2025 Toyota 4Runner Overview What’s new: In 2025, the 4Runner will get a new look. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine has been put in place of the V6 motor. Adding current technology to interior remodeling. The sixth generation of the 4Runner starts with the model year 2025. The wait is finally over. The Toyota 4Runner is finally getting a makeover after 14 years. Almost everything about this SUV is brand new, but the basics haven’t changed: it’s still a large SUV based on a truck and has a rough look and personality. It’s bigger than before, has a new engine, a new look on the outside, a new interior with the newest technology from Toyota, and even more models to choose from. If you don’t want to commit to a Ford Bronco or a Jeep Wrangler but still want something different from a regular crossover SUV, the 4Runner might be a good choice. Taking everything into account, the new 2025 4Runner is a big step forward in its history. Toyota has a lot of different 4Runner types. There are two engine choices and nine trim levels in the range. The basic SR5 is the best option if you are on a tight budget, even though it lacks many features. Most people who want to buy a 4Runner should look at a few different TRD types. People who really like off-roading will like the TRD Pro or the brand-new Trailhunter. People with more money will probably be interested in the well-equipped Limited and Platinum trims. In place of the V6, all 2025 4Runners now have a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It speeds up more quickly at low speeds because it has more low-end power and uses less gas. The engine also comes in a hybrid form. It gets a few more miles per gallon and makes more power. You could consider the Jeep Wrangler or the Ford Bronco. Even though both are great off-road cars, the 4Runner is more stylish and comfy. It is much better to drive and live with on the highway and in town. It feels more like a regular SUV. You should also consider the Land Rover Defender. For better family hauling, we suggest the Toyota Highlander or Grand Highlander. For more off-road style and cred, we suggest the new Land Cruiser. Pros vs Cons Pros Excellent ability on all terrains. Being nice on the street. A little better at saving gas than its rivals. There are many types to pick from. Cons The back seat doesn’t have much room. Hybrid powertrains can’t carry as much stuff as other vehicles. They are not as comfortable as normal SUVs. You can add a small third-row seat. Performance How does the 4Runner handle when you drive it? The gas and hybrid versions of the Toyota 4Runner both use a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Our Trailhunter test car could go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.7 seconds with the hybrid system installed. The low-end torque of the electric motor gives the 4Runner an extra boost in town, making it look faster and more powerful than its specs would suggest. Low-range gearing and part-time 4WD on the hybrid give it precise power delivery off-road, which makes it more maneuverable on rough ground. Toyota is very good at hybrid technology, as shown by how smoothly they can switch between regeneration and friction brakes. The 4Runner’s driving on the road is limited by its truck-based chassis. The body roll is noticeable, and the steering feels dead. However, these trade-offs are expected in a vehicle designed to perform well off-road, which is what the 4Runner does best. Even though the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler might do better in rough off-road situations, the 4Runner stands out because it is smoother and more comfortable to drive on the road. Comfort How much comfort does the 4Runner offer? The back seat is tighter than I thought it would be, and the flat pillows don’t give enough support. It’s nice to sit in the front seats, but be careful when you call it “shotgun.” Even though it’s not rough, the ride is more like riding in a truck with a lot of bounce. Even though there is enough space between the seats, noise becomes a problem as the power goes up, and the four-cylinder engine makes a rough, unpleasant sound. On some Trailhunter types, the intake snorkel brings turbo noises right into the cabin, especially near the passenger. Even though it sounds like something new at first, this sound gets boring after 10 minutes. Interior How is the inside? The Tacoma midsize pickup truck and the 4Runner both have the same base, and they also share a number of interior features. So, it gets the same big knobs and, luckily, the way its buttons are set up. The climate control, camera settings, and other off-road settings are all easy to get to. But it’s hard to find your way around the instrument area. This wouldn’t normally be a big deal, but that screen is the only way to get to some important safety and driver assistance tools. The 4Runner doesn’t have a grab handle to help you push yourself into the cabin, so it can be hard for the driver to get inside. There is enough legroom in the 4Runner, but the back seat looks small for a car that size. If tall people don’t want their knees to hit the backs of the front seats, they need to stagger or be ready to do so. The vision isn’t great, but the surround-view camera system that comes with it, which gives you a lot more views, makes things a lot better. It might even go all the way around the SUV to see what’s left. Technology How does the tech work? The standard 8-inch touchscreen and its bigger 14-inch counterpart are spread across the 4Runner’s trim levels. Both have multiple USB ports, a wireless charger, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity. The wireless charger does not hold your phone firmly, though. The Toyota’s built-in navigation system is easy to use and responds well to voice commands, but it’s better to use one of the smartphone mirroring choices. Automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control that works all the way to a stop, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot tracking are just a few of the driver aids that come standard with the 4Runner. You can also turn off the Proactive Driving Assist system if you don’t like it. This system can slow the car down for turns or when it sees slower traffic ahead. Two-thirds of the 4Runner’s trim levels come with a surround-view camera system, which is a great feature given the 4Runner’s many benefits. Storage How are things with the storage? Gas-powered 4Runners have a lower cargo floor and 48.4 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats. This makes it easier to move big or heavy items. The cargo room drops to at least 12.1 cubic feet behind the third row and 44.8 cubic feet behind the second row when the optional third row is added. The battery is hidden behind the back seats, which gives the hybrid engine 42.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row. (There is no third row possible on hybrid cars.) Remember that the load floor is not completely flat, even when the seats are down. It has a lot of storage space inside. Additionally, there are useful pockets on all four doors, a shelf above the glovebox for small things, and an L-shaped bin in front of the shifter. The center storage bin only holds a small amount of stuff. Fuel Economy How much fuel does it use? The gas-only engine’s numbers don’t change much from trim level to trim level. The best total fuel economy for 2WD models is 22 mpg (20 city/26 highway). When you choose 4WD, the overall gas mileage drops to 21 mpg. The hybrid only comes with 4WD, and while it makes the car more powerful, it doesn’t make it much more fuel-efficient 4Runners with the hybrid get a total of 23 mpg. The Bronco, Wrangler, and even the plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe have much lower prices than these. They are about the same as the Tacoma and Land Cruiser. Value What kind of value does the 4Runner offer? If you look at different options, you might or might not think the new 4Runner is a good deal. The price is surprisingly high at the top and low at the bottom. The worth isn’t as clear because the TRD Pro and Trailhunter trim levels cost around $60,000, which is about the same as a Land Cruiser. There were no issues with the 4Runner’s build, and the inside didn’t make any strange noises or squeaks when we went off-road. Wildcard A 4Runner comes to life when it’s out in the weather. Things are very different when you drive an SUV through mud or dirt, and you come to enjoy them even more. It’s nothing special on the road and drives like a truck. The Tacoma’s nose has lost its unique shape from the last model, but it still looks strong enough, and we like that some off-road trims still have the old “TOYOTA” logo on the hood. What is Invoice Pricing's Recommendation? There are so many different kinds of 4Runners that it’s hard to pick one that will rule them all. The TRD Sport Premium might be the best choice if you mostly drive on the road and only occasionally go off-road. If you want to go on a real journey, you can pick the TRD Off-Road or TRD Pro. 2025 Toyota 4Runner Video Review
