Will the 5th gen last?

[KCcarguy]

Since buying a new 4runner, I can't help but notice how many nice-looking older 4runners are out there......especially 3rd generation. I know Toyota really overbuilt their trucks in the 90's and has recently done some cost-cutting. It's crazy that 4runners today don't cost much more than they did 10 years ago. However, overall quality in all new cars has steadily improved over the past 10 years. I know some materials in the 5th gen are a bit lighter: carpets, plastics, leather and sheet metal seem lighter/ lower-quality. But, I'd like to think toyota has continued to refine and improve the 4runner where it counts (frame, engine, tranny, suspension, general build-quality, etc. I hope the fifth generation holds up as well as older ones I see because I'd like to keep this one for a long time. Opinions?

 

[homeyclaus]

Thicker and heavier don't always mean better. Materials improve, as do engineers' understanding of what forces act on what part where. Other than that, historical quality is all you have to go on.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Only time will tell but I'm right there with ya. I bought mine based on what I've seen with previous models and hoping to get the same longevity. I had a chance to buy my nephew's 3rd gen at about the same time I was looking to buy the new 5th gen. I couldn't buy both so I had to pass as it would have just been a knock around vehicle for me. But the thing looked as good as new inside and out and it had 200k on the clock with nothing other then general maint. done to it so far. Someone got a nice vehicle on that deal.

 

[Falls]

Depends how you take care of it and how you maintain it. IMO.

 

[fraggy]

Few Complaints Posted So Far

Most people agree the 4th gen was rock solid especially the V8. While people complain about handling and tires on the 5th and feature deletions from the 4th gen, I have not heard of substantial failure complaints on the 5th gen and some have over 30K miles on them.

 

[claydoctor]

I came on here tonight and did a search to see what people thought about 4th vs the new 5th generation. My 2006, which I love, is hitting 140K and looks brand new due to my anal nature. I was really looking forward to the new version, when mine eventually wore out but the new one to me is a BIG disappointment.
I can't figure out in this economy, why they decide to make it bigger. They already have the Land Yacht and the Sequoia, so why make the 4Runner bigger? The stying is not as sleek , more clunky like a Nissan Pathfinder .Admittedly, I am not an off-road type but it's the little things. Looks like I have to climb up higher now to get in. Re-locating the window switches. The cheesy fender mount antenna. My in-glass model works just fine. I also enjoy changing my own oil, so why re-locate the oil filter. More money for the dealer? Then someone told me the rear hatch no longer closes automatically. What's with that? Highlanders are starting to look good to me.
Am I missing some big picture or do others share my feelings? By the way, my wife told me that she saw an article on MSN the other night about popular vehicles that were re-designed only to have their popularity plummet and the 4-Runner was on the list.

 

[SeattleMike]

I came on here tonight and did a search to see what people thought about 4th vs the new 5th generation. My 2006, which I love, is hitting 140K and looks brand new due to my anal nature. I was really looking forward to the new version, when mine eventually wore out but the new one to me is a BIG disappointment.
I can't figure out in this economy, why they decide to make it bigger. They already have the Land Yacht and the Sequoia, so why make the 4Runner bigger? The stying is not as sleek , more clunky like a Nissan Pathfinder .Admittedly, I am not an off-road type but it's the little things. Looks like I have to climb up higher now to get in. Re-locating the window switches. The cheesy fender mount antenna. My in-glass model works just fine. I also enjoy changing my own oil, so why re-locate the oil filter. More money for the dealer? Then someone told me the rear hatch no longer closes automatically. What's with that? Highlanders are starting to look good to me.
Am I missing some big picture or do others share my feelings? By the way, my wife told me that she saw an article on MSN the other night about popular vehicles that were re-designed only to have their popularity plummet and the 4-Runner was on the list.

