Diesel 4Runner actually coming? Tacoma next?

But we'd be able to use 6th gear.....

 

Pretty sure this kills any credibility to that guy's story.

As far as a diesel Tacoma.... I'll reserve this space to comment on it in a couple of years.

I'll say this, it would be an odd move for Toyota to make at this point, especially while continuing to refuse to offer a diesel Tundra and committing to hybridization of the entire lineup by 2025.

 

Of course it’s all speculation, but one could rationalize some pretty good reasons that Toyota would bring diesel to the US:
- Europe is moving away from diesel, I think China too, maybe Australia is next. So transfer the sales to North America.
- American (US) emissions rules may relax further with Trump and Pruitt, so it’ll be OK here.
- Ford, GM and FCA (Ram) all have light-duty diesel in the US now.
- If fuel prices continue to rise, diesel’s MPG advantage looks good, even if fuel cost is higher, not to mention maintenance costs.
- if Toyota wants to take Tundra to the next level, they need 3/4 and 1 ton versions with diesel. Of course, that may not be relevant to Tacoma.

I can equally think of a lot more reasons why it’ll never happen, though ... I’d expect to see a 4 cylinder turbo and/or hybrid first.

 

I am really curious about this. I can see it going both ways with a lot of spec sheet racing in the middle.

Cons:
The pics that I have seen are certainly questionable to me. IMHO, it is somewhere between our Tacos (and the twins) and the Ridgeline in looks. Besides that it is huge in size. Also, the approach, break over, and departure angles for the Ranger Raptor are the same as the non-Pro Tacos without the chinstrap. the lower models look like they will hang up on anything more than a speed bump. Only one engine and transmission choice.

Pro:
The only real draws are that it is a small Ford and the HP/TQ numbers.


The way that I see it breaking down is that the mall crawler crowd will buy it. The offroad crowd might be left scratching their heads. We know how that works for the Tacos, esp the 3rd Gens. Everybody likes the looks and capabilities (being used or not). The sales numbers prove that. The Ranger, being more of a softroader, might not do anything good.

The one big question is how the fleet sales go?

 

depends whre you live lol

Diesel gets better MPG so it almost balances out the price point, but here diesel is cheaper to run becasue diesel fuel is cheaper than regular gas.
I had a TDI for 6 years and absolutely loved it minus starting it in the winter when its -40C out and I didn't have a place to plug in, but MPG wise its way better and the torque is wonderful. I miss it at times but regardless its just dated technology. The future, especially for Toyota, is going to be Hybrid and EV.

Volvo has already switched to EV and Hybrid only, or will be soon can't remember if it was 2020 or they already did it but know I heard something about how they will no longer offer anything that isn't fully electric or hybrid.

Electric motors are better anyways, instant torque and when paired with drives whether its DC or AC motors they have incredible speed and torque control. Its going to be the future within the next decade, outside of the water crossing portion in which they better make sure they are sealed motors electric is the best for off road.

I don't get why this diesel shit always comes up like its the best thing out there.
Look at anything in the world that is known for moving huge loads and having lots of power, locomotives, cranes, conveyers, those big CAT mining dump trucks, or plenty of the machines in factories that lift and move heavy loads. They're all getting their movement from electric motors. So many seem to think locomotives and those dump trucks are diesel powered they aren't when it comes to drive. They're diesel generator powered to drive the electric motors thats it.

 

maintenance cost? you are aware that diesels require more expensive maintenance right?

outside of the 3/4 ton idea that really makes no sense.
Why would a huge company like Toyota think, oh well all these big markets like china, europe and maybe australia are going to get rid of diesel options and probably switch to something like hybrid (which China and India has already announced), I should continue to invest money into a market that is dying instead of the future market of hybrid and EV vehicles.

Now does that really sound like an economical idea for the future of vehicles?
And emissions rules vary state to state if I remember correctly do they not? Hence why almost everything you buy performance wise will say not DOT certified in California lol. Sure some states might become relaxed but really its also not something worth investing in when poltically that can change in a few more years with the next election, and even if he won a second term thats only an extra 4 years of Trump before it could change to someone that would go back to the environmental idea.
You're forgetting Toyota's market for North America isn't just in the US but also Canada, where our emissions continue to remain strict.

