Toyota Upcoming Redesign Timeline
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mgreen6616
New member
Interesting...
This chart is calendar year and not model year (see Prius and Tacoma) and that means that Toyota is going to push the cycle on the 5th Gen to 8 model years instead of the 7 that previous generations have had. I have been lurking here and reading lots of posts because I was planning to get the redeisgn in fall of 2016 but if this is true it looks like a 5th Gen for me. The North American auto show season is about to kick off and if there is no news on the 6th gen after New York I will be joining this group as a new owner of a 5th Gen.
BTW, as a new member and lurker I have to say I enjoy everything about this forum. The knowledge, the passion and even the snark/sarcasm. This place is fun!
This chart is calendar year and not model year (see Prius and Tacoma) and that means that Toyota is going to push the cycle on the 5th Gen to 8 model years instead of the 7 that previous generations have had. I have been lurking here and reading lots of posts because I was planning to get the redeisgn in fall of 2016 but if this is true it looks like a 5th Gen for me. The North American auto show season is about to kick off and if there is no news on the 6th gen after New York I will be joining this group as a new owner of a 5th Gen.
BTW, as a new member and lurker I have to say I enjoy everything about this forum. The knowledge, the passion and even the snark/sarcasm. This place is fun!
Lexus announced a year ago at a press conference I attended at SEMA they were stopping production of the BOF GX and replacing it with the TX.
I made a prediction back then (on the forums) that with the FJ canned, the GX ending this year and all other mid sized SUVs having dropped the frame, the 4Runner as a BOF SUV was the last of its kind and would not be around (as we know it) for much longer.
My prediction was not well received.....However, I cannot be the only one that sees the writing on the wall. It was a 5 vehicle platform (3 in north american and Taiwan) FJ, 4Runner, GX, Prado and Surf. Now (post 2015) it is a 1 pony show in North America....Why would Toyota continue making ONE UNIQUE vehicle?
sandcrawler
Senior Member
Supra successor in 2017! :boink:
phillyd2
Senior Member
It still makes zero sense. Without BOF and its off road marketing there is zero need for the 4R to even exist in their lineup. The base platform (Prado) as well as the LC are not going anywhere in the world market so other than maybe standardizing the body more in line with other variations it will remain as is.
The GX on the other hand made zero sense in the Lexus lineup.
KidVermicious
New member
You were right then, and you're right now. If there is a 6th gen 4Runner, it won't be the same platform. Look for pussification - unibody, IRS, or both. The change is mandated by increasingly strict safety and emissions standards.
The Waco Kid
New member
I get what you're saying, but they'd be making a mistake like they did with the Lexus GX. There's already a mid-sized pussified suv in the line-up. If they do anything other than slap new badges/body panels on a Prado, it should be just a total drop of the model. Anything else would be a HUGE mistake.
4RnR Grl
New member
IMO... Toyota doesn't have a NEED to continue the 4Runner. Sad, but true. The majority of purchasers are not like many of us.... they just like it because it's pretty or has lots of room or has 4WD or just because they can afford it.... not because they are seeking a vehicle to modify for off road use.
I do not plan on relinquishing my 4Runner anytime soon. If we need something "nicer" for road trips that gets better gas mileage, that's fine. But my beast will stay tucked in the garage for the foreseeable future.
I love my Toyota.
That is all.
I do not plan on relinquishing my 4Runner anytime soon. If we need something "nicer" for road trips that gets better gas mileage, that's fine. But my beast will stay tucked in the garage for the foreseeable future.
I love my Toyota.
That is all.
I agree with you. We have discussed this ad nauseam and based on current sales it seems highly unlikely the 4Runner will exit our market, and based on the Highlander being in the lineup it seems unlikely they would replace the 4Runner with another unibody SUV. They will likely standardize the frame as you mentioned and discontinue the GX, which may open the door for more options on the limited and higher end trims again since the glass ceiling of Lexus won't exist.
I don't see how anybody could determine from that chart that the 4Runner is going to be anything other than what it is. They're telling you there redesigning the GX first and then they're gonna do the 4runner next. There is a new TX model in the lineup which will have all the ***** things you guys are worried about.new 4Runner it's still going to be body on frame and it still going to have a solid rear axle.