The bolded parts of the quote answer your own question. Why should Toyota make yet another luxowagon and call it a 4Runner? You want luxury and power everything but never go offroad, buy a Highlander or a Lexus. The 4Runner was always about getting offroad, not going to a parking lot, so it makes sense that they moved back to their root rather than duplicate the Venza, Highlander, Rav4, etc. They know that people like you will move to another vehicle, one made in the US or with a higher profit margin. They know people who want to tow a huge boat will buy a Tundra or a Sequoia. So that left them with returning the 4Runner line to it's roots.

And let's keep something else in mind... In 2006 the Yen was ~115/ per US$. Today that exchange rate is ~80/per dollar, a hit of about 30%. And yet, they are still selling 4Runners not for 30% more but for about the same price they were in 2006. In order to do that, they HAD to decontent. Fortunately, they dumped all the candya$$ stuff like the start assist, the self closing lift gate, and the sissy-styling. How hard is it to turn a damn key or close a door, anyway?

 

[KCcarguy]

^^^^Couldn't agree more. Toyota had a problem with the Highlander and the 4runner converging on the same competitive segment. So, what was Toyota to do? They returned to the roots of the 4runner being a Utility-oriented SUV. As a former Tacoma Owner I like to think of it as a SUV version of the Tacoma.....just with more luxury options (although the 4Runner is MUCH quiter). As a quick comparison, My 2011 SR-5 ($34,000) with premium package has roughly the same features as my Dad's 2004 LTD ($38,000). I think even the 3rd gen 4runner LTD's were priced in the Low-mid 30's.

2000 Toyota 4Runner for sale | 2000 Used Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD - MSRP, Specs, Photos, and Car Pricing at locatemyluxurycar.com

Considering inflation, exchange rates and marketing factors; I guess the Lexus GX 460 ($52k) would kind of be the successor to the pseudo-luxury 4runners of the 3rd and 4th generation. And the new 4runners are repositioned in the product line.....it's a hell of a lot better than Toyota selling-out and dropping them entirely!!!!

 

[4RFan]

The bolded parts of the quote answer your own question. Why should Toyota make yet another luxowagon and call it a 4Runner? You want luxury and power everything but never go offroad, buy a Highlander or a Lexus. The 4Runner was always about getting offroad, not going to a parking lot, so it makes sense that they moved back to their root rather than duplicate the Venza, Highlander, Rav4, etc. They know that people like you will move to another vehicle, one made in the US or with a higher profit margin. They know people who want to tow a huge boat will buy a Tundra or a Sequoia. So that left them with returning the 4Runner line to it's roots.

And let's keep something else in mind... In 2006 the Yen was ~115/ per US$. Today that exchange rate is ~80/per dollar, a hit of about 30%. And yet, they are still selling 4Runners not for 30% more but for about the same price they were in 2006. In order to do that, they HAD to decontent. Fortunately, they dumped all the candya$$ stuff like the start assist, the self closing lift gate, and the sissy-styling. How hard is it to turn a damn key or close a door, anyway?

:iagree: Great post! Your analysis is spot-on! First and foremost, the 4Runner is a truck (the real SUV type) - it is not (and never should be) a luxowagon.

If someone wants the best built, toughest, extremely safe, most reliable, most capable, and longest lasting 'real SUV' available, then welcome to the 5th Gen 4Runner. If they want a fully sissified luxowagon with low walk-in height and power tailgates - then the T4R is not the one.

 

[bradj]

By the way, my wife told me that she saw an article on MSN the other night about popular vehicles that were re-designed only to have their popularity plummet and the 4-Runner was on the list.

Aren't 5th gen sales way higher than the last couple of years of the 4th gen?

 

[claydoctor]

Did returning to it's roots include making it bigger ? The 3rd generations, to me, look smaller that the 4th.

 

[TakeORF]

I can't figure out in this economy, why they decide to make it bigger. They already have the Land Yacht and the Sequoia, so why make the 4Runner bigger?

A 2009 4Runner is only .7 inches shorter (length wise) and has only .6 inches less width than a 2010 so that is not much of an issue IMO.

