2018 Revisions

2019 should be an interesting year. Lots of new generations coming.

Ford Ranger
Ford Bronco
Nissan Frontier
Nissan Xtrerra (rumor)
Toyota 4Runner (rumor)
....and I'm sure there are more

I specifically waited to buy a new vehicle to see what 2019 has in store.

 

Toyota is not stupid ! - - Look at the Market Share for the Tacoma compared to the GM-Twins, Nissan and Honda offerings. (despite their questioned decision for a power train in the current Taco) They are not going to let their share drift away. What will be the most interesting are the economy numbers for the new Ranger. Their decision to go with a Turbo-4-Banger needs to be watched. As I have stated many times...There is a replacement for displacement. Smaller engines with either Turbo or Electric assist is the future. Toyota is watching, this is assured.

 

I'm disgusted with Ford. Selling my 2005 Ranger and looking at my first Toyota later this year. They dumped the Ranger and left a huge market hanging, now they're bringing it back, but it's not the old Ranger, it's some crappy remake working towards fuel economy rather than load rating and functionality.

Now that that rant is done......... questions about the 4runner:
I see a lot of chatter about the Limited and other 'fancier' packages; what is wrong with the regular TRD package? And why does is seem that everyone is jumping over that to the higher end packages?
It was looking to me like the higher end packages were mostly interior swag and such.......... insight please.

 

It all depends on what you want to do with it. I have a 2016 Taco and a, relatively new 2018 4R. (SR5 Premium, Sunroof etc) So I have a truck to haul 'stuff' and a 4R that replaced my 2010 Camry. Primary mover here is that this is my wife's ride. She loved the Camry, Great Mileage, fun to drive (6 Speed Manual) - BUT (A huge factor) she did not like sitting with her butt a couple of inches off the ground. She loved the Tacoma due to the ride height....We looked at a lot of vehicles and kept coming back to the 4R and are VERY pleased. Ride is smooth, quieter than the Camry - etc.

As you have determined, there are a number of differences between the various 4R's...Mainly dealing with off-road capability. (Engine and Transmission are the same). You can buy the SR5 and add a lot of this a piece at a time and get to where you want to go if you wish. As you will discover, there is a lot of after-market equipment available. Either way, you can't go wrong and will be very pleased with your new 4Runner.

 

thanks for the info Clay.

I have been looking at all the aftermarket goodies available, and this is one reason I am headed to Toyota. As far as hauling stuff, I have been working on trailers. I have one small heavy duty type trailer that I already use for hauling fire wood around. I am thinking that I will keep the trailer idea going and just add to the fleet and make up for not having a truck around.

I'm not convinced that I am done working in the woods yet, so I don't think I want the leather interior, sunroof, or upgraded trim packages. I do plan to upgrade the bumpers, tires, and roof rack and add rocksliders. From there it is just a matter of how much extra coin is lying around versus what my wife will still drive on our vehicle swap days...... ;-)

 

KDSS. Only available on TRD OR models. Love it.

 

Yep... when I test drove the 4R I had to take out the regular and KDSS models. Got the KDSS and don't regret spending the extra $$$

 

Me either

 

Just heard that the Gen 6 Runner will be a 2020. This tracks the recent car-show news showing the 2019 Runner looking much like the 2018. - Clay

 

I’ve been inquiring for quite some time when to expect the next generation of 4Runner. A Lexus/Toyota redesign schedule indicates the Lexus GX (the upscale version of the 4Runner) will be redesigned in 2020, and the 4Runner in 2021.
I’m waiting for the Toyota Safety Sense pkg and the ugly bug-eyed headlights and tail lights to get changed prior to ordering a new Limited. I wish Toyota would consider better towing capabilities as well as better fuel economy. Perhaps more gears in the transmission would aid the constant shifting issue of the transmission when towing.

 

I looked a a number of things prior to pulling the trigger and writing a check for my 2018 SR5+...Responding to your points 1) Next Gen...I thought a lot about that issue concluding that they have been making, essentially, the same model for the last 5 years. That should be a great plus as there is always something to grumble about with a new model. 2)Re. Safety Sense - Nice features...However, I've been driving for almost 60 years, successfully, without them. 3)The 4R is not designed to be stylish...Rugged/solid/reliability is where it excels. 4) Not sure I would ever buy a limited..Must be something with those that are must (other than the extra chrome on the front end) 5) Economy is likely to improve is they opt for more ratios in the transmission ....Smaller, turbocharged, engine ...a Hybrid or a dramatic reduction weight. The 4R has never been known as an economy car. I get 23 on the road and 17 in town... Considering its features and weight - I don't complain.

Hope that helps - Clay/K7CR

 

Thanks for your comments, Clay. 1) Both my wife & I agree that we won’t buy the present 4Runner. We can’t stand the bug-eyed headlights and taillights. We see the that other Toyota models have toned down the light housings. 2). I believe the 4Runner is the only current Toyota that doesn’t have some version of Toyota Safety Sense. Having served a long-time in law enforcement, I’ve seen first-hand that young & senior drivers need these features! Our driving abilities do decline as we reach our retirement years. TSS helps us account for our declining abilities. (This comes from a graduate of pursuit driving school, that teaches one to get the maximum out of a vehicle.). 3) We’ve owned a 4R for 14 years & 212K miles out of necessity to tow the snowmobiles to the mountains, boats to the lakes, and transport much cargo. 4). A Limited is much more than a chrome piece on the front end. After driving sport & luxury cars for years, we want our creature comforts! While some may opt for a 4R to go muddling, we want to be able to get to our destination comfortably. We may opt for the next towing vehicle to be the Lexus GX for the smoother ride. 5). Toyota made a reputation on dependable vehicles that got great fuel economy. Unfortunately they have fallen behind other manufacturers in the fuel economy area.
The 4R comes in several versions to meet the desires of those of us who want a very dependable SUV, whether we are going to the mountains, the outback, muddin, or the opera!

