The 6th-generation Toyota 4Runner is long overdue, and we hope that the long wait will be rewarded with game-changing upgrades.
Now on its 14th production year, the 5th-generation Toyota 4Runner is still among the five best-selling models in the American market’s mid-size SUV segment. Although it’s not as popular as the family-focused Toyota Highlander in terms of unit sales, the 4Runner still holds its ground against other rugged mid-size SUVs like the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler. However, as the competition continues to receive modern updates, Toyota cannot hope for this over-extended 4Runner generation to remain popular for long.
Fortunately, the 6th-generation 2024 Toyota 4Runner may finally arrive soon. In 2019, 2021, and 2022, Toyota launched the all-new Highlander, Tundra, and Sequoia, in that respective order. Moreover, Toyota USA just released an Instagram teaser for the 2024 Tacoma in early March 2023. Taking all these recent developments with Toyota’s pickup truck and SUV line-up into consideration, it’s very reasonable to assume that a 2024 Toyota 4Runner redesign is already underway.
Barring any delays, many industry insiders and fans alike expect official news about the 2024 Toyota 4Runner by late 2023. With all the secrecy around the next-generation mid-size SUV, could Toyota actually be preparing to launch a segment-shaking 4Runner redesign? Many 4Runner fans certainly hope so. Here are some probable upgrades that the 2024 Toyota 4Runner can receive to keep the competition on their toes.
10 The 2024 Toyota 4Runner Will Finally Get A Fresh Exterior Design
HotCars | Rostislav Prokop
The current-generation 4Runner had its first and only exterior facelift in 2013, and all succeeding model years, new trims, and special editions all used the same 2013 exterior design. It’s time for a fresh look, and there’s no shortage of digital renders of the all-new 2024 Toyota 4Runner’s exterior design online. The current design concepts of Toyota’s newly-launched SUVs, however, seem to be in line with the suggestions of creative artist Rotislav Prokov, whose renders are shown in the 2 images above.
The 2024 Toyota 4Runner will probably have a front fascia design similar to those on the current Sequoia and Highlander, although a more rugged treatment will be more appropriate for the 4Runner’s character and target market. A horizontally-oriented hexagonal grill with an aggressive LED headlamp design, multiple air dams, and an extended lower bumper lip will emphasize the 2024 Toyota 4Runner’s trail-bred nature. Towards the rear, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner will probably borrow tailgate and lighting design ideas from the 2023 Sequoia.
9 The 2024 Toyota 4Runner Will Get A New Turbocharged Engine
The current 2023 Toyota 4Runner still uses the same 4.0-liter 1GR-FE V6 engine from its 2010 model year. Although this naturally-aspirated mill producing 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of twist is still decent for highway cruising and light trails, it’s hardly enough to compete with the 4Runner’s main off-road rivals.
Toyota has been retiring most of its naturally-aspirated, large-displacement blocks in favor of smaller, forced-induction engines. The 2023 Tundra, for instance, dropped its 5.7-liter V8 and adopted a new, 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 mill. Similarly, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner will most likely let go of the 4.0-liter V6 and receive Toyota’s newer, 2.4-liter turbocharged I-4 engine that gives 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque for the 2023 Toyota Highlander. For the 4Runner redesign, however, Toyota will probably tune this engine up more aggressively, like how Lexus configured the same 2.4-liter turbo mill to produce 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque for the 2023 RX 350.
8 A Hybrid 2024 4Runner Will Eat Up Tarmacs And Trails Alike
Although the 2.4-liter four-banger will be more powerful than the 4Runner’s old V6, the new engine is still not powerful enough to meet the competition’s off-road trims in battle. For instance, the top trims of the 2023 Jeep Wrangler currently offer 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of twist from a 2.0-liter hybrid engine. To even the playing field, Toyota will most likely include a hybrid powertrain in the 2024 4Runner redesign.
The 2024 4Runner will probably adopt Toyota’s Hybrid Max system, which uses the same turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, but enhanced by two electric motors to produce 340 hp for the 2023 Toyota Crown Platinum and 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of twist for the Lexus RX500h Performance trim.
