How Much Longer Will Toyota Continue to Make Its Unpopular Full-Size SUV?

Is Toyota planning to discontinue its full-size SUV? Rumors are swirling that the automotive giant is considering pulling the plug on its unpopular model. With consumer preferences shifting towards more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly vehicles, Toyota might be forced to make some tough decisions. While the full-size SUV segment has been a profitable niche for many automakers, the changing landscape of the automotive industry demands a reevaluation of priorities. Toyota, known for its innovation and forward-thinking, may be considering redirecting its resources towards electric and hybrid offerings. As car buyers become increasingly conscious of their carbon footprint, the demand for cleaner transportation options has reached an all-time high. Toyota, a leader in hybrid technology with its popular Prius lineup, may be ready to expand its electric vehicle offerings and prioritize sustainability over size. However, it’s important to note that these are just rumors, and Toyota has yet to officially confirm or deny the reports. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how Toyota adapts to meet the needs of environmentally conscious consumers while still satisfying the demand for larger vehicles. Only time will tell if Toyota is indeed on the verge of pulling the plug on its full-size SUV or if it will find a way to revamp and reinvent the model for a more sustainable future.

The current state of Toyota’s full-size SUV market

The Toyota bZ4X is also marketed as the Subaru Solterra, and it is a battery electric compact crossover SUV manufactured by Toyota. The vehicle is the result of a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru, and it is the first vehicle to be based on the e-TNGA platform co-developed by both companies1. The Subaru Solterra is the rebadged version of the bZ4X and is sold by Subaru2. While the two vehicles share a platform and many characteristics, the primary difference between them is the standard powertrain offerings. The Subaru Solterra comes equipped with dual motors and all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard, while the Toyota bZ4X features a slightly less powerful single motor but offers slightly better range. Additionally, the Solterra is designed to be more capable and equipped for off-road adventures, while the bZ4X is described as more of a commuter vehicle3. Therefore, the Toyota bZ4X is made by Toyota but is also marketed as the Subaru Solterra.

Factors contributing to the SUV’s unpopularity

The unpopularity of SUVs can be attributed to several factors highlighted in the provided sources:

1. Environmental Concerns: SUVs have been criticized for their poor fuel efficiency and higher emissions compared to smaller vehicles. The rise in SUV sales has led to increased gasoline consumption, contributing to environmental degradation and climate change.
2. Safety Concerns: While SUVs are generally safer for their occupants, they pose a greater risk to other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. Studies have shown that SUVs are more likely to be involved in accidents resulting in fatalities for non-occupants, including children, pedestrians, and cyclists1.
3. Fuel Inefficiency: SUVs typically consume more fuel than passenger vehicles or minivans with the same number of seats. The design features of SUVs, such as high profile, wind resistance, and greater mass, contribute to their fuel inefficiency. Additionally, SUVs are subject to less strict fuel economy regulations under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, providing less incentive for manufacturers to produce fuel-efficient models1.
4. Size and Prestige: Some critics argue that the popularity of SUVs is driven by a desire for size and prestige rather than practicality. The perception of SUVs as prestigious vehicles with a sense of security and convenience may influence consumer preferences, leading to their widespread adoption despite their drawbacks3.
5. Aesthetics and Design: SUVs are often criticized for their aesthetics, with some considering them less visually appealing compared to other vehicle types like sedans or wagons. The boxy design and higher profile of SUVs are seen as less elegant and stylish compared to well-designed estate cars, contributing to their unpopularity among certain demographics4.

These factors, including environmental impact, safety concerns, fuel inefficiency, size and prestige considerations, and aesthetics, have all played a role in the criticism and unpopularity of SUVs among some segments of the population.

Competitors in the full-size SUV market

Based on the information provided in the search results, the key competitors in the full-size SUV market include:

1. Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban – The Tahoe and Suburban are identified as leading models in the full-size SUV segment, with the Tahoe being the segment leader. GM’s lineup of full-size SUVs, including the Yukon and Yukon XL, provide a breadth of competitive offerings in this market.
2. Ford Expedition – The Expedition is a major competitor in the full-size SUV segment, with strong year-over-year sales growth reported.
3. Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer – These Jeep models are also competing in the full-size SUV space, though their sales have declined recently.
4. Mercedes-Benz EQS – The electric EQS SUV has gained substantial traction as a new entrant in the luxury full-size SUV market.3
5. BMW X7 – The X7 is another key competitor in the luxury full-size SUV segment, though its sales have declined slightly.3
6. Land Rover Range Rover – The flagship Range Rover model has seen strong sales growth in the luxury full-size SUV category.3

So in summary, the main competitors in the full-size SUV market include models from Chevrolet, Ford, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Land Rover, with GM and Ford being particularly dominant players in this segment.