 

The laws of physics do NOT CHANGE. In order for our beloved 4runner to meet the dumb-a$$ government specs, certain things have to be sacrificed. Mass is generally the first. A heavier built, load capable engine is second. (re. atkinson style 3.5 taco crap) third, a general lack of knowledge on the part of the masses only equipped with a public education... OR!!! we, as a loyal customer/ fan base, DEMAND the same level of quality that we bought into decades before- or we simply don't buy the next generation.(vote with our feet) <- what I did with the "new" subaru outback.... panned it. Nope, not going for a CVT transmissioned, HP/ towing capacity reduced vehicle, that was made just to make people feel good about their purchase, ' cause it gets XX mpg... never mind that it now can't pull a 4K trailer reliably for several thousand miles, and the 'new' transmission CANT BE REPAIRED, and costs abt 4-5k to REPLACE. Oh yeah, Toyota, go ahead, be stupid with us. we dare you. As far as TSS is concerned, If I am not capable of controlling a vehicle, I do not need to be on the road. If we as a society continue to lower our standards for understanding, ability, comprehension, and flexibility, we will justly get what we deserve at the hands of those not so handicapped that wish to undo us.

 

Interesting thread. I just joined the forum because I'm thinking about getting a 4Runner and will likely have some questions in the very near future.

I got a brand new Tacoma 2018 TRD off road two months ago and after 2k miles I've had enough. I've been driving Tacoma's for almost 20 years and this 3rd gen engine/trans is awful (this is my first 3rd gen). Every single time I drive this truck, the transmission does something weird... but apparently this is just the nature of the beast. I'm quite astonished, to be honest.

I can hardly wait to get into a 4runner with the rest of you!

 

I have some friends that also own a 2016 Tacoma - Both of them purchase the Automatic Transmission and both have complained about it. Our 2018 4R is the first automatic we've had...takes some getting used to ...but it is very smooth. As for the Tacoma - I LOVE my Taco !! Perhaps because it's a 6 speed manual. The engine is, admittedly, different in that it's a high-winder. Once you understand its power-curve i can - manually- put it to work. Frankly it's fun to drive. I like the Taco because it's a work truck - My work (Broadcast Engineer) takes me to mountain tops on logging roads and, in the winter, chained up on all 4. As I like to say- The Taco is great for hauling stuff - The 4R is great for hauling people!. I don't think it's fair to compare the two machines as they are VERY different animals. I have the best of both - One of each (as shown in the picture) Clay

 

My story is similar. Came out of a 2011 FJC, bought a 2018 Tacoma TRDOR automatic. Could not stand it. About the only thing I liked was that it was a pickup. Yesterday at 5300 miles I traded it in on a low mileage 2016 T4R Trail. So happy to be rid of that underpowered, erratic, vibrating tin can.

 

Ha. Yeah it's unfortunate the 3rd gen taco ended up like it did. Similar experience here. The transmission is maddening. I'm honestly dumbfounded. I'm left wondering "how is this even possible?". Hands down the worst driving transmission of any vehicle I've ever driven.

 

How is the 4 working out for you? I love mine. I was worried about the truck thing also having never had an suv. I bought a 5x10 utility trailer. It has so much more capacity and use than a truck bed. Best of both worlds

 

Big reason I just got this 2019 4Runner (before they change it) and so far very happy with the purchase.

 

I'm now in a T4R too and I love it. I miss the pickup bed, but overall the 4runner is sooooo much nicer of a vehicle.

Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, about it seems of higher quality than the 3rd gen Tacoma. Fit and finish, ride quality, gearing/transmission. I'm more than impressed. I can not believe they're comparable in price considering how much nicer the 4runner is.

And for the type of driving I do (lots of 75-80 mph interstate hiway driving), I'm getting better gas mileage in the T4R (I've kept detailed mpg records for years). That was a surprise, although I got better mpg in my 2nd gen Tacoma's than 3rd gen, too. The 3rd gen Tacoma just can't hold 5th/6th gear on hills or with any headwind at all. That engine/transmission is awful imo. And at $38-40k? Unreal.

 

I currently own the 2017 SR5 (4x4) which is a basic model. It performs as expected, fair mileage running empty (16-20mpg). When pulling my tin boat or UT at 900 lbs same drops to 14-15 mpg. Secondly, I own a 2013 Highlander Limited with the 3.5 which averages 17-23 mpg; not used to pull a load.

I fear the 3.5 would be a little weak in the 4runner were the same configuration apply. I will say I run premium fuel in the 4runner which improves the performance. Cost of fuel isn't a concern as I no longer drive distances to work. I am where I need to be with two vehicles.

 

Seeing as how we're well into 2020, it seems this thread has run it's course...IMO

 

As it is now 2024 and the 2025 has been revealed, it seems this thread should be revived.

 

Why would there be a need to revive a thread about the 2018 changes?

 

@glwood54
I think now that the Gen6 has been announced and is slated for production, it addresses the questions posed in the original post.

 

True. However, the OP last posted in the thread six years ago, and on the forum over a year ago, so he might have lost interest.

I'm out.

 

Is there a service bulletin to retrofit 2018s with the 2025 features?

 

What’s happening here? My 2018 was the same as my 2016. No revisions.