UPDATE: Car & Driver now says NO V-8 for 2010 4Runner

[Alex1911]

I'm still hoping that the .pdf is a.)a joke or b.) has nothing to do with the US market. For the same reasons others have stated, I cannot see Toyota not using the 4.6l in the new 4Runner.

"Thats my observations, what does everyone else think?"

It's about 50/50 here, maybe more males than females, but it's close to even.

 

[M1911]

I'm still hoping that the .pdf is a.)a joke or b.) has nothing to do with the US market. For the same reasons others have stated, I cannot see Toyota not using the 4.6l in the new 4Runner.

Given that Toyota has almost effectively cancelled the V8 for 2009, it would not surprise me at all if there is no V8 for 2010. Disappoint me? Yes. Surprise me? No.

 

[Theothertyler]

I dunno, I think the 4cyl will sell. 11 out of 10 (yup, thats legit math) 4runners I see on the street are soccer moms. I would say their number one concern is getting their kids, and groceries from point A to point B in a nice looking vehicle. And now they have that option of doing it with an engine that screams 'more MPGs!'.

Yea, I don't think this is about Obama (even though it seems as if some of you are downright obsessed with him) as much as it is about marketing and economics. Keep in mind that there are a ton of 4rs out there and probably 80% of them will never see anything other than pavement. And probably 60% of those will never have the need or use of a v8 and probably would never push a v6 that hard. So to offer a 4banger that will have better mileage and still deliver decent enough power to a very safe and reliable car makes perfect sense.

 

[PredBlue]

From C & D: "A reader has sent us documents outlining changes for the next-gen 4Runner that show, among other things, a revised engine strategy. The V-8 is gone from the options list and engine choices are instead shifted down to include a four-cylinder and an upgraded V-6."

Really? From a "reader"? Hmmmm. One day C & D says it's V-8 and V-6, the next it's a 4 cyl & V-6 according to info from a "reader" (AKA a forum member). Maybe they read forums and boards for their "news"?

Very solid journalistic work by C & D. Maybe their "news" should have said:

"There may or may not be a new 4Runner this year. Word is tight out of Toyota and soft sales of SUV's no doubt play into what exactly it will be and when it would be produced. Somebody took some spy shots of something (that we bought the rights to) and here they are. A new 5th gen 4Runner would obviously include some changes and refinements, but most likely the 4Runner will remain the leader in its class for both on road civility and off road toughness, especially give the direction it's competitors are taking. Rumors abound about options available. Given the increasing fuel mileage standards there is a good chance there may be changes in the currently available V-6 and V-8, but nothing can be confirmed at this time."

Somebody please wake me when some "journalist" actually tries to find out some information that is both newsworthy and can be confirmed. It's yet another sad commentary on the media, but rather than hijack the thread, suffice it to say that C & D (nor anybody else as far as I can tell) knows jack about the 4Runner.

 

[Climb14er]

I would love to believe that. The 4.7 V8 was engineered 6-7 years ago I would assume...I am sure that the 4.6 V8 designed today should at least be slightly better. I think Toyota would have more customers wanting V6 and V8 models than they would V6 and 4 cylinder models. 4Runner customers are a special niche now days. Just because a Highlander could support sales of a 4 cylinder doesn't mean that the 4Runner could/should as well. Ahh, the suspense is killing me!

Actually the 4.7 liter V8 engine was engineered approximately thirteen years ago (or more) as the 4.7 V8 was first introduced into the Lexus LX 470 in 1998.

The 4.7 has undergone a few refinements and is one well tested, truly reliable and a first class engineered power plant.

The 4.6 liter V8 should by all sense of reality, be offered in the 2010 model.

 

[nighthawk]

Isn't the Dealer order sheet that C&D is talking about a Canadian one? Is the V-8 even available in Canada in the 4th Gen?

Toyota might leave the V-8 out to save some development and regulatory dollars, but I can't see them doing it for MPG. Take a look at the specs for the 2010 Tundra. The 4.6 V-8 is rated 15/20 and the V-6 (same as 4th gen runner) is rated 15/19. The 2009 4.7 V-8 (same as 4th gen runner) was rated 14/17. All of those numbers were from the smallest 4x2 model.

The order sheet that was posted is for Canadian models. In Canada, only the 4WD V6 is offered. We've actually not been able to get a 2WD 4Runner in Canada starting in 1996 I believe. The 3rd gen was never offered in 2WD form in Canada.

I have a feeling the 4 cylinder will be a later release or we just won't get it in Canada because it may be 2WD only.

 

[M1911]

So to offer a 4banger that will have better mileage and still deliver decent enough power to a very safe and reliable car makes perfect sense.

Your assumption is that the 4-cylinder engine will give enough power. I just doubt that will be the case in a 4300 lb truck with awful aerodynamics. It will be slow as molasses and will have to work so hard that I doubt it will be much more efficient than the V6 in actual use.

 

[Scoobs]

The order sheet that was posted is for Canadian models. In Canada, only the 4WD V6 is offered. We've actually not been able to get a 2WD 4Runner in Canada starting in 1996 I believe. The 3rd gen was never offered in 2WD form in Canada.

I have a feeling the 4 cylinder will be a later release or we just won't get it in Canada because it may be 2WD only.

V8 has only been available in the Limited model for 2008 and 2009 model years in Canada. Prior to 2008 V8 was available across the line. Wouldn't surprise me if V8 is available in US for 2010 but not in Canada.

I did see a 3rd Gen 2wd on the used lot at Russelle Toyota in Peterborough. It was CND truck.

