Toyota introduced a new generation 4Runner. It’s built from the global F-Platform and stays body-on-frame. But the powertrain is all new and turbocharged.
Here it is! The sixth-generation, 2025 Toyota 4Runner. After 15 years, Toyota brings us a new and different SUV, but, on paper at least, it definitely stays true to the SUVs ethos.
There will be nine trims, or grades as Toyota likes to call them, of 4Runner:
-SR5
-TRD Sport
-TRD Sport Premium
-TRD Off Road
-TRD Off Road Premium
-Limited, Platinum
-TRD Pro
-Trailhunter.
Five of the nine include TRD in the name and two of them are new to the 4Runner: Platinum and Trailhunter
Toyota will use the TNGA-F platform for the new 4Runner, sharing it with the Land Cruiser, Tacoma, Sequoia, and Tundra models. That means, yes, it retains its body-on-frame architecture. Among other things, The F-platform structure helps increase towing capacity from 5000 to 6000 lbs.
And it holds up a great looking SUV. The 4Runner is tall, rugged, boxy, and sharp. Whereas the outgoing generation looked a touch frumpy, this new one looks sturdy and defined. It also retains its roll-down rear window. Nice.
Under the hood, Toyota did indeed toss the 4.0-liter V-6 in the bin and replace it with a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four called i-Force. It produces 278 HP and 317 lb.-ft of torque and comes standard on the SR5 through Limited trims.
Optionally available on the TRD Off-Road and Limited and standard on the Platinum, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter versions is the i-Force Max hybrid engine with 326 HP and 465 lb.-ft of torque. That engine is also optional in the Tacoma and standard in the new Land Cruiser
Both engines will mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The suspension comprises double wishbones up front and multilink, but still solid axle rear. There will also be an optional stabilizer bar disconnect system that works at a push of a button to decouple the stabilizer bar and increase articulation in the suspension.
Speaking of articulation, the 4Runner will have 32-degree angle of approach and 24-degree angle of departure, but Toyota did not yet reveal breakover angle. It also gets 9.2-inches of ground clearance and a 112.2-inch wheelbase. So, I do expect breakover angle to be respectable.
And Toyota built it bigger, by the way. It’s now 194.9-inches long, 77.8-inches wide, and 70.8-inches tall. That’s also larger than the new Land Cruiser, so the two utes swapped places in terms of size. I didn’t expect that.
Anyway, back to off-road prowess. Toyota will offer the 4Runner with rear-wheel-drive, part-time 4wd, or full-time 4wd. If it’s 4wd, it will include a two-speed transfer case for 4hi and 4lo.
An electric locking rear differential is standard on TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter trims.
There’s also a new CRAWL control function: low-speed, off-road cruise control, essentially.
And a Multi-Terrain Monitor system will be optional, too.
The Trailhunter trim takes off-roading a step farther. As Toyota calls it an overland rig straight from the factory. You get ARB OME (Old Man Emu) 2.5-inch forged shocks with remote reservoirs, an ARB roof rack, 33-inch Toyo Open Country All Terrain tires, rock rails, skid plates, a 20-inch LED light bar, and RIGID fog lamps. Toyota says Shocks and tires combine to increase ride height 2-in in front and 1.5-in in the rear.
Toyota also added a heritage grille and bronze “Toyota lettering” outside and a 2400-watt AC inverter inside. It’s also customization ready with three auxiliary switches pre-wired.
The Platinum trim goes the other direction with luxury above the Limited. It gets unique black styling, heated second-row seats, a tow package, rain sensing windshield wipers and a head-up display.
But there are plenty of screens in every new 4Runner. The base center console display is 8-in, but there is an optional 14-inch display. Either one includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a wireless smartphone charge pad and usb-c charging ports. The instrument cluster is either a 7-in screen in the center or a fully digital 12.3-inch screen on the higher trims.
Every 4Runner is now push button start and higher trims will be able to accept a digital key. Finally, Yes, driving aids come along for the new generation ride, all 2025 4Runners will include Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.
So, there it is, the NEW 2025 Toyota 4Runner, I have to say I’m surprised that Toyota made the 4Runner bigger than the Land Cruiser. But I am also quite happy, and relieved to see that Toyota did in fact maintain the 4Runner’s body-on-frame architecture and kept it rugged charm.
It’s still hard to beat a Jeep for proper off-roading.
Learn more about the 4Runner here
