There’s news, and there’s big news. And we have to say that an all-new Toyota 4Runner counts as big news – after all the previous model was with us for 15 years, and in the SUV’s 40-year history, the 2025 is only the 5th generation. These babies are built to last!
And the 2025 maybe one of the greatest changes of all, with loads of tech, convenience and safety that has never been on a 4Runner before. Test drive? You bet!
Familiar yet Fresh
It’s easy to know that this is a Toyota 4Runner from first glance, but you also know this is something new. The 2025 model was designed alongside the new Tacoma pickup, and Toyota says both share inspiration from the desert racing scene, and we’d say our top-of-the-line Trailhunter has that more than any other model!
From the front, the 4Runner Trailhunter looks big, mean, and capable with a large bronze heritage grille featuring a built-in LED light bar that is seriously cool. Adding to that are Trailhunter signature LED headlights, and Rigid Industries White/Amber switchable LED fog lights. All sitting proudly above a steel front skid plate, it oozes off-road cred.
The profile is pure 4Runner, with a high shoulder line, smaller greenhouse and the iconic “wrap over” rear quarter glass. The Trailhunter looks extremely tough thanks to massive black fender flares, and we just love the flat bronze-finished 18-inch wheels dressed in 33-inch Toyo Open Country all-terrain tires. Adding to the cool factor is the high-mount external air intake ahead of the front passenger window. More on that in a minute.
The rear carries that same bold theme, and yes, the all-new model continues the power retracting rear window that’s as iconic as anything on the 4Runner. You really feel the squared-off design in the back with a large horizontal bar below the rear window that holds controls to raise and lower the rear window, and an aero spoiler at the top. 4 R U N N E R is spelled out in big block letters, and a metallic bumper with step tread finishes off the look. Working famously with the handsome bronze wheels was our tester’s blue green paint that Toyota calls Everest.
Overall, the Trailhunter catches the eye, and you especially get nods from those in the know about serious off-roading. Heck, we’d buy one even if we only went to the mall and the grocery store – it just looks so cool!
Tech Forward
Inside, the emphasis is on rugged capability with square-jawed styling. Sharing much with the all-new Tacoma pickup, the 4Runner is trucky and spacious. A wide horizontal line sets up the dashboard while a massive center console separates the driver and passenger seat.
Step up to the interior and settle into those seats and you’ll find instant comfort, with standard heated and cooled SofTex (faux leather) in a bespoke mineral color for the Trailhunter that’s really handsome and also helps to brighten up the interior.
There’s a fat leather-wrapped wheel and chunky shift leather when you get down to business and it feels durable and solid. You’re driving a machine! And it’s a tech-heavy machine, being a Trailhunter, there’s a wide arrangement of buttons to operate the loads of off-road tech, from off-road lighting to suspension, driving modes, and more.
What at first looks like a 747-worth of switches make a lot of sense when driving – things are where you expect them and quickly activated.
Information is served up on a handsome 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and we love the smartness of the displays, like side and front inclinometers inside the speedometer face, and other key info displayed inside the tachometer face.
Our tester had a massive 14-inch info-tainment display, and it made our WAZE maps look huge, and Apple CarPlay was a thing of beauty to behold. All 4Runners serve up wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, made all the better with our tester’s wireless charging pad for smartphones. And yes! A central volume control knob for cranking up the 14-speaker JBL audio system. There’s even a removable center speaker that’s great for partying when you hit the campsite.
We also loved the climate control system with large chunky knobs that would be easy to operate even with gloves on, and easy toggle switches for additional access. And with all of the features you have the feeling of heavy duty, hard-wearing materials that should be up to years of abuse.
We found the rear seats to be adult friendly, and they flip down easily to make for a massive cargo hold and also flip forward for easy cargo access – 4Runners are designed for those who have active lifestyles and want to make the most of their adventures! Worth noting, there’s an available 3rd row on certain models, but we’re pretty sure those would only be useful for small kids or pets.
