2025 Toyota 4Runner First Drive: This Bruiser Has Been Modernized, But Is It As Good As the OG?

Yahoo

28-01-2025

The Toyota 4Runner has been a top seller for the Japanese automaker since its debut in 1984. It was a popular, semi-compact, and off-road-ready SUV that checked all the boxes. The 4Runner is still a reliable off-road-roady car that could haul the whole family at a reasonable price compared to competitors from Nissan, Ford, Chevy, and Honda.
For 2025, the Toyota 4Runner has received its first big overhaul in fifteen years after six generations. Yes, time has flown for all of us except 4Runner fans who've been waiting for this new model for a long time. In many ways, it's much the same 4Runner it always has been. And in a few ways, it's different.
For instance, this year will have a third row as an option and will start at $40,770, though it can run up to $66,900 depending on trim level and add-ons. This means you get more for just slightly more than the previous model year.
The new model year also had a total redesign, something 4Runner fans were more than ready for. While it may be an acquired taste compared to the design that was last unveiled in 2010, it still eats, breathes, and oozes 4Runner.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was a guest of Toyota for this test drive, though all opinions and impressions are my own.
A first for 2025, the Trailhunter trim was built for the kind of off-roading that includes rock crawling and overlanding. It has a special suspension system that is different than the rest of the 4Runners, even the off-road ready TRD Pro.
It's got a snorkel-style air intake in the event you hit a creek, it's got a built-in light bar, super duper high-strength underbody protection including a steel front skid plate, steel transfer case protector, steel rear differential protector, and composite fuel tank protector.
This puppy is heavy-duty. The interior has a special trim with a composite dash that looks kind of like the surface of the moon, and the grey interior is called 'Mineral' and almost looks a little greenish.
It had yellow-trimmed seats and stitching that made everything pop, and of course, I loved to see the stitching extend to the dash, where there was also a cool Toyota logo emblazoned on it.
It's also the most expensive trim level for the 4Runner. It shares an MSRP, including the destination fee, with the TRD Pro i-Force Max hybrid of $68,350. However, considering what comes with the cost, it's not all that unreasonable.
The most notable mechanical change is the engine. Gone is the V6 from the days of yore. Now, the 4Runner comes with either a 2.4l turbocharged 4-cylinder or a 2.4l turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid i-ForceMAX. In some models, like the SR5 Sport, the 2.4l non-hybrid sounds a little light.
But in the regular SR5, it sounded great and was a nice drive on the highway. The iForce MAX feels confident and capable. Both setups are paired with an 8-speed transmission. The 4Runner can be two-wheel drive, part-time 4WD, and full-time 4WD.
Who gets the iForce MAX? The TRD Off-Road Premium, Off-Road Premium, Trailhunter, Platinum, and TRD Pro trims. Essentially, any trim that's going to use the extra torque offered by the hybrid motor also offers an edge in fuel economy over the non-hybrid versions.
So the real hangup with the iForce MAX is that you're going to have to spring for the higher trims if you want it. The Toyota 4Runner will get 20 mpg in the city, and 26 mpg on the highway, for a combined 22 miles per gallon.
Similar to previous years, the Toyota 4Runner comes in different flavors, but with different options this time around. We drove the SR5 out from the hotel to our off-roading site in the California desert. The 4Runner was well-behaved and mostly quiet. It didn't have a ton of extra features but it didn't feel lacking.
The SR5 comes with fabric upholstery with a cool pattern, and the lighter color kept the interior interesting. There was a digital driver information system and an 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system.
The SR5 we drove was actually a rear-wheel drive. This is perfect for people in warm climates who don't really have an inclination to take the Toyota 4Runner off-road or drive it in inclement weather. Toyota estimates the 4Runner will get 20 mpg in the city, and 26 mpg on the highway, for a combined 22 miles per gallon. This base model starts at $40,770.
And then, there's this: there is a three-row option for $770 available in two of the trims, the SR5 and the Limited model. To access the third row, one must pull a lever to flip and fold the second-row seat. This all happens in one motion and is fairly easy to do.
Accessing the third row is a little bit of a chore, as there's a bit of ground clearance and the entry feels a little narrow, but it's absolutely doable, especially if you're a kid.
After a delightful ride in the SR5, we hopped into the Heritage Blue TRD Off-Road Premium and hit the trail. I love the color, an earthy blue that is distinctive out on the road, but not obnoxious.
The TRD Off-Road is also distinctive for its 18-inch wheels and 33-inch tires, multiple off-road modes, crawl control, and a locking rear differential. It had a giant 14-inch touchscreen to view the cameras all around the Toyota 4Runner.
Those cameras made it easier to manage the literal ups and downs of the course. The hill descent control managed the downhills, and the iForce MAX powertrain was a dazzler. I was relieved I had plenty of power and torque for going up the steep hills, as I figured this may be where I would miss the V6 the most. Nope.
This model starts at $57,770 and our tester had some extra features like prewired auxiliary switches ($400), moonroof ($850), and a tow package ($400) to bring it to $59,400.
Similar to the Trailhunter yet totally different is the TRD Pro. It's got special shocks, the same size wheels and tires, but the TRD Pro is designed for high-speed off-roading. Hauling ass in the desert? You can do it in the TRD Pro. Both the Trailhunter and the TRD Pro start at $66,900 excluding the destination fee.
The day went quickly and before we knew it we were headed back to the hotel in the 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport. This trim had the base turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, four-wheel drive, and a TRD Sport-tuned suspension.
It also had a scoop on the hood and 20-inch wheels. It seemed like this iteration of the 4Runner sounded like it had more engine noise than the other models we drove. Still, it had a fun interior with a bright blue bit of trim along the dash. It had a smaller multimedia display.
The 2025 Limited 4Runner is a dazzler. It's got a chrome grille, shiny LED headlights, and 20-inch wheels. It's as capable as they come but also has a more traditionally posh interior. The brown leather-trimmed seats were perforated and had a cool trim piece in the upper third of the seatback.
The seats are heated and ventilated as standard features, as are leather-trimmed power seats. The Limited we tested had power running boards for $1,005 and a 400 tow package with a digital rearview mirror, integrated trailer brake controller, and trailer backup guide with straight path assist.
For the record, both the 8-inch and the 14-inch multimedia systems are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. They also both have a free Sirius XM 3-month trial.
Our Limited tester rang up at $62,28.
The exterior of the 4Runner is perfection. Toyota could not have hit on a better design for this new 4Runner. It's angled and rugged like modern SUVs are. It's definitively a 4Runner, with familiar angles and shapes.
From the side, it was easy to tell what it was, unlike other radical design changes made by other automakers (looking at you, Subaru). It speaks to the future without denying its past, making the 4Runner quite a looker.
I simply adored the rear side window that curved over the roofline, in a nod to a previous generation. I loved that the rear window had a power up/down function, something Toyota said wouldn't not be part of the 4Runner because it's a cornerstone feature fans love.
What I loved most about my time with the 4Runner was how nostalgic it made me feel but also optimistic and forward-looking. It made me feel excited for an off-road adventure, or for looking like a boss for an in-town adventure. And that's how the 4Runner has stayed on top of its game for all these years.
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