6th gen Speculation Thread

Audi had e-diesel in 2015 and the US has had E85 since the 90's.

Mercedes said this kind of fuel is not viable and they are focused entirely on EV tech. With Ford, Toyota and others making a huge push for EV, I'm guessing they have no interest in it either.

 

Yeah, the 2024 release timeframe was the piece that I was initially the most hesitant about.......as in I thought no way Toyota would continue with the 5th gen for another 2-3 years. Not because I don't trust his info, but because it's such a long lifespan for of the 5th gen. But when you put it into context that the 5th gen was slated to get cancelled at the end of 2016, it makes more sense when you consider the time it takes to develop a new model.

His information suggested 4Runner production would start Q1 of 2024 at the Guanajuato Plant, so we could see an early spring release in 2024. He stressed that would be the absolute earliest release if everything went right and there were no more delays in development. I'm not sure if Toyota would call this a 2024 model year or 2025 with this release timeframe.

It will be really interesting to see what happens. If there is no 6th gen 4Runner at the end of 2022 (2023 model year), the validity of this info gets a lot more stock. But it will be about a year from now before we will have any preliminary details about what we can expect for the 2023 model year.......unless Toyota themselves comes out and says something before then.......which is very doubtful.

 

I’m wondering if this only part of the picture. Maybe it’s the hybrid that is delayed till 2024? Maybe the base engine 6th gen will be the only offering in 2023 model year.

My guess is that the Tacoma and 4runner will share the same powertrain moving forward. We are being told the Tacoma redesign will be a 2024 model year. Seems like if there is a delay, it’s going from 2023 model year to 2024 model year.

 

Interesting. When we bought our 2015 Tacoma the dealer said they didn’t know if the 4Runner would be retuning after 2016. I always thought he was saying that to push us into the 4Runner. Maybe a bit of both. We should have gone 4R anyway…

 

4Runner being dissconniunted I find hard to believe, it's one of the most recognizable nameplates Toyota has in North America. Sure sales have picked up 2014 onward (facelift had a lot to do with it) but the early 5th gen sales were not that bad.

Calendar year US
1984 6,498
1985 5,495
1986 5,564
1987 3,635
1988 20,880
1989 36,927
1990 48,295
1991 44,879
1992 39,917
1993 46,652
1994 74,109
1995 75,962
1996 99,597
1997 128,496
1998 118,484
1999 124,221
2000 111,797
2001 90,250
2002 77,026
2003 109,308
2004 114,212
2005 103,830
2006 103,086
2007 87,718
2008 47,878
2009 19,675
2010 46,531
2011 44,316
2012 48,755
2013 51,625
2014 76,906
2015 97,034
2016 111,970
2017 128,296
2018 139,694
2019 131,864
2020 129,052

 

This is an interesting point.

Since they essentially already have the 2.4L Turbo figured out with the NX, it's possible it could be introduced in the 6th gen earlier.......that is if the rest of the vehicle is ready.

 

They're bad when you consider yearly sales in 2010-2013 were less than half of what they were from 1996-2007 (for most years). 2008-2009 numbers are tied to the recession.

I think Toyota was expecting sales to return close to the 100,000's when the 5th gen came out but didn't get it until 5 years later in 2015. That's a long time for a rebound to former sale numbers. Add in high gas prices around this time and they probably thought 4Runner popularity was waning and peoples taste for cars were changing.

 

If the info is correct, I’ll keep mine for a very long time. I’ll just get another vehicle instead of trading this one in.

 

I said it in the other thread about this, try the rav4 prime. I’ll consider the 4Runner, taco or tundra if they build a primer version. To me, this fixes my issue with all of them, they all drink too much fuel.

 

This makes me feel better about buying a 2021 model. I’ve been wondering if there will be a better option in a year or two.

I’m happy to buy now and wait it out for 5-7 years to see how reliability plays out.

Reference the touch screen, I can adjust. I understand the above mentioned points about knobs and buttons being easier to find, but what is likely to happen is voice command will be developed so you can make whatever adjustments you like by asking for it instead of fumbling for a knob or button. That will be far and away better than what we have today.

I’m 52 and I know where some of you are coming from, but you have to realize that almost everyone under 35 years old today prefers touch screens. That will only continue.

I’m tapping away right now on my iPhone touch screen, which has seen far more daily use over the past 5 years than any car dash control and my screen has never failed to work perfectly.

I think car infotainment systems will soon go away. All we need is to be able to pair our phone and then control everything with the phone. The dash touch screen will simply be a prosthetic for our phone.

Take a good look at what Elon has done with Tesla. I see that as our future and I’m stoked about it.

 

Serious question: If a vehicle allows you to adjust A/C fan speed via BOTH a knob and a touch screen, how many people opt for a touch screen with a knob sitting right there?

I don't think anyone is arguing that there should be zero touch screens. But zero buttons/knobs doesn't make sense, either.

