AMG to Drop Four-Cylinder

Mercedes-AMG to Drop Four-Cylinder for Inline-Sixes and V-8s.

Toyota should follow.

 

The old AMG V8 Bi turbo was a phenomenal engine. Though I understand the idea behind moving to a smaller hybrid engine with more power, a typical AMG owner is looking for more than a point A to B commute.
So I can see the disappointment among current and prospective owners when they spend a lot and find out that their car sounds like a Prius.
On the other hand, the new engine in the 4runner makes perfect sense. It's more powerful and gives better mileage. In terms of longevity, it has been in use for a few years in one iteration or other.
The V6 we have is under powered with abysmal mileage and does not sound good.
I know for a fact the new engine is much quicker than ours because I was behind the new 4Runner the other day and could not keep up and I do not have a light foot. We know it's got better mileage than ours. In terms of reliability we will just have to wait and watch.

2 out of 3 ain't bad as Meatloaf said.
But then again, the new Passport comes with a V6 for 2026.

 

This reminds me, was it CLA35 AMG is the entry level? That was the most uncomfortable car I was ever been.The ride are like 3 or 4 times firmer than OME Nitro Sports shocks I've tried in the past on one of my 4Runners.
Maybe the suspension was never built for daily use.

 

Spoiler:

Toyota won't follow.

 

Give the masses what they want! Power and Speed!

 

Toyota gave the new 4Runner more power. And, people still aren't happy.

 

Exactly.

My crystal ball says they continue to invest in hybrid technology.

Why do I say that? Because they've been doing this since the 90's and they won't be giving that up now just because of the current political climate.

This is same reason they didn't go full electric when the political breeze was blowing the other way.

 

I’d say the biggest problem there was thinking a 4 banger would be acceptable in such an expensive car. Also the lower displacement engines never drive the same.

Toyota won’t follow though. The Tundra is fine with the TT V6 but no 4 banger Taco or Runner for me. Even the Ranger and Bronco have a V6 option and the Frontier only has a V6.

 

Looks like Toyota granted your wish. The new one delivers power and speed. The old one had none.

 

This. AMG models are purchased as "decisions of the heart", i.e. people buy them not for logical reasons. For those people, the power delivery and sound of a big displacement V8 are key selling points.

I will note both the Bronco and Frontier V6s have low-mounted alternators which reduce the fording depth. The Bronco Everglades trim was exclusively offered with the 4-cyl for this reason. The Frontier 3.8L is notorious for dying after small mud puddles. The 2UZ V8 has a similar weakness, but no need to rag on something that's been dead for a decade and a half.

 

While 4Runner is slightly more practical than Mercedes AMG, unless your house in the woods off a dirt road, having 4Runner is similarly into 'want' and not 'need' category.

 

AMG is a trim, not a model. It would be more analogous to saying 4Runner Limited buyers are irrational because there's no need for low-range 4WD or solid axle on a pavement princess. The remainder of the 4Runner userbase is slightly more rational.

 

My house is down a paved road covered in soccer mom and weekend warrior dads. I need my 4Runner to have a 12 inch lift, sway bar disconnect and 40 inch tires so I can 4 x 4 over those mofo's! Have you seen an angry soccer mom before?




You do not mess with the mom squad.

 

I remember when Mercedes debuted the C63 AMG with the 4cyl engine. The same YouTube car reviewers that ridiculed the new Land Cruiser tore into the MB AMG even worse. Rumor has it, MB halted production and offered steep discounts on the existing models.

It does look really nice but that 4cyl ruined it.

 

You forgot an Atlas transfer case to front-dig into the Costco parking spots!

 

Somewhat off tangent but I test drove a 2023 MB GLE350 last year when we were considering replacing my wife's GL 450 (which has a bi-turbo V8). It was a complete dog. I would only consider the GLE 450 with its wonderful inline 6. Fast forward to me driving a 6G and the difference in the MB 4 banger to the Toyota is night and day. Its also much better than the V6 in the Honda (I had a 23 Ridgeline). I can't foretell what the reliability will be but honestly Toyota did an amazing job with this 4cyl.

 

Curious why Toyota should follow. Mercedes is dropping it because their "traditional" customers didn't buy in.

Toyota and Mercedes don't have the same customers.

 

Exactly.

MB Owners: Want form over function.
Toyota Owners: Want function over form.

 

FIFY.

Go ask all the "Wow first time evah 4Runner family member" 6th gen buyers if their engine is a pushrod or a supercharged motor and see what they say.

 

Probably 50% of them could care less as long as it runs. The other 50% like the power over the 4.0, which is a great engine.

 

It is not need, but want for me. Note that I am not lining up to buy 6th Gen or 4cyl AMG.

Absolutely the worst one was when JLR released ingenium 4-cylinder F-type. That was truly WTF moment.

 

How would they know the difference if they never had a 4R before?

I've driven a few BOF vehicles with the 2.4T, it's fine, but not night and day difference like so many 5th gen owners here seem to hope it is. The 5th gens run 0-60 around 7 seconds, that's not slow for a 5k lb vehicle.

 

90% of 5th gen owners never open the hood. Occasionally one works up the courage to do an oil change, then proceeds to drain the transmission pan. Hell, a couple of folks on this forum thought the radiator fan blew air forward...

 

I don't have my 4Runner yet. So on the verge! My dad had a 1st and 3rd gen. I've always loved them. I've heard the concern about the 4 banger, the turbo, the hybrid, the lack of proven reliability of the 6th gen. Its a legit concern and there is no question that the 5th is solid or it would not have been the longest running generation. It's solid but can be improved. So lets save the "engine" complaints for a couple minutes. There are some well thought out changes to the 6th gen. Front brake calipers have stronger, larger clips like that of the third gen, 8-speed transmission, the lines are neatly ran along the top of the frame and clean, they've cut away at the body to allow easier access to shocks, suspension enhancements and moved the sway bar back and more. The 24 Tacoma roll out was crap. And Toyota is not without failings but it's like they took all of this into account ahead of this roll out and if you get under the 6th gen, you can see the quality. It's got more torque and way more power with the hybrid for sure. Side note, the pricing is absolutely brutal but something to keep in mind on the hybrids. The TRD pro and the trailhunter trims come standard direct pre wired auxiliary switches. That means those models get a dedicated alternator to supply power to potential add-ons. Those pre wired auxiliary switches are available on the TRD sport and off road premium trims for the hybrid. Not on the limited or platinum trims. The way everything is connected, if the battery were to fail down the road, then you just lose the hybrid function/performance. You just have a 4runner that is not a hybrid in that scenario. At least that is how it seems to me with what I've seen this far. Not only that but you could find a nice sweet spot in the TRD off road hybrid and save 10k and still get suitable off road capability and bilstein shocks with reservoir. All that tells me is that Toyota is giving lots of thought to the changes in this product. It's a benchmark product. And to those of us getting ready to take the plunge, we have some great options both old and new to consider. My current ride is a Rubicon JKU with a V6. That V6 took a crap at 98K miles and had to be replaced. It's only a matter of time for me. I just know I'm excited about my 4Runner options. Many other models are ditching products, engines and features because their crap products are not selling. Hell the Dodge Ram 2500 is the scariest right now because there are thousands on dealer lots and they have been on those loss for more than a year now. The car market is crashing. If I have to make a decision soon it will be for a solid product with actual value. And it will most definitely be because I want it over need it. I mean, I need a reliable 4x4 with a tow package. I want a 4Runner!