Toyota’s efforts to revive the popularity of their full-size SUV

Based on the information provided in the search results, here are the key points about Toyota’s efforts to revive the popularity of their full-size SUV offerings:

1. Toyota is teasing the potential revival of the iconic FJ Cruiser as an electric model. During the debut event for the new Land Cruiser 250, Toyota showed silhouettes of two mysterious SUVs, one of which appears to have the boxy, retro-inspired styling of the FJ Cruiser, hinting at an electric revival of this model.2
2. Toyota is also working on a larger, less off-road-focused full-size SUV that was also teased during the Land Cruiser 250 event. This larger SUV seems to have lower ground clearance compared to the potential FJ Cruiser revival, and may be a new Toyota or Lexus model.2
3. The search results indicate that Toyota is focused on keeping the Land Cruiser nameplate “relevant” by exploring “carbon neutral approaches” and making the model more “affordable” and “within reach of even more people around the world.”2 This suggests Toyota is looking to broaden the appeal and accessibility of its full-size SUV offerings.
4. Toyota is also updating the venerable Land Cruiser 70 series, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024. This model is being reintroduced in Japan and will continue to be offered with a V8 diesel and manual transmission in Australia.2
5. The overall full-size SUV market is seeing strong growth, with mainstream models like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, as well as luxury offerings from Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover, gaining significant market share in recent years.1

In summary, Toyota appears to be pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to revive the popularity of its full-size SUV lineup, including potential electric and more affordable models, as well as updates to its iconic Land Cruiser nameplate, to cater to evolving consumer preferences in this growing segment.

Consumer opinions and feedback on Toyota’s full-size SUV

Based on the provided sources, consumer opinions and feedback on Toyota’s full-size SUV, specifically the 2024 Toyota Sequoia, can be summarized as follows:

1. Interior and Technology: The Sequoia’s interior design is shared with the Tundra full-size truck, featuring a mix of hard plastics and upscale materials in higher trim levels. The vehicle offers an enormous 14-inch touchscreen with a responsive operating system, bright graphics, and natural speech recognition. However, there are some user-reported annoyances with the radio functionality, navigation system, and disappearing shortcut icons when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto1.
2. Size and Space: The Sequoia is described as enormous on the outside compared to crossovers like the Highlander or SUVs like the 4Runner. However, it is noted that the Sequoia is smaller than its American full-size SUV competitors, with packaging issues at the rear affecting interior space. The third-row seat and cargo area are highlighted as not competitive, best suited for individuals of smaller stature and shorter trips only1.
3. Driving Experience: The Sequoia’s handling is criticized as cumbersome, even by full-size SUV standards, with shockingly bad ride quality on the range-topping Capstone trim. Lower trims are considered better but do not match up to competitors in terms of ride quality and handling. The vehicle is noted for its off-road capability and potential above-average fuel economy, as well as competitive towing capacity1.
4. Pricing and Value: The Sequoia’s pricing varies across different trim levels, with the TRD Off Road starting at $79,095 CAD in Canada and the SR5 starting at $58,365 USD in the US. Some features are not standard in the US, such as a heated steering wheel and SofTex upholstery. The vehicle’s fuel economy is mentioned as less impressive for a hybrid, with comparisons made to the Chevrolet Tahoe diesel in terms of efficiency2.

Overall, consumer opinions on the 2024 Toyota Sequoia highlight a mix of positive aspects like off-road capability, potential fuel economy, and competitive towing capacity, alongside criticisms regarding interior space, ride quality, handling, and value compared to competitors in the full-size SUV segment.

The future of Toyota’s full-size SUV: Will it last or soon be a thing of the past?

Based on the information provided in the search results, the future of Toyota’s full-size SUV, the Sequoia, appears to be a mixed picture:

On the positive side:

• The Sequoia is Toyota’s full-size SUV offering, providing a competitive option in this growing segment .
• Toyota is making efforts to revive and update the Sequoia, including adding new features and technology to keep it relevant
• The full-size SUV market in general continues to see strong growth, with models like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban gaining significant market share .

However, the search results also suggest some challenges for the Sequoia’s long-term future:

• Consumer feedback on the current Sequoia model highlights issues with interior space, ride quality, and value compared to competitors .
• Toyota is also teasing the potential revival of the iconic FJ Cruiser as an electric model, hinting at a shift in Toyota’s SUV strategy 1.
• The search results do not provide any concrete information about a next-generation or updated Sequoia model, suggesting Toyota may be focusing more on other SUV segments and electrification.