Next Level Performance
Driving the new 4Runner is a massive step up over the previous model.
Replacing the old normally aspirated 270 horsepower, V6 engine are a choice of two potent powerplants. The i-Force 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder serves up a solid 278 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft of torque. We driven this engine in the new Tacoma and found it powerful and smooth, and rated with an EPA 26 mpg highway it’s efficient too. (The previous V6 could only provide 19 mpg).
The real excitement comes with the available i-FORCE MAX hybrid, also a 2.4-liter, turbo 4-cylinder, but the numbers soar to 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft of torque. Working through a standard 8-speed automatic transmission and part-time 4WD, the turbo four spins easily and pulls hard with a rush of low-end torque that gets the big SUV hustling in a hurry.
That high-mount air intake on the right side does its best to find cool, clean air, but there’s a price to be paid – with the window down there’s a bunch of mechanical noise and it’s not pleasant, a high-pitched screeching that sounds like someone’s cutting tile with a power tool next to you. You don’t hear it with the passenger window up, but it’s enough of an annoyance that we would consider one of the other trims if we didn’t really, really, want that Trailhunter trim.
Toyota does make that a tough choice, though, as the Trailhunter is loaded with an impressive list of serious off-road gear, including Old Man Emu shocks, those 33-inch Toyo tires and an on-board air compressor. Cool stuff. Other 4-wheeling items found on the Trailhunter are offered on other trims, and beyond traditional terrain modes there’s some great stuff, including a locking rear differential, optional disconnecting stabilizer bars and manually adjustable shocks.
While there’s lots of new, Toyota keeps what they know works, including a rugged body-on-frame construction, with a platform shared with the Tacoma, Land Cruiser, Tundra and Sequoia – that’s what we call a bona-fide recipe for toughness!
Tough yes, but this is no hard-riding oxcart, with a multi-link coil rear and double wishbone front suspension the ride is impressively comfortable, and the Old Man Emu shocks really soak up the bumps and dips even when you’re on road. There’s also a lightness to the handling due in part to Electric Power Steering, and overall, the new 4Runner serves up the kind of comfort that would make this a terrific companion for your next Overlanding adventure, while being an easy, piece of cake driver for your daily commute.
Along for the ride –but always ready for action – is the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system, with Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist and Proactive Driving Assist which uses the vehicle’s camera and radar to look out for other vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists, and it can also provide gentle braking into curves. Impressive. Blind Spot Assist and Rear Cross Traffic alert are also available optionally.
How much for the New Hotness?
With nearly a decade and a half between models, the new 4Runner is rich with technology and performance upgrades yet holds fast to the DNA that has made this SUV a legend.
With nine trims, you can buy your way into that DNA at multiple points, depending on your needs and budget.
Starting point for the lineup is the 2WD SR5 at $41,270. It could easily be all the rugged truck you’d ever need and with the legendary durability, rugged capability and looks that seems like great value.
Our Trailhunter is the pinnacle of 4Runner models, and its mega-ability comes at a price – starting at $66,900. With some added accessories, and $1,400 for Destination, we rang the bell at $69,713. We would point out that the i-Force models are priced similar to last year, opting for the iFORCE MAX hybrid trim brings a serious price (and performance) increase.
Competitors would have to include the 4Runner’s sibling the all-new Land Cruiser, which has been brought down in price and offers much of the same capability, starting out around $56,000. Maxed out at $76,000, it gives another flavor of Toyota off-road goodness. Drive then decide.
We’d also look at the Nissan Armada, which has the same impressive off-road credentials, and is a bit larger with a more usable 3rd row. Boasting a powerful twin-turbo V6, it can easily touch $80,000 but lower-priced trim levels give you a robust full-size SUV that will turn heads.
Tough looks, advanced tech, outstanding performance yet true to its DNA, the 2025 4Runner remains the best in class, rugged SUV!
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