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Since its launch in late 2009, the 5th-generation Toyota 4Runner has been one of the Japanese carmaker’s strong contenders in the American mid-size SUV segment. In fact, for the past three years, the 4Runner has been one of the five best-selling nameplates in the said category. This is quite an impressive feat of longevity, considering that the 4Runner received its last facelift way back in 2013.
Despite the 4Runner’s continuing popularity in the US market, Toyotacannot rest on its laurels. As the more rugged alternative to the Toyota Highlander, the 4Runner needs to keep pace with its capable off-road rivals like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Ford Explorer, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Most of these competitors have had their updates in recent years, while the 2023 Toyota 4Runner marks the 14th model year within the same generation. Toyota 4Runner fans are eagerly waiting for the next-generation 4Runner redesign.
Fortunately, it seems that the wait may be over soon. The 4th-generation Highlander debuted in 2019. Moreover, Toyota launched the 3rd-generation Tundra and Sequoia in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Finally, Toyota fans, industry insiders, and auto journalists have been abuzz about Toyota USA’s teaser for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma. Toyota’s mid-size and full-size trucks and SUVs in the US market have all received fresh and full model updates, except for one. All these clues point to an all-new 4Runner in the works – and Toyota will probably unveil it as a 2024 model.
So what changes will the 2024 Toyota 4Runner bring? Here are 10 possible and much-needed upgrades for the 2024 4Runner redesign.
10 An All-New Look For The 2024 Toyota 4Runner
HotCars | Rostislav Prokop
The Toyota 4Runner’s current exterior design is a relic from literally a decade ago when Toyota gave the 2013 4Runner a facelift. This exterior has also been the basis for all the subsequent trims and limited edition versions that Toyota introduced for the rugged SUV model’s 5th generation. Without a doubt, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner needs a fresh new exterior design.
Toyota USA has been very quiet about the 2024 4Runner redesign. However, auto industry experts and Toyota enthusiasts can make good guesses on how the 2024 4Runner redesign will look like based on the recent Toyota SUV releases. Some creative digital artists like Rotislav Prokop took the guesses one step further by digitally rendering possible designs for the 2024 Toyota 4Runner.
Based on the two images above, the 2024 4Runner redesign will include a front fascia similar to those of the Tundra, Sequoia, and Highlander. A sleeker LED headlamp enclosure, multiple air dams, and a more aggressive lower bumper will emphasize the rugged character of the 2024 4Runner. It’s also possible that the 4Runner redesign will include new tailgate, taillight, and rear bumper designs similar to those of the 2023 Sequoia.
9 The 2024 4Runner May Get A Turbocharged Engine
In response to global movements towards environmental sustainability and carbon neutrality, Toyota and many other manufacturers have been steadily moving away from large-displacement engines and towards forced-induction powerplants. The Toyota Tundra dropped its 310-hp 4.6-liter V8 mill in exchange for a new 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V6 that currently provides 348 to 389 hp. Moreover, in place of the Tundra’s bigger 5.7-liter 378-hp V8 option, the same turbocharged V6 along with the electric motors of the new i-FORCE MAX hybrid technology will produce an even more impressive 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. Like the Tundra, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia also uses the i-FORCE MAX hybrid system.
As of the 2023 model year, the Toyota 4Runner only has one powerplant option – the same 4.0-liter 1GR-FE V6 engine that the SUV debuted in 2009. Squeezing out 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque, this old engine needs to bow out gracefully and pass the torch to today’s more modern internal combustion blocks. Fortunately, Toyota already has a suitable 2.4-liter turbocharged I-4 engine – one that currently powers the Toyota Highlander, the Toyota Crown, and the Lexus RX. This forced-induction engine can give 265 hp and 310 lb-ft for the Highlander. With a bit more aggressive tuning like Lexus has done for the RX350, this four-cylinder can churn out 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The new four-banger engine will provide similar hp ratings as the old V6, but the turbocharger will give the smaller block significantly higher torque.
8 The 2024 4Runner May Have A New Hybrid Trim
Nowadays, hybrid engine technology isn’t exclusively for fuel-sipping city cars like the Prius. Due to the past few decades’ improvements in electric motor output and battery technology, companies like Ford and Jeep leverage on the hybrid system to give more grunt even to off-roading vehicles like the Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, and soon enough, the mighty Bronco. The Jeep siblings both get 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of twist using a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine paired with an electric motor. Given Ford’s tendency to take things to another level (like with the 700-hp F-150 Raptor R), the new Bronco will probably be even more powerful than Jeep’s mid-size offerings.
The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, however, has a very feasible option that will let it catch up with these mid-size off-roaders. Using the Hybrid Max system, Toyota can combine the power of the 2.4-liter turbo engine with a rear electric motor to produce a total system output of 340 hp for the 2023 Toyota Crown Platinum. Like with the non-hybrid engine, Lexus also tuned the hybrid system more aggressively to give the Performance trim of the Lexus RX500h F-Sport a total output of 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. With this hybrid system in place, the 2024 4Runner can square off against its competitors quite decently.
