It’s hard to believe that the current generation Toyota 4Runner has been around for over a decade and now we finally have a new one. The 2025 4Runner is the latest addition to Toyota’s off-road lineup, which also includes the new 2024 Land Cruiser.
As expected the 2025 4Runner has a lot in common with the new Tacoma, which is a good thing. Toyota says that the new 4Runner was designed alongside the Tacoma, but it also takes some inspiration from the 4Runner’s past, like its “wrap over” rear quarter glass. The 4Runner was also “inspired by Baja desert racing,” Toyota said in a statement.
Just like the Tacoma, the 2025 4Runner is based on Toyota’s TNGA-F truck platform that’s used by all of Toyota’s body-on-frame trucks and SUVs, like the Tundra, Land Cruiser and Sequoia. The 4Runner is now even more capable with a new Stabilizer Bar Disconnect Mechanism that increases suspension articulation at the push of a button. The 4Runner also has 32-degree approach and 24-degree departure angles.
Under the hood there are two four-cylinder powertrains to choose from. The standard engine is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, that’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The more powerful option is the i-Force Max powertrain that mates the turbo 2.4-liter four-cylinder to a 48 hp electric motor and eight-speed automatic transmission, to give it 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft. The i-Force Max powertrain is standard on TRD Pro, Trailhunter and Platinum trim levels and optional on TRD Off-Road and Limited models.
The 4Runner is available in 2WD, part-time 4WD and full-time 4WD versions. An electronic locking rear differential is standard on TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro and Trailhunter models. The Limited model is available with full-time four-wheel drive on i-Force Max models, while the system is standard on the Platinum version.
The other big news is the addition of a new Trailhunter model, which is designed for overlanders. It features ARB Old Man Emu 2.5-inch forged shocks with rear external piggyback remote reservoirs and an ARB roof rack. It also gets 33-inch Toyo Open Country all-terrain tires, which gives it an extra two inches of ground clearance in the front and one and a half inches in the rear. A low-profile high-mount air intake feeds air to the i-Force Max powertrain. For added protection, the 4Runner Trailhunter gets rock rails and steel skid plates. It also gets a 20-inch LED light bar and a 2400W AC inverter with two locations in the cabin and rear cargo area.
If you prefer luxury, the new Platinum trim level adds black exterior details, heated second-row seats, a two tech package, head-up display and automatic rain sensing wipers.
Inside the 4Runner’s interior now looks more modern with either an 8- or 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 7-inch gauge cluster is standard, while higher trim levels get a 12.3-inch digital cluster. On the safety front, the 4Runner comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams and proactive driving assist.
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner is slated to arrive this fall.