BOF is dying because nobody really wants or needs it anymore in the SUV market, especially small or midsize SUVs. I guess Toyota may decide to fill that small niche market as everyone else abandons it, but how long can that last? The masses will gravitate towards vehicles with the better ride quality and increased fuel economy that comes with unibody construction rather than the truck-like dynamics that come with BOF.
The sad part is that the current 4Runner is now so old that the next generation is going to need massive changes in order to truly compete with the vehicles that people tend to cross shop. Competitors like the Grand Cherokee already offer a ton more refinement, yet still have fantastic capabilities off the pavement. Of course reliability is still a factor to consider, but the majority of people lease these days, so they don't worry about keeping their vehicle beyong the warranty period anyway.
The sad part is that the current 4Runner is now so old that the next generation is going to need massive changes in order to truly compete with the vehicles that people tend to cross shop. Competitors like the Grand Cherokee already offer a ton more refinement, yet still have fantastic capabilities off the pavement. Of course reliability is still a factor to consider, but the majority of people lease these days, so they don't worry about keeping their vehicle beyong the warranty period anyway.