 

[Thai]

Toyota designs these days just make their cars look bigger...but are really not. The new Sienna looks huge next to mine until you start looking at the figures. I think that the "edgy" corner designs is what makes it look bigger than the previous smooth curvy designs.

I sure hope that the 5th gen lasts...and i am really hoping this because the 5th gen gained like 400-500 lbs over the 4th gen despite casting nearly identical shadow. Hopefully, this weight gain is from structural improvements. The 4th gen/FJ frame has had its issues...rare but significant nonetheless.

 

[claydoctor]

When they first came out, I went to the dealer and parked mine beside the new one. It looked larger in all dimensions than the figures you quote. It is certainly taller.

 

[Snowcreature]

I think the 5th gen will last, most of the chassis and mechanical elements are still being used in very rugged service in different developing-world models.

But there are definitely a few things about it that have made me want to hold onto my 4th gen for a few more miles.

What I like about the 4th gen - open center diff so that I can leave it in 4hi. I spend a ton of time in snow and ice, where you can come around the corner and immediately go from dry flat pavement to iced-over hill. Open (but lockable) center diff is a big win.

In-window antenna is a big win too. Who needs an external antenna, it's not 1995...

And my final gripe with the 5th gen trail is what's the deal with the sliding tray in back? Went to the dealer and checked out a Trail, absolutely hated this "feature". Terrible for anybody who routinely tosses a lot of big gear in and out, since it creates places for things to fall into and just seems gimmicky. Like they took a feature that I would have expected (and hated) in the 4th gen for the soccer moms and inexplicably added it to the 5th gen instead when they're supposed to be making it more basic and rugged. Basic and rugged guys don't need sliding trays for their groceries!

On the other hand, having a manual transfer case again in the 5th gen is HUGE WIN!

 

[KCcarguy]

Did returning to it's roots include making it bigger ? The 3rd generations, to me, look smaller that the 4th.

I'm sure Toyota does a lot of research on these things. They've probably found that most people prefer a 5 passenger SUV with a 3rd-row option available. If the 4runner stayed the size of the 3rd gen, this wouldn't be possible. I love the 3rd gens, but they're pretty tight for 3 people in the back seat (really 4 passenger), and I would bet it would be difficult to fit a lot of modern child-seats two-wide across the back.

The 5th gen is big enough to haul my kid, two dogs, wife and our luggage or gear. It also works great for hauling furniture or other supplies. Despite the size-increase, the 5th generations still get better milage than the 3rds.

The larger size is part of what made me choose a 4runner. I originally wanted to buy a used Land Cruiser 100, but I bought a 4runner because the 5th gen is almost as large as the LC, with better gas milage and a new car warranty. It will do 90% of what the LC will and was also much cheaper.

 

[Canadian144]

The bolded parts of the quote answer your own question. Why should Toyota make yet another luxowagon and call it a 4Runner? You want luxury and power everything but never go offroad, buy a Highlander or a Lexus. The 4Runner was always about getting offroad, not going to a parking lot, so it makes sense that they moved back to their root rather than duplicate the Venza, Highlander, Rav4, etc. They know that people like you will move to another vehicle, one made in the US or with a higher profit margin. They know people who want to tow a huge boat will buy a Tundra or a Sequoia. So that left them with returning the 4Runner line to it's roots.

And let's keep something else in mind... In 2006 the Yen was ~115/ per US$. Today that exchange rate is ~80/per dollar, a hit of about 30%. And yet, they are still selling 4Runners not for 30% more but for about the same price they were in 2006. In order to do that, they HAD to decontent. Fortunately, they dumped all the candya$$ stuff like the start assist, the self closing lift gate, and the sissy-styling. How hard is it to turn a damn key or close a door, anyway?

Damn you hit the ball right outta the park! :hatsoff::hatsoff:

Couldn't agree with you more. I should print off your post and carry it around so when people ask why we have an ugly $45k SUV with no nav and no navigation and I can just give them a handout of your post! lol