Despite market shift, Toyota confirms next 4Runner in development
With the U.S. market's pronounced shift away from body-on-frame SUVs towards crossovers and tall wagons, you could be excused for thinking that Toyota would be content to let its 4Runner wither away to dust. After all, the midsize SUV has been toiling away essentially unchanged since an updated 2003 model went on sale in 2002. But apparently, that isn't the case – Ward's Autoworld has learned that Toyota will build a new 4Runner.
According to the industry publication, Bob Carter, Toyota's group vice president and general manager, has confirmed that "There are plans (for a new 4Runner)," although the automaker isn't saying when the replacement model will arrive. For its part, Ward's, which maintains extensive product-cycle forecast data, says that it expects a new model for the 2010 model year, which is a bit surprising considering that we have yet to see any spy shots of prototypes.
In the article, Carter goes on to explain that not only has the 4Runner been a brand pillar since 1984 (making it one of the elder statesmen of SUVdom), Toyota actually sees potential for the SUV to pick up share as more automakers exit the body-on-frame midsize segment (read: Ford going unibody with the next Explorer and General Motors ditching the Chevrolet Trailblazer).
Carter also reaffirmed to Ward's that the Avalon and Sienna will continue to have futures in Toyota's portfolio, although he acknowledges that both vehicles have been losing volume and that the Avalon will likely take a different approach to court younger buyers. Ward's expects a new Sienna for the 2010 model year and a new Avalon for 2011.
[Ward's AutoWorld]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Steve 8:52AM (3/09/2009)
Is this a joke? They're going to make yet another bland, boring, hideous monstrosity of a gas guzzler? And here I thought all along that Toyota was the smart marketing leaders.
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Len_A 9:11AM (3/09/2009)
Goes to show that ALL auto makers will base their product decisions on where they think they can fit into the market's demands, not meet the expectations of a bunch of environmental elitists. May some of the snobs will take this into consideration the next time they want to slam the Big Three for their past product planning decisions.
Bill 9:16AM (3/09/2009)
Some people actually have a use for an SUV that:
A) Can actually tow something (More than a Highlander could at least)
B) Has *real* 4 wheel drive, as opposed to AWD
C) Is incredibly reliable and well built (All though it is a bit boring)
I personally don't have a use for a vehicle like this, but I (as well as Toyota, apparently) realize that there is a market for vehicles like this.
That market may not be every single soccer mom who wants to sit up high and have 4 wheel drive, but that does not mean there is not a legitimate market for vehicles like this.
Jared 10:49AM (3/09/2009)
I have one of these hideous, gas-guzzling monstrosities. I've put $75k miles on it since new. Problems have been limited to: 1) replace rear hatch striking plate and motor, 2) replace heater fan.
I take this monstrosity off road, while fishing (on the beach) and hunting. It is very capable off road, within the limits of its clearance and angles. Lots of folks don't need this much off road performance, but for those of us who use it, it is an excellent truck.
geo.stewart 11:07AM (3/09/2009)
this is arguably the best car Toyota has ever put out. I am not a Toyota fan by ANY stretch of the imagination but I can appreciate a good vehicle when I see one.
Toyota drew on the land cruiser experience when doing this vehicle and it shows. Rock solid in all areas,I've got a friend with one with close to 200K miles from off road, courier business, highway miles,... it looks like crap now but the thing has run like a champ the whole time.
If I needed a 4-seat SUV, this would be it.
why not the LS2LS7? 12:10PM (3/09/2009)
Towing and center-lock 4WD don't make sense together. GM didn't even offer 4WD on a dualie truck until about 1990.
Center-lock 4WD creates tire scrub on dry roads and thus creates squirreliness in turns on low-traction flat surfaces. All center-lock 4WD is really good for is offroading, and trailering generally isn't something you do off road.
Patrick 12:36PM (3/09/2009)
I bet you think that full size trucks should be abolished too. Aside from the city folks who cruise around in 2WD trucks, there are still tons and tons of people who actually need trucks for work, etc.
