Don't Expect A Retro Toyota FJ Cruiser Successor Anytime Soon

This enthusiastic love of the body-on-frame SUVs and trucks seems to run in contrast to the rest of the market. We wondered how Toyota expects this segment to change as consumers start to crave more technology and better fuel economy. As it turns out, body-on-frame customers are very different than typical consumers, so perhaps turbochargers and hybrid drivetrains may never see a place on a vehicle such as the 4Runner. "We asked a lot of our consumers and a lot of our owners" what they want. "The 4Runner buyer is an important buyer to us," said Hollis.

We even asked if future model generation should go with smaller engines or hybrid drivetrains.

"Here's what I would say about a turbo four, a six, a hybrid, a fuel cell, or whatever - What we're finding is consumers are less concerned about what it is. They are concerned about the output that provides the feeling they want in their vehicle. If I called it an 'ABC engine,' whatever that is, if I didn't tell them what was in it, if they got in and loved the feel of it they don't care. Give us the best output and keep the price down."

During these auto show interviews, it can sometimes be difficult to get automakers to admit future product plans but we managed to get a little tidbit out of Toyota. When we asked if any of the body-on-frame models have already been greenlit for a next generation, Hollis simply answered, "yes."

So, it may be too early to tell which models will live to see another generation, it seems likely that the 4Runner, Land Cruiser Tacoma, and Tundra will all play an important role in Toyota's lineup moving forward.

Unfortunately, one vehicle we do not expect to see soon is a retro-styled successor to the FJ Cruiser. Toyota has teasedpotential Jeep Wrangler competitors in the form of the FT-4X and FT-AC concepts, as well as theradically-styled TJ Cruiser Concept这是展出几英尺远时re we conducted our interview. Despite seeing so many retro-styled concepts from Toyota, it may be a while before we actually see one on the road.

"Do I see it in our future? Yes. Do I see it in our near future? No." explained Hollis. "FT-4X, FT-AC, and TJ Cruiser, those are three different takes on an SUV. It would be silly of us to create these concepts, listen to consumers, and then not deliver something. So the answer is, not in the short term." So if you've been holding on to yourToyota FJ Cruiser, waiting for a new version from Toyota, it's coming, just not any time soon.