Release of 2025 Toyota 4Runner

April 9, 2024

I'll go ahead and preface that all information coming from this article comes from Forbes who seemingly accidentally released the 2025 Toyota 4Runner press release at 10:15AM EST on April 9th rather than 10:15PM EST on April 9th. Their post has since been taken down, but not before information could be grabbed.

Obviously, I am a fan of the Toyota 4Runner. In total, I have had 4 of them and am actively looking for a fifth (and potentially a sixth depending on next generation). If you want more information on my favorite 4Runner, see my article here.

Release of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner

Forbes accidentally released the first information and images on the next generation (6th) Toyota 4Runner. Here's a quick recap of that information:

Like prior 4Runners, the new model also shares a lot with the latest Tacoma midsize pickup including the powertrains. Toyota’s increasingly ubiquitous 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder will be under the hood of all sixth-generation 4Runners. The standard i-Force version delivers 278-hp and lb-ft of torque. The hybrid i-Force Max adds an electric motor and 1.87-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery for a total of 326-hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.

Towing capability grows from 5,000-lbs to 6,000-lbs.

The wheelbase of the new model has grown by 2.4-inches and overall length has grown by 4.7-inches compared to the old model. The longer overhangs mean the approach and departure angles are slightly degraded for the new 4Runner at 32 and 24 degrees respectively compared to 33 and 26 degrees for the four-wheel-drive fifth-gen. However, the nearly 20-inch shorter wheelbase compared to the Tacoma should give the 4Runner a big advantage over the pickup in breakover angle.

Both options come with the same eight-speed automatic transmission found in the Tacoma and Land Cruiser. As before, customers can choose a rear-wheel-drive, part-time four-wheel-drive or full-time four-wheel-drive system. Both 4WD systems have a two-speed transfer case and Toyota’s active traction control system to aid in sending torque to the wheels with the most grip. All variants get an automatic limited slip differential.

In addition to all of the usual trims found on Toyota trucks and SUVs, the 4Runner also offers the new Trailhunter trim. The Trailhunter includes ARB's Old Man Emu (OME) 2.5-inch forged shocks with remote reservoirs on the rear axle and a custom ARB roof rack. 33-inch Toyo Open Country all-terrain tires provide the grip along with two-inches of added front ground clearance and 1.5-inches in the rear.

Rock rails and high strength steel skid plates come standard on the Trailhunter along with a bronze grille and integrated 20-inch LED light bar. Toyota has also built in a 2400W inverter to power gear during overlanding adventures.

The 2025 4Runner goes on sale in fall 2024.

My Thoughts

If I'm being honest, I love the look of new 4Runner as it appears to be a blend of the 4th and 5th generation Toyota 4Runners mixed with a second generation Toyota Sequoia. For context on each of those cars, see the images below:

With regards to powertrain, I love that the I-ForceMax hybrid powertrain available in the 4th generation Toyota Tacoma is available producing 326 horsepower and 465 foot/pounds of torque. Frankly, this is shocking as the 4Runner will now potentially cannibalize the new Land Cruiser (LC250) market share. I'm sure there is information that I'm not yet aware of, but the concept of 2 basically identical vehicles in terms of size with the same powertrain being in the same market seems like a strange take.

Things become even stranger when you start thinking of pricing. The Land Cruiser starts at $55,000 and goes up to about $70,000. According to Car&Driver, the new 4Runner will go from $43,000 to about $60,000. I will note that the 4Runner offers a cheaper non-hybrid powertrain that I assume will be on most versions up to about $50,000, but it's strange that a loaded 4Runner is larger, offers more potential creature comforts, and the new Trail Hunter trim (confirmed by Toyota) at a lesser price with the same powertrain. Where is the appeal in buying a Land Cruiser at that point? As someone with a 200-series, this makes zero sense.

The funniest part is the Land Cruiser and Lexus GX550 are built on the same platform (assuming the 4Runner is too) and yet the GX550 offers the hybrid i-ForceMax V6 (not 4-cylinder, like the 4Runner, Tacoma, and Land Cruiser) with significantly more power; so there is a reason to step up. I genuinely see no reason to step from a loaded TRD Pro or Trail Hunter Toyota 4Runner to a Toyota Land Cruiser. I'm sure Toyota has thought this through, but this is seemingly as questionable as the existence of the Toyota BZ4X...

I'm super excited to see, drive and potentially purchase one of these 4Runners! While the reliable old 5th generation 4Runner with the 4.0L engine designed in 2003 has been excellent, I'm excited to see what the future holds!