FT-4X Breakdown

I am convinced the FT-4X was never meant for production, but was a showcase for design ideas. It never did get a real name after a whole year.

Cool that the dash shelves idea is present in the 2019 RAV4. A feature I really like.

The TJ Cruiser received an actual registered name. After being shown in Tokyo, it has dropped out of sight. Starting to believe that will never be produced either.....even given the design is more realistic.

Yeah it looks like Toyota simply used the platform to experiment with new kinds of features. I guess there are still quite a few shows in the upcoming months, but I don't think the silence from Toyota is a good indication.

As soon as they began to show how many removeable components there were in this concept, I knew our chances of a production model were slim. I mean who needs water bottle door handles and boom box cup holders? Maybe they will revisit this model as demand for hybrid/electric crossovers increases.

Perhaps one day we'll get something that modular from Toyota, but for now I'll be happy with something that has a few features from the FT-4X concept like the Rav4 Adventure. Too bad it doesn't have the flat folding seats, but there's a lot to like with the new rav4.
I'm interested to see how the upgraded AWD system handles a few bumps.

Hopefully Toyota decides to bring over the multi hatch to one of their production models, because I think that was one of the FT-4X most compelling features. Have they indicated if the Rav4 has a powered lift gate or not?

I think it will be like it is now with the RAV4.....only the upper levels have the power lift gate.

Throw a cooler back there and you can can something similar to the ice box in the FT-4X's door.
I think the new Rav4 Adventure will be enough to satisfy me until years down the road, if Toyota decides to comes out with a real adventure vehicle. Maybe it's a form of settling, but it's actually a pretty nice car and a far better than what else is out there with reliability. *cough Wrangler cough*

ToyoForLife said:

Throw a cooler back there and you can can something similar to the ice box in the FT-4X's door.
I think the new Rav4 Adventure will be enough to satisfy me until years down the road, if Toyota decides to comes out with a real adventure vehicle. Maybe it's a form of settling, but it's actually a pretty nice car and a far better than what else is out there with reliability. *cough Wrangler cough*

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Agree with you! I positively, absolutely, HATE to go back to the dealer for repairs on a new car. I have had zero visits visits with my 2015 RAV4.....only for free oil changes. ( The last time I did that, they failed to secure the oil plug correctly, so I had a pool of oil in my driveway!)

I buy a new car to drive, not make lovely visits to the dealer. That is why I would never go for a Jeep no matter what they come up with. They always finish at the bottom of quality/ reliability lists.

Do you two work for Toyota? :wink: Face it, Toyota is a boring automaker. They had a great chance to enter a market that has tons of opportunity (The Wrangler is one of the most wanted vehicles year after year with cult-like owners.) and, it appears, that they are going to play it safe, yet again, and leave that market for Jeep, Ford (with the Bronco), and possibly Mahindra.

(btw, I've owned three Wranglers and not one of them had the poor reliability that you describe.)

Maybe Toyotas are just meant for the Malls and the slow lane. lain:

Ericg said:

Do you two work for Toyota? :wink: Face it, Toyota is a boring automaker. They had a great chance to enter a market that has tons of opportunity (The Wrangler is one of the most wanted vehicles year after year with cult-like owners.) and, it appears, that they are going to play it safe, yet again, and leave that market for Jeep, Ford (with the Bronco), and possibly Mahindra.

(btw, I've owned three Wranglers and not one of them had the poor reliability that you describe.)

Maybe Toyotas are just meant for the Malls and the slow lane. lain:

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Then the choice is simple for you. There are lots of shiny new Wranglers waiting for you at your local dealer.
Why are looking at Toyota at all?

I can only go by owners and lists of independent analysis on reliability (based on owner experience) and Jeep always finishes at the bottom. A cult following is good for a car company because little else matters to those buyers. I am sure the owners find them fun, but I don't need any hassles. I know Jeep owners that love them , but reliability isn't a reason they ever cite.

Stick with what you enjoy.

I mean its a generalization to say that all Wranglers have poor reliability, the same way it is to say that all Toyota's are boring. People are going to go with the brand's they feel comfortable with, regardless of how they are perceived by the media. And of course the Wrangler is in high demand, its basically the only vehicle in the segment aha.

Pathmaker said:

I mean its a generalization to say that all Wranglers have poor reliability, the same way it is to say that all Toyota's are boring. People are going to go with the brand's they feel comfortable with, regardless of how they are perceived by the media. And of course the Wrangler is in high demand, its basically the only vehicle in the segment aha.

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Just to be clear ....I didn't make that generalization. I was pointing out the probability of problems is higher when a make finishes at the bottom of lists on reliability.

I am in no way trying to dissuade anyone from buying a vehicle that they have fallen in love with. I am just talking about my own personal criteria for buying a vehicle. Number one on that list is reliability. I don't know if I can effectively say how much I hate going back to the dealer for anything. Just the wasted time, for starters.

Pathmaker said:

I mean its a generalization to say that all Wranglers have poor reliability, the same way it is to say that all Toyota's are boring.

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Ding, Ding, Ding! :smile_big:

bicepeak said:

Then the choice is simple for you. There are lots of shiny new Wranglers waiting for you at your local dealer. Why are looking at Toyota at all?

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Have you ever seen an old 2 door Rav? My first (vehicle) love! I traded in a Wrangler to get one and it seriously handled on the road like my current Wrangler JK. If they still made them, I'd never have owned another vehicle. They competed with the Suzuki Samarai, Geo Tracker and the Jeep. I've seen a recent Jimny rendering that kinda' sorta' looked like one.

Also, I believe Toyota is the most reliable automaker in the world! That doesn't mean, though, that Jeep doesn't make a good vehicle. They do.

Edit: at least a good Jeep Wrangler.

Ericg said:

Ding, Ding, Ding! :smile_big:




Have you ever seen an old 2 door Rav? My first (vehicle) love! I traded in a Wrangler to get one and it seriously handled on the road like my current Wrangler JK. If they still made them, I'd never have owned another vehicle. They competed with the Suzuki Samarai, Geo Tracker and the Jeep. I've seen a recent Jimny rendering that kinda' sorta' looked like one.

Also, I believe Toyota is the most reliable automaker in the world! That doesn't mean, though, that Jeep doesn't make a good vehicle. They do.

Click to expand...

I miss those and looking back at what they were like its weird to see the new Rav4. IMO the best thing Toyota can do to pay homage to it is by launching a 2 door TJ Cruiser. At the same time the outgoing FJ Cruiser can sort of cater to that need, although its a bit up segment.

Ah the good old Suzuki Samurai...really wish that Suzuki would return to the NA market, as they are in my opinion one of the best budget off road manufacturers. There are definitely pros and cons to every brand though, and its just a shame that its taking so long for someone to release a true rival to the Wrangler. If there was something for Jeep to compete against, perhaps it would force them to improve upon the platform.