As much as I wouldn't mind if they refreshed the powertrain, I'm also of the tried-and-true mindset. I had a Cherokee rental a few months after the model launched with the new 9-speed and it was bad.
Yeah, but that Cherokee is at its core a product of Fiat engineering. A much more valid comparison for the 4runner is the Wrangler (I get the IFS vs SFA argument, but they target nearly the same market segment). Same for a Tundra vs a Ram 1500. FCA still makes traditional trucks and SUV's that are American-designed and American-focused. The Cherokee might be targeting an American consumer, but it definitely is, at least in part, a product of Italian engineering, which is why I won't touch it with a 10 ft pole.
The funny thing is that Lexus used to be this very luxurious, but extremely impotent and pathetically soggy driving car. Nice to sit in, but just disappointing to drive when compared to a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, ect.
Toyota used to be this reliable, but quirky brand that made everything from the econo-box Corolla to the Supra. TRD and SR5 used to mean something when it was badged on a car and their vehicles while probably not the best; had a semblance of performance to them.
Now? Lexus is still a luxury brand, but they've finally realized you can have performance AND luxury. Their newer stuff is fun to drive, fun to throw around, and yet very cushy and nice. Toyota on the other hand has gone backwards, they make a ho-hum product that all drives like a Prius, because that's what they think all their vehicles need to drive like. Their best "performance" vehicle is the FRS which they botched as a whole by pressuring Subaru to use their D4-S system among other things. As fun as that FRS is to throw in corners and windy roads, the moment you come to a straight you are let down by it's anemic engine. Toyota should have let Subaru do what they do best, throw a turbo on it and release an STi version that pushed 250~300hp. That would have been the spring board for a real come back for Toyota, instead they basically limited Subaru on what they could do and how many they could sell.
The new Supra will probably be the same, actually worse since it's in conjunction with BMW. Which means not only will they have missed the point on making a fun sports car, it'll break even more than most newer Toyotas seem to do. Bottom line, Lexus and Toyota have done 180 compared to their old days, Lexus actually went forward and Toyota has gone backwards. The Tacoma is at best two steps forward, one step back; unfortunately nothing that Toyota has actually done so far indicates that the 6th Gen 4Runner won't be similarly disappointing.
I kind of see what you're saying. Honestly, while I see some hope for Lexus as a brand, I think Toyota's problem, at least with its 4x4 products, is that they just aren't doing enough to stay fresh and innovate with newer customers. Their trucks are dependable, and all-around solid-performers, so they have a loyal group of consumers. But they're not doing enough to bring in new and outside buyers, the same way Ford and Ram have done in recent years.
Case and point are the 5th gen 4runner and the so-called "new" Tacoma:
1) The 5th gen is an awesome platform, and though my own is stock, it never ceases to amaze me with how far it can go and the type of terrain it can conquer. Offroad its a solid, reliable workhorse. On road, the combination of the 5-speed and venerable, but tired, 4.0l V6 means it drives like a dog while sucking down gas fairly quickly compared to other more modern 4x4's. You start throwing a bit of weight on (mods or towing) and hit any sort of incline and the mpg just needs the slightest of excuses to start going down. Meanwhile Ford is been putting out a 3.5l V6 turbo that gets about the same mpg, though which much better acceleration and towing capabilities. GM just put out a 2.8l duramax with even better mpg and better towing. Ram has the 3.0l ecodiesel...and so on. Other companies are looking for ways to innovate and improve, while Toyota clings on to a 4.0l V6 that they've been using for about 15 years now. The 4runner chassis and overall platform is great, but the powerplant is just so dated and outgunned by today's standards. It is reliable, perhaps more so than the other brands' engines, but still, Toyota needs to come up with something new.
2) The "new" Tacoma is pretty much the same one as before (still used drum brakes in the rear, fairly similar C-channel frame), except they're now using a passenger car derived 3.5l v6. And while it is paired with a 6-speed and might get better mpg compared to older 4runners and Tacoma's, it's not a true truck engine. I think Toyota saw the 3.5l v6 as a way to cut costs with the Tacoma, since it not only allows them to meet EPA standards but also precludes them from having to improve their existing truck engines or develop a new one all together. I'm sure it's dead-nuts reliable, like older Tacomas were, but it just seems like a copout on Toyota's part.
This is the same company that is still producing old-school BOF, double solid axled LandCruisers in other parts of the world. Toyota is more than capable of producing an awesome 4x4 with an awesome powerplant; I think they're just way too cautious about taking any risk.
Anyone taking any bets?