 

[nighthawk]

V8 has only been available in the Limited model for 2008 and 2009 model years in Canada. Prior to 2008 V8 was available across the line. Wouldn't surprise me if V8 is available in US for 2010 but not in Canada.

I did see a 3rd Gen 2wd on the used lot at Russelle Toyota in Peterborough. It was CND truck.

Yeah, it sucks that we can only get V8 in Limited up here, cause I prefer the SR5 Sport better.
I personally have seen 2WD 3rd gens up here before too, but all the ones I've ever seen were imported from the US. Also, all the documentation that I've seen (sales brochures) point to there being no 2WD up here in Canada for the 3rd gens. However, all I have are the 1997-2000 brochures though.

 

[Alex1911]

Given that Toyota has almost effectively cancelled the V8 for 2009, it would not surprise me at all if there is no V8 for 2010. Disappoint me? Yes. Surprise me? No.

Perhaps so they could concentrate on 4.6l V8 production.

I found the .pdf interesting, but as everyone knows, it pertains to Canada. I'm still hoping we'll see a V8 model. One really shouldn't believe either way until were see something officially from Toyota.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I just got my new Car and Driver and on page 120 it says the 4.6 V8 will be available. It says the 4runner will be a leaned-out and less pricey "guys" truck with heavier off road themes.

 

[10majfar]

I dunno, I think the 4cyl will sell. 11 out of 10 (yup, thats legit math) 4runners I see on the street are soccer moms. I would say their number one concern is getting their kids, and groceries from point A to point B in a nice looking vehicle. And now they have that option of doing it with an engine that screams 'more MPGs!'. I would honestly say you guys are underestimating and are the minority when it comes to the culture explosion of 'green'. There have even been countless threads on here where people talk like, 'if I drive 48.6mph on the freeway, with my front tires at 36psi and my rear at 37psi, and I change all my oils to synthetic I pick up an extra mpg'. Yeah, you guys talk that the v8 only looses 1-2mpg, but thats upwards of 40mpt. And that adds up in cost over the span of a year.

I was shocked when I found out the pimped out gov't H3's that my old recruiters used are 4cyl. He said that it didn't feel underpowered at all, although they feel it a little bit when towing the trailer. My old car was a 97 accord 4cyl. And when I went home for a few weeks for Christmas I was surprised that I had to basically keep it floored to maintain 80mph on the freeway. You get used to it, and the people who buy the 4cyl probably will too.

Don't get me wrong, when I saw the hp of the new 4cyl, I was like, '... oh man, really??', but I'll wait to see how it performs.

- edit - AND, what are the total sales this year for the 4runner??? Not great from what I remember seeing... and of those, what percentage were v8s?

You make a good point, soccer moms would probably not care about power any more than they care about four wheel drive. As long as the 5th gen looks good, the 4cyl's will sell.

I think the 4th gen looks a little girly when compared to it's predecessors. Hopefully Toyota does not continue this with the 5th gen.

 

[M1911]

You make a good point, soccer moms would probably not care about power any more than they care about four wheel drive.

Up here where it snows, the soccer moms DO care about 4WD. They think you need 4WD to get to the grocery store with an inch of snow on the ground.

 

[coldbivy]

I just got my new Car and Driver and on page 120 it says the 4.6 V8 will be available. It says the 4runner will be a leaned-out and less pricey "guys" truck with heavier off road themes.

I think C&D has already proven that they don't have a clue about the 5th gen runner.

 

[eskimochaos]

I think C&D has already proven that they don't have a clue about the 5th gen runner.

Does anyone?

 

[Dark Runner]

I just got my new Car and Driver and on page 120 it says the 4.6 V8 will be available. It says the 4runner will be a leaned-out and less pricey "guys" truck with heavier off road themes.

YAAAAAAAAH :dancin::cheers::bowdown::rocker:

 

[coldbivy]

Does anyone?

Yes, but they aren't talking!

 

[snap315]

Well this just makes it offical that my 2005 4Runner will be the LAST 4Runner I own.

:sadwave:

Now my choices are between the upcoming 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (with the Hemi V8 of course) or the 2010 Acura MDX (with has a BETTER V6 than what Toyota will be putting into the 2010 4Runner). I understand that the MDX has no offroad ability but since 90% of my driving is onroad, and the Acura SMOKES the 4Runner on performance (it was tested and tuned on the Nurburg ring), I think it deserves a look. At least the Acura MDX V6 is an excellent engine choice since4 it makes 300 HP and 275 lb/foot of torgue.

:bash:

 

[owen4runner]

It will be interesting if the new Runner looks like this: http://www.toyota.co.id/cars/exterior/index.php?Model=Fortuner&kd=Exterior

Click the Interior under Galeri on the left. I do like the rear A/C vents being located on the roof. The vent locations on my current Runner make them almost useless. And the old fashioned shift knob/s for the 4X4. All in all this Fortuner interior looks simple enough.

 

[Mark86]

Just received truck trend in the mail today and they have an article on the 2010 4Runner/GX 470.

"At press time, Toyota and Lexus were mum on their new GX and 4Runner, but photos indication it is still a truck-style SUV with a solid rear axle, receiver hitch, and a real spare tire underneath. Our guess is that the 4Runner will go on sale first, later this year, and the GX will follow in early-to-mid 2010. We expect the new 4.6-liter V8, rate around 310 hp and 330 pound feet of torque, will be the standard engine in the GX and optional for the 4Runner- if that vehicle didn't get too heavy for the 4.0-liter V6. And with talk of pieces like KDSS, bits borrowed from the LC/LX, and electronic assists modeled after Land Rover's Terrain Response system, it could easily get quite heavy."
from Truck Trend- September/October 2009.