Charger getting V8 back, maybe V6 4Runner next?

According to the report, Dodge engineers are already working toward reviving the V-8 Charger, though customers will have to wait until late 2026 for the official launch.

Now that EPA regulations were rolled back, can we hope that V8s and V6s will make come back? It is fine if they come with "Not available in California".

 

I hope they put the gas engine back in it. I was never a fan of that car, but Dodge made a serious mistake making it all electric.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWeN2QgiIcU&t=1819s

 

I’ve blabbed at length on this before but I’m wagering there won’t be a V6 4Runner again, the short of it is:

- The length of a presidential term isn’t very long when engineering vehicles (as in the next administration, if/when there is one, may change targets)

- Instability in decisions (see: tariffs) means things can’t be planned for effectively and economic trouble/a trade war will hurt new sales once effects are felt, especially on the lower end of the market where the 4Runner sits and a V6 won’t save it

- V6 is now a key Lexus GX, LX feature (like the V8) and is a key upsell opportunity/differentiator since they all have virtually the same underpinnings now

- Platform may not have been engineered for the 1GR plus logistics of pivoting to make more (If you had the 1GR in mind specifically)

- Emissions standards are still trending up worldwide, making less distinct engines for more markets will still win and we know Toyota is absolutely counting their pennies this product cycle

 

These are all good points. However, specifically on 1GR, there are still non-US market Toyota new trucks with 1GR. As such, I think logistics and planning points you made would not be a big deal. I speculate that to get 1GR into 6th Gen 4Runner would require new engine mounts and transmission bell housing (maybe) . Integrating ECU with new electronic would require a new module, but they likely already have it as there are a few transition cars on the global platform with older engines.

Also, considering they will likely have to build 2026 in US, might as well have US-focused configuration.

 

Not going to happen.

There are 13 other states that have the same emission regs as California.

 

Leaning towards no but the Ranger did get a 2.7TT V6 option this year since the Bronco has it.

 

I follow and while I stick by my opinion that spinning 1GR production back up will be economically infeasible, I definitely can declare that moving 4Runner production to the US for the 2026MY (or maybe even before the mid-cycle refresh) is flat-out not possible.

Even if Toyota decided to throw all the money at building the 4Runner in the US today, it would be something like 2-3 years or more before a single one rolls off the line. (And most of the first year would be selecting specifications, site, builder, permits, surveys, contracts, etc.)

We’re probably talking billions of dollars for the factory itself and that’s before we even worry about parts suppliers and other third-parties that support the operation.

I’m thinking more realistic is prices go up, payment plans go longer. Or given that today the richest 10?% of us make up around half of current consumer spending, maybe we’ll see lower trims or entire models (4Runner) drop off in favor of manufacturing other vehicles that share the platform for other markets (Prado) or models that better-off folks won’t mind paying the tariff on. (GX)

I’m assuming Toyota would have the build another plant, but maybe one could be retooled for less expense - but that comes at the cost of downtime and eating into sales of other big sellers.

With how tariffs are very much up-in-the-air with them going into effect, then delaying them, then exemptions, then all foreign vehicles… Automakers aren’t going to rush to move manufacturing to the US beyond giving some token headlines/announcements with such inconsistency and rapid on-set. (these make emissions regulations look lax as manufacturers can see them coming a mile away and while they’re being planned)

Or there’s also issuing a “gratuity” for an exemption as some companies do get exemptions for tariffs. That’ll probably be the cheapest option and give you a leg up over competition.

 

I’ll believe it when I see it. But if Dodge does start putting a V-8 hemi back in the Charger, I bet my bottom saw buck that truck owners are going to start crying and complaining about wanting a V-8 hemi again back in their Ram 1500 pickups. What do you wanna bet?

 

How did I ever miss this? The Charger is now all-electric, no V8 no more? When did that happen?

 

They voted on it while you were on vacation.

 

A good buddy who’s a diehard RAM owner sent me this: The Hemi V8 Will Be Made In The USA Again

 

The difference here is Ram and Dodge buyers made it known to Stellantis that without a V8 they won't buy one.

4Rs buyers will take whatever Toyota allows to be sold in the states and be profusely grateful if they can obtain it at TSRP.

 

I love how every time tariff comes up "affordability" experts come out of the woodwork.

Good thing low tariffs and NAFTA up to this point have kept non-US assembled vehicle prices super low here, and we are just swimming in a plethora of choices in sub-20k practical vehicles with strong demand from those who can't afford a 50k average price new vehicle, heck look at those 2025 Yaris, Fit, and such. Oh wait...

