Toyota has a nice selection of SUVs in its lineup. Its 4Runner is one of them and it’s been pretty popular for some time. However, this year, sales for this model have gone down. How bad are the figures, and what can it learn from the Sequoia, which is seeing improvements on the sales charts?

Toyota 4Runner sales are down

When you look at year-to-date (YTD) sales figures for 2023, you’ll find that Toyota sold 77,307 4Runners. But, compare that to 2022, and you’ll see that sales went down 17.25%. Last year the brand sold 93,419 units, according to GoodCarBadCar. 

Looking at Q3 sales numbers you see figures increase with the 4Runner. This year Toyota sold 35,858 in the last three months. Looking at last year’s figures for the same time period, you’ll notice that the brand only sold 26,590, which is good, but is it an indication that purchases are picking up for the model?

It’s not likely going to improve by much if you look at what the model has been doing in the first and second quarters. In Q1, the 4Runner sold 21,116 of these SUVs. In Q2 of this year, the 4Runner only managed 20,333 sales. 

What can you expect from the 2024 Toyota 4Runner?

The 2024 4Runner will have Toyota’s Safety Sense P package of driver’s assistance features on all trim levels of the model. This will ensure the SUV will get Lane Departure Alert with  Sway Warning System, Automatic High Beams, High-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Pre-Collision System to name a few. 

Its TRD Sport model will get a Cross-linked Relative Absorber System (X-REAS), which is a new suspension system designed to enhance handling on any surface. You’ll also find a 4.0-liter V6 engine powering up the trims producing 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. This will help it get a maximum of 5,000 lbs of towing capacity, according to Toyota. 

There are also two new paint color chances as well. One is the Terra, which is an earth-tone hue, and the other is the Underground, which is a sort of non-metallic gray color. While many critics were expecting the 2024 model to have a hybrid powertrain, it looks like it won’t happen until 2025. 

What can the 2024 Toyota 4Runner learn from the Toyota Sequoia?

Sales figures for the Toyota Sequoia are definitely improving. YTD figures show that the 2023 model has sold 14,165 units, which doesn’t sound like much, but when you only sold 507 SUVs the year before, it’s a massive improvement for the model. Looking at Q3 of this year, you’ll find that it sold 6,213 vehicles, which is almost 6,200 more than last year. In 2022 it only managed a sales number of 30 units. 

What happened to turn things around for the Sequoia? The 2023 model has more standard features, such as automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, power-adjustable front seats, and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The number of passengers in this model has increased to eight people. You’ll have to choose bench seats for both the second and third-row seats, though. With this model, you can get an i-Force Max hybrid system or a 3.5-liter V6 engine combined with an electric motor while paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. 

The Toyota 4Runner is going down in sales, while the Sequoia is going up. If the brand implements some fresh new changes to the 4Runner model as it did with the 2023 Sequoia, then there just may be some improvements in the sales figures, so the model can bounce back in the SUV category.