2025 Toyota 4Runner

Plowing through off-road trails and gliding upon on-road pavement since 1984, Toyota’s versatile mid-size 4Runner Sport Utility Vehicle gained a very loyal following. The 2025 model year includes a long-awaited, sixth-generation platform upgrade with two newly available powerplants, including a gas-electric hybrid opportunity. No other automaker on the planet sells more hybrid-electric vehicles than Toyota, tweaking fuel economy without any need for a wall socket or long bulky cord. The system self-charges through the magic of an electric motor and regenerative braking. Also, for the first time, three rows of seating is available within select 4Runner trims.  

The previous fifth-generation effort hung around a decade-and-a-half, a good long while within automotive timelines. Loyalists (and 4Runner boasts numerous fan boys and girls) now can digest the fruits of their extended wait. Gen Six stands as evolutionary rather than revolutionary, keeping the club intact with a slightly longer and wider stance. It’s a top choice for mid-size SUV enthusiasts needing an off-road fix as this Toyota returns with underpinnings built for serious off-roading.  

The 20215 4Runner now includes a wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) of 112.2 inches, an increase of more than 2.5 inches the previous generation’s 109.8 inches. Overall length stretches to 194.9 inches, an increase of about four inches. It shares a platform with the mid-size Tacoma pickup truck (redesigned itself in the 2024 model year), Toyota’s TNGA-F global platform. 

The two new four-cylinder engines include a 2.4-liter, turbocharged double overhead cam four-cylinder i-Force cranking out 278 horses and 317 lb.-ft of torque in two-wheel rear drive and four-wheel configurations. It’s the standard of the two engines. Optional, an all-new gas-electric hybrid i-Force Max powertrain adds an electric motor increasing horsepower to 326 with torque reaching 465 lb.-ft.  

This new parallel hybrid design also dons the recently revised, newly svelte Toyota Land Cruiser. All 4Runners connect up with a traditional, eight-speed automatic transmission with the i-Force Max integrating a 48-horsepower electric motor. The motor powers from a relatively small 1.87-kilowatt hour nickel metal hydride DC battery pack. Retired from 2024 and the sole powertrain last year; a 4.0-liter, naturally aspirated, six-cylinder delivering 270 horsepower.  

Both engines remain content digesting regular, 87-octane fuel rather than pricier premium when filling the sizeable, 19-gallon tank.  

Fuel economy improves in 2025 from the 2024 six-cylinder which offered an underwhelming 16 miles per gallon city and 19 mpg highway. Rear-wheel non-hybrid 2025 models bump numbers up to 20 mpg city and 26 highway. Our i-Force Max hybrid tester with four-wheel drive averaged 23 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. 

The hybrid design inside 4Runner qualifies as a ‘mild hybrid’ with its 48-horspower electric motor positioned between the engine and transmission. Mild hybrids offers distinctions compared with full hybrids although the two often get lumped together creating confusion. Toyota’s own first-generation Prius introduced 25 year ago here in the U.S., the vehicle popularizing the hybrid sector, may be the most recognized full hybrid.  

Full hybrids travel independently in pure electric mode for short distances at low speeds with no assistance from the gas engine. This design sometimes refers to FHEV with the F representing ‘Full’. Lower priced mild gas-electric hybrids (MHEVs) such as the Toyota 4Runner circa 2025 only assist the engine without directly powering vehicle without overly padding bottom line pricing. Mild hybrids boost horsepower significantly with less overall fuel economy impact. Both take advantage of regenerative braking where friction/kinetic energy created through the mechanical braking process recycles back into the DC battery pack for later reuse.  

Toyota’s 4Runner underpinnings build upon a rugged body-on-frame structure designed for deep woods travel rather than a car-based, less flexible uni-body structure many conventional crossovers choose. For the first time, an available third row boosting capacity to 7 riders is available with the base four-cylinder engine only in SR5 and Limited trims and sized for maximum comfort with a pre-teen audience in mind.  

