Saw the new 6th gen trail hunter in person

Going by the boxy shape, one could also compare it to the new Santa Fe, the Ford Flex, LR D110,etc.


You know we agree to disagree on the styling of the Bronco, but I recall we agreed on hoping Toyota would make the 4R more off-road focused.

it's a shame Toyota opted not to try to compete with it, capability wise. Bronco remains a class above the 4Runner when it comes to off-road capability.

I also think that (accepting a world where 50k is the general price for an off-roader), the Ranger Raptor is a relative bargain. I saw one in person yesterday, it looks MUCH better than the Taco, and you get a front locker, bigger/better tires, and TTV6 for 9k cheaper than a TuRD Pro.

 

Agreed on all points.

I'm just not sure what to think about the 6th gen. I would love to think that Toyota was going to release some special edition that would be a badass off-roader. But, based on the pricing we're seeing with the Tacoma, it just doesn't seem likely. Or, it will be so expensive nobody will want it. The PRO and Trailhunter will probably be decent vehicles, but I just can't see them selling very well based on the expected prices.

I guess I'll have to wait until I see actual pricing, and see one in person before I fully make up my mind. But, based on the pictures and projected pricing, I just don't see it being as popular as the 5th gen.

 

It was at overland expo west from Toyota itself, interestingly I was camping there and someone already had the Tacoma trail hunter (wasn’t a fan of the new gen tacos either)

 

Im conflicted like Bassguy.

The 6th gen still just doesn't do it for me. I like the added power and fuel economy (and am not afraid of turbo hybrid), the better screen resolution for the cameras, and a few other creature comforts. Having 33s and a sway disconnect stock is nice but not a game changer for what I do with it. Same thing with the extra 1k towing - it helps but not game changing.

But the exterior styling is just blah at best. The interior is waaay to busy (I would have liked it at age 20, but not now), the tacked on ipad look of the 14in screen is ugh. The tumble seats actually make the storage space less useful. And the rest is not nearly enough of an upgrade over the 5th gen to make a swap worthwhile.

The LC is growing on me but other than the full time 4WD (for winter driving) there is nothing about it that's a massive capability improvement over the 5th gen and as everybody points out its going to be really expensive and hard to get for a long time.

Bottom Line - I'm going to keep my 2023 for the foreseeable future. Ive already added enough mods to address many of the major gaps to the 5th gen (better tires, trailer controller, onboard air) - I could spend $400 for an OTT tune and probably get pretty close performance wise as well. However if I didn't own a rig already I would have no problem buying one of these new TNGA platform rigs - LC would be my top choice.

 

The bolded part is an excellent observation. It would be fascinating to do a survey and ask consumers if they like the styling and then analyze the results based on age demographics. I think younger people would like it in greater numbers than older people. By styling the 6th gen to appeal to a younger crowd but pricing the 6th gen to only be attainable by those older, Toyota has created a disconnect.

 

funny you say that, people will say the same about the 5th gen when it came out, especially after the refresh

personally i hated the looks on the 5th gen prior to 2014 refresh. once the 2014 refresh came out, i went out and bought a 2014 4runner.

 

I did feel the same about the original 5th gen. I thought it was the first time the 4Runner didn't look as good as the previous version (to me.. I know the 4th gen isn't as popular as the 3rd here).

When I started shopping in 2018, I knew I wanted a '14 or newer. Once I saw the used pricing, I decided to go new.

 

I’ve thought the same, that they are targeting the aesthetics of kids but setting the pricing for well off adults.

 

100% agree with all of this.

I was very excited for the 6G launch, but was left underwhelmed. I think the biggest turnoff is the interior, as you said , the dash is WAY too busy, and Toyotas preferred tablet tacked on dash design theme is just terrible. I didn't like it in the Tundra, Taco, and I don't like it now. I'm also very disappointed with the tumble seats, sleeping in this will take work. I haven't seen this demonstrated, but I'm hoping maybe they lift out once tumbled. I get having a weird floor in the hybrid, though I don't care for it there either.

The styling looks ok except for the front, it's got a RAV4 vibe, and the Rav is also ugly (probably ugliest in it's class). It also looks like it won't be easy to fit an aftermarket bumper, I don't really see any clean cut lines. I like the rear quarter windows that flow into the roof, cool throwback touch. The sides could use a few less body lines though. I like the slab sides and strong wheel arches of the 5G.

LC is a home run, styling wise. I saw one yesterday for the first time, and even in black it looks great. I can see the past LC styling cues in it. Interior is also much clearer looking, the screen is better integrated.

I don't like that the 55k version is the poverty spec that doesn't even come in real colors. Next model up with color availably is around 65, at that point does it make more sense to step up the the base GX Overtrail with sunroof delete for 68? Either are too expensive for me, but others may find themselves in that conundrum.

