If you designed the 2027 4Runner🚙, what’s the one thing you’d change?

[JRunner]

I've had mine since May 2025 and it's great, but have a list of minor feasible changes I would love to see, many that have already been mentioned:

Things I really want:

• More legroom in the second row, maybe sliding seats to increase legroom or cargo space as needed
• Bigger gas tank
• Quieter inside ride. Especially with the roof rails it's super loud
• Quieter windshield wiper motor. Super loud, distracting. Seems to maybe be only an issue with some, others maybe got quieter motors (another thread).
• Brake Controller as an add-on option (not having to upgrade to a higher trimline). I think maybe they added this for 2026? When I got mine it was a $7k CAD upgrade to a higher trim as the only option.

Minor things:

• Wider front seats. I'm average build and height (6' 1", 215) and it's tight. 1-2" wider.
• More headroom in the back (moonroof impedes)
• Bigger bottle holders in the doors. My standard sized Thermoflask doesn't even fit
• An ability to override the hatch to still open if the window is open.
• Locking floor mats in the second row. The stock rubber one-piece is useless, doesn't stay in place.
• Fold flat seats in the second row
• More intelligent key detection. Often my wife and I both have our keys and it defaults to her settings even after I've opened the door. Just have a popup that says "two keys detected, select one".
• 5-Year standard warranty (3-years doesn't match the "quality" that Toyota stands for)
• All colour options for all models in Canada. I really wanted Mudbath but couldn't afford the PRO so opted for Underground.

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[EL616]

• An ability to override the hatch to still open if the window is open.

This, but also let me use the external window buttons when the engine is on. The number of times I've put it in park to grab something from the back only to have it beep at me for 15 seconds because the external buttons are locked out when the truck's running... absolutely infuriating. It's clearly not a security thing because the hatch will still open from the rear -- you're just not allowed to open the window except from the inside buttons. Baffling design choice in my opinion. Make it make sense.

 

[js_panda_rnr]

• All interior lighting improved
  • Cargo area (pillar) lighting and a hatch light standard on all trims
  • Map lights in front 10x brighter then the current ones
  • Rear seat dome light at least 2x brighter
• Flip the function of the rear hatch window switch
• For two row 4Runners, sacrifice some cargo space to increase the leg room in the rear seat area
• Improve clearance of muffler on all trims compared to 25–26
• Off-Road trims come with upgraded TRD recovery points standard

 

[NotApplicable]

The diesel available on the LC250 in other markets

 

[Vincenzo]

There are a few things that bug me, but, for the most part. I am content. I drove a pickup for 35 years. I was tired. I have always wanted a 4 Runner but I could not stand the ride. Toyota fixed my biggest problems I had with the 4 Runner. Power and handling. It can get out of its way and I think it handles awesome. Every V6 Toyota has put in them have been way underpowered. The suspension? Horrible, for what I want in a daily driver. Well, Toyota delivered in my opinion. I think the majority here bought the wrong vehicle. “But the sub” So you want it to hit? Then we would be seeing threads like this. “I have this annoying rattle when I turn the volume up and dealer can’t find”. Road noise? Don’t put 33s on and complain about road noise. Fold flat rear seats? This thing is meant to double as an off-road vehicle. You would most likely lose ground clearance. I had a Telluride for a year. I think a lot of you are more suited for it.

 

[Muslogy]

For me I think a slightly bigger fuel tank would be nice to have a little more time between fill ups. I’d also add some more storage cubbies. I’d love to see some type of under seat storage or even floor cubbies.

Thanks for the sharing! Would you be able to snap a quick photo of the space under the front/rear seats? Also, regarding your "floor cubbies" idea—where exactly would you want that added? (Center console, trunk sides, etc.)"

 

[6thGen1419]

We all love our 4Runners, but let’s be honest — no car is perfect.
If Toyota handed you a pen and said, “You’re designing the 2027 model — what would you do differently?” — what would it be?

Would you:

• Add more storage space?
• Improve fuel economy?
• Upgrade the interior tech?
• Bring back a V8?
• Redesign the cargo area or seats?

Drop your ideas below — big or small, serious or just for fun. We want to hear them all!

We’ll feature a few of the best responses — and maybe send a small surprise to one lucky participant

So what’s your dream upgrade for the 2027 4Runner?

Lengthen the vehicle by one foot and add more room to second row seats and redesign back door entry footprint.

 

[Macaque]

Lengthen the vehicle by one foot and add more room to second row seats and redesign back door entry footprint.

…..so a Sequoia?

 

[DangItsDen]

Same backseat fold flat design and rear foot room as the 5th gen. This backseat is a fkn joke. Bigger gas tank is also a no-brainer.

 

[Desert_6Gen]

Come out with a 2.7L straight 6, softer suspension, more soft touch interior (less plastic), include dual zone climate on Premium trims with digital temp readout.

 

[6thGen1419]

…..so a Sequoia?

Funny. Even if the length and wheelbase, etc. would be almost the same, they would still be hugely different vehicles and the 4Runner would still be a 4Runner.

Diffs between a hypothetical "stretched" 4Runner and a Sequoia:

 

[Macaque]

Funny. Even if the length and wheelbase, etc. would be almost the same, they would still be hugely different vehicles and the 4Runner would still be a 4Runner.

Diffs between a hypothetical "stretched" 4Runner and a Sequoia:

I mean….

Sure you could make a vehicle the same size as the Sequoia and give it a less powerful engine and lower towing capacity.

Curb weight of a stretched 4Runner would be very close to the Sequoia. Fuel economy would end up being close. Cargo capacity if your Sequoia would end up marginally larger due to the 2” extra width.

Any “offroad maneuverability” advantage of this hypothetically stretched 4Runner goes away with the same wheelbase as the Sequoia. Approach, departure angles and ground clearance will be a wash.

So what you’re proposing is basically just a worse Sequoia.

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