The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Big lineup
- Still rugged
- Hybrid power
- Trailhunter’s off-road specs
Dislikes
- Manual hasn’t returned (yet?)
Buying tip
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner ditches its outdated running gear in this year’s hybrid-savvy, tech-rich redo.
The Toyota 4Runner stakes its claim as one of the most off-road-worthy SUVs of history. It's new for 2025; this preview will be updated once we've driven it.
What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Toyota 4Runner? What does it compare to?
The 2025 4Runner seats up to seven people in three rows, has extensively upgraded off-road hardware, and a turbo-4 hybrid drivetrain, for starters. It’s blocky, bulky, rides high, and tows strongly to merit a place alongside the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Land Rover Defender.
Toyota plans to sell a wide range of 4Runner models. Turbo-4 models will include the 4Runner SR5, TRD Sport, and TRD Sport Premium. Hybrid turbo-4 4Runners will range from the TRD Pro to the TRD Off-Road (and its Premium companion) to the new Trailhunter edition and the top-line 4Runner Platinum.
Is the 2025 Toyota 4Runner a good SUV?
We haven’t driven one yet, but the wholesale upgrades in refinement and power promise to make it the calmest, most efficient 4Runner in decades. Last year’s too-long-lived model earned just a 4.8 out of 10 on the TCC Rating scale. We predict a two-point lift, at a minimum, but we’ll know more when we drive it later this year. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner?
Toyota last revamped the 4Runner in 2010, so anything and everything you can name on the 2025 edition is new, from its bluff nose to its touchscreen-graced interior to its turbo-4 hybrid drivetrain. It shares much of its architecture and running gear with Toyota’s brace of new trucks, from the Tundra and Tacoma, to its latest SUVs, including the Sequoia and Land Cruiser.
For all the structural upgrades, the 2025 4Runner doesn’t stray far from its SUV roots. It’s still on the rougher edge of style, with so many stamped lines and bent angles in its body, it looks half-Transformer. The Toyota name marches across the nose against a honeycombed grille, in a hexagonal shape that’s perched on another hexagonal pedestal with dark or bright trim, depending on the model. Trim LED headlights lead into boxy fenders so swole, they make the 4Runner look as if it’s had ribs removed. It punches out again at the rear wheels, where a roof pillar leans forward and upward in one sheet-metal gesture. At the back, another Toyota name badge embosses a tailgate with a power-down rear window, while “4RUNNER” text holds down the bottom of the tailgate.
Inside, it’s easier to tell which era this 4Runner belongs to—thanks to the dominance of either the 8.0-inch or 14.0-inch touchscreen that caps the dash. It rests on a foundation comprised of knob controls for volume and climate controls, with rocker switches and pushbuttons for traction systems still factored into the dash and console—not buried in swipes and taps of the screen. A passenger-side grab handle telegraphs the right vibe, while various models get upholstered in durable-looking plastics or finer synthetic leather. With all the levers and buttons at hand, it’s a perfect place to work off-road—or to cosplay Sigourney Weaver in Aliens.
2025 Toyota 4Runner powertrain and off-road specs
For now, the 4Runner delivers all its power from a hybrid 2.4-liter turbo-4. Outfitted with a 48-kw motor and a 1.87-kwh battery, Toyota rates the drivetrain at 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy estimates haven’t been released.
Later, Toyota plans to bring out a non-hybrid turbo-4. That powertrain will churn out 278 hp and 317 lb-ft.
All 4Runners come coupled to an 8-speed automatic. It’s a rear-wheel-drive vehicle in base spec, which will come with a 2-speed transfer case and an electronic limited-slip differential. Toyota plans both part- and full-time four-wheel-drive models. The latter appears on TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro and Trailhunter models and sports an electronic locking rear differential. The 4Runner Limited can be fitted with the full-time system and a center locking differential; the Platinum makes that setup standard.
A set of drive modes ranging from Mud, Dirt, and Sand alter throttle mapping, stability control, and traction-control systems to lumber through road conditions more deftly. A low-speed type of cruise control, which Toyota calls Crawl Control, gets quieter in this generation.
For the most severe driving conditions, a stabilizer-bar disconnect system on upper-spec 4Runners grants better wheel articulation, while Toyota promises approach and departure angles of 32 and 24 degrees, respectively. It rates maximum ground clearance at 9.2 inches, but hasn’t clarified where that number applies on the SUV, whether it’s on a differential housing or on a suspension member. A new view knits images from the available surround-view camera system to deliver a better look at obstacles on the trail.
The 4Runner tops out at 6,000 pounds of towing ability.
Toyota pegs the 2025 4Runner at 194.9 inches long, with a 112.2-inch wheelbase.
Inside, the 4Runner will offer a third-row seat, which the bigger and more expensive Land Cruiser will not. No cargo specs have been released, but the 4Runner will be able to tumble forward its second-row seats for easier loading—and will have a power-operated tailgate window.
2025 Toyota 4Runner features
Safety equipment ranges from standard automatic emergency braking, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beam headlights. Toyota also fits a driver-assist system that reduces speed with brakes if the vehicle closes too quickly with oncoming traffic or even into tight curves. Blind-spot monitors will be available.
All 4Runners will come with at least an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a power tailgate window, and a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster. Options will range from a 14.0-inch touchscreen to a panoramic sunroof, a larger digital gauge cluster, a wireless charging pad, and USB-C ports.
Trailhunter 4Runners will get remote-reservoir shocks, 33-inch Toyo Open Country A/T tires for about two inches of ride height gain, and higher-mounted air intakes for better fording depth. It also gets rock rails and skid-plate coverage for vital running gear, as well as a 2,400-watt inverter and pre-wired auxiliary switches.
Platinums, on the other hand, get blacked-out trim, a towing package, a head-up display, and heated second-row seats.
All 4Runners will be covered by a 3-year, 36,000-mile warranty and by 2 years or 25,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance.
How much does the 2025 Toyota 4Runner cost?
No 2025 4Runner prices have been confirmed, but it’s expected to cost at least $42,000 in its least expensive form. Platinum editions likely will crest $60,000.
Where is the 2025 Toyota 4Runner made?
In Japan.