 

You don't think it can get worse? I know the US likes to think its the center of the universe, but the world will move on. Toyota sells all over the world and will focus on areas and vehicles that sell.

 

The American buying public seems to have no problem with 80k Tahoes, 50k Siennas, 70k 4Runners and Tacomas so there is plenty of room for car company to navigate. If the buying public is actually shopping on a budget being hard pressed on cash, all the car companies wouldn't have canceled cheaper cars here. My local dealers can't even sell 22k Corollas but can't keep 60k Grand Highlanders in stock, so clearly the buyers don't want cheap cars here in the US.

 

I think (in my opinion) people are sick of the crazy prices but the steady increase has a limit - if the 25% tariffs stick, there is no way that wont drastically change the landscape of vehicle purchases in the state. BIG IF in there with the tariff's sticking though....

 

"steady"? You mean the ~20% increase for ORPs and Pros between 5th and 6th gen on top of price increases between 2020 and 2024? Wow, low tariff ready helped out there. Cool beans.

If people are in fact in a bad financial spot, the car market is in no way showing that up to this point, at all. People don't want affordable cars in America, that is a fact. Corporations spend large sums of money on data science to model pricing, they know the customers here will buy 50k+ SUVs all day long just to not be seen in 20k sedans.

 

Lol toyota will probably go with a v8 in the next 4runner

 

It was clearly too rushed for sure. And as that Youtuber points out while being interviewed for some other channel - it's REALLY difficult being a car manufacturer doing 10 or 15 year forecasts when you have policies change so drastically every 4 years.

Where it seemed Dodge would be forced into EV's and probably get credits and subsidies, now it seems there will probably be less EPA restrictions than we've had in quite some time.

While the Charger EV was a bit ruched for sure, I can't really blame Dodge for the waffling political climate. If anything, good on them for not putting much R&D into this EV and not wasting more money than they did.

 

yah dude - there is a reason I panic bought a 2024 4runner...I get it - Toyota is defn on the forefront of massive price increases. The prices here in Canada are legitimately insane/confusing. I bought a 2019 OR for $43k - there is a trailhunter at the same dealership I bought from that is $88k plus tax and fee's - its ludicrous. But back to my original point though - it can get worse.

 

A US made Corolla Cross starts at 24k and they are stacking up on lots around my area with no buyers. The average new car transaction price last year in the entire US was right at 50k. Let that sink in for a moment, Toyota CURRENTLY offers a very well made US Built crossover for under HALF of the average US new car transaction price, and buyers are ignoring it.

Toyota has kept prices of their Corollas, Camrys, Corolla Crosses, etc fairly stable over the years because that segment buyers are somewhat price sensitive but that's a small portion of US auto buyers.

It will get worse only for people who can't stand being seen in sub 30k vehicles, who want to commute to work in their 70k midsize pickups made by people who are paid 2 dollars an hour.

 

Nope.

Even if they did, what V6 would Toyota put back into the 4Runner? The outdated, loud, rattly, inefficient 1GR?

 

GX V6 - obviously wouldn't do that but still

 

From a product stack perspective that would just be Toyota shooting themselves in the foot. BUT what if they put it in an even more extreme version of the Pro to truly compete with the Bronco raptors

 

They are all about reliability and consistency/efficiency in manufacturing so wouldn't push too much power or do any one-off type thing that US manufacturers do.

 

The GX V6 is about 60hp behind the Bronco Raptor, and has way more torque with the hybrid system. It's definitely doable, but you have a point on Toyota being more conservative.

 

Maybe we're splitting hairs and possibly neither here nor there but the Lexus V6 is a 3.4 liter while the Bronco V6 is a 3 liter. It's typically safer / more reliable to have more displacement and I think these engine displacements speak to the conservatism/reliability of Toyota's culture.

More displacement and still a little less power (if not for the hybrid electric motor)

 

That V6 in the LC250 body would be nice. But Toyota won't do that unless the LC250 sale seriously flops even more than they currently are.

 

Doug Demuro expects the Dodge brand to die soon, so...

But yes, the combustion Charger was basically riding on the same platform from 2006. It was discontinued in 2023.

 

Well, I can see why he (and a lot of others, btw) would think that. Dodge only has three products:




You can't count Ram trucks, because "RAM" is technically it's own brand. The Dodge Hornet is a huge sales blunder. Nobody is buying that thing. Now the Charger is all electric and they took away the Challenger.

Yeah, I can totally see why people would think Dodge is going under. Will it happen? I have no idea. I'll sit on the sidelines and watch the circus. What will be, will be.