first…kool design kind of dated though… i’d buy this and murder it out with giant all terrain wheels and submachine guns on the side…

ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz……

Ahhh, it looks like a little Sequoia! What have they done with my car?!

The front looks nice…sort of aggressive…but the rest looks odd to me.

I don’t know who’s running the styling and design department at Toyota but they are definitely not batting 500 lately. I see the rear end drew inspiration from 4Runners of lore, but I feel this truck is a step backward from the sleek lines of the previous generation 4 Runner…and where’s the balls-out 4 Runner TRD with the 5.7L iForce V8 and 35 inch rubber? Come on Toyota. The 4Runner has never been green except in diesel form, and we don’t get that lovely motor on this side of the pond.

Verdict: other than the Range Rover style cargo pull-out, I’m not impressed with the overall sheet metal.

Amazing I cant even see the seams, for where the top comes off? The top comes off right? Toyota, 1st the FJ debacle now another 4Runner that is worse then the last. Are the SR5s going to get fake hood scoops again? I cant live w/o them.

Looks heavy and lumpy.

On behalf of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee I would just like to thank Toyota for a job well done.

Oh wait… that would be for for making my job that much easier.

Safe design as usual. Who was thinking they would do anything different??

(Oh, and I’m not b*tching either. I’ve owned 4 Toyos and I currently have 2.)

The comments regarding styling never cease to amaze me. This is a truck based mid size SUV. As such, ugly is as ugly does. Let’s wait to see the full details on it before passing judgment. As far as Jeep’s go, they all look alike when being draged behide a tow truck (Worst reliability of ANY suv,,,,)

I hope it doesn’t feel like you’re sitting in a car like the current one. @ cocojoe, true about all the jeeps I’ve owned (and still do) reliability, but at least I can see where I’m going.

Toyota designs are digging the compnay in a hole of uglieness. How can you go backwards so well? The current 4-Runner is a decent SUV with pretty good looks. This one has antiquated design feature – they got rid of the projector headlamps for old school reflectors and it will cost more. Great! Will the Jeep be coming with a Hemi option again? I think the 4Runner is officially been put off many peoples list.

I under stand the sight issue (Currently own an FJ)

They were cool trucks with 4 cylinder and 5 on the floor. Was never fast (either 4 or 5), but could clime out of the bad mud paddle. It is a bit large, need some diet.

The new V6 in the 4Runner is a far better choice then any “Hemi”(The last time the word “Hemi” meant anything was in 1967) It is just a Marketing tool now…

Is it true that FJ stands for ****ing Junk?

I agree that many of Toyotas designs lack imagination. I think Audi is far and away the design leader in the industry right now, both interior and exterior. Toyota can do better

FJ has retained 91% of its orginal MRSP…Call it what you may…(Try to find one)

I’m still trying to figure out what that piece of plastic is they stuck on the front below the grille. If it folded down and could be used as a seat when fishing or putting on hiking boots that might be kind of cool, but I’m sure it’s just a dumb design element that was tacked on with no thought to the overall style.

The side profile looks like the current truck so that isn’t bad. The rear with protruding taillights suck. Just like what Honda does with the Accord’s headlights, Toyota is starting to do more and more with their taillights. Whatever happen with simple designs that go with the flow of the body panels. I’d like to take a hammer to all these things.

cocojoe, the Hemi was selected as one of Ward’s 10 best engines either this year or last. It’s one of the few things that Chrysler does do better than most others.

I wonder how this POS and the FJ would do in a rollover accident?
Anyone know?

cocojoe53
the FJ is on the chopping block i was told, but its very well built. This IMO is typical of toyota. no different from the previous model and the one before that.

I’d take a Pathfinder over this ANYDAY!

And i see a lot of highlander in the front as well, sick of those tired droopy looking headlamps….makes it look weak.

Not sure if I should LMAO now or after the release this heap for real. Maybe I’ll do both.

