Future Toyota 4x4s for the US Market

[Clutch]

Oh, I hear you on the trucks are tools. I don't like spending too much on my 4 wheeled vehicles, nor want to be constantly wrenching on them.

Ha ha salesmen....yeah I try to keep my head down when heading back to the parts department to get oil and air filters. Every once and I while
I'll stray and go glance at new Tacoma or Tundra on my way out...and get swarmed...


I dunno, I have grown to like power windows and door locks...my keys are usually on my body, power door locks are sure nice to unlock the door from my side to let my honey in. Sometimes I am gentleman and open the door for her, and hey...my door will unlock when I unlock hers...only have to put the key in once...


Diesels...I am not sure they'll get all the great of fuel economy, my "mate" in OZ says his buddy's diesel Ranger only gets 23 mpg....that is after I convert his OZ speak of liters and kms into American measurement tables...says the new Ranger blows the HiLux out of the water. I can't imagine a diesel Tacoma fetching better than 25 mpgs...

 

[DaveInDenver]

Mileage would be the main reason for me and if there's no real world improvement over a 3RZ then it would of course be less attractive. I have to think that in mixed driving the diesel surely has to be an improvement over a gasoline truck, especially trundling along in traffic or 1st gear & low range. On the interstate, yeah, not so much.

 

[Clutch]

It would have to get at the very least 30 mpgs (ok maybe 28) to make me buy one.

Now, I know I have been saying they won't sell....doesn't make me not want one....

 

[Joash]

I'd buy that new 4 door FJ 40.

 

[Clutch]

I'd buy that new 4 door FJ 40.

So would I. Now only if they were mass produced, (to bring the cost down for the working man) unlike this ultra-spendy Icon.

 

[Joash]

Toyota could blow Jeep out of the water!

 

[Clutch]

Toyota could blow Jeep out of the water!

I know, get that retro look, Toyota's reliability...it would smoke Jeep.

Offer a 2D, 4D, and a pickup version, gas, diesel, on the already existing LC70 series chassis...how would they not sell like hot cakes?

 

[Todd780]

Fuel prices have already marginalized passenger vehicles that get mid to high teen on the highway. CAFE requirements will finish them off. Too bad-so sad.

I fear you're right. It already happened to the new Pathfinder CUV. It's sad to see and I think that you're right that most of these vehicles will wither away and die... I'm guessing the last hold out will be the JK.... I wonder what the new middle easten Trailblazer diesel gets for MPG? Not that we'll ever see it here....just curious if that would be something that would satisfy CAFE. I know I wouldn't mind a midsize BOF diesel SUV...

 

[charlieaarons]

Along the same line, I've heard for years "if Mercedes would import the Unimog, I'd buy one tomorrow". Well they did import the U500 and less than 300 sold in N. America 2003-06. Admittedly a $95-130K vehicle, but with a 33000 lb GVW...

Charlie

 

[haven]

"It already happened to the new Pathfinder CUV..."

Infiniti got the JX crossover/tall wagon before it was released as the Pathfinder. The JX has become a surprise success. it's Infiniti's second best selling model.

 

[grimbo]

No, no one wants rugged, live axled, locked vehicles in a boxy, utilitarian body. Those would never sell, pshhhhh, as Jeep keeps smashing sales records with the Wrangler with virtually no direct competition.......

Us Aussies do, hence why Toyota have added to the 70 Series range by introducing a dual cab version

 

[r3run33]

no toyota does listen!! look at the tacoma baja edition; this a direct response to the ford raptor. Now before you guys start hollering saying which one is better etc; ford can't put these out fast enough and their sales where up like 30% from each year. Now do I wish toyota sent us a ARB locked land cruiser like the GX they have in Australia? sure but I doubt if that will get here plus the price is way to high. they are competing in a much cheaper market 50K probably match for this population of buyers.

 

[r3run33]

Forgot to mention this; the 200 series races all over the world (dakar, pharaoh rally, etc) I am actually surprised they don't offer a special edition one of these types. They just don't get the publicity here in the USA

 

[4x4x4doors]

The earlier reference to Jeep. There is certainly plenty of anecdotal evidence to say that Jeep resisted ever making the limited one-time run Rubicon model almost as much as dealers resisted stocking them.

 

[Rattler]

I was invited down to the Toyota Technical Center by Ann Arbor, MI a few months ago as a guest to the employee car show. At the conclusion of it I was talking to the engineer that invited me. He told me they are designing the next Tacoma there and if I had any thoughts on it. The first thing out of my mouth was "diesel". The other was to actually downsize it some to the likes of what the Hilux/pickup once was. I think he found that odd coming out of a guy that is '6"5.

He told me the 4 other guests with offroad performance enhanced vehicles (another Taco, 2 4Runners and a Sequoia) all said the same thing about wanting a diesel.

A lot of the engineers were really intrigued with my RTT mounted over the bed I had opened and on display also.