2025 Toyota 4Runner Debuts With Major Revisions and Available Hybrid Power
All-new from the ground up, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner has been treated to a complete trim level revamp with new powertrains, to boot.
In recent years, Toyota has completely remade its truck and SUV lineup, launching a bevy of totally redesigned models. However, the 4Runner has continued to soldier on, though we’ve known for some time that a big update was in store for that rugged SUV in the 2025 model year. Now, following months of rumors, speculation, and teasers, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner has officially been revealed in its entirety, and there’s a lot to take in, as one might imagine.
As expected, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner shares quite a bit in common with the 2024 Tacoma, including the fact that it’s underpinned by the TNGA-F platform also shared with the Land Cruiser, Tundra, and Sequoia. However, it also utilizes a boxed steel ladder frame with a multi-link coil rear end, a double wishbone front suspension, and a brand new stabilizer bar disconnect for more hardcore off-roading purposes – coupled with an impressive 32 degree approach angle and 24 degree departure angle.
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner is available in two-wheel-drive, part-time four-wheel-drive, and full-time four-wheel-drive configurations, with the former utilizing an automatic limited-slip differential, and the latter two coming equipped with 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 – and standard on the Platinum – which is the new, range-topping trim that slots above the Limited in the 4Runner lineup. (And, yes, this means that, unlike the new Land Cruiser, you can’t option a 4Runner with BOTH a center and rear-locking differential.)
Speaking of trim levels, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner can be had in quite a few – SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off Road, TRD Off Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter. The all-new Trailhunter – much like the Tacoma version – comes equipped with a bevy of upgrades, 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.
In terms of styling, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner shares quite a bit in common with the Tacoma, but retains its own unique elements that set it apart in a number of ways. That includes, of course, the model’s familiar “wrap-over” glass and its roll-down rear window. The same goes for the interior, which shares many elements with its pickup counterpart. In terms of screens, the 4Runner gets a new 8-inch or optional 14-inch infotainment unit, along with a standard 7-inch gauge cluster or a larger 12.3-inch display that’s standard on higher trim levels.
Powertrains continue this theme with two choices – both 2.4-liter four-cylinders. The base unit is the regular i-Force that generates 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque – mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission – that comes standard in the SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road and Limited grades. The hybrid i-Force Max – which adds a 48 hp electric motor integrated into the eight-speed gearbox – generates 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet — same as the new Land Cruiser — and is standard in the TRD Pro, Trailhunter, and Platinum, as well as optional in the TRD Off-Road and Limited.
The all-new 2025 Toyota 4Runner is slated to arrive in the U.S. this fall, though pricing won’t be announced until we get a bit closer to that date. Regardless, given the continued popularity of the rather geriatric current model, we have no doubt plenty of folks will be lining up for this newly expanded lineup.
Photos: Toyota
Join the YotaTech forums now!