 

Exactly what I'm saying.
This diesel argument is pretty stupid every time it comes up when the company has never said a word publicly about going diesel but have continued to announce along with many other companies to have everything offered as a hybrid option in the next decade.

 

Dealers are the worst source of information especially salesmen lol!

 

i remember multiple salesmen telling me the offroad and sport are the same truck besides the hood scoop and trying to get me to buy a sport because they had it on the lot and no off road.

its like people think salesmen are telling you the truth and not just telling you shit to get a sale like they actually give a fuck about you lol.

 

Yup! I literally know more about Tacomas than every salesman I’ve ever spoken too. They make crap up all the time.

 

was watching an australian comparison of all the Utes there which included the ranger.

and the off road capability was mentioned as good but not as great as the Hilux.
Interestingly Hilux, Ranger and VW Amorak were the top three of the comparison.

It certainly will be interesting to see how it stands up in the market, although Ford is shit I respect them more than GM since they didn't take a bailout and actually survived on their own.

 

they rely on the fact that most customers aren't enthusiast and are just looking for a daily drive thats reliable so they don't really care about the details here and there.

Hell the threads on here are very obvious of how many just want looks over actual functionality when you see them buying Pro over OR or Sport over OR when bang for the buck most capability is the OR, whether you use it or not off road.

 

Agreed.

And they cut off their own limb of excitement when they killed the Supra and MR2 lines.

Now their idea of excitement is a paint scheme, big wheels and spoiler installation on a Camry Redline.

Don't get me wrong. Their vehicles serve a purpose. Albeit appliance in nature. But edgy or exciting? Not so much.

But they do make a lot of money. Which is what they are in business for. They want the healthy wallets of middle class, and lots of them.

 

Sorry, poor wording on my part. I meant higher fuel AND maintenance costs. As for the rest, I guess my post was too serious sounding, as I was mostly being devil’s advocate and in fact concluded that a higher efficiency turbo 4 and/or hybrid is far more likely. I generally agree with your other points, but I do wonder why Ford and GM are investing in light duty diesel here if there isn’t some opportunity. If Ford does offer a diesel Ranger and FCA releases the diesel Wrangler here, that may give diesel enough momentum that Toyota will follow. GM even re-launched the diesel Cruze here for 2018 (US, not sure about Canada).

 

Exactly. They seem to care more about quality when considering the domestics. FCA need not be mentioned.

 

I saw a few videos vs Hilux (Australia). It seemed like the Ranger was keeping up just fine in most vids. Aftermarket support seems to be there as well, although in the US, I'm sure they'll lag behind the Tacoma. Size wise, I don't think it's much bigger than a Tacoma, although I think it's got a deeper bed, higher lines, which may make it seem bigger than it is. What I do welcome is the rear seat room. So much more than the Tacoma.

Also, I actually like the look.



And even better in the base model trim with those steel wheels:


Toyota's gotta be gearing up for the launch. All the Ford fanboys will gobble these up. It will take a big chunk out of their sales. GM twins, Nissan and Honda were never real competition. But I know Ford has them nervous.

 

yea, but they lied

 

i agree but people are looking at the wallets......if you have to pay more, they won’t like it.....i had 2 diesel Mercedes....loved them....but diesel was $0.899 and gas was $0.99.......now regular gas in SoCal is $3.799 and diesel is $3.99.......i just dont believe people, with the price of cars and trucks, are seeing past the price of fuel.....

 

It will be interesting to see what happens.

I will agree that the base model does look good. I haven't seen that pic before. The upper models, not so much. That said, I think the F-150 is the best looking fullsize. The SuperDutys used to look good also. How they screwed that up this year, I will never understand.

I know that some folks don't feel there is enough rear room in the Taco. I feel it is adequate in my AC. My teenage Daughters ride back there a lot without complaint. The DCs only gain about 8in while losing a full foot of bed due to the storage behind the seat. That is a hard pill to swallow and am still very pleased with the choice that I made. I am also very glad that I didn't wait for the Ranger given the launch details. The Ranger Raptor doesn't even get my wheels turning.

 

emission in california have allowed for diesel in the past 20 years.....some are just as clean as gas emissions....