Toyota didn't used to be this way. It historically did offer options for enthusiasts. It wasn't that long ago that Toyota sold a 4Runner that was faster than the fastest Porsche Cayenne. Consider how outrageous that sounds today. A 4Runner that would outrun a Cayenne Turbo GT? They probably won't even offer a TTV6 now. The fun left the company a while ago. Not sure if it's coming back. They did a lot of interesting stuff on the new Tacoma - but they neutered it with the powertrain. It's not even close to what Ford will offer in the Ranger. The Raptor isn't even Ford's top off-road halo model. Ford also builds the Bronco DR that's a different league above the Raptor models.
Toyota could have just put a 4.6 v8 with a 10AT in the old 4Runner and satisfied a lot of buyers with parts that are already sitting in crates on the same damn assembly line. Or, just a base model LC200 for $50k. It didn't have to be a Bronco DR. I hope the next gen at least moves the needle on the fun factor back in the right direction. The market is there. Will Toyota do it? Not sure. Pretty good chance it'll be 270hp 4cyl in a 5k lb SUV. If it is - well, Ford will keep selling a lot of Broncos and Rangers.
Toyota could have just put a 4.6 v8 with a 10AT in the old 4Runner and satisfied a lot of buyers with parts that are already sitting in crates on the same damn assembly line. Or, just a base model LC200 for $50k. It didn't have to be a Bronco DR. I hope the next gen at least moves the needle on the fun factor back in the right direction. The market is there. Will Toyota do it? Not sure. Pretty good chance it'll be 270hp 4cyl in a 5k lb SUV. If it is - well, Ford will keep selling a lot of Broncos and Rangers.