All new 2010 4runner revealed...

[Martinjmpr]

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?

It's not that they can't, it's that they won't, and there's no reason for them to do so because it makes no sense from a business standpoint.

It's not enough to make a decent vehicle, you have to also be able to (a) make it at a price people will pay and (b) actually sell the thing.

That '09 70 series, if it were brought to the US, would probably sell for upwards of $35k. And at that price it would still lack the luxuries American SUV buyers demand. And if the luxuries were added on, it would probably push $60k or more.

If they bring in the vehicle the "enthusiasts" want (i.e. a stripped down 70 series with minimal luxuries) it would still be priced thousands of $$ higher than the competition which means people would buy the competition vehicle instead. And if Toyota loads it up with luxuries, then the people who want it, won't be able to afford it. This is an unsolvable conundrum for Toyota.

Furthermore, Toyota (and every other manufacturer) has already saturated the US market with SUVs. The only sales of a hypothetical US spec 70 would come out of the current sales of 4runners, Sequoias, GX470s, and 200-series LCs. So even if the profit on each vehicle was the same, it would still be a wash for Toyota giving them no reason to bring the vehicles over.

I know we drool over 70's here, but the reality is we are a tiny, tiny, tiny percentage of potential buyers and Toyota has no reason to cater to us.

And I'll be honest, if Toyota did bring over a 70, I wouldn't buy one new. I don't buy new vehicles and I can't conceive of paying $30K plus for any vehicle, no matter how awesome it is. I'll bet I'm not the only one. People who like simple, rugged vehicles also tend to be cheap SOBs like me who are reluctant to drop that kind of money on a vehicle.

 

[Juntura]

Martinjmpr-

Excellent points and I know that this issue has been beaten to death. I just like to hope. I have yet to purchase a new vehicle, and I have owned more than a few cars, but the 70 is one car I can see buying new. The lack of amenities is what draws me to the 70 Series, in my mind it is the luxuries that go bad long before the useful life of a vehicle is truly realized. That is why I do not think the new 4Rnr will really turn me on- too many doo dads and frills.

For now I will continue to drive my Trooper- runs like a top but the power windows are getting sticky. Continue to buy my wife's cars from the GSA auction- only way to get full size SUV's with plastic floors, HD tow packages, and no option groups. Rebuild my old Bronco as a reliable hunting/expedition platform. And dream about 60 series cruisers or 1980's G wagens for the family. You can see where a basic 70 Series fits in here and I would be able to drive all of those miles before the first major component rebuild was required.

As far as pricing goes, they are predicting north of $25k for the little Mahindra; I think I would pay some extra $$$ for the Toyota.

Sorry to threadjack- we can get back to 5th Generation Runners now.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Martinjmpr-

Excellent points and I know that this issue has been beaten to death. I just like to hope. I have yet to purchase a new vehicle, and I have owned more than a few cars, but the 70 is one car I can see buying new. The lack of amenities is what draws me to the 70 Series, in my mind it is the luxuries that go bad long before the useful life of a vehicle is truly realized. That is why I do not think the new 4Rnr will really turn me on- too many doo dads and frills.

Oh, I hear you and I largely agree.

But if you think about it, you can get all of the things you like about the 70 series. You can get simple, you can get solid axles, you can get no frills. There are plenty of older 4x4s in this country that will get you 90% of what you could get from that 70, about the only thing missing is the new-car smell. If you can live without that, you can get whatever rugged, simple vehicle you want. Hell, you can throw a diesel in there! And I'd be willing to bet you could do it all for less $$ than what it would cost to get a 70 series in the US.

Sure, it wouldn't be as clean, it wouldn't be as cool, but it would do what you wanted that 70 for, and in the end, isn't it really about what you can do, not what vehicle you're using to do it?

 

[Stan the Man]

 

[Wonderland]

Furthermore, Toyota (and every other manufacturer) has already saturated the US market with SUVs. The only sales of a hypothetical US spec 70 would come out of the current sales of 4runners, Sequoias, GX470s, and 200-series LCs. So even if the profit on each vehicle was the same, it would still be a wash for Toyota giving them no reason to bring the vehicles over.

They should limit it to 3 SUV's then and ditch everything else. They have too much overlap in their lineup anyway.

RAV4 (or perhaps the Highlander) for the economy
LC70 for the work horse
200 Series for those who need luxury

I never bought a brand new vehicle in my life like yourself, (except motorcycles)

If Toyota brought over the LC70 I would run right out and buy one, simply because it would be the last vehicle I would ever have to purchase.

 

[Wonderland]

Looks a lexan bodied RC car. Don't get me wrong it isn't bad looking, looks very plasticky to me

 

[Overland Hadley]

Is Overland Journal going to be testing the 2010 4Runner soon? As this vehicle is new, I would like to see a long term test done as well.

 

[Jacket]

The more I see it, the more I like the new Runner - especially with the Baja upgrades.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Saw one in the flesh (in the steel) the other day. Not bad but I don't like the front overhang. I think the one I saw may have been an SR5.

Would be interested to see how the overhang affects approach angle. It doesn't look that good to me but then again, I said the same thing about the 4th gen 4runner, too: Too low in the front.

 

[Jacket]

True - too much plastic. I haven't been paying close attention, but isn't there a difference in front end plastic between the trail package and other packages? Seems like I saw one picture where the front end looked slightly "leaner"?

 

[Redline]

And you were correct. The 4th Gen. is a low-rider mall crawler in stock trim.

Hopefully the 5th Gen. is as easily modified.

snip.........

Would be interested to see how the overhang affects approach angle. It doesn't look that good to me but then again, I said the same thing about the 4th gen 4runner, too: Too low in the front.

 

[CSG]

I saw an SR5 at the local dealer last week and thought it was OK. I've never really followed the 4Runner as they always seemed to small for my use but I always liked the idea of them and would notice them on the road. The new one seemed bigger than previous versions and it looks like they've added some FJ Cruiser to the new version from a styling POV.

I was always stuck being interested in the LCs instead.

 

[Applejack]

The front bumper plastic piece looks huge, it will be interesting to see what ARB does with it. The more I see it though, the more I like it. I am giving though to selling my Taco and getting one. Just toying with the idea tho.

 

[Overland Hadley]

True - too much plastic. I haven't been paying close attention, but isn't there a difference in front end plastic between the trail package and other packages? Seems like I saw one picture where the front end looked slightly "leaner"?

Yes, the front bumper is slightly different on the Trail package. Gives a bit better approach angle.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Yes, the front bumper is slightly different on the Trail package. Gives a bit better approach angle.

I think the 4 cyl 2wd model also has a leaner front end. The Limited has 20" and a low hanging air dam, obviously very much designed for street use.