runner look like a baby Land Cruiser. I would agree though, that without the 3rd gen limited cladding the resemblance is a LOT harder to see.

(also look at 1st gen Runner next to LC 60)

 

[Ryan F.]

I have a 97 TR4 that has 158,000 miles and is still running strong. Have not liked any of later generation 4Runners as they just were not bing enough and did not want to step up to the Sequoia (too big).
Now that my yougest daughter is starting to drive and she wants my baby, the 5th gen 4Runner is the one I've been waiting for. Toyota I feel went back to the 3rd gen roots and the size is now just right while keeping it rugged. I never buy the first year of a new design so will now be considering a new 4Runner in the next year or two.
Just hope the reliability is still there as well.

Don't wait anymore, man. I have a '10, and it is rock solid. Flawless to this point. Having a ball. If you are waiting for kinks to get worked out--you will wait a long time because there aren't any in my mind.:thumb3:

 

[KCcarguy]

I agree with most of this, except when you said that no generation 4Runner has ever looked like a LC. I "half" agree with that. I think if you are of this line of thinking, and someday happen across, say, a 96 limited Runner, and a 96 LC parked next to each other, it will blow your mind how similar they look. I think the fender flares really make the 3rd gen runner look like a baby Land Cruiser. I would agree though, that without the 3rd gen limited cladding the resemblance is a LOT harder to see.

(also look at 1st gen Runner next to LC 60)

I see what you're saying with the 3rd gen. Limited. But, the 4runner still has more in common with the Pickup/ Tacoma than the LC for obvious reasons.....especially the 1st and 2nd gens. To me it's the windows and roofline of the LC that set it part, but it's all pretty subjective.

No doubt there is a family-resemblence. And we're all Toyota people here; we notice subtle differences. Funny thing is, I was looking at a used LC 100 the other day and the salesman asked if my 5th gen was "the new version". I wish, LOL!

 

[KCcarguy]

I agree with most of this, except when you said that no generation 4Runner has ever looked like a LC. I "half" agree with that. I think if you are of this line of thinking, and someday happen across, say, a 96 limited Runner, and a 96 LC parked next to each other, it will blow your mind how similar they look. I think the fender flares really make the 3rd gen runner look like a baby Land Cruiser. I would agree though, that without the 3rd gen limited cladding the resemblance is a LOT harder to see.

(also look at 1st gen Runner next to LC 60)

I see what you're saying with the 3rd gen. Limited. But, the 4runner still has more in common with the Pickup/ Tacoma than the LC for obvious reasons.....especially the 1st and 2nd gens. To me it's the windows and roofline of the LC that set it part, but it's all pretty subjective.

No doubt there is a family-resemblence. And we're all Toyota people here; we notice subtle differences. Funny thing is, I was looking at used LC 100 the other day and the salesman (it was a jeep dealership) asked if my 5th gen was "the new version". I wish, LOL!

 

[BradleyB]

Honestly I think its one of the few suv's out there where you still feel like a man when you drive it. Because one trend that I've noticed in SUV design, is that they are being designed to be more appealing to women.

That's the one. Brings Brad Paisley to mind:

Yeah, with all of these men linin' up to get neutered
It's hip now to be feminized
But I don't highlight my hair, I've still got a pair
Yeah honey, I'm still a guy​

Brad (B)

 

[Ryan F.]

That's the one. Brings Brad Paisley to mind:

Yeah, with all of these men linin' up to get neutered
It's hip now to be feminized
But I don't highlight my hair, I've still got a pair
Yeah honey, I'm still a guy​

Brad (B)

+1 again for the man thing. Get an intake and the pair get bigger. Now, if TRD would just get that supercharger to market--How big might the pair get?