Toyota’s legendary off-roader finally refreshed, set to arrive at the end of this year
Toyota unveiled the first new 4Runner since 2009 (!) on Tuesday, an overdue but exciting moment for offroad enthusiasts. The new boss of the trail is very much the same as the old, but the 2025 4Runner now shares a platform with the Tacoma and bears a resemblance to its truck sibling as well.
From the front, the new 4Runner is almost a dead-ringer for the truck upon which it is based. Moving further back the SUV body includes some nice touches, like “legacy ‘wrap over’ quarter glass” at the rear, giving it some retro appeal.
Gone is the beloved V6 powerplant, to be replaced by a more powerful four-cylinder that, in some trims, receives assistance from an electric motor. Toyota also cite the roll-down rear window is an example of fidelity to the 4Runner’s heritage.
That continuity does not extend to the powertrain. Gone is the beloved V6 powerplant, to be replaced by a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder i-FORCE engine. The new motor is more powerful than the outgoing V6 with 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. The four-pot will be paired with an eight-speed auto as standard on SR5, TRD Off-Road, and Limited trims. Also available will be an i-FORCE MAX powertrain that pairs the turbo four with a 48 horsepower electric motor, which Toyota says will make i-FORCE MAX-equipped 4Runners the most powerful in the model’s history. The hybrid drivetrain will be available as an option on TRD Off-Road and Limited trims and will be standard on TRD Pro, Trailhunter, and Platinums.
The new 4Runner Trailhunter4Runner fans may note the addition of two new trim levels; Trailhunter and Platinum. Toyota describe the Trailhunter as a “turnkey solution” for overlanding enthusiasts, and already offer Tacomas with this spec. 4Runner Trailhunters will feature Old Man Emu shocks, chunky tires, steel skid plates, an LED light bar, a 2400W power inverter, and pre-wired accessory switches.
f you’re looking to splurge on a 4Runner but don’t need to drive across the Sahara, the new Platinum trim may be more attractive. Where the Trailhunter is the top offroad offering, the Platinum is the luxurious, on-road option. It’ll come with heated rear seats, a tow-tech package, heads-up display, and (Toyota somehow think this is top-tier stuff) rain-sensing wipers.
Even in more basic specs the new 4Runner boasts a variety of off-road-oriented enhancements. A stabilizer disconnect system is new to the model, and a Multi-Terrain Monitor suite of cameras allow the driver to keep an eye on potential obstacles. Higher trims get standard rear locking differentials and a center-locking diff is an option for the Limited, standard on the Platinum. Along with the familiar Multi-Terrain Select system, the new 4Runner comes with a new CRAWL Control for, well, crawling.
Inside, the 4Runner has finally joined the 21st century with big screen options that feature Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto. Previous 4Runner interiors had more plastic by weight than a Miami night club, but this time around Toyota appear to have shown restraint when it comes to the chunkification of the buttons, switches, and styling elements.
Interior of a 4Runner LimitedToyota have not announced pricing for the new 4Runner, but expect an increase over the previous generation. Perhaps even a hefty one, especially considering the likelihood of dealer markups on a model that’ll be in huge demand from day one. 2025 4Runners are set to go on sale this fall.