A total of nine trim levels, more than ever before, are available including SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro and the ultimate off-road selection, Trailhunter. This sixth generation marks the debut of Trailhunter and Platinum grades. All include a useable maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. 

The all-wheel drive iForce Max hybrid is optional in TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road, Premium and Limited while standard with Trailhunter, Platinum and TRD Pro. As with past incarnations, all trims include a standard power-operated rear window motoring up and down within the frame with the push of a button (something most rivals ignore) in addition to the power hatch with opens from the bottom up. When precipitation rules the day, a windshield wiper swoops down from the topside of the hatch. 

All include protective, square-shaped, plumped out wheel well protectors built from a composite material. Exterior doors include a bold, thick strap design easily operational if/when adorning thick, workman-like gloves. Overall 4Runner’s exterior presence exudes the same muscular presence as the recently redesigned Tacoma mid-size pickup. Tall side windows and 90 degree turn at the roof/rear-door intersection back end improve road perceptions in all directions for the pilots.  

The 4Runner includes a goodly number of interior grab handles adoring the ceiling, A-pillars, B-pillars and a lower grab bar accessible via the shotgun passenger right of the transmission shifter. All make entering this SUV with varying ground clearance heights dependent upon trim levels a bit easier.  

A 2025 two-wheel drive SR5 with the base engine starts at $40,770 representing an approximate $2,000 hike from 2024; and pricing rises briskly from the starting gate. Our 4 x 4, new-for-2025 Trailhunter trim arrived very well equipped with a $66,900 starting price. A handful of dealer add-ons (floor mats, cargo mats) along with tow hook upgrades, digital key remote, towing ball mount and $1,450 destination charge brought the bottom line to $69,758.  

Unique to the off-road ready Trailhunter trim; high strength underbody protection consisting of a steel front skid plate, steel transfer case protector, steel rear differential protector and composite fuel tank protector. Instead of power or fixed running boards below side doors, Trailhunter opts for frame-mounted steel rock rails. Trailhunter also boasts unique, 18-inch bronze-finished alloy wheels and a standard LED liftgate light. Also unique, white or amber colored LED fog lights found on the lower front grille controlled by a far left-side dash button. Topping it all off, an ARB-branded black roof rack allows cargo security with multiple tie-down points. Heck, a tent fits up their if desired.  

Another unique visual exclusively incorporated into the newly designed Trailhunter, a passenger side black high-mount snorkel following the same 45-degree angle and attached to the A-Pillar. The top side sucks in air while the other end attaches to the side fender within a box-like port delivering dust-free air to the engine. If driving through the dry, arid desert it’s handy, otherwise at higher speeds along the I-90 expressway, expect a gurgling noise not dissimilar to a water-intended snorkel. Inside Trailhunter receives a unique mineral grey interior color with yellow-orange stitching.  

Smoothing out the ride when traversing any expressway within any trim, an upgraded multi-link rear suspension with coil springs and outboard mounted twin-tube shock absorbers.  

Trailhunter includes part-time four-wheel drive (two-wheel high, four-wheel low and four-wheel high) standard with an electronic two-speed transfer case with an electric-locking rear differential. Limited and Platinum grades offer a full-time four-wheel drive system. With a ground clearance of 10.1 inches, Trailhunter provides two more inches than the SR5. 

Switching between two-wheel rear drive and four-wheel drive electronically occurs with the twist of a tab incorporated into a larger dial between the front buckets. Four-wheel low is also available for slower-speed off-road travel once stopping the vehicle, switching the transmission to neutral and moving the control tab to 4L.  

Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offer wireless interaction with the multimedia system, with SR5, TRD Sport and TRD Off-road trims offering an eight-inch screen; upper trims, including the Trailhunter tester increase the dimension to 14 inches. Included with this larger screen, a multi-terrain monitor allowing several views (front and back) of the vehicle’s ground-level activities. A three-month satellite radio sample feed arrives free for three months. After the sampling period, it’s sign-up time if interested.  

