A promising redesign is long overdue.
Long overdue for a serious update, Toyota's popular and off-road capable 4Runner midsize SUV has been redesigned for the 2025 model year. The popular truck, which doubles as a solid alternative to Toyota's refined Highlander crossover, which has remained largely unchanged since 2010.
Toyota 4Runner 2025
The new 4Runner switches to the Japanese manufacturer's versatile TNGA-F architecture, shared with the Tacoma midsize pickup, Land Cruiser SUV, Tundra full-size pickup and Sequoia full-size SUV, as well as a Lexus model number.
The new 4Runner grows slightly in length (from 191 inches to 194) and increases its wheelbase by 2 inches, now stretching 122 inches.
The old truck's old 270-horsepower V6 engine has been replaced by a pair of 4-cylinder engines. The standard engine is a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine (called i-Force) rated at 278 horsepower. Available on some trim levels is a 326-horsepower turbocharged and hybrid (i-Force Max) 2.4-liter engine. Both engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The 2025 4Runner can be equipped with rear-wheel drive, part-time 4WD or full-time 4WD. Full-time systems are limited to high-end trim levels.
Speaking of trim levels, the new 4Runner will be offered in a wide range of prices and trim levels, starting with the base-level SR5 and moving up to TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off -Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter.
According to Toyota, the new Trailhunter trim level represents a new, higher-level off-road capability for the 4Runner, which should be impressive since the current-generation truck is no slouch.
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The 2025 Toyota 4Runner is equipped with Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 suite of safety features as standard, including:
- Pre-collision warning system with pedestrian detection feature
- Lane departure warning with steering assist
- Dynamic radar cruise control at full speed range
- Lane tracking support
- Road sign support
- Automatic high beam
- Active driving assistance
There's no word on pricing, but Toyota promises the new 4Runner will hit showrooms this fall.
CG said:
Even though it's almost 15 years old, the 4Runner is still extremely popular among Toyota loyalists. American consumers bought more than 122,000 units in 2023, which speaks to the truck's reputation for off-road ability, reliability, and bank vault resale value. We're glad to see the 'Runner's old and underpowered V6 go, although serious off-road enthusiasts may miss the engine's easy, low-rpm torque big. That said, this is a game Toyota will lose, but we suspect the new truck will continue to please its loyal core audience. We wonder, however, how the new 4Runner will be priced compared to the new version, Cheap Land Cruiser.
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2025 Toyota 4Runner Showroom
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