Am i the only one who thinks....

That they should have just made the new taco the exact same as the 4runner, and just designed a box for the back?

Seems to make business sense, because they could have used the same assembly line for most the production, same parts (90% the same at least), and the 4runner is (IMO) a better looking vehicle than the new taco too. It also has power seats and probably some other features that the taco lacks.

I just dont see any reason that they needed to rebuild the wheel, when they had a super sick wheel sitting there!

Please someone tell me why i am wrong.... there's gotta be an explination

 

Toyota doesn't roll like that. Plus, I believe the 4runner is Japan designed and built by corporate Toyota in Japan. The Tacoma just gets the 4runners leavins and is made/ designed here in USA and sadly.....Mexico. Just seems like a completely separate operation.

 

Yeah but this time around toyota were not targeting truck crowd when they designed new "truck. "If you wondering who is their target audience just think about two items.
3.5 l v6 from Highlander hybrid
GoPro mount.

We will see. That is shaping to be another massive flop like with "redesigned" Tundra.

 

Yep, you're the only one.

 

Taco206 is right--Toyota just wouldn't do that. Although I would be MUCH more likely to buy a 2016 Tacoma if it were more closely (as compared to loosely/none at all) based on the 4Runner. We really are pleased with our 4Runner. It's a great truck, but it doesn't have a bed.

 

Yep, I would have liked that better... But alas, that is not what they have done. I like the gen 3 better than my gen 2 so I'm excited nonetheless !

 

If the new 4runner didn't get such horrible mpg and could tow more than 4700 lbs. I would have one. I agree, love the aggressive look of the 4runner, but they really should have changed the engine with the redesign. The 4runner has had the 4.0 even longer than the Tacoma (since 2003). They could have used it as a test platform as well. I definitely can't wait another couple years to see what they do with the next 4runner, hence why I am likely to pick up the 2016 tacoma if the stats are decent.

 

I think that the photoshopped 4Runner/suspected 2016 Tacoma looks like crap. The only good thing about it was that stupid online magazine that actually used it to show the "new" Tacoma on display at the NAIAS. Soooooo bad. So bad.

The real 2016 Tacoma looks good. Can't wait.

 

Different 1GR in the 4th gen 4Runner (and 2nd gen Taco) than the 1GR in the 5th gen 4Runner. My 2010 with the revised 1GR managed over 20mpg average for the 38k miles I had it. It was pretty quick, too.



That said, the new 3.5L with DI and the ability to run Atkinson cycle in low load conditions will get much better mileage and perform the same or better than the updated 1GR.

 

Different or not, it's hardly much different. Still incredibly underpowered for how heavy the new 4runner is, hence the poor towing and the fact that it gets the same mpg as the 4th gen. I mean really, 7 years and this is the best they could do with a new platform? less towing and same mpg? I average around 20 in my 4th gen v6

 

Different engineers and factories.
and then you would have heard a bunch of people saying it was a copout

 

Towing limit could be based on braking or cooling per the SAE standard rather than pulling power. Your 4th gen tow rating wasn't set by the SAE standard. Per Consumer Reports, the 5th gen does 0-60 in 7.7. That's pretty quick for a 4600lb SUV. The 4Runner doesn't feel super quick in normal driving because the gas pedal is designed on the lazy side. Half stroke on the pedal is like opening the throttle a quarter of the way. Put the pedal down and the 4Runner will move. I do hope the 4Runner loses some weight with the 6th gen. 4400lbs with this new engine could be a real sweetheart.

Anyway, you are set in your thinking and nothing I say will change your mind, so good day.

 

I'm hoping to see the Tacoma from 4300 to 4200/4100. With a little more HP and torque and another gear, it will be very quick.

 

You're right. I made up my mind after numerous test drives. Thing handled like the heavy tank that it is. Nose diving and rolling in and out of corners. Sorry but the 5th gen was a bust.

 

Probably in the low-low minority here...if the the under carriage was the same, it would be great...full boxed frame, linked coil rear suspension....made in Japan! I dunno...I have owned Toyotas for 25 years...the Made in the USA versions aren't as good as the Made in Japan versions. Tacos aren't built as well as the HiLuxes.

Use the same chassis and just stretch it for the pickups. Kill the 4Runner front clip with fire tho'...gawd damn that thing is fugly.

And for some real sacrilege...wouldn't mind seeing IRS under a Taco...

 

Yea, the 4th gen didn't have a legit CUV counterpart in the Highlander [it was too small] at that time, so the 4th gen was certainly set up for on road more so than the 5th gen. You'd probably love the new Highlander. Very composed on the road.

 

Not sure If I like the styling on either of them. When I look at the 2016 tacoma I'm just not sure. When I first saw the 4 runner I didn't like the styling of the front end.

 

I would definitely prefer a different front clip, but otherwise I think that could have been a great option for the Gen 3.