You’d have been easily forgiven if you believed Toyota would never update the 4Runner, but here we are, 15 years after the current model debuted, talking about an all-new SUV. The 2025 4Runner represents a significant step forward for the legendary off-roader, and despite what you might think about turbos and hybrid powertrains, it looks absolutely legit.
The least surprising thing about the new 4Runner is the staggering number of trims Toyota offers for the thing – nine, to be exact. Familiar names return to the lineup, but there are a couple of new configurations thrown into the mix: SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, and Trailhunter.
Similar to the recently updated Tacoma, which got the Trailhunter trim first, the 4Runner Trailhunter introduces a host of off-road and overlanding upgrades to the line. It comes with ARB Old Man Emu 2.5-inch forged shocks, an ARB roof rack, and 33-inch Toyo Open Country A/T tires. Toyota also installs a snorkel intake for the SUV’s standard hybrid powertrain, and underneath, it gets skid plates and rock rails to keep it in one piece when things get hairy.
On the powertrain front, Toyota offers two choices for 2025, but there’s no manual transmission option like the one in the Taco. Both involve a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder, with the base configuration offering 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The available i-Force Max hybrid adds an electric motor integrated with the transmission that boosts output to 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic is standard, and Toyota offers rear-wheel drive with two four-wheel drive options.
The 4Runner’s ancient interior also got a major glow-up, with a range of materials and colors depending on the trim. A new eight-inch touchscreen comes standard, but most variants get a larger 14-inch display with the latest Toyota interface. The upgraded screen brings wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and some trims gain wireless charging and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
Pricing isn’t out yet, but we’ll know more as we approach the SUV’s official rollout later this year. Expect a bump over previous generations, with top trims likely approaching $60,000 with options.
[Images: Toyota]
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