7 The 2024 4Runner Will Finally Get More Than 5 Forward Gears
The current-generation 4Runner’s electronically-controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) sounds impressive – until you learn that it’s still only a 5-speed system. Even the more docile Toyota Highlander already sports an 8-speed Direct Shift A/T for the 2023 model year. If Toyota doesn’t improve on this feature, many off-road enthusiasts will likely flock to the current Ford Bronco’s 7-speed M/T and 10-speed A/T options.
The 2024 Toyota 4Runner redesign should include at least the current Tacoma’s 6-speed M/T as an option. Furthermore, Toyota may elevate the 2024 4Runner beyond the current Highlander’s 8-speed A/T and adopt the new 10-speed ECT-i used by the 2023 Tundra and Sequoia.
6 The 2024 Toyota 4Runner Will Retire The Analog Instrument Cluster
The 2023 4Runner still uses the fancily-named “Optitron instrumentation” across all its trims. Although this type of instrument cluster may have been impressive 15 years ago, it’s still just an analog device with a small, utilitarian LCD screen at the center. Yes, the lighting design is attractive – if you still want to stick to analog clusters. However, Toyota will not let the 4Runner redesign be finalized without including at least the current Highlander’s 7-inch or 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster options.
5 The 2024 4Runner Should Get A Modern Infotainment System
The 2023 4Runner is still using an outdated 8-inch infotainment system head unit with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims. The current Highlander, on the other hand, already has a more modern 8-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen interface with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With the rugged SUV’s higher price point, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner will likely get the 12.3-inch touchscreen unit for the entire lineup. The 15-speaker JBL premium audio system option, however, will be carried over or even upgraded only for the higher trims.
4 The 2024 4Runner Will Get A Digital Rearview Mirror – At Last
After 14 years in the production line, all 5th-generation 4Runners in Toyota showrooms today still use either a mechanical or an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The 2024 Toyota 4Runner can really use a camera-based digital rearview mirror to help drivers get a clearer rear sight, even if most of the rear windshield is covered by trail mud or even if passengers and cargo are blocking the driver’s view. Both the current RAV4 and Highlander have digital rearview mirror options, but the 2024 4Runner redesign should include this as a standard feature.
3 The 2024 4Runner May Get Bigger Shoes
Even with TRD-tuned Fox shocks that produce a 1-inch stock suspension lift, the 2023 4Runner TRD Pro trim only uses 31.6-inch tires wrapped around 17-inch rims (265/70/R17) – the same tire size that the base SR5 4Runner trim uses. Although this wheel-and-tire setup is okay for many tarmac and light trail applications, many 4Runner owners upsize their tires for better off-road capability and – let’s face it – better stance.
If the 2024 Toyota 4Runner will indeed have a bigger and more aggressive exterior design, then it will probably get a set of bigger shoes to complete the look. The current 4Runner’s Nitto Terra Grapplers have a good reputation, but it wouldn’t hurt for Toyota to get them in 33-inch diameters – the same size as those fitted in the base and mid-spec Jeep Wranglers.
2 The 2024 4Runner May Get Even Better Suspension System Options
The current-generation 4Runner’s suspension system options like the X-REAS sport enhancement, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), and TRD-tuned FOX shocks allow the mid-size SUV to serve as a good people mover as well as a capable off-roader. However, the 2023 4Runner’s ground clearance (9.0 to 9.6 inches) is somewhat lackluster. The current sub-compact Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness SUV, for instance, already sits 9.4 inches above the ground. Off-road mid-size SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler (9.7 to 10.8 inches) and the Ford Bronco (8.3 to 13.1 inches) have much bigger ground clearances and therefore better approach, departure, and ramp break-over angles.
If Toyota wants to add more off-road capability to the TRD Pro, TRD Off-Road, and TRD Off-Road Premium trims of the 2024 4Runner, then the company can tune its suspension for more lift, and perhaps adopt the Sequoia’s load-leveling air suspension system to get a variable height adjustment system.
1 The 2024 Toyota 4Runner Will Be A Safer SUV Both On Highways And Trails
One of the 2023 Toyota 4Runner’s weak points is its mediocre safety rating (4 out of 5 stars) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The current generation’s design fared poorly in frontal overlap crash and vehicle rollover prevention tests. Since the 2024 Toyota Highlander will aim to be a top choice for both family-oriented and recreational SUVs, the 4Runner redesign plans need to include measures to improve this safety rating to the highest 5 out of 5 stars – similar to what the 2023 Highlander received.