Given the mixed signals, it’s difficult to definitively conclude whether Toyota’s full-size SUV, the Sequoia, will last or soon be a thing of the past. The Sequoia appears to face some challenges in terms of competitiveness, but Toyota is making efforts to keep the model relevant. However, the company’s focus on electrification and potential revival of other iconic SUV nameplates could mean the Sequoia’s long-term future is uncertain. More data would be expected to make a conclusive evaluation.

Potential changes and improvements for the SUV

Based on the information provided in the sources, potential changes and improvements for the 2024 Toyota Sequoia, a full-size SUV, could include:

1. Interior Space: Addressing the concerns about poor cargo space and third-row seating in the Sequoia to make it more competitive with other full-size SUVs in terms of passenger and cargo capacity1.
2. Ride Quality: Improving the ride quality, especially on the range-topping Capstone trim, to provide a smoother and more comfortable driving experience for passengers1.
3. Handling and Steering: Enhancing the handling and steering of the Sequoia to make it more responsive and agile, addressing criticisms of cumbersome handling and light, vague steering3.
4. Value Proposition: Enhancing the overall value proposition of the Sequoia to ensure it offers competitive features, technology, and pricing compared to other full-size SUVs in the market1.
5. Off-Road Capability: Building on the off-road capabilities of the TRD Pro trim level to further differentiate the Sequoia and cater to consumers looking for rugged and capable SUVs3.
6. Technology and Features: Continuously updating and improving the technology and features offered in the Sequoia, including infotainment systems, driver-assist technologies, and connectivity options to meet evolving consumer expectations1.
7. Fuel Efficiency: Exploring ways to enhance fuel efficiency, potentially through engine improvements, hybrid technology, or aerodynamic enhancements, to address concerns about fuel economy in the full-size SUV segment1.

By addressing these potential changes and improvements, Toyota could enhance the overall appeal and competitiveness of the 2024 Sequoia in the full-size SUV market, meeting consumer expectations for space, comfort, performance, value, and technology.

Toyota’s overall strategy for their SUV lineup

Toyota’s overall strategy for their SUV lineup focuses on offering a diverse range of SUVs to cater to different consumer needs and preferences. The lineup includes models ranging from subcompact to full-size SUVs, each designed to meet specific requirements and provide a variety of features and capabilities. Toyota aims to provide options for consumers seeking vehicles with different sizes, performance levels, and price points within the SUV segment.

The strategy involves introducing new models and updating existing ones to stay competitive in the SUV market. Toyota’s SUV lineup includes models like the Toyota Sequoia, which offers features such as leather-trimmed seats, advanced technology like a 14-inch touchscreen, and a scope of wellbeing elements to improve the driving experience and give solace and comfort to travelers..

Additionally, Toyota’s SUV lineup incorporates a focus on innovation and technology, with features like remote connect, Wi-Fi connect, and safety systems such as Road Sign Assist, Lane Departure Alert, and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. These technological advancements aim to enhance the overall driving experience, safety, and connectivity for consumers.

Overall, Toyota’s strategy for their SUV lineup involves offering a diverse range of models with varying sizes, features, and capabilities to meet the needs of different consumers. The focus is on innovation, technology, safety, and providing a comprehensive lineup of SUVs that cater to a wide range of preferences and requirements in the SUV market.

Conclusion: What the future holds for Toyota’s full-size SUV

The future of Toyota’s full-size SUV lineup, including models like the Sequoia, appears to be promising based on the information provided in the sources. Toyota is actively working on updating and enhancing its full-size SUV offerings to meet evolving consumer demands and stay competitive in the market. The company is focusing on introducing new technologies, features, and design elements to attract customers and improve the overall driving experience.

With the potential redesign of popular models like the RAV4 and the introduction of new SUVs like the Century SUV, Toyota is demonstrating a commitment to innovation and adaptation to changing trends in the automotive industry. The company’s strategy includes incorporating advanced infotainment systems, digital instrument clusters, and hybrid powertrains to enhance performance, efficiency, and connectivity in their SUV lineup.

Overall, Toyota’s future in the full-size SUV segment looks promising, with a focus on technological advancements, design enhancements, and a commitment to providing a diverse range of SUV options to meet the needs of different consumers. The company’s efforts to update and improve its SUV lineup indicate a strong commitment to remaining competitive and meeting the demands of the market.

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