4th Gen Toyota Tacoma They Did What?

Photo: Toyota Car News

As everyone has been adjusting to the changes of the 3rd Gen Tacoma from 2016 to 2017, then again from 2018-2022. Toyota decided that was too long to not dust off the thoughts in your head about whats next for the Tacoma. They weren't wrong.

The 2023 predictions have been all over the place, engine options and or changes, how much different would the frame technology be? Will the styling attributes be a plus or drive people to stay in their older generations just a little longer? What suspension changes will take us to new levels of articulation and was Toyota really listening when we all said they should come ready to accept 35's without trimming being necessary already?!

As usual, we scoured the internet seeking all the relevant and hottest takes, accurate information, and that right ladies and gentlemen,.. 'cause we need more than milkshakes to bring you all to the yard!

For those who just can't get enough taco's.. a new truck rolls off the line every 60 seconds at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX) like a feast for even the hungriest of Toyota enthusiast's. Built on a massive 2,678 acres of Ranch Land, this efficiency and speed is met by the dedicated men and women of "Team Texas", which is comprised of 3,200 proud employees who get to assemble Tacoma's and Tundra's all day. [sigh]... ALL day long hmmmm

Photo: Toyota Car News

Photo; WapCar 2.4L (t) T24A-FTS))

With the 4Runner retaining the body-on-frame chassis and not following the Highlander which is under the UNI-body assembly as it has been for the last two generations. We of course hope the current 4.0L power-plant would be maintained as much as I know many fans who would like.., no, I mean "love', to see the V8 return to the upcoming migration to the TNGA-F1 chassis. which is shared among the Tundra, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, Prado, and eventually Lexus LX/GX too. Sidenote; this shared chassis will be very important because so many models will share this TNGA-F1 platform which should help in keeping costs down without sacrificing Toyota quality.

My guess is if all of the above vehicles, most of which have already a 4.6L+ V8 option currently, might see Toyota leaving us with possible opportunities for making V8 swaps easier for future owners which leads me to another line of thought... Is Toyota, bitten by the addition of the new GR-Performance line-up of Toyota vehicles reaching into the way back machine of chasing the performance desires of its loyalist that TRD spun away from? Alright,.. whose else's under-shorts just got tighter?

AP Press: Renderings by David Koichi Chao (top) 2023 Tacoma front based rendering (bottom) 2023 Tacoma rear based rendering

Anxious or irritating, undoubtedly the biggest question lining up is what is it going to look like? According to David Koichi Chao, the new Tacoma is likely to of course follow the design theme we're seeing in the New Tundra for 2022.

A pouty but much bolder and slightly larger grill with the newest looking larger egg carton insert will be matched to a more vertical dimension of but again LED headlights which from whats being said, stemming from a more aggressive front end carrying over. The non functional Sport/TRD hood scoop may be traded away for the double-bubble hood line to match the newer fenders David states should be a little more bulkier but thinner in body line due to a possibly slightly taller wheel arch, that hasn't been completely officiated yet outside of some conceptual renderings but we're all hoping that would lend to just a little more ease on 33' inch tires or even sneaking in a set of 35's more.

We are leaning in both hopes and the direction that rumor is we may see Toyota following the lead of the Toyota Hilux, which as we all know is that an extra 2 inches longer and a little wider slays the other trucks. It's been said that the current composite bed will remain in the 5ft and 6.1ft options. Our guess is that we might see that length used in the cab design space? But it's not been the size of the Tacoma that has made it the number one selling mid-size truck even in America at 248,000 copies sold even in 2021 with the closest competitor, the Ford Ranger at 94,000 units.

Its obviously the legendary reliability Toyota brings to the table which has brought a worldwide market support for the platform in all aspects from a daily work grinding truck to what many of us here do, escape to the not so populated places in the world to escape our own daily grinds of course.

Photo Credit: Autoblog

We are leaning in both hopes and the direction that rumor is we may see Toyota following the lead of the Toyota Hilux, which as we all know is that an extra 2 inches longer and a little wider slays the other trucks. It's been said that the current composite bed will remain in the 5ft and 6.1ft options. Our guess is that we might see that length used in the cab design space? But it's not been the size of the Tacoma that has made it the number one selling mid-size truck even in America at 248,000 copies sold even in 2021 with the closest competitor, the Ford Ranger at 94,000 units.

Its obviously the legendary reliability Toyota brings to the table which has brought a worldwide market support for the platform in all aspects from a daily work grinding truck to what many of us here do, escape to the not so populated places in the world to escape our own daily grinds of course.

Photo: Assembly line Tahara Plant Aichi, Japan

Unlike the Land Cruiser, the basic of Toyota 4Runner's doesn't come with standard 4WD, in fact it's a $1700 up-charge on the SR5 trim. The non-Limited 4Runner's 4WD system is part-time, with a transfer case that is able to shift between 2Hi, 4Hi, and 4Lo. The Land Cruiser's 4WD, meanwhile, is full-time. The Land cruiser's Torsen limited-slip center diff can be locked, the transfer-case-equipped 4Runners can lock their rear differentials.

Technology wise, the 4Runner shares Multi-Terrain Control (MTC), Off-Road Cruise Control, and assistance for both climbing and descending hills. However again, the Land Cruiser does get a slight edge with an underbody camera that the driver can be used to spot obstacles. The Land Cruiser also has standard the self-leveling KDSS, adjustable suspension which is available to the 4Runner but only in a TRD PRO or TRD Off-Road with Premium package.

Another attraction of the 4Runner is the longer-travel Fox shocks which the Land Cruiser cannot get - but the KDSS adjustable suspension is generally fine for the average off-road experience, it is better suited for those who spend more time on the day to day tarmac. One advantage of a the Limited trim of the 4Runner is the X-REAS dampening system which does improve on-road manners.

Although not necessarily a suspension feature, but an off-road one. All Land Cruisers come standard with skid-plates where the 4Runner only receives such treatments in TRD trims. Many new buyers get them installed at time of accessory purchases as normal 4Runners.

Photo: Toyota | 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

So the question now becomes, are you going to hold out from buying a 2022 for the redesigned 2023 4Runner? Let us know in the comments what your thoughts are in the comments below.

About: David Koichi Chao

Automotive Engineer and Toyota veteran David Koichi Chao just developed two new images of what the next generation 2023 4Runner could look like. Following the exact same methodologies he used to predict the 2022 Toyota Tundra - which turned out to be extremely accurate - David creates the new renders and provides predictions of the new 6th gen 4Runner.

David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, consulting and strategy. David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean Thinking or Toyota Production System.