Redesigned 4Runner

[Surefire]

Hmmm... interesting....

They're downgrading the engine from a V8 4.7Liter (308 torque) to a V6 4 Liter (278 torque). Even more amazing is that there are rumors an I4 2.7L engine may come out next summer. I can't imagine an I4 that size having ANY pulling power with a vehicle this heavy.

My question, is this enough HP and torque for a 4,500+ lb SUV to actually be able to pull anything and have even average acceleration?

I don't get it.

If I were to get a Toyota SUV, I'd probably go with the V6 Highlander instead since it weighs less, has the same HP, and is only moderately behind in torque. Plus the Highlander is actually comfortable and rides like an Avalon--vs. the 4Runners truck like ride.

I think Toyota made a mistake by dropping the V8 OPTION (those those that need torque and pulling power).

http://www.toyota.com/4runner/

Also not impressed with the design. Looks too much like a blocky 1980s Bronco to me. I was REALLY hoping they'd go with the Tundra/Sequoia design that slightly copies the Dodge Ram semi-truck look.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

Was always a fan of the Bronco...was pissed when Ford killed it. I have on 06 4Runner with a V6 and it pulls just fine.

And not a fan of the new design...

 

[MANT!]

Looks like they want it too look more like a full size truck...probably won't sell too well...

 

[JonathonWally]

It's a good looking truck, if I wasn't planning on buying a Challenger or a Mustang, I'd consider it.

 

[Surefire]

Was always a fan of the Bronco...was pissed when Ford killed it. I have on 06 4Runner with a V6 and it pulls just fine.

And not a fan of the new design...

That is good to hear that the V6 performs well.

What about the I4 option rumored to be coming. Will the 2.7 liter I4 just be for soccer moms?

 

[Captain Ice]

Surefire, you may not remember this, but there was a time when Toyota didn't make anything BUT 4 cylinder trucks, and this 4Runner doesn't look much larger than the 4Runner was back then.

 

[zephramc]

I like it, though I think the 4th gen (and 3rd gen) models were sleeker and nicer looking.

As far as Toyota dropping the V8, it's really not that big of deal. The V6 makes very good torque and has a very flat curve. A far as towing, the earlier 4.0L V6 would do almost everything that the V8 would. The new 4.0L has a dual VVTi system which should help even things out more (V6 vs V8).

 

[Warp Coil]

Meh. Not terribly impressed. I read rumors a while back that Toyota considered pulling the plug on the all-new 4Runner, but development was too far along and so they decided to keep the project alive. With the record-high gas prices and then the collapse of the economy, people really aren't buying truck-based SUVs anymore. As such, a vehicle like the 4Runner isn't going to generate huge sales. I expect Toyota to produce and sell fewer of these than they have in the past. It'll be a small niche vehicle for those who really enjoy four-wheeling and taking their trucks off-road. The average soccer mom isn't buying these; they buy the Highlander.

As for styling, I don't care for the blocky 80's look. It looks dated and cheap. Toyota's designs have really bothered me for the last few years. Their stuff is either bland, or just plain ugly.

 

[TrekkieMonster]

I have to admit I've long had a soft spot for the 4-Runner, both because my brother has had one for years and I really like it (never had any trouble towing anything with his v-6), and because one essentially saved my life when I was in a nasty accident earlier this year.

But, this thing if fugly.

And I can't imagine an i-4 being able to move that huge block of metal out of a parking space.

 

[Surefire]

Surefire, you may not remember this, but there was a time when Toyota didn't make anything BUT 4 cylinder trucks, and this 4Runner doesn't look much larger than the 4Runner was back then.

I remember those days, but never took those vehicles seriously -- they were so small looking that they looked more like token trucks than serious heavy duty trucks.

Having said this, 4,500 lb curb weight is asking a lot of an I4. I don't think those early Toyota trucks were close to 4,500 lbs?

 

[Surefire]

I like it, though I think the 4th gen (and 3rd gen) models were sleeker and nicer looking.

As far as Toyota dropping the V8, it's really not that big of deal. The V6 makes very good torque and has a very flat curve. A far as towing, the earlier 4.0L V6 would do almost everything that the V8 would. The new 4.0L has a dual VVTi system which should help even things out more (V6 vs V8).

These are good points, but the V8 engines of this generation have improved. If Toyota put the 5.7 liter engine from the Tundra in the 4Runner, I'm sure the torque rating would be much higher than the 4L v6.

Not sure if this is technically feasible, since the tranny may not be beefed up enough to handle that engine, just an idea.

 

[Surefire]

Meh. Not terribly impressed. I read rumors a while back that Toyota considered pulling the plug on the all-new 4Runner, but development was too far along and so they decided to keep the project alive. With the record-high gas prices and then the collapse of the economy, people really aren't buying truck-based SUVs anymore. As such, a vehicle like the 4Runner isn't going to generate huge sales. I expect Toyota to produce and sell fewer of these than they have in the past. It'll be a small niche vehicle for those who really enjoy four-wheeling and taking their trucks off-road. The average soccer mom isn't buying these; they buy the Highlander.

Agreed...

I would definitely go Highlander over 4 Runner. More comfortable, more refined, and not too far behind in engine displacement.

 

[FordSVT]

I can't find a weight for the 108 bhp four cylinder 4Runners in the 1980s, but the V6 model only weighed 3800 pounds.

Funny enough, the new 4 cylinder is about as powerful as the original VZ engine in the first generation 4Runner.

That being said, I've never driven a 4-cylinder 4Runner that I felt comfortable driving in on the highway. They're dog slow, like an old VW Beetle. Some off-road enthusiasts actually like the 4-cylinder 4Runners because they have very manageable power for low-speed manoeuvring, but no one buys a new $30,000, 4-cylinder SUV to go rock crawling....

Young guys desperate for an off-roading Toyota are going to look at a Tacoma or the (yuck) FJ Cruiser. Soccer moms are going to buy a Sienna or Venza or Highlander. I'm not exactly sure what the 4Runner's place is in Toyota's lineup at the moment, other than to satisfy those few people who trade in the last model of 4Runner for the next ever few years.