All new 2010 4runner revealed...
- Thread starter Martinjmpr
- Start date
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
IIRC the photos of the 5th gen 4runner at SEMA were of a "limited." The "Limited" model is the street/luxo version and has 20" wheels with low profile tires and a very low hanging valance panel - it's clearly not intended for true off roading.
The Trail Edition and SR5 have 17" wheels (I believe) with higher profile tires which should pick the vehicle up a bit more off the ground.
Obviously the crossmembers are there on either version but with higher profile, larger diameter tires, they'll be farther off the ground.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
I think what's happening with the 4runner is that Toyota has realized that they took a pretty good off-road vehicle with a lot of "street cred" and tried to turn it into a baby land cruiser. By lowering the vehicle, putting in all the pushbutton gegaws, the big V8, the full time 4wd and such, they ended up attracting customers who would otherwise have gone for the more expensive LC or Lexus GX (A/K/A LC Prado in other markets) which cost them a lot of $$.
I'm sure at least part of the marketing strategy with the 4th gen 4runner was that if the 4runner was "luxuried up" a bit, the hard core off roaders would be still be attracted to the FJC.
But with the rumored demise of the FJC, Toyota realized that (a) if they wanted to keep the off-roaders happy, they'd have to produce a vehicle that had off-road abilities (otherwise those customers would go over to Nissan) and (b) if they stripped some of the luxury features off the 4runner, it might drive luxury-oriented customers to upgrade to an LC or GX so they could get those leather seats, full time 4wd, and the other gadgets.
Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
Interesting points/ a couple comments.
They 'did' turn it into a baby LC because the size differences are not great as people think. I love the V8s but they are relatively rare.
The 4Runner was "luxuried up" in design and execution long before the advent of the FJC:
4th Gen 4Runner = 2003
FJC 2007
That's a pretty long wait for that marketing theory.
One of my dislikes of the V8 4th Gen is the full-time AWD, no 2WD option. I think this was done for marketing reasons as you note, to appeal to the 'upscale crowd' even though the V6 is also fully capable of AWD, and to differentiate between the V6 and V8. The V8 was EPA rated at only 2 MPG less ‘highway' than the V6. If Toyota had removed the AWD on the V8 the difference could have been less, maybe the same, making the argument for the V6 difficult.
I'm so happy the 5th Gen 4Runner is getting a a bit of its 4x4 genetic code restored. Maybe the V8 will come back in a couple years for those of us who really use 4Runner as a truck, loading it up and pulling heavy loads? But the times have changed and I'm not holding my breath.
They 'did' turn it into a baby LC because the size differences are not great as people think. I love the V8s but they are relatively rare.
The 4Runner was "luxuried up" in design and execution long before the advent of the FJC:
4th Gen 4Runner = 2003
FJC 2007
That's a pretty long wait for that marketing theory.
One of my dislikes of the V8 4th Gen is the full-time AWD, no 2WD option. I think this was done for marketing reasons as you note, to appeal to the 'upscale crowd' even though the V6 is also fully capable of AWD, and to differentiate between the V6 and V8. The V8 was EPA rated at only 2 MPG less ‘highway' than the V6. If Toyota had removed the AWD on the V8 the difference could have been less, maybe the same, making the argument for the V6 difficult.
I'm so happy the 5th Gen 4Runner is getting a a bit of its 4x4 genetic code restored. Maybe the V8 will come back in a couple years for those of us who really use 4Runner as a truck, loading it up and pulling heavy loads? But the times have changed and I'm not holding my breath.
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Wonderland
Explorer
They do, just can't get them here.
Sure the 2010 4Runner is sharp looking, a little too much plastic for me.
Bring the 70 series over here and be done with it.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
So say we all.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Got a chance to look over the 2010 4Runner last week. I like the interior, but the windscreen is so damn small, just about the same forward visibility as the FJC. The rear sliding platform looks like it could be "ExPo" functional.
Big vehicle, big $. (40k for the Trail edition in these parts.)
Big vehicle, big $. (40k for the Trail edition in these parts.)
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Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
Overland Hadley
on a journey
A step backwards for visibility. (Hate not being able to see where I am going, hate it.)
Desert Taco
Observer
Got to check one of these out today at the auto show here in Phoenix. Not bad overall, but I'm not too convinced about the bulbous tail lights that stick out past the body, does not seem like they'd last very long if you did any real offroading...
This button has me interested:
:victory:
This button has me interested:
:victory:
freeze
Adventurer
I drove the Trail Edition 4Runner at SEMA and looked under to see what was hanging low. There are some low hanging bits that are not where their ground clearance measurements are from.
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Wonderland
Explorer
Put the Utility back in SUV.
Toyota's US market vehicles have way too much fluff. But what do I know!?:sombrero:
Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
Saw One On The Road
My wife and I saw our first 5th Gen 4Runner on the road this past weekend. I had seen many pictures, she had not.
As I thought, I really don't care for the brake/tail lights that stick out (headlights too). My wife noted the taillights as well, and then remarked how the "4Runner" in big letters on the hatchback looked like a "Hummer" design (we are not big H2/H3 fans).
I followed it for a coupe blocks, then offset to the left/rear on the freeway for a couple miles checking out the side view. Looks pretty 'blocky'. Interior pics show it’s too modern/edgy for me as well, but I'm conservative and like clean, smoother, rounder lines.
I know the specs are good and I'm very happy that Toyota took a trail friendly approach with the new design. A part-time transfer case with a neutral is a real positive, though I would have liked to maintained the full-time AWD capabilities without having to get a ‘Limited’ with 20-in wheels.
There is no inclination to sell the 4th Gen, but if I was looking for a "New" wagon...
My wife and I saw our first 5th Gen 4Runner on the road this past weekend. I had seen many pictures, she had not.
As I thought, I really don't care for the brake/tail lights that stick out (headlights too). My wife noted the taillights as well, and then remarked how the "4Runner" in big letters on the hatchback looked like a "Hummer" design (we are not big H2/H3 fans).
I followed it for a coupe blocks, then offset to the left/rear on the freeway for a couple miles checking out the side view. Looks pretty 'blocky'. Interior pics show it’s too modern/edgy for me as well, but I'm conservative and like clean, smoother, rounder lines.
I know the specs are good and I'm very happy that Toyota took a trail friendly approach with the new design. A part-time transfer case with a neutral is a real positive, though I would have liked to maintained the full-time AWD capabilities without having to get a ‘Limited’ with 20-in wheels.
There is no inclination to sell the 4th Gen, but if I was looking for a "New" wagon...
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Might as well wish for an honest politician, a perpetual motion machine and a unicorn because we'll get those in the US long before we get a US spec 70 series. :elkgrin:
Don't really get why though. Somebody posted pictures of the 2009 70 Series from the Middle East and it had the Taco/4Rnr 4.0l V6 and a modern dash with dual airbags. If the motor is EPA compliant and it has modern safety features what else would Toyota NA need to do?
Just asking. I like the new 4Rnr and will go check one out at the dealer soon, but I just don't think it is for me.