The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Arrives with More Tech and Off-Road Capability
15 years. That’s how long the 5th generation Toyota 4Runner has been on sale. By automotive standards, that is an eternity. But in 2025, Toyota has given us a brand new, 6th generation 4Runner that promises to continue the off-road characteristics that the 4Runner is known for in addition to providing a refined and technologically advanced SUV.
Like the previous generations, the new Toyota 4Runner has a body-on-frame chassis. This is the same one that is shared with the Tacoma, Land Cruiser and Tundra. It’s a high strength, boxed, steel ladder frame with multi-link coil suspension on the back and double wishbone suspension on the front.
This new platform improves the ride quality when driving on city streets in addition to providing a stronger chassis when off-roading. Speaking of which, the new 4Runner receives some of the off-road goodies from the Tacoma and Land Cruiser.
Some of these goodies include a front disconnecting sway bar, Bilstein, Old Man Emu, or Fox shock absorbers, a locking rear differential, and rock rails to protect the body.
These off-road features vary depending on which off-road trim of the 4Runner you choose. There’s the TRD off-road, the TRD Pro and the new Trailhunter trim. These trims can provide an approach angle of up to 32 degrees and a departure angle of up to 24 degrees. They also use the Multi-Terrain Select system, which now functions in both 4WD high and 4WD low, to adjust various vehicle settings for better traction in mud, sand, and dirt environments.
All three of these off-road ready trims of the 2025 4Runner are available with the new hybrid powertrain.
The V6 is gone and in its place is the 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid engine of the Land Cruiser and Tacoma. It produces 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. Not only is this the most powerful 4Runner but it’s also much more economical.
The hybrid version of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner is rated for 9.9 L/100km combined. That is a drastic improvement over the 13.8 L/100km combined of the old Toyota 4Runner.
This is achieved not only by the aid of the 48 hp electric motor but also the new 8-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, this hybrid powertrain enables the 2025 4Runner to tow up to 6,000 lbs.
But unlike the Toyota Land Cruiser, this new 4Runner is available with a second engine. It’s the same 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder but without the hybrid assist. It produces 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque.
Of course, this non-hybrid engine isn’t quite as fuel efficient with a combined rating of 11.1 L/100km but that’s still better than the previous generation 4Runner.
The interior of the new 4Runner is almost identical to that of the Tacoma which is not such a bad thing. It means that a vast majority of controls are operated by physical buttons and physical knobs.
As standard, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner comes with an 8” infotainment touchscreen and a 7” digital driver display. Moving up in the trims increases these sizes to 14-inches and 12.3-inches respectively.
The infotainment system displays Toyota’s Multimedia system that is found in all other current Toyota vehicles. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto with this new generation 4Runner allowing for a digital key. The digital key can be connected to a smartphone to allow for vehicle entry and vehicle start up.
The new 4Runner can also be equipped with features that were never available on the previous generation. Some of these include power operated running boards, a head up display, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a digital rearview mirror.
But of course the one feature that everyone wanted to remain on this new 4Runner is the power operated rear window. Simply press on the up or down switches, with the key near the SUV, and the rear window goes up and down. Of course you can also control this window from the inside.
Opening the power operated liftgate reveals three rows of seats. But the 7-seat capacity is only available on certain trims of Toyota 4Runners equipped with the non-hybrid engine. Those with the Hybrid Max powertrain only have 2-rows of seats.
Nevertheless, this new 4Runner provides a bit more legroom in the 2nd row over the previous generation. Front legroom remains unchanged. As for the 3rd row, it is very tight and should ideally be used for kids or in emergency situations when you need to ferry 6 others over a short distance. They will not want to sit in that 3rd row for very long.
Like most other Toyota vehicles, the 2025 4Runner comes equipped with standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 along with blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, and hill start assist. Of course, it also comes with 8 airbags to keep you and your family safe in the event of an accident.
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner starts at $54,200 for the SR5 trim. This new generation has a total of 8 different trims, some of which are only available with the hybrid max powertrain while others are only available with the gasoline-only powertrain. The most expensive is the Trailhunter with a price of $84,201.
So that is a look at the all-new 2025 Toyota 4Runner! What are your thoughts on this new SUV? Or do you still prefer the older generation? Let us know in the comments.
And should you want to learn more or test drive the new 4Runner, please contact our knowledgeable product specialists at any one of our 6 OpenRoad Toyota dealerships throughout BC and Ontario.
