2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road: The Good and the Bad
The Toyota 4Runner has developed a reputation for its unwavering ruggedness and off-road abilities. Though I worried Toyota might sand down the truck-based SUV's sharp edges to make it friendlier for on-road excursions, thankfully, that's not the case.
The 2025 4Runner is the best version of the model yet, bolstered by a much-needed hybrid powertrain and a lovely cabin. It's nicer to drive on the road, sure, but it's also just as impressive once you hit the trails.
Quick Specs
2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road i-Force Max
Engine
Turbocharged 2.4-Liter Inline Four Hybrid
Output
326 Horsepower / 465 Pound-Feet
0-60 MPH
6.5 Seconds (est.)
Base Price / As Tested
$53,440 / $59,420
The Good
Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1
Efficient, Torquey Powertrain
Serious Off-Road Capabilities
Much-Improved Cabin
The last-gen 4Runner was a nice machine, but it was always held back by its archaic V-6 engine and five-speed automatic gearbox. Toyota rightfully addressed this, adding a turbocharged inline-four making 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque as standard, paired to a quick-shifting eight-speed transmission.
Toyota's i-Force Max powertrain takes the 4Runner one step further, adding an electric motor between the engine and gearbox, supplemented by a battery in the trunk floor. Total output here is a healthy 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. Those numbers mean brisk acceleration and passing power, and a far smoother driving experience overall.
Despite changes underneath the hood and the new looks, the 4Runner still uses an old-fashioned body-on-frame chassis, shared with the Tacoma pickup. That means it's still plenty capable off-road. There's a two-speed transfer case for low-speed rock crawling, and even a locking rear differential in case you get really stuck. That equipment proved useful when we took the 4Runner to an off-road park, where it shrugged off every obstacle we threw at it.
Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1
Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1
While the 4Runner may look and drive like the tough, brawny off-roader it is, the interior paints a sleeker picture. While the cabin isn't exactly premium, there are lots of easy-to-use, physical controls, and a thoroughly modern infotainment system running the 14-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument display. Our tester even had a wireless charging pad. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, of course.
The Bad
Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1
Unsophisticated Ride
The Infotainment Screen Is Almost Too Big
Kind of Expensive
The 4Runner's body-on-frame chassis is great for towing, off-roading, and bashing over broken pavement. But it can also be a bit flinty at times. Giving up ultimate comfort is the compromise you'll have to make for this level of capability. Personally, I don't mind the truckish ride—it's charming, and a constant reminder you can drop what you're doing and go absolutely anywhere, if you desire.
Don't get me wrong, I love a nice, crisp infotainment touchscreen. But the optional 14.0-inch unit might be too big. It absolutely dominates the top of the dash, cutting slightly into my sightlines out the windshield. It's bright and overbearing, to the point where I'd recommend that buyers avoid it—especially because you can't watch videos on it.
Choosing the hybrid powertrain is a must if you want to enjoy this new 4Runner to the fullest, but be prepared to pay up. While the ICE-only TRD Off-Road starts at $50,640, the cheapest battery-assisted model, the TRD Off-Road you see here, starts at $53,440. If you don't plan to off-road often, you can get a gas-only 4Runner for as cheaply as $42,220.
Competitors
Honda Passport Trailsport
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Ford Bronco Badlands
More on the 4Runner
Toyota's New Blue Paint Is Awesome, But It's Only for a Few Models
Boxy Is Back: Why SUVs Are More Square Than Ever
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Gallery: 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Review
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Source: Brian Silvestro / Motor1
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