There is a 2010 FJ and it has the same mech improvements as the 4Runner. The FJ contnues to be successful as the “nich” SUV it was designed to be. And right now it really stands alone as a true off road capable SUV’s. (As long as you all understand putting a “Trail Tested” badge on the side of anything does not make it capable }

That would be “Trail Rated” and actually it does mean it passes certain parameters when it comes to off-road capability.

cocojoe53 –

Oh, I guess the WRANGLER and XTERRA are just around as jokes then, huh?

Oh, and forget the entire HUMMER line too that Toyota did a good job in copying…

I absolutely LOVE this new design. It’s new school and old school at the same time. MUCH better than the previous gen.

As I said, I would not venture to far offroad with any Chrysler product. The Hummer? H1 yes…but the H2 and H3 are just rebodied Suburbans and Colorado’s. Xterra I like, but I don/t think its as capable

Copy the Hummer????? That 5 cyl. in the H3 is sure worth copying

Toyota has lose their touch.

A small step back from the studly looks of the current model
I’ve seen the rear end styling, and it is actually a slight upgrade
The rear quarter window should be canted, as it’s always been, and I think it would definitely give it a sportier, less Sequioa look in the C-Pillar
Borowed many cues from the Highlander and Sequioa
It has lost much of the 4Runner style, unfortunately

I don’t know who is saying a 4-banger will make it in here, but 4-bangers and 2-ton BOF SUVs don’t mix
Toyota tried that before
Expect the 260HP V6 and 310HP 4.6 V8 only

This truck will be better, but the 2011 Grand Cherokee will be best in class
DrFill

I HATE TOYOTA!!!!! Therefore I am VERY happy that the new 4Runner looks like this!!!

cocojoe53-
“The new V6 in the 4Runner is a far better choice then any “Hemi”(The last time the word “Hemi” meant anything was in 1967) It is just a Marketing tool now…”

You obviously haven’t driven a new “hemi” lately!!!! Research your sources before you make a comment!!!

The current 4 runner is really the only model i like from toyota. Its sporty looking and an overall sharp vehicle.

This….. means there are now no toyota models that I like

It’s alright, but about the epitome of a lego-vehicle. Really, everything looks like it could be a lego piece, especially the headlights.

looks like the gmc terrain and a scion had a big baby. this is not good on the eyes.

Just 1 example…The recent comparison between the new Camaro, Mustang GT and Challanger(Car & Driver). The Mustang, with its 4.6 smoked the Challanger with its Hemi. It gives the Hemi a full liter of displacement advantage. In every applacation, the hemi comes up short to its competition. The facts speak for themselves. Jeeps are terribly unrealible. There is not a more important quality in an off road vehicle then reliablity. You can all debate the shape of an headlight or taillight forever. The Toyota will be tighter and in better shape at 100,000 miles then a Jeep at 10,000 miles.

nothing new…boring!

God forbid someone acknowledges that some Jeeps, some Toyotas and some Nissans etc. are all very capable vehicles.

cocojoe53

Jeep can woop toyota’s a$$ off road and i’ve seen the proof at an autoshow. Jeep’s were practically hanging sideways catching their traction on a wet platform. thats the beauty of a jeep! if toyota was so good offroad they would have their display as Jeep did! and im not talking about commanders and wranglers, the liberty and the patriot was up there too. and PLEASSSSEEE dont talk about my HUMMER lol. Very offroad-ish SUVs and so far they are the kings of offroad IMO.

if anything toyota is doing is COPYING JEEP AND HUMMER!

coco

now im not cracking on toyota because i actually like the FJ. ( diggin the 3 windshield wipers ) but other toyota’s cant compete … im sorry just an honest opinion.

wranglers hold their value pretty well, too…the rest of the jeep line could disappear off the face of the planet and i wouldn’t really blink…but don’t screw w/the wrangler!

Genesis
Your desperation is obvious

Why do people in 45 countries
In every continent
Every desert, mountain, and swamp all over the world
Use Land Cruisers
Not Jeeps?

Toyota has NOTHING to prove off-road, or on
To you
Or anyone else
They prove themselves by selling what they make
Thru Word of mouth
Just like always

I wish Jeep could do the same
DrFill

Dr. Fill cool your jets. It is true that the most utilized truck, especially by terrorists, is Land Cruiser, but don’t confuse it with US spec Land Cruiser. It working truck all over the world and the main asset used to be straight six engine. That beast was original hybrid: it run on bad quality gasoline and camel piss. What we got here is a luxo mobile, has nothing in common with original Land Cruiser, but name.

