2024 and 2025 New SUV Models Redesign, Concept, Changes, Prices and Releases: Read about best SUV models for 2018 and 2019 model year. Here you can find all info about new crossover SUVs.
If we can rely on rumors, the next generation of the famous SUV is on its way and could come already in the next year, as 2020 Toyota 4Runner. The famous nameplate has been around for years. It all started in 1984 when this model came as a successor of the short-living Trekker.
So far, we have seen numerous versions of it. There have been five generations in total. However, the problem with the current-generation model is that it has been around for way too long time. It came a decade ago, which is definitely too much if we consider the number of competitors and rapid development of this segment in the past decade.
Anyway, it looks like the company is finally going to do something about it. Few of ours relatively reliable sources claim that Toyota works on the next-generation model, though we didn’t hear a single word from the manufacturer.
Five years without a bigger update is enough to say that the new 2020 Toyota 4Runner is a must?
You’re probably familiar with the fact that Toyota’s current SUV lineup is aged, we would say even more than that. Not only that this one is present for about a decade, but the full-size Sequoia waits for the redesign for even more time. The situation is equally bad with trucks. Another interesting fact that the last update was in 2014 when Sequoia received a facelift. All these facts are a clear indicator that the company needs a rapid renovation of the whole SUV and Truck lineup. Things went so far that many of us are wondering will the new 2020 Toyota 4Runner even come, though it is hard to believe that the company is going to kill such famous model, which even that outdated marks more than 100.000 units sold annually.
2020 Toyota 4Runner should come fully redesigned
Officially confirmed or not, redesigned 2020 Toyota 4Runner seems quite likely. For this occasion, we should see a whole bunch of novelties, considering the current model’s age. At the moment, we can speculate only about general design details. So, let’s start with the platform. We expect to see a completely new architecture, which will underprint the new Prado as well. It should bring a lot of driving improvement. We are pretty sure that the new model will continue with a traditional body-on-frame layout, though with some revolutionary design solutions. This primarily refers to the materials choice. The chassis, as well as the whole body, should utilize a lot of HSS, aluminum and other lightweight materials. In these days, weight reduction is crucial for the ride quality, economy, and overall driving experience.
Preparing a new suit for the 2020 Toyota 4Runner
Of course, all these improvements probably won’t mean a lot without a completely new styling. It is still early to talk about some more precise styling details. However, we should see a big gap between the current and new model, considering the age of the outgoing crossover. This means a big step forward, which will adapt the new SUV to the company’s newest design language. While front and rear ends will likely come with a completely new touch, the overall shape shouldn’t be changed too much. After all, this model has always been known as a highly capable off-road machine and we are sure that the company will keep that in mind while creating the new 2020 Toyota 4Runner. In practice, this means similar boxy shape, without sleek profile and accentuated aerodynamics.
Interior
Big changes are expected on the inside of the 2020 Toyota 4Runner as well. Just like with the exterior design, it is hard to make some more precise predictions. Still, the new cabinet will certainly be completely new. That would include a completely new dashboard as well. We can presume that the new 2020 Toyota 4Runner will follow the trend of other models from the lineup and come with a more intense digital approach. New controls will largely be digital and operated via large touchscreen, while the frequency of analog controls should be lower, though some key functions will remain with touchable knobs and buttons. Of course, expect to see a bunch of new tech features, including a big number of advanced safety and driver-assist systems.
2020 Toyota 4Runner should get a new powertrain
The current model comes with a large and highly-capable unit under the hood. It is a well-known 4.0-liter V6 gasoline engine which delivers around 270 horsepower. Despite plenty of power, poor fuel economy and low overall efficiency are becoming a serious drawback in these days, if we consider today’s standards in the segment.
So, a new engine will definitely be more than welcome. It is hard to say which one of the company’s familiar units could find the place under the hood. There is a chance to see some other, more efficient V6 in the game. Also, diesel units seem like a certain powertrain option for the next-generation model. With such engine, this SUV will get a lot of benefits in terms of utility, but also in terms of fuel economy.
Finally, we won’t exclude the possibility to see some hybrid powertrain in the offer. It could easily be a combination of some V6 engine and few electric motors. This will bring not only better efficiency, but also more power and so-needed torque.
A newer, more up-to-date transmission is a must, we would say. Most likely, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner will come with some newer version of a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
2020 Toyota 4Runner release date and price
At this point, it seems quite tricky to speculate on this topics. We still don’t know how the future of this SUV will look like, despite numerous rumors about its redesign. If the company really plans a major overhaul, we should see a pre-production version on some major car show in the next year. Serial production would eventually start in the second half of 2019. Same goes for the price. Though it is hard to predict some more precise sum, especially if we consider new powertrain, we don’t expect some significant changes. The current models go between 35.000 and 45.000 dollars, and we should see similar price range in the next-generation model.
When it comes to the competition, this is probably the only pure-blooded mid-size SUV on the market. So, it is hard to mark any potential rival at the moment, since other manufacturers mostly switched to crossovers.