Also Note : The chart is calendar year not model year , example the Tacoma is new for 2016 but it was released in the 2015 calendar year.
Also Note : The chart is calendar year not model year , example the Tacoma is new for 2016 but it was released in the 2015 calendar year.
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DesertCanyons
New member
4Runner of tomorrow?
I guess you're limiting your list to Toyota Motor Co. You're not mentioning the Jeep Wrangler or the Nissan Xterra. The Xterra is being discontinued - 2015 is the last model year.
Toyota will continue to offer a BOF rugged SUV to compete with the shrinking alternatives, whether it's a 4Runner, Land Cruiser or Lexus.
The other alternative for rugged BOF 4x4 is a pickup truck. Not the same style but with a 4-seater it can be an alternate camping vehicle..
I guess you're limiting your list to Toyota Motor Co. You're not mentioning the Jeep Wrangler or the Nissan Xterra. The Xterra is being discontinued - 2015 is the last model year.
Toyota will continue to offer a BOF rugged SUV to compete with the shrinking alternatives, whether it's a 4Runner, Land Cruiser or Lexus.
The other alternative for rugged BOF 4x4 is a pickup truck. Not the same style but with a 4-seater it can be an alternate camping vehicle..
It is. However it's staying a soccer ball sized boulder and bigger roll over machine too. If they need it to look fancy for the rich soccer moms to roll to the shopping center and ski resort in, to support the fewer sales of the "real" Land Cruiser sales... go for it. It's still bad ass especially compared to everything out there and more reliable than RangeRover.
I hope this is true. The platform that the 4Runner is built on is still sold all over the world and in places where customers would laugh at a unit body car, so at least we have hope in the sense that Toyota WILL have a BOF platform or two for the foreseeable future. Hopefully keeping it under the 4Runner. Can we PLuuuuEEEEEEEESE have a smaller motor with better MPG and more power though mated to a 6 or 7 speed auto.
flighht2k5
New member
Same thing with the wrangler. Most people buy them based on looks, status or look at me I have a wrangler just like millions of others. Most don't purchase to take off road.
invisible4Runner
New member
I could see the 4Runner going to unibody, but otherwise "designed" for offroad with an elevated body, approach angles, all the 4WD bells & whistles, styling, etc.
People here say that if the 4Runner went unibody, it would be the same as a Highlander, but that is simply not true. Toyota can keep all the same offroad goodies and add more, while maintaining an aggressive and masculine appearance that is very separated from the Highlander. While the Highlander is built for comfort and refinement, I'd expect the 4Runner to still be purposely utilitarian and somewhat truck-like.... but with unibody.
The purists of course will protest, but eventually there will be no other option, and the vast majority of 4Runner drivers will find that the 6th gen unibody will be able to do everything they do now, probably better, while towing the same, and in more comfort and with increased safety & efficiency. And that in itself will pick up even more 4Runner drivers.
People here say that if the 4Runner went unibody, it would be the same as a Highlander, but that is simply not true. Toyota can keep all the same offroad goodies and add more, while maintaining an aggressive and masculine appearance that is very separated from the Highlander. While the Highlander is built for comfort and refinement, I'd expect the 4Runner to still be purposely utilitarian and somewhat truck-like.... but with unibody.
The purists of course will protest, but eventually there will be no other option, and the vast majority of 4Runner drivers will find that the 6th gen unibody will be able to do everything they do now, probably better, while towing the same, and in more comfort and with increased safety & efficiency. And that in itself will pick up even more 4Runner drivers.
CruzadoBlanco
New member
I could see a unibody design that retains the same or very similar running gear including the solid rear axle. i mean look at the jeep XJ Cherokee, or the grand Cherokee till 2004. both models were unibody designs with solid axles front and rear, and both get hardcore guys that beat the piss out of them on 1tons. just because there is a possibility of the next gen runner going unibody doesnt mean its the end of our offroad mods. we may just have to get used to adding stiffening to the structure.
Sadly, I fall into that group with my 4Runner. I don't intend to do serious off roading but I love the look of the aesthetic parts of my 4Runner.