7 New Transmission Options For The 2024 Toyota 4Runner
Although the 4Runner is a trail-bred vehicle, Toyota designed and marketed this mid-size SUV not just for off-road enthusiasts but also for outdoor-loving families. However, with the availability of newer and more modern transmission options in the competition, many of the 4Runner’s target customers will be disappointed with its old 5-speed automatic transmission system. For families seeking a capable yet comfortable SUV, the Toyota Highlander offers an 8-speed A/T. In turn, off-roading purists will be drawn to the Ford Bronco’s 7-speed M/T and 10-speed A/T options.
Without a doubt, the 4Runner redesign should include new and varied transmission options. Toyota may not need to look far and wide for the solutions. For instance, the new 4Runner may use the 2023 Tacoma’s 6-speed manual tranny to keep stick shift fans and many off-road purists interested. Moreover, Toyota can use the same 8-speed Direct-shift A/T in the current-generation Highlander or the new 10-speed ECT-i system in the 2023 Sequoia. With a few modern transmission options at its disposal, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner will be a more attractive option for its target market.
6 The 2024 Toyota 4Runner May Get A Fully-Digital Instrument Cluster
One of the current-generation Toyota 4Runner’s dead giveaways with regard to its age is its instrument cluster. Yes, the 4Runner’s “Optitron instrumentation” looked impressive in the early 2000s, but nowadays, it’s nothing more than a fancily-lit analog instrument cluster with a tiny LCD screen at the center.
At the very least, the 2024 4Runner should get the same 7-inch digital instrument cluster that’s now standard in the base and mid-range RAV4 and Highlander trims. The 4Runner redesign should also make the much larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard for the 2024 4Runner’s range-topping TRD, Limited, and (hopefully) Hybrid Max trims.
5 An Upgraded Infotainment System For The 2024 4Runner
Like with its analog instrument cluster, the 2023 4Runner also has a very outdated infotainment system interface. While the current 4Runner only has an 8-inch touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the smaller and more affordable RAV4 now offers an optional 10.5-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
For the 2024 4Runner, however, Toyota will likely offer the same infotainment system options that the current-generation Highlander has – either an 8-inch or a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface. Moreover, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity should be standard on all multimedia package options. Finally, Toyota will probably carry over the 4Runner’s premium audio option – a 15-speaker JBL audio system complete with a subwoofer and an amplifier.
4 The 2024 Toyota 4Runner May Get A Digital Rearview Mirror
The current Toyota 4Runner uses either a glare-resistant mechanical rearview mirror for lower trims, or an auto-dimming rearview mirror for the higher trims. While these mirrors are still perfectly functional, they are leagues behind today’s premium OEM and aftermarket rearview mirrors in terms of functionality.
The current RAV4 and Highlander still offer day/night and auto-dimming rearview mirror options, although the auto-dimming mirror already has integrated HomeLink buttons (the current 4Runner’s best rearview mirror option doesn’t). Toyota also gave RAV4 and Highlander customers an option to upgrade to camera-based digital rearview mirrors, so it’s likely that the 2024 4Runner redesign will also include this option. Aside from giving the driver a wider and clearer view of the rear traffic, the digital rearview mirror also allows drivers to have an unobstructed rear-facing view even if the rear cabin space is filled to the top with cargo.
3 Bigger Tires For The 2024 4Runner
The 2023 4Runner TRD Pro is the most capable off-roader in the 4Runner line-up. However, even with TRD-tuned Fox shocks and a 1-inch factory suspension lift, the TRD Pro trim’s exclusive Nitto Terra Grappler tires are still the same size (265/70/R17 31.6 inches diameter) as those of the base SR5 trim gets. This apparent lack of appeal and differentiation encourages many 4Runner owners to get bigger tires to improve the looks and performance of their vehicles.
The 2024 4Runner will gain significant aesthetic and trail performance benefits if Toyota decides to fit bigger tires to the SUV’s off-road trims straight out of the factory. There’s no need to go as far as the stock 37-inchers of the Bronco Raptor, but some 4Runner owners prefer to upgrade at least to 33-inch tires to match the tire sizes on the base and mid-range Wrangler trims.
2 The 2024 4Runner May Get Suspension System Upgrades
Depending on the trim level, the 2023 4Runner comes with an optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), TRD FOX shocks, or an X-REAS sport enhancement suspension system. Despite these different suspension options, however, the most off-road-capable TRD Pro trim only has a 9.6-inch ground clearance. For comparison, the Wrangler’s ground clearance ranges from 9.7 inches up to 10.8 inches. The Bronco, in turn, cruises between 8.3 inches and 13.1 inches above the ground.
Although Toyota markets the 4Runner as a rugged yet comfortable SUV, the 2024 4Runner’s off-road trims need some more differentiation from the rest of the lineup. Toyota can give the 2024 4Runner an option for more front suspension lift and perhaps introduce the Sequoia’s load-leveling rear air suspension system to the most rugged TRD Pro trim.
1 The 2024 Toyota 4Runner Will Have Improved Safety Features
The current-generation Toyota 4Runner received a mediocre 4/5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to the NHTSA reviews, the 4Runner performed poorly in one of several crash tests and could also improve on its mediocre vehicle rollover prevention design.
Although the 2024 4Runner will still be a rugged, trail-bred SUV, nothing should stop Toyota from designing the vehicle with top-notch highway and off-road safety features. A 5/5 – star safety rating like the 2023 Highlander received will boost the 2024 4Runner’s popularity among all its target customer groups.
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