Why I believe the 4Runner line will die in 2023.

Yep, based on how royally they screwed up the Tundra I am not too confident about the 6th gen.

 

The problem I see is that the Prado and the 4runner are basically the same vehicle. They are made in the same factory and share the same platform (there are differences but market segment isn't one). If they were going to bring a Prado over, they might as well call it the 4runner instead of splitting hairs.

The correct path for Toyota to take is clear to me. Bring back the Land Cruiser as the successor to the FJ Cruiser. They need to make it off road focused like a Wrangler. It has to be compromised as a family vehicle. They could make it 2 doors, they could make it a convertible, they could give it solid axles. Anything that makes it better as a fun off road vehicle while making it worse as a family vehicle (plus make it look cool like an fj). The 4runner can exist as a capable and practical family vehicle, while the new land cruiser can be a purely fun and very capable vehicle.

Killing the 4runner makes zero sense, it's established in its segment. 4runner is also Toyota's oldest nameplate for a BOF vehicle in North America, I'd argue it has better recognition than the Landcruiser too. The Prado does have a history of replacing 4runners in other markets, but they kept it in the US likely for the same reason we got a different midsize pickup.

Also when you say trim, could that be referring to a vehicle trim level rather than new car? Like a 4runner Land Cruiser trim. Seems odd but trim could mean that.

 

yep. That's why I left Chevy after 25+ years as a Blazer/Trailblazer guy. quality fell off then they turned both names into mommy-mobiles. Blessign in disguise though....that's what pushed me to get a 4Runner.

 

Saying the 4Runner is done is like saying the Tacoma is done. Not sure if OP truly works at dealership, there are only 4 things that kill a model: low numbers (<40K per year); continuous production quality; streamlining model line up due to redundancy; or no profit per unit. 4Runner model is too much of a recognition part of the Toyota brand. If the OP works at a dealership, then disclose profit per trim level.

I agree with what another responder noted, this is clickbate. Only thing that will kill off 4Runner is new model not being well received vs a plan by Toyota.

 

that line did it, he must not know how many has sold the last few years

 

yep, true case there of not knowing what the hell he is talking about

 

You do realize that the FJ Cruiser was just a half assed attempt at an FJ40 Landcruiser tribute, don't you?

 

The rolling pile of shit syndrome, like what happened to the Blazer. Chevy should be ashamed to call that disposable piece a Blazer. Your sentiment echos truth!

 

So while that looks good, I looked up sales for the RAV4, and since 2017 it hasn't sold less than 400k.

With the current model, all the development costs were paid for decades ago so production costs were probably relatively low. Is it worth it spending all that money on a new model for 100k-ish sales?

 

That really was a colossally stupid move. It's probably a great little crossover for what it is, they just should have named it literally anything else. I checked the sales figures, they've never sold over 100k, so I wouldn't be surprised if they just continue it when this model cycle runs out.

I really wish GM would come out with a SUV based on the Colorado chassis, with the upcoming redesign of it that would probably be a great vehicle.

Same with Ford calling that four-door EV the Mustang. I actually saw one the other day for the first time, I actually like the way it looks. I see no reason for them to call it the Mustang though.

 

Tundra sales are around the 150,000/year range.

Sequoia are around 10,000/year lately. Yes, that's 10,000.

Sienna is around 75,000/year.

Avalon around 30,000/year.

Yaris around 25,000/year.

What surprised me most is the 4Runner outsells the Prius. Prius is around 75,000/year.

 

Oh wow, not a lot of good sales numbers there. I honestly didn't even realize they still made the Avalon and the Yaris.

That puts it into perspective, I guess 100k plus for the 4Runner IS good.

 

I wonder what each model make$ for corp.

 

I bet the Yaris doesn't really make much, probably a pretty slim margin on that. Along with falling sales, that's why The big three are phasing out there. Smaller cars. Shoot, I don't think Ford even makes any gasoline powered small cars anymore.

Probably a huge profit margin on the 4Runner, since the tooling and development costs were paid for long ago.

 

I mean, to be fair, if a high heels punishment fetish focused dominatrix came with a Land Cruiser Prado, I'd probably be trading in my 4Runner right now, but I'm just that much of a weirdo. Not everyone is as much of a weirdo as me.

