After seeing more pictures of the new 4Runner on TruckTrend, I'm beginning to like it more now. I've always been a fan of the 4Runner since the 2nd generation came out and that was when I was middle school. I got a new '98 4Runner back in High School and it's been running like a tank until I sold it recently. It was such a purposeful vehicle. It would be my craigslist/ebay furniture/item picker upper.

If I were in the market for an SUV, it would most likely be this 4Runner. I like the rugged yet updated look, and the angular fenders.

 

where's my diesel?!

 

Hmm.....very interesting looking car.......

 

It is same situation in the current 4runner, the V8 only gets like 1 more MPG than the V6.
This new 4runner is not going to make the current 4runner run out to the showroom. Like most Toyota redesign, its intend is to make subtle changes to remind people of pass hertiage.

 

"Feb 24, 2009 ... Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., reported 2008 4Runner total calendar year-end sales of 47878 units, down 45.4% from prior year."

The 4Runner is dying.
I'm not a fan of the new design.

 

I'm glad Toyota is bringing back a capable 4runner. The 4th 2003-2008 gen 4runner was missing the rear locker, Atrac, etc. The 3rd gens 4runners had this!

I love how this thing has a rear locker, Atrac this is going to be a nice off roading machine. Finally the 4runner is back.

Put some more rugged tires on this thing and it looks great!

 

You have to consider that there are a few factors at work here:

1) The truck is at the end of it's life cycle

2) The economy is awful

3) SUV sales have slowed down as people are still in shock from gas prices

Considering all of that, the 4Runner still sold almost 50,000 units. There is CLEARLY a market here.

 

Yeah, I'd say 50k units is pretty good.

 

I liked the 03-08 model year better, yeah not as much off road capability but my 4runner will never need it. I almost bought a black/black V8 2008 4runner with navi. but i wanted to try a lexus first. I wanted the V8 but i guess not anymore. Way to much FJ in the front.

 

4Runner owners are a loyal bunch, and some of them are even biased to specific generations.

Fact is though, this new generation 4Runner really does go back to the 4Runner's roots, which is a no-frills off-road SUV that is also versatile enough to be a comfortable on-road family cruiser.

The previous generation strayed too far from the 4Runner's roots. IMHO it is the worst 4Runner, as it is too refined and focused for on-road comfort and not good enough off-road.

I really like the styling of this new 4Runner. You will immediately know it is a 4Runner and not confuse it for anything else. The styling somewhat is reminiscent of early generation 4Runners IMO. I don't see any Highlander resemblance at all personally.

The interior also looks to be an improvement, personally speaking. I don't think it's a cheap interior, I think it's more of the fact Toyota has made a durable interior compared to the previous generation. The materials look like they are good quality as well. Style-wise the interior is much better than the previous one too.

Mechanically speaking, you cannot argue about the amazing capability this new 4Runner offers. Depending on trim level, this new generation offers BOTH KDSS and X-REAS, on top of all the other technologies and features offered.

This is sure to please 4Runner fans and loyalists, and this new generation may even get some new buyers to Toyota. Certainly some buyers will be lost because it looks "too tough" and not refined enough as the previous generation, but IMHO those buyers don't belong in a 4Runner anyways.

 

uhh yeah, the worst 4runner and not good enough off-road?

Here is my 06.

 

Some more love for the Trail in action.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/10909252...revealed-video

 

THIS TRUCK IS UGLY. What was Toyota thinking.

 

Front end sort of reminds me of a Mitsubishi EVO or Outlander.

 

Compared to other 4Runner generations, yes, your 4th gen 4Runner is not as capable off-roading in stock configuration.

This is not just my opinion, but that of many 4Runner owners and loyalists.

Fact is the 3rd and 4th gen 4Runners were targeted at more luxury-oriented buyers.

The first two 4Runner generations were more no-frills type SUVs, that focused more on off-roading performance and less on luxury or on-road manners.

This new 5th-gen model goes back to the roots of the first two generations. It's on-road manners are still quite nice, but the design and capability of the new 4Runner is clearly aimed at the off-roading "tough SUV" demographic rather than a luxury-oriented demographic.

If the FJ Cruiser gets discontinued, then new 4Runner will get some FJ buyers as well.

The 4Runner's roots? Just a thought.