The last year they made the 4.9 (1996) the power was 150 hp and 260 lbs of torque. The 5.0 V-8 was 200 HP and 270 lbs of torque. I had both and both were good engines. Back then a 4.9 in a F-150 would get 17-18 mpg and had no issues going 70-75 down the highway.

I think there would be a huge market for a midsize truck ( the size of a full size truck from that time period) with an updated inline 6 and a regular or extended cab platform, as well as crew cabs, for drivers who want/need a capable truck but don’t want to spend $50k or need all the fancy gadgets. Would be a great alternative to these tiny turbo charged V-6’s they are putting in trucks now.

Son wanted a Tacoma so we test drove a 24, it was too small for him so drove the 4Runner. He really liked it, but wanted a truck. Drove the Tundra and he did like the size, I could not get over the motor. I have read quite a few of the 22-23 having failures...
He ended up in a '24 Sierra

Inline 6 is making a come back…last I saw Mazda, Dodge (well Jeep) and BMW were or have released them.

I cannot remember when BMW didn't have an inline 6. I had a 1986 320i with a straight 6. Just sold an 18 X5 with the 3.0L inline six. It's a really great engine.

I had a 2007 323i.

Great little car.

*Disclaimer* if you maintain it like your own child and never neglet it.
They can get tacky if you don't maintain them like they are always on display at the dealership

I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it. Looks too much like an Xterra but I still don’t hate it. I like the last generation 4Runner a lot. If they made one with a manual transmission, we would have bought one instead of a second Tacoma.

300 I-6 was pretty stout and the 258 in my Jeep is bulletproof.

I can’t call them them disposable.

I’m much more confident taking modern truck to 200k than I am a truck from the 90’s.


Wasn’t all that long ago a vehicle hit 100k you were looking to trade it off. That isn’t the case today

Ram is replacing the hemi with a 3.0 liter I-6, im a fan but not if it doesn’t have a dipstick. They have a standard output and an HO version. Not exactly sure on the numbers but they beat the hemi.

Those look sharp, they really did a good job on the design.

are they redesigning the interior space? My wife had 2x 4Runners that she loved but for longer trips the interior seating was very cramped (mostly leg room) for me at 6'3" and the center console intruded into driver's floor space. After an hour or two, I had to stop to stretch out my legs and back. I think they were designed for maximum height of about 5'9" in the front seats. We transitioned to a Traverse and have been very pleased with comfort and mileage ... waiting on the '24 to hit the lots to upgrade. I would consider going back to a 4Runner IF they redesign front seating though.

Lexus GX550 is the way to go.