Our Land Crusher can’t be stopped either
If you don’t know
Ask!
DrFill

I just finished wiping up from the Doc’s admission that the Jeep may best this class. What did I miss?

And I thought the Pilot was ugly!

If I had to choose between 11′ Jeep GC and this….Jeep is the winner

Well, maybe we should put this to rest…..Looking at the photo, I just don’t see a hell of a lot of difference in the way it looks. So it certianly not a brakethru, but can’t we all just be thankfull they still are making truck based SUV’s? The return of the stationwagon(crossover) has overshadowed the entire market…

i like the previous generation 4runner compared to the current one and this one is an improvement over the current one…but it just looks odd in some angles.

I like it! Sure it’s safe and perhaps even a little dated looking, but it’s chunky and purposeful and is the first Toyota in a long time that doesn’t just look like a melted version of the one before it.

This will take some getting use to as I like the styling of the current one. I’m not fond of the tailfin like tail lights but a good set of brush grills should cover those up nicely.

Hey Dr Frill… half of the world also uses Mitsubishi Montero’s (Pajero) for their off road vehicles as well.
And those are crap.
I would trust a Wrangler to get me where i need to go off road, so long as nobody was shooting at me and I wasn’t carrying Osama around.

The montero’s are not crap because that what I have ( XLS Model not sport) and you wanna talk about reliability, i traveled 1600 miles round trip recently when it needed a tune up for the longest, and nothing happened. And my montero has 90+ thousand miles on it.. not a single problem on it. Leave the montero out of it. Thats the reason why half the world uses them…. I saw a british car channel ( cant remember what the name of the show was) and a young couple was choosing between a vovlo xc90 and montero……they bought the montero..and yes they took both of them off road and the vovlo sucked. ( dont say the xc90 isnt off road because it is and they showed it off road.)

All im saying is ive seen Montero’s and all jeeps, and hummers in action… no Toyotas. Until i see one climbing over rocks and goign through mud, all listed are the best. ( even Xterra is considered to be better IMO.)

probably wondering why im not driving a Hyundai. (hints my name).. i have my choices

sorry i meant volvo.. was saying vovlo for the longest ….

boy, it’s ugly.

I’m just psyched Toyota is still doing body on frame. Design isn’t bad, hate those taillights that jut out.

As for comparing other brands off-road: Yes, the Land Cruiser is legendary and trusted the world over. But please don’t tell me you’re going to compare an $80,000 Land Cruiser to a ~$30,000 Wrangler Rubicon or $25,000 modded Wrangler X, or an XTerra or what have you. For purposes of the majority of the buying public, they’re not going to spend 80K on an off-road vehicle.

Capability wise FJs and XTerras and even 4Runners hold up just fine, but for overall enjoyment the Wrangler can’t be beat. Between capability off-road, widespread availability of modifications, top down, doors off fun – nothing else touches it. It’s unfortunate that Chrysler makes them because it hampers overall quality but it’s still a great vehicle.

ugly, but expected. Someone asked how can we pass judgement without full specs- easy, look at the pics. Why are they even making this any more? They have enough SUVs and BOF off roaders are dead.

You got to go back a generation of 4Runners to get to the looker…the current model was and is a huge disappointment in exterior looks. This one looks ok, better than the current version, but that’s saying zip. I wish Toyota or Ford or someone would compete directly with Jeep Wrangler…the competition would force Jeep to update and improve the Wrangler more often.

And you can tell me that Toyota’s FJ does compete with the Wrangler when I can remove it’s top.

genesis truly is desperate comparing jeep to toyota. you can hang anything sideways with the right equipment and driver. people in jeeps are some of the biggest knuckleheads out there, always see em driving erratically or trying to act like their dunebuggy is the ****. one even tried to race my g35. he learned a lesson.