The flat, 14-inch screen jets up from the center dash extending above the multi-leveled dash top and situates completely separate from the digital instrument panel. To the screen’s left, a circular electronic start/stop button. Below, a pair of smallish rectangular air vents running the length of the screen with a large on/off dial corresponding with radio functions in between. Below the vents, two large dials monitoring dual front HVAC controls flanking seven brushed-aluminum-finished push tabs monitoring fan speed, front/rear window defrosting and fan direction. A flat, Qi-compatible wireless charger in an alcove below allows Smartphones to rest in a standing position for easier viewing with a pair of USB Type C ports next door (a total of five inhabit the vehicle).  

The stubby eight-speed automatic transmission shifter resides between front buckets with side-by-side cupholders aft (4Runner includes a dozen cupholders throughout) and a small, covered, deep storage bin to the rear. Lots of other mini-storage opportunities abound including above the glove box, the glove box itself doors and a pocket adjacent to the transmission shifter.  

Trailhunter’s drive modes include eco, normal and sport, adjusting drive force, steering systems and suspensions selectable via a multi-purpose dial near the vertical-shifting handle. 

A digital rearview mirror, a feature now showing up in many upmarket vehicles including Toyota’s Lexus Division, allows drivers an unimpeded view of the back window by visually erasing, via camera technologies, any bulbous second and/or third-row heads (human, canine or otherwise) in the way and impeding rear view sightlines. Just simply flip a manual switch on the lower rim/frame. It’s standard in Trailhunter, Platinum and TRD Pro.  

Open the power liftgate hinged at the top and Trailhunter’s liftover height measures relatively high since the 1.87-kilowatt, 288-volt nickel-metal hydride DC battery stores under the flat cargo floor. This also explains why i-Force hybrid models arrive with five-rider positions standard as the battery takes the place of required open space needed for a third row. Within hybrid models, the conventional 12-volt battery also stows in the cargo area on the driver’s side within a covered cubby hole built into the interior side frame behind the rear tire. Non-hybrid 4Runners relocate the auxiliary battery within the engine bay under the front hood.  

The second row comfortably handles three adults. When not in use, seatbacks manually fold down on cushion bottoms with a 60/40 split and both units then easily tumble forward. The design makes better sense with the optional third row as a wide aisle gets created via the summersault easing back row access. In any event, the same design comes standard in five seaters as well.  

All trims from entry to posh include Toyota Safety Sence 3.0 and all passive and active protections available. No need to upgrade to a higher trim level just to enjoy the protection of blind-spot monitoring with rear traffic alert or front cross traffic alert; a wonderful added value. A total of nine air bags add to the safety sense.  

The 2025 4Runner, as with just about all Toyota products, qualifies for no-cost ToyotaCare, covering normal scheduled maintenance (oil changes, etc.) for two years (or 25,000 miles) at participating Toyota dealers along with 24-hour roadside assistance also covered for two years. Once the privy of luxury brands such as Toyota’s own upscale Lexus division, more and more mainstream names are adding this perk, a great way to monitor the vehicle’s progress during the first couple years of ownership.  

In the 2024 calendar year, 4Runner sales totaled 92,156 sales in the U.S. down 22 percent from the previous 12-month cycle due in part to the model year/generational reconfiguration. Overall Toyota Motor North American (TMNA) sales including its Lexus Luxury Division reached an all-time record high of 2,332,623 units, up 3.7 percent.  

At a Glance - 2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter 

Price as tested: $69,758 

Engine: 2.4-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid  

Horsepower: 326 

Wheelbase: 112.2 inches 

Overall Length: 194.9 inches  

Overall Height: 73.1 inches 

Overall Width: 77.9 inches  

Fuel Economy: 23 mpg city/24 mpg highway 

Curb weight: 5,500 pounds 

Powertrain Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles 

Hybrid component Warranty: Eight years/100,000 miles 

Assembly: Tahara, Japan