Bye bye, 4Runner

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I was planning to replace my vehicle in four years, max, and hoped Toyota would keep making 4Runners without fixing what wasn’t broken. Well, my dream is dashed. No more bulletproof V6, turbo only. I wanted something that would last till I die or could no longer drive. I don’t trust turbos to last that long.

Toyota press release.
 
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I was planning to replace my vehicle in four years, max, and hoped Toyota would keep making 4Runners without fixing what wasn’t broken. Well, my dream is dashed. No more bulletproof V6, turbo only. I wanted something that would last till I die or could no longer drive. I don’t trust turbos to last that long.

Toyota press release.

They did the same thing in the Tacoma. I drove a 2009 Tacoma until late last year when I wanted to trade for a new Tacoma with a 3.5L V-6. The dealer told me the new 2024 trucks would not have a V-6 option; only 4-cylinder turbo. They simply could not get a 2023 Tacoma with a V6, so I settled for a lease turn in 2022 TRD 2x4 Sport. This truck has all the bells and whistles and I finally have the V-6 power I wanted. I bought it in December 2023 with 12,000 miles. I just took it in for 15,000 mile service this week. I'm a happy camper. :D

Tacoma.jpg
 
I’ve had two 4Runners: an ‘05 and a ‘15. Both were V6, non turbo. Really liked the ‘05, put 147K on her. Didn’t care that much for the ‘15. No one big issue, just a bunch of small, irritating things. After about five years, traded it in on a 2020 RAM Laramie—- really like this RAM.
 
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I think I'll stick with My 2003 4Runner. 4.7 V-8 and 4X4. Did real good in the Colorado high country hunting. Does fine up here. 15MPG is a little rough, but I can drive a long way on the price of a new one. Plus it's only at 139K miles. Think I'll keep it.
 
Find a late-model V-6 version, or consider a Lexus GX 450, a "civilized" version of the 4Runner. I have a 2016 GX which I love. It has all of the capabilities of the 4Runner, but with a non-turbo 300 hp V-8 engine and a much smoother ride. I've had zero problems with mine. The new GX has also been "downgraded" (in my opinion) with a turbo V-6, but with more horsepower.
 
My wife owns a Rav 4 The last year a V6 was offered. Loves it.
It's a great engine.

She had been hinting about wanting a 4 runner next. This might be a deal breaker.

Do these new toyota turbos coming out require higher octane gas?

Here in PA ethanol is now at 10% and wonder if that affects turbos.
 
Motortrend's write up: Access Denied

“Anyone mourning the death of the V-6 should take solace in knowing the new powertrains are more powerful and perhaps more efficient.”

That totally misses the point. The V6 helped the 4Runner become one of the most reliable, longest-lasting vehicles ever made. Now it’s just another throw-away toy. Unless Toyota has a magic turbocharger that doesn’t wear out an engine prematurely.
 
My wife owns a Rav 4 The last year a V6 was offered. Loves it.
It's a great engine.

She had been hinting about wanting a 4 runner next. This might be a deal breaker.

Do these new toyota turbos coming out require higher octane gas?

Here in PA ethanol is now at 10% and wonder if that affects turbos.

I bought a 2016 Forerunner new and it generally has been a good vehicle. I intend to buy a new Highlander Hybrid. I think the 4-cylinder turbo engine will be as adequate as the V-6 in my Forerunner. Vehicles change and I prefer to be open-minded in my assessment.
 
Not your grandfathers turbo any more.

This, people. All the modern turbo motors were built as turbos motors from the git-go. It's not like the manufacturers are taking some old four banger and just hanging a turbo on it to get the numbers they want. The latest engines are an integrated system, built with sufficient oil supply, cooling, and basic strength to deal with everything involved in running forced induction. Some don't like the idea of running more expensive gas, but the economy gains more than compensate in my experience. Ethanol content isn't an issue. Keeping it Toyota specific, many Toyota V6 motors would run on Regular, but the power was down on what was listed in the spec sheet if you did. Boy, could you tell in my late wife's Sienna minivan.

For sure, every so often a car maker will screw up making a turbo engine. The V6 Ecoboost is the prime example from a few years back. There were issues involving the intercooler in specific weather conditions. Ford's first 2.0 Turbo was a dog as it used a single scroll turbo giving eons of turbo lag. A later twin-scroll turbo with a better exhaust manifold sorted that issue.

I've also seen plenty of naturally aspirated motors with their own issues. Ever wondered why you see so few V6 GM cars from the 2000s still about? Bad gasket and intake manifold designs and materials. People got sick of trying to fix them. I've been told that the GM iron Duke motor is robust, but where are all the Pontiacs and Chevys that used them?
 
Can’t comment on Chevys or Buicks with the Iron Duke, but every Grumman made “Mailbox” mail carrier truck is running one. Gotta believe those get abused, but they are still kicking. (Albeit top speed being 40 or so. :) )
 
This, people. All the modern turbo motors were built as turbos motors from the git-go. It's not like the manufacturers are taking some old four banger and just hanging a turbo on it to get the numbers they want. The latest engines are an integrated system, built with sufficient oil supply, cooling, and basic strength to deal with everything involved in running forced induction. Some don't like the idea of running more expensive gas, but the economy gains more than compensate in my experience. Ethanol content isn't an issue. Keeping it Toyota specific, many Toyota V6 motors would run on Regular, but the power was down on what was listed in the spec sheet if you did. Boy, could you tell in my late wife's Sienna minivan.

For sure, every so often a car maker will screw up making a turbo engine. The V6 Ecoboost is the prime example from a few years back. There were issues involving the intercooler in specific weather conditions. Ford's first 2.0 Turbo was a dog as it used a single scroll turbo giving eons of turbo lag. A later twin-scroll turbo with a better exhaust manifold sorted that issue.

I've also seen plenty of naturally aspirated motors with their own issues. Ever wondered why you see so few V6 GM cars from the 2000s still about? Bad gasket and intake manifold designs and materials. People got sick of trying to fix them. I've been told that the GM iron Duke motor is robust, but where are all the Pontiacs and Chevys that used them?

We may consider a newer highlander if the warranty is puts us at ease. The higher octane is a concern as in some areas the price adjustment is higher than I remember in comparison to normal gaps. Where we live we need great acceleration,when upstate we climb some pretty steep terrain and the 4 runner appears a good bit heavier than the Rav. Hopefully the transmission is robust.

I see tons of 4 runners in the city but not near as many upstate comparably.

Ours sons 6 cylinder 2005 malibu runs like a top at 147xxx miles and I am still seeing a lot of older V6 chevy malibu's. Actually more than the wimpy 4 cylinder. Now larger cars like impalas not so much.
 
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