After 15 years, the world, primarily North America, has finally seen the all-new Toyota 4Runner. It was a long time coming, too, given that Toyota took its time to unveil the new generation.
The sixth-generation model continues the SUV’s lineage that dates all the way back to 1984. Like the Prado it’s based on, it also features design characteristics from past 4Runners.
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From the classic Toyota typeface to the grille, to its rakish (for an SUV) rear end, one can say that the redesigned 4Runner is unmistakably, well, 4Runner. And that’s even if most markets don’t get this model.
We’re rather pleased with the final outcome of the product. But we’re even happier with the fact that Toyota kept one key feature that has been a signature of its mid-size SUV for 40 years. It’s a feature that’s hugely practical when you think about it, and one that would be great to have in more SUVs.
We are, of course, talking about the roll-down tailgate window. North American Toyota fans (and Hilux Surf enthusiasts) probably know about it already. Still, it’s something that Toyota’s North American executives insisted on keeping for the latest model. In fact, the Sequoia had it for the first two generations before it was ditched for a simpler pop out mechanism.
That’s why the roll down tailgate window in the sixth-gen 4Runner is a big deal. The mechanism for that is heavy and complex, not to mention expensive to produce. In an age when cost-cutting measures are more prevalent (and obvious), Toyota listened to the 4Runner’s customer base and stuck with it. Props to the company for that.
So, what exactly is the purpose of that window? For starters, it can be secondary access for the cargo area. It can also allow users to load long items without leaving the entire tailgate open. Other uses include, according to Toyota North America execs, for dogs to peek out the back and for surfboards. For us, this arrangement makes it an ideal camera car.
If Toyota can keep this feature in the new generation 4Runner, we have a simple request for the Japanese giant. Please bring back the split tailgate in the Land Cruiser? Okay, it’s a tall ask, but a split tailgate (or barn doors) will always be a defining feature of the flagship SUV. It probably won’t happen now, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed.
