New 4Runners

[Chris]

Lately, automakers have been trying to break out of the auto show circuit when it comes to introducing new models. In that vein, Toyota is striking out on the trail to reveal its new Toyota 4Runner at the Texas State Fair on Sept. 24. For now, all we're getting is this hint at right of how the new 4Runner will appear.

The fifth-generation 4Runner will be just as off-road capable as any vehicle out there, Toyota promises. It also will have the usual increased comfort with added roominess.


Toyota has sold more than 1.8 million 4Runners since it was introduced in 1984. More than 70% are still on the road, although we wonder what "cash-for-clunkers" program may have done to that figure.

From USA Today

[WINKY]

not sure if this is the real 2010 4runner...

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2010-toyota-4runner-4.htm

[Mporter]

That doesn't look a whole lot different than an '09 or '08

[Chris]

There've been a lot of rumors. The most pervasive seems to that that Toyota is shifting its 4x4 focus to the 4Runner and away from the FJ. I hope that's not true.

[gm4x4lover]

If i remember right they are dumping the fj cruiser and adding to the runner line. I dont see why they need 2 trucks off the same chassis to compete with each other.

[Haku]

Looks like its pretty decent to me, a bit more agressive, and as always a bit larger every year. Good writeup with a video here:

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1034692_preview-2010-toyota-4runner

Pretty Amazing, went from this:

http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album177/sept_25_003.jpg

to this:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/2010-toyota-4runner.jpg

In just over 20 years (wait, thats a long time for a car I guess). Thats a lot of change, and not sure its all for the better. Sure would be nice to have all the offroad capability that the 1st gen has, and all the creature comforts and power that the newest one has. Seems to me they need to go back to basics in some ways, and make something that is specific to offroading to compete with the Jeep Rubicon. That model alone shows that even people who don't want to go super hard core will still buy a vehicle that can do a lot, even if they never plan to use it to its potential. Oh well, at least the new one looks a bit more aggresive and manly, and no more humongous headlights and less plastic and all that.

JH

[Whitey Jr]

much agreed there. i like the 4runners of the past. the new ones look great but it takes a lot to get them off road ready

[Ric]

much agreed there. i like the 4runners of the past. the new ones look great but it takes a lot to get them off road ready

theres a video somewhere online, a NEW 4Runner running the Rubicon :cool:

[Roostercruiser]

im not a fan of the new ones.

[BlackRubi]

im not a fan of the new ones.
Nor am I. For a grocery hauler, they are nice. But not so much for any off-road. I really hope they don't focus primarily on the 4Runner line as opposed to the FJ line.

[Brody]

If i remember right they are dumping the fj cruiser and adding to the runner line. I dont see why they need 2 trucks off the same chassis to compete with each other.

So you say this and you're a GM fan? Gm has done this a lot! The FJ Cruiser chassis is closer to the Land Cruiser than the 4 Runner, but all share a lot of the same stuff. Main difference is in the axles used. The Tundra has had the most changes and that is with the frame design...it is the only Yota that really deviates from the base frame/axle/engine.

New trucks equal car payments, something LaDawn and I don't do no matter the make or model. All of our rolling junk is paid for.

The new 4Runner looks like plastic ass in my book...looks like the 4Runner is following in Jeep's footsteps and building a 'let's try to look like a 2nd or 3rd generation Hummer without really being a Hummer' plan...like I said, way too much plastic crap...and expensive plastic crap at that....

[Funrover]

Not a fan of the new runner yet. It may grow on me.

[gm4x4lover]

So you say this and you're a GM fan? Gm has done this a lot!

Yea i know gm is pretty stupid as far as that goes but i guess thats why they became government motors. Never made sense why they needed 2 identical truck line ups for dang near every truck model they offered and then even some had 4 or 5 different variations. The same with their cars Buick, Caddy, Chevy, Olds, Pontiac all carried the same basic cars as each other thats 5 different cars off the same plat form.

IMO all any manufacture needs is a economy line, a highly recognized line, and a elite or luxury line.

[Haku]

Here is that video of the new Runner doing the Rubicon trail....

http://www.fourwheeler.com/videos/6223104/2010-toyota-4-runner-to-the-rubicon/index.html

Looks like it does allright, but is pretty wide and big. Definitely some tight spots on there where they would have done some major body damage without rock rails.

JH

[WINKY]

that damn guitar loop got annoying quick... but that yota sure did do it!

[Haku]

that damn guitar loop got annoying quick... but that yota sure did do it!

Oh yeah.........forgot to mention that you should just turn the sound down before you start it. Hate when people do that crap.

JH

[Funrover]

Cool vid. Shows what good spotters and Sliders will do for you also.

[Brody]

Looks like it does allright, but is pretty wide and big. JH

Too wide, too big, Toyota already has the Land Cruiser 100 (so why design another one), and the body style sucks...I thought the Sequoia was bad enough..... just my two cents worth. Nice looking mall crawler for a soccer mom, though

[DETN8R]

is Jeep the only one putting solid axels up front these days?

[Rob]

There've been a lot of rumors. The most pervasive seems to that that Toyota is shifting its 4x4 focus to the 4Runner and away from the FJ. I hope that's not true.

That'll just make the FJC an instant classic. :lol: And maybe help it hold its value even better.

Does the new 4Runner remind anyone else of the Xterra?

[ShutUpHippie]

Does the new 4Runner remind anyone else of the Xterra?

Sure does!

That truck would have never opened its doors again without those sliders though..

[Pathrat]

I read on the FJC forum that there is a waiting list for new 2010 FJCs. There seems to be persistent rumors that the FJC will be phased out but has anyone seen any articles from any kind of reliable source indicating this is more than a rumor?

Look at all the grocery getter FJCs you see: obviously there is a larger market than the off road crowd.

The 4runner looked alot better 10 years or so ago.

[Rob]

I read on the FJC forum that there is a waiting list for new 2010 FJCs.



That's because Toyota's making only about 200 of the 2010 models. :lol:


This is how U.S. sales have been going (it's from Wikipedia, though, so I can't vouch for the accuracy):
2006: 56,225
2007: 55,170
2008: 28,688
2009: 8,381 (through September)












Wait a few years, then buy one of those mall crawlers. :thunb:

[Pathrat]

2009: 8,381 (through September)




dismal!

[Mporter]

55k - 8k in 2 years.....that's not a bad economy....that's good marketing :D

[JeffX]

That'll just make the FJC an instant classic. :lol: And maybe help it hold its value even better.

Does the new 4Runner remind anyone else of the Xterra?

Maybe a little, but it's huge like the pathfinder.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/2010-toyota-4runner.jpg

http://images.myride.com/images/vehicle/2005/Nissan/Xterra/oem/05.xterra.1_%28400x300%29.jpg