More bland forgetabled Toyota design. Even the cars that dont have to appeal to the masses they still water down. Also yes the Land Cruiser is an excellent (albeit ridiculously overpriced) vehicle. However for as much as the Land Cruiser now costs I would much rather have a Land Rover LR4. Its better off road and on road more luxurious to boot. However I think that Jeep is still the gold standard for affordable off road vehicles. This 4Runner is going to be great and all and yes it will be reliable lah blah blah. I will say one thing Toyota may be ‘king of the hill’ for now but once public perception changes in regards to the Domestics (and it will, its just going to take a while) Toyota is going to be in a heap of trouble. Lets face it THEY ONLY SALE CARS BECAUSE OF THEIR SUPPOSED RELIABILITY. they dont make cars that look good or drive well. So go ahead Toyota humpers have your fun for the next decade or so but the tides are shifting and shifting fast

superman

its only my opinion im not desperate at all. Now that person is dumb trying to race your G35, understandable but not all jeep drivers are knuckleheads.

Mastery
Blog first
THEN smoke!
You’re %$#@en up the rotation!
DrFill

Looks like the design started off as rounded as other Toyota siblings(sequoia,LC,Higlander) but then the bumpers got squared off because sequoia failed as a design? Still an improvement on the previous model though.Should sell since there arent many options out there anymore in this class.

The current 4Runner model is drop-dead sexy
This one not so much

Sequoia is awesome, but a little too butch as a family hauler
No more of less a “Failure” than Tahoe or Expedition
DrFill

Im sorry to rain on your parade but i see more TAHOES and EXPEDITIONS than the 4runner. especially the Tahoe! but in my taste.. not big enough…..expedition=sweetness

400W 120V

hopefully the new 4runner will have better forward visabiity. the last one had that stupid fake air intake. toyota went all pontiac on us with that plastic. the 2.7 4cyl will help with the crappy mpg on the current model. the highlander seems like a better pick for the majority of todays buyers.

Unfortunately, this is probably the end of the line for the mighty 4Runner

Toyota has already said if they weren’t already well into the R&D of the 4Runner, they would have canned it, as the Venza, RAV4, and Highlander cover the mid-size category, and the FJ can cover budget off-roading
4Runner used to sell 120k a year
This one will probably see less than half that.
This redesign will ease it’s exit from the market
Times have changed
Hardcore isn’t in anymore
DrFill

i just love how the photo shoot has more pictures of the trunk than the actual car

yes all the hardcore women that buy the 4runner. those hardcore women that go to kickboxing instead of step class at the ymca. no one really uses the 4 runner for off road use. the percentage of people that purchase the 4runner to go off road is probably the same at the people that buy subaru outbacks.

I’m actually insulted at how far back a leap Toyota made with this, especially design wise.

I love the current 4Runner, one of the better looking ‘utes on the road, IMO.
I loved it back when it came out, and I still love it now.

HURRY! GET YOUR 2009 4RUNNERS QUICK WHILE THEY LAST!!!

-cereal

I couldn’t have said it better myself!!!!!!!!!!! VERY well said Masteryoda83!!

Masteryoda83-More bland forgetabled Toyota design. Even the cars that dont have to appeal to the masses they still water down. Also yes the Land Cruiser is an excellent (albeit ridiculously overpriced) vehicle. However for as much as the Land Cruiser now costs I would much rather have a Land Rover LR4. Its better off road and on road more luxurious to boot. However I think that Jeep is still the gold standard for affordable off road vehicles. This 4Runner is going to be great and all and yes it will be reliable lah blah blah. I will say one thing Toyota may be ‘king of the hill’ for now but once public perception changes in regards to the Domestics (and it will, its just going to take a while) Toyota is going to be in a heap of trouble. Lets face it THEY ONLY SELL CARS BECAUSE OF THEIR SUPPOSED RELIABILITY. they dont make cars that look good or drive well. So go ahead Toyota humpers have your fun for the next decade or so but the tides are shifting and shifting fast.

Looks like a modern interpretation of the Jeep Wagoneer. I don’t care too much for the taillights but the rest is OK.

they can now have a all japanese ugly suv face off bethween this and the pilot