G-Meister 12:56PM (3/09/2009)
LS- center lock 4wd makes lots of sense for tow vehicles- Ever pull a boat out of the water- it can get pretty dicey in 2wd sometimes. Same goes for pulling trailers out of a sloppy storage lot. That said, the 4Runner (in some versions) has a lockable Tor-sen center diff, so it is a proper full time system.
Jared 1:20PM (3/09/2009)
Whynot:
In normal operation, the center diff of the 4Runner is unlocked and acts as a limited slip differential. It is not an issue while towing. It is manually lockable for use when off road.
cookie_crusher 5:49PM (3/09/2009)
1996 Toyota 4runner. I'm the original owner. 235k miles on the orignial engine and transmission. The oil still looks like honey when it gets changed every 3-5k miles. Replaced the power antenna twice as only repairs beyond scheduled maintinance.
I'm not making a case for the vehicle. It makes a case for itself. If you have no use for one, don't buy it. Otherwise, keep the criticism to a minimum imo.
franks and beans 8:55AM (3/09/2009)
I am not sure where the 4Runner will fit in. Toyota already sells the brand new Vensa and Highlander and technically there is a 2 door version in retro disguise known as the Fj Cruiser. Toyota should really sell something one step above the Scion and a spot below the Rav4 with something very sporty.
I say, import the Toyota RUSH!!!!
http://toyota.jp/rush/index.html
*The Car Nerds.com*
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Jared 10:50AM (3/09/2009)
Neither the Venza nor the Highlander have real off road capability. Nor do they have significant towing capability. If all you want is to get to the mall in a snowstorm, either the Venza or Highlander would be a better choice.
But if you really want to take it off road (as I do), neither the Venza nor Highlander will do.
Avinash machado 9:20AM (3/09/2009)
Good decision byToyota. There will always be a need for a rugged, BOF SUV with good off-road ability.. Even Jeep is going for a car based Grand Cherokee. Toyota could have this market practically to itself.
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Yikes 9:36AM (3/09/2009)
Are you making a reference to the Grand Cherokee dropping a body on frame architecture like the 4-runner.
The Grand Cherokee has always been unibody.
Avinash machado 9:54AM (3/09/2009)
Thanks Yikes. For some reason I thought that the GC was BOF.
Jason 10:55AM (3/09/2009)
The GC has never been BOF. The old "full size" Grand Wagoneers were BOF however. The only Jeeps that have been BOF since 1992 are Wranglers.
Frank 11:41AM (3/09/2009)
The new Durango will be unibody since it will be based off the Grand Cherokee. It just goes to show that if you know that if you know what you are doing you can make a competant offroader that is not body on frame. Towing won't be as good though.
Does anyone know if any of Land Rovers are unibody?
gdrs 9:26AM (3/09/2009)
In a way I could see the place for Runner in USA, since they sell oversized version of Land Cruiser there. "European" Land Cruiser is smaller (I believe the American one is called V8 here) - about the size of 4Runner. Toyota could just introduce it in the US and save a bunch on development.
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jim 10:11AM (3/09/2009)
Throughout the world Toyota sells several different vehicles under the Land Cruiser brand, the 200 series that is sold in the US is also sold in most of the world. The model you are thinking about is the Parjedo (sp), which is sold in the US as the Lexus GX470 and shares components with the FJCruiser. Additionally there is the FJ78/79 that is available as a station wagon and pick up. All LC models come with various engine/transmission configurations and 4WD systems.
The US only gets the most luxurious versions.
On the 4Runner. Good for Toyota, IMHO CUVs are the worst of both worlds, if I don't need the towing and payload capacity of an SUV, then I'd rather have a traditional station wagon or mini van for I need the space. Since the 4Runner shares much of its chassis and power plant with the Tacoma pick-up and with other vehicles Toyota sells throughout the world the cost of developing this model isn't very high.
G-Meister 12:49PM (3/09/2009)
Jim- Depending on the market, its a Land Cruiser Prado or it uses the numeric designation of Land Cruiser 90 (1st) or 120 (2nd/current) The LC120, GX470, 4Runner, FJ-Curiser, Tacoma, and Hi-Lux all share this basic architecture, with, of course, various adaptations. After the LC60 lived out its life cycle, the line diverged into the 70 series, with both light and heavy duty variants, and the 80 series.