Even on my iPhone 12 Pro Max, I use the volume buttons on the side, rather than diving into a menu. I'll bet almost all iPhone users do the same thing. Even Apple recognizes that some buttons are good.

 

I think Mercedes has been doing a good job of advancing the design of interiors in recent years. They have a single knob approach for infotainment control, and still retain buttons. Tried this in my friends Merc and the knob works great for navigating the menu without reaching up and touching the screen. Very intuitive and the console looks really clean. Some BMW and Audi's also use this single knob approach.

 

That interior makes me cringe having a dog. Jeeps or my current 4R are perfect. We don't need more futuristic or high tech. Some of us need more durable.

 

I admit it's a bit gaudy which is the style of Mercs anyway, but it's very functional and intuitive. I was pleasantly surprised. I assume it would hold up under offroad conditions just fine.

 

The screen as a prosthetic for your phone is already very nicely achieved by Apple CarPlay. It's a great system, and one reason I chose a 2020 instead of an earlier model with tiny screen and no CarPlay functionality.

In general, CarPlay should also have the advantage of not copying your personal data to the car's computer. In most cars, when you connect your phone to the car via the OEM bluetooth, you end up transmitting your contacts, call history, and sometimes even your private texts to the car's computer. This is especially a concern because most new cars are connected to the Internet. And erasing that data is in many cases impossible without physically destroying the module that collects it.

I have to disagree however about touchscreens -- or voice command -- being an advantage. People may like it, but just factually it will never be as user friendly for most tasks as turning a knob. The tactile experience of operating a physical control for simple functions (eg radio volume, seat heater) will always be an advantage -- in terms of time, effort and the amount of attention that gets diverted from the road. This is just fact. It will never change.

 

Give me more knobs and less touchscreens.

 

I miss the simple DVD Player in my FJ.

 

If I want advanced comfort and entertainment features found in expensive German SUVs, I will buy another expensive German SUV.

If I want a no bullshit off-road vehicle with buttons, knobs, and manual shifters, I want to get a Toyota.

It’s not difficult.

 

+1000. I really hope the 6th gen sticks with its roots in being rugged and practical. Couldn't imagine a 4runner being any more upscale than the current offering, I mean that's basically a Highlander.

 

Every now and then you’ll see videos of high end BMW’s or Range Rover’s doing some mild trails boasting their tech but realistically you’ll never see a single one on a trail

two different SUV classes with two different consumer groups and to your point, hopefully Toyota sticks to what it’s good at.

 

That's why I liked my FJ Cruiser so much.

Rick

 

It just looks weird, because they have two wheels in the air, are blasting the ABS and jerking forward very slowly, and then automotive journalists who have not actually seen a real off-road vehicle perform think this is the most amazing shit ever.

not mentioning, they actually pre-run the trail to make sure it won’t get stuck, and if you try this with ayourself, you might void the warranty and you will have like three chrck engine, AT, and ABS lights on when you get back home.

 

That would be awesome. All the power down low is exactly where the 4Runner (or any offroad capable vehicle) needs it. If you have power down low, you never need to be up top.

I had an 88 Trans Am with a TPI 350 as a kid. Rated at 230hp/335 ft lbs of tq. It ran out of steam just past 4k RPM, but most of that 335 ft lbs was available right off idle. That thing was a tire smoking, stop light drags champion. It was relatively slow at the track in the 1/4, but all that tq down low made it SOOO nice to drive.

Same with my 2.5T Volvo that makes pk tq of 236 ft lbs at 1900 rpm. My biggest complaint with the 4R is that all the power is up top.

 

We have low range for power down low when wheeling. Also power down low can break parts if you're not careful.

 

Unfortunately low range can't be used on the highway to avoid 2-3 downshifts every time I hit a hill.

I'm not talking 900ft lbs, just more than a Honda Civic under 4k rpm would be nice.

 

Supercharge it.

 

I just want a basic SUV, I want a screen that controls the reverse camera, navigation, and maybe apply car play (if they have to put in a screen make it useful). THAT IS IT. Buttons and knobs for all other controls. No one likes going into a touchscreen to control the heated seats or the headlights, its not more convenient

 

LOL. Passenger vehicle use accounts for about 10% of the global CO2 emissions annually.

https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions-from-transport

If one really thinks (and that's a dubious IF) that carbon emissions are causing global warming, then perhaps their energy would be better expended coming down on the other 90% of sources of CO2 rather than force me to buy a hybrid 4Runner.

 

I went from a 3rd Gen 2000 SR5 that I had since new to a 5th Gen 2018 ORP and loved the performance and more modern features. I took some friends out for a drive and one said “the control knobs are huge and so retro, I like them”. I laughed and said “yeah no shit”.

 

I’m not a the world is ending because we drive cars type person, but don’t forget the COVID shutdown lack of driving, places saw how much effect transportation had on the air quality.
And I’ll take the option of a hybrid/prime 4Runner, we love our rav4 prime it’s dam quick.

I do believe we should be aware of our possible effects on OUR environment and why not try to help keep OUR house clean and healthy?