New Car Preview: All-New 2025 Toyota 4Runner Finally Introduced

It’s finally time after a long 15 year stint of the fifth-generation Toyota 4Runner that we get a redesigned model completing Toyota’s effort to keep the dedicated enthusiasts appeased with the formidable midsized SUV. Today, Toyota has unveiled the highly anticipated 2025 Toyota 4Runner, marking the latest addition to its renowned lineup of body-on-frame vehicles. This release completes Toyota’s strategic overhaul of its rugged vehicle series, initiated with the 2022 Tundra full-size pickup. The 4Runner, a longstanding fixture in Toyota’s catalogue for over four decades, now enters its sixth generation, solidifying its place as a quintessential North American SUV.

Since its inception in 1983, the 4Runner has evolved from its roots as a pickup-based SUV with a removable rear top section, akin to a half-open pickup, to its current form as a versatile off-road machine. Over the years, it has maintained its appeal in a shifting landscape, with competitors like the Nissan XTerra and Chevy S-10 Blazer fading away. Today, it faces off against stalwarts like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, maintaining its relevance and popularity as an off-roading capable SUV.

In the realm of powertrains, the new 4Runner continues to draw inspiration from its sibling, the Tacoma midsize pickup. Offering a choice between Toyota’s 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine variants, including the standard i-Force with 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque or the hybrid i-Force Max with 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque (1.87-kWh NiMH battery pack), the 4Runner promises impressive performance figures. Enhanced towing capabilities, between 5,000 and 6,000-lbs, further reinforce its utility credentials. Both engines get mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission found in the new Toyota Land Cruiser and Tacoma.

Off-road enthusiasts will find plenty to appreciate in the new 4Runner, with options like rear-wheel drive, part-time four-wheel drive, or full-time four-wheel drive systems. Moreover, advanced features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control ensure optimal performance across diverse landscapes. There is also a TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro version of the new 4Runner but those rugged off-roaders don’t leave out other trims like the Platinum, which also gets a locking rear differential that comes optional on the Limited trim. A new front stabilizer bar disconnect is also added for more articulation for those serious off-roaders.

The 2025 lineup finally introduces the Trailhunter trim, catering to off-road aficionados with specialized enhancements like ARB’s Old Man Emu shocks, 33-inch Toyo Open Country all-terrain tires, and a custom ARB roof rack. You also get steel skid plates, a 20-inch LED light bar, and a 2,400 watt inverter to power your gear in the Trailhunter trim.

The wheelbase of the new 4Runner increases by 2.4-inches while the overall length is stretched 4.7-inches. However, the redesigned 4Runner as a wheelbase that is 20 inches shorter than the new Tacoma, giving it an edge for off-roading with a better breakover angle. The longer overhangs hinder the approach and departure angles over the outgoing 4Runner, landing the new model at 32 and 24 degrees.

Design-wise, the 2025 model retains Toyota’s signature rugged aesthetic, while incorporating modern elements and subtle nods to its heritage. Inside, drivers are treated to a tech-savvy cabin, featuring Toyota’s latest 8-inch or optional 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration along with a Qi wireless charging pad. As you expect, there’s a suite of driver-assist technologies under the Safety Sense 3.0 package, which include the typical blind-spot monitors, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and a new proactive driving assist.

As we stated last week, the new 4Runner brings us the enjoyed-by-many rear roll-down window, something that 4Runner enthusiasts want. Though, the new 4Runner now touts a three-row seating option for more versatility in a midsized, body-on-frame SUV.

With its robust features and capabilities, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner is poised to make its mark when it hits the market in fall 2024.