2025 Toyota 4Runner Debuts as New-From-The-Ground-up Off-Road-Focused SUV
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner has finally arrived as the latest comprehensive redesign in a long line of them.
It’s not exactly a secret that the current-generation Toyota 4Runner is somewhat ancient in terms of automotive cycles – after all, the fifth-generation model debuted way back in 2009 for the 2010 model year. However, Toyota has been on a roll as of late rolling out completely redesigned versions of its aging SUVs and pickups, a list that includes the Tacoma, Tundra, and Land Cruiser, to name just a few. We’ve known for some time that the 2025 Toyota 4Runner would soon join that list, and now, that wait is officially over.
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner, which will be produced in Japan, is completely new from the ground up, and as expected, shares a lot in common with the 2024 Tacoma. It rides on the TNGA-F platform that underpins that mid-size pickup as well as the Land Cruiser, Sequoia, and Tundra, and features a boxed steel ladder frame, a double wishbone front suspension, and a multi-link rear with coil springs – plus a new stabilizer bar disconnect feature perfect for off-roading. Speaking of off-roading, the 2024 4Runner should be quite capable thanks to its 32 degree approach and 24 degree departure angles, too.
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner lineup features a pretty expansive list of trims as well – SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off Road, TRD Off Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter. The Platinum represents the new range-topping variant in terms of luxury offerings, while the Trailhunter is – like the Tacoma version – designed for overlanding purposes. In that regard, it comes with a host of goodies including ARB’s Old Man Emu 2.5-inch forged shocks with rear external piggyback remote reservoirs, a unique ARB Roof Rack, rock rails, steel skid plates, a heritage grille with bronze “Toyota” lettering, an integrated 20-inch LED light bar, 33-inch Toyo Open Country A/T tires, color selectable Rigid LED fog lamps, and a standard low-profile high-mount air intake.
While 2025 4Runner shoppers can opt for two-wheel-drive if so desired, both part-time and full-time four-wheel-drive is also available, and will be the most popular, we imagine. Base 2WD models utilize an automatic limited-slip differential, while 4WD models get an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case with high and low range, along with Active Traction Control and an automatic limited-slip differential. An electronic locking rear differential is standard on TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter grades, while the Limited can be spec’d with a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a center locking differential on i-Force Max models – which is standard on the Platinum.
To add a little extra context and clarity, the new 2024 Land Cruiser includes standard full-time 4WD with locking center and rear differentials. For the 4Runner, you only get a rear locker (TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter) OR a center locker (Limited optioned with i-Force Max, and Platinum).
No matter which trim level one chooses, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner shares quite a bit of its styling with newer products like the Tacoma, which means lots of sharp edges and aggressive lines. Of course, fans will still undoubtedly recognize this as a 4Runner, as it retains classic hues like the “wrap-over” glass and roll-down rear window. That isn’t the case inside the cabin, however, as its all-new threads are accompanied by either an 8-inch or optional 14-inch center touchscreen, along with a standard 7-inch or larger 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster for higher trims.
As is the case with many other newer Toyota models, the new 4Runner offers a pair of i-Force powertrains to choose from. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder comes standard in the SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and Limited, and generates 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The i-Force Max hybrid, which is standard on the Land Cruiser, gives the 4Runner the most power it’s ever had – 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet – and standard in the TRD Pro, Trailhunter, and Platinum, as well as optional in the TRD Off-Road and Limited.
In terms of timing, the all-new 2025 Toyota 4Runner is currently expected to arrive on U.S. soil this fall, though pricing won’t be announced until we get a bit closer to that date, as is typically the case. Regardless, given that the aging outgoing model is still selling like hotcakes, we don’t doubt that it will arrive to much fanfare. And based on our driving experience with the new Tacoma, even the base engine is going to be a massive upgrade over the current generation’s beloved V6.
4Runner Video Tours
Here are a couple of video tours from our friends TRD John, Larry Chen, and Kirk Kriefels. I’m really excited that it appears there is more rear-seat legroom than the Taco!
Photos: Toyota
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