I had a friend who was dying for the 6G to come out to replace her 2012 SR5. A few weeks ago she leased a new 2024 5G. The 6G didn't do much for her.

I don't see myself ever having another 4R after this one, I don't find anything compelling about the newest crop of Yota 4x4s. Honestly, the Raaptor is the most interesting new 4x4 to me right now.

 

I was discussing with my wife last night what her next vehicle will be. She thinks the new 4Runner looks goofy and would get one of the last of the 5th gen’s instead. She likes the look of the LC and GX but said at that price point why wouldn’t we just get an Audi instead of a Toyota? I think a lot of people may think the same that these prices are just too much for a Toyota.

 

You guys nailed it. And coincidentally I also considered the 5th gen forgettable before the facelift. It wasn't even on my radar when I bought my 2nd gen Tacoma.

The aesthetics are all targeting "Bro" mall crawler showoff image. Its not just the in your face interior.. also the Busy exterior and stamping the name into the rear steel in 5ft letters on every modern truck. And its not just Toyota... everybody is doing it now. Like how all the big 3s pickup trucks have to look like they borrowed the front end of a Peterbuilt.

Yes, designed for a 20 year old and priced for a 50 year old (me) ... except their marketing folks know that the 20 years olds will lease or take out no down payment 8 year loans to get into these anyway and its money in Toyota's pocket regardless.

And while the tacked on screen annoys me to no end, I have to at least give Toyota the fact they didn't invent it. BMW and Mercedes where doing this a decade ago. Everybody else just followed for some reason I'll never understand.


Of all the current 4x4s, if I wanted a dedicated trail offroading rig and it was a second vehicle I'd just get a Rubicon. Sure Jeep reliability sucks but for a non-DD I don't care and they are so much easier to mod with a huge aftermarket. And nothing beats a jeep with the top and doors off on the beach for cool factor. Not even our beloved 5th gen as much as I love it. I wont touch Ford with a 10 foot pole. In spite of all the reservations if its gotta be DD commuter duty for me its Toyota or Honda/ full stop.

 

I trust German cars about as far as I can throw them, but your wife makes a valid point. If off-roading is not a factor and one leases or trades often, I can see an Audi or similar being a valid alternative.

 

Funny... been having the same talk with my better half as well. She is currently rocking a Honda Pilot (mom mobile) but 8 seats really comes in handy on vacations. Ive been showing her things and sh really likes the look of the LC and the GX (maybe I could that aAND keep the 5th gen???) .... but is insisting we have to have at least one 3 row in the family so that would limit to GX Lux.

But then she was looking at a Rivian R1S - one of the other parents in town has one and we see it parked at my sons sports games every week. She seems to really like that now. Hmmmm.

Tell me about it. The other thing my wife had been lusting over is the Audi Q7 but Ive been trying to steer her away "why do you always say they aren't reliable... I see them everywhere they cant be that bad" Glad she is distracted now.

 

We certainly wouldn’t be keeping an Audi long term but if we’re going to spend $60K we might as well get something that actually looks and feels like it should be that expensive. We don’t really need the off-road ability either. Our 4Runner has been on the beach a few times but other than that it’s for hauling people and gear and needs 4WD or AWD for the snow. That’s probably 99.9% of suv owners needs anyways.

 

I think the R1S is the best looking SUV out there. I wish they were cheaper.

 

I agree it looks awesome except those dopey cartoon looking headlights.

 

I think I could get used to the Rivian other than the stupid headlights ... and damn if it doesn't look comfy inside.

Cost problem aside... if we ever did get one I am trying to wrap my head on how we would manage to use it as our family roadtrip car for 8 hour drives up to Maine, or down to Virginia/DC etc...

 

I’m getting used to the lights now that I see them frequently but would prefer a more normal light.

 

Virginia would probably be fine but Maine would be tough to find charging stations especially once you get further north.

 

need to see the platinum trim on the 4runner to make a final decision

 

Here’s a video of the blue LC. It’s a Westcott Designs vehicle and has their lift kit in it.
https://youtu.be/T4NYIkaprcA?si=kSCXuefPHwpuIfK4

 

I think they had 3 there if I remember correctly

edit ... haha, just watched and yup

 

wow.
Drool.

 

That's true. That kind of styling is appropriate on the Civic hatchback, for example, where it's priced for 20 year olds.

 

It’s strange because I would think that the majority of 4Runner owners are 30-50 year old moms.

 

I mean, this is coming from the company that thought (correctly) that people would pay about a $7000 premium for a lime green truck.

 

platinum trim is mostly QoL changes and more standard equipment over a limited.

compare a capstone tundra to a platinum/1794 to get an idea of the minor changes.