2025 Toyota 4Runner Officially Revealed

“Out with the old and in with the new” may as well be Toyota’s unofficial motto these days, as the last couple years have seen a number of time-tested namesakes re-upped for next-gen iterations. As time went on and the number of reveals we attended climbed, one question was asked with growing intensity: “When’s the next 4Runner?”

Toyota has officially announced the 2025 4Runner, arriving later this year with the expected range of enhancements, including new powertrains, trims and features.

The 2025 4Runner is all-new at its core, starting with the TNGA-F platform, the same boxed steel-ladder frame that’s been used on the most recent Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia, and to be used on the upcoming Land Cruiser. It features a multi-link coil suspension in back and a double wishbone setup in front. But any improvements made to these bones are likely to be overshadowed by the changes made to its powertrain, a leaner set of muscles capable of doing more than the outgoing V6.

Following the Tacoma trend, the new 4Runner will come standard with a turbocharged 2.4-liter “i-FORCE” inline-4 engine, capable of 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque– already a marginal improvement over the current 4.0-liter V6’s 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque; however, the available i-FORCE Max system, which utilizes the same 2.4-liter turbo and pairs it with a 48-horsepower electric motor, will up power to 326 horses and 465 lb-ft. That electric motor is built into the eight-speed automatic, another improvement over the outgoing 4Runner’s five-speed unit. Standard i-FORCE engines also receive the eight-speed, minus the electric motor and 1.87-kWh battery pack.

The hybrid will be available on the TRD Off-Road and Limited grades, and standard on the TRD Pro, Trailhunter and Platinum models; and the non-hybrid i-FORCE is the only way to go on the entry level SR5 and the TRD Sport trims. Expect two-wheel drive to be the standard offering, with part- and full-time four-wheel drive available, trim dependent. All two-wheel drive models come with an automatic limited-slip differential, while an electronic locking rear differential is standard on the TRD and Trailhunter grades. Four-wheel drive models come with an electronically-controlled two-speed transfer case.

The 4Runner can also flex– literally– on the trail with an available stabilizer bar disconnect, which means the vehicle can keep all tires planted when navigating rough terrain. Speaking off, the new 4Runner boasts an approach angle of up to 32 degrees, flanked by a departure angle up to 24 degrees and joined by 9.2 inches of ground clearance.

The TRD Pro used to be the king of factory 4Runner off-roading, but with this sixth generation it’s likely to be usurped by the new Trailhunter grade. As we’ve mentioned, the Trailhunter comes standard with the i-FORCE Max powertrain and that four-wheel drive goodness. But it goes much further than that, meeting the terrain through 33-inch Toyo Open Country all-terrain tires. Behind that meat are Old Man Emu 2.5-inch forged shocks with rear external remote reservoirs. A high-mounted air intake, steel skid plates, color-selectable Rigid LED fog lamps and 20-inch LED light bar join the functional add-ons. Pre-wired auxiliary switches allow for the mounting of more accessories, which we know the off-road followers will absolutely take advantage of.

And 4Runner fanatics will be pleased to see the power rear glass remain as a standard option, joined by an available power liftgate. As anticipated, the new 4Runner follows in the wake of Toyota’s latest design language with a particular kinship to the new Tacoma, which this was built alongside. Words like “rugged” and “purpose-built” are easy to throw around with this type of styling, but they are quite apt descriptors. Not to forget its roots, the design team was able to bring back the “wrap over” quarter glass, a nod to the first two generations of 4Runners. Dimensionally speaking, the 2025 model is 195-inches long on a 112-inch wheelbase, 5- and 2-inches longer respectively.

Perhaps it’s the interior which sees the most meaningful changes, bringing in a design that is both aesthetically and functionally an upgrade. For many, that starts with the screens. While a new 8-inch unit is standard, Toyota has fitted their massive 14-inch infotainment onto the dash. It’s joined by a 7-inch digital gauge cluster or an available 12.3-inch display, with a head-up display available. Speaking in terms of tech, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the brand’s suite of safety and convenience features, is standard.

The cream of the crop is the new Platinum grade, and while we haven’t considered “luxury” to be synonymous with the 4Runner in the past, that may change here. As we’ve seen with other Platinum grade models, trim brings in all the bells and whistles and unique styling that should set this prim and proper utility apart from its rough and tumble siblings.

We’re sure Toyota will publish more information regarding the 2025 4Runner as we get closer to its launch this fall, including pricing, which is yet to be confirmed.