 

Dude, the FJ Cruiser looked like an SUV designed by the Easter Bunny. I'd probably be driving one now if they were still making them in 2020, but I'd still think it looked stupid.

 

I totally get that “cool” is in the eyes of the beholder, but I completely agree; stupid little back doors, stupid roof rack, stupid round headlights. Then there’s the interior…

 

Call me crazy but something about that FJ always tugged on my heart strings, never had one but would constantly do a double take when catching one in the wild.
Must be the old age!

 

2023 FJ Cruiser Final Edition:
https://www.motor1.com/news/613748/fj-cruiser-final-edition-middle-east/

 

FJs are dumb, it's no wonder they were a sales failure.

 

The 4runner "quality" as we know it is due to the Tahara plant. If the 4runner gets squeezed out to another plant (to give it, for example, a 4 cyl turbo), then it is destined to become another "rolling turd" and it really doesn't matter if they keep the name or not. Sales of the new turd will likely be decent if they keep the price down.

 

Great - still goofy looking, but now with 4R Limited wheels and a mirror (I think) stuck onto the front of the fender...

 

We'll have to disagree on this point.

Quality comes from the top down in Toyota's case.

They are responsible for the quality of production at all of their plants and the plants in Mexico have proven to make high quality vehicles.

 

haha

 

That's the Japanese version they were showing in those pics. That mirror's a Japanese thing. It's on the passenger side. I think it's supposed to help with blind spots. Considering that stupidass B (C?) pillar of the FJ Cruiser, it could actually be very useful.

 

I am in agreement with the concern of the OP as I am seeing the effects of a rush on older 4Runners, even with the bad financing conditions right now as of this post.

Nothing does more damage to a Toyota than government regulations. How many turbos survive 10 years and 200,000 miles? How about 150,000 miles?

Yeah, there's two turbos that are well regarded. They were a Mercedes turbo diesel from ages ago and a Toyota turbo from 1987 (MZ?) or something like that. With emissions requirements, and pressure on manufacturers, modern turbos are like using a condom dozens of times, they will fail because they are put under stress beyond its structural design.

We're spoiled by Toyota. [Sarcasm/Truth Alert] If you go with a Volkswagen, well hell, any German car, American car brands and especially anything made in Mexico or China, you should feel lucky to get 100,000 miles out of it.

Now, for the political section:
Start voting for politicians who understand the true science of energy. Anybody all excited for electric vehicles being mandated for everybody in all situations often fails to look at the catastrophic strip mining in China and Africa where environmental regulations don't exist. The human toll is also great because, like the Uyghurs in China and the children in Congo, there is an incredible amount of slave labor being exploited.

If "we" must strip mine lithium, the least they could do is strip mine it in America where, when it has been exhausted, that location will be converted into an environmentally healthy environment.

By the way, there is a socio-political group that seems to ignore facts and science and prefers emotions, greed and tyranny. George Orwell seemed to have captured it in a prophetic way in a little old book of his, it used to be required reading in high school until the teachers unions wanted high school students dumbed down and reading "I Have Two Mommies" in its stead.

 

The FJ is kind of interesting. Something to be said flr it’s slightly smaller size, and the side doors. But can you sleep in it as comfortably?

I think we are lucky to have the 4runner. It really is pretty much just perfect. Back hatch is mundane, but it’s a more convenient setup at the end of the day. More useful than having wide side door entry and a swing rear door that’s bound to hit something. 4runner is not compromised in passenger carrying capacity, and can be better rigged for cargo duty. it’s not too big…just all around perfect.

At this point, the 4runner has as much history as the land cruiser name. It’s closer to land cruiser roots and function than some of the more expensive land cruiser options out there. And it’s the closest thing to the legit land cruisers australia can still get.

 

Can confirm. Spent 2.5 years in Japan. Side mirrors are always up on the fenders. You never really get used to it though.

 

The one in the link has mirrors on the doors also. Is that the usual also in Japan?

 

Thank God they're finally getting rid of that clown car!

Are you referring to the 3S-GTE, or the 7M-GTE? Neither are known to be the most reliable turbo engines.

Also, if you're opening it up to turbo diesels, what about Cummins? And, I'm sure there are numerous other reliable turbo engines.