The 4Runner gets redesigned for 2025 for the first time in 15 years, bringing much needed updates to Toyota’s off-road SUV without sacrificing its rugged DNA. The new 4Runner is wider, longer and more composed but is still ready for adventure.
Base Price: $57,400
As Tested: $62,875
Horsepower: 278
Mileage: 21 mpg city/20 mpg highway/24 mpg combined
The 2025 4Runner has more aggressive looks and is now built on the same Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-F) body-on-frame platform as the updated Land Cruiser, Lexus GX, and Tacoma. There are two available engines that boost power and fuel efficiency, and the interior gets a makeover with nicer materials and updated tech. 4Runner fans will be glad to know that the familiar roll-down rear liftgate window remains.
The 2025 4Runner comes in a dizzying number of trims – there are now nine with the addition of the high-end Platinum and adventure-ready Trailhunter. The trims are SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off–Road, TRD Off–Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter. Starting prices range from 40,770 to $66,900.
The 2025 4Runner comes with two or three rows of seating, with room for five to seven passengers. However, the available third row is very tight and really only suitable for smaller kids. The three-row version is not available with the hybrid powertrain.
Rear-wheel drive is standard on many trims, part-time four-wheel drive with low range is optional with the base engine and standard on most hybrids, and full-time four-wheel drive with an electronically locking center differential is standard on the Platinum and hybrid Limited models.
The base engine is the i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The i-FORCE Max hybrid powertrain has the same turbo-four and an electric motor with a total output of 326 horses and 465 pound-feet. The hybrid powertrain is available on most trims and standard on the Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter. trims. Both powertrains are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Both engines provide plenty of pep for daily driving and off-roading. The redesigned 4Runner is much improved as a daily driver thanks to the new platform and independent double-wishbone front suspension coupled with a multi-link rear setup. Steering is more precise, and the ride is much more composed, although the body-on-frame construction makes for a firmer ride than most crossovers. Braking is more responsive without the vague stopping feel of the outgoing models.
Of course, the 4Runner is known as an off-road beast and the 2025 models continue in that tradition. Key enhancements include electronic locking rear differential, stabilizer-bar disconnects, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, Downhill Assist, and Hill Start Assist. The Trailhunter and TRD Pro trims crank it up with wider tracks, Old Man Emu or Bilstein shocks, snorkels, skid plates, all-terrain tires, and red tow hooks.
When properly equipped, the 2025 4Runner can tow up to 6,000 pounds.
The 2025 4Runner has modest gains in fuel economy compared to the outgoing generation, but many midsize SUVs do better. EPA ratings for the base engine with rear-wheel drive are 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 combined. The same engine with four-wheel drive gets 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The Limited trim gets 20 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The Hybrid gets 23 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 23 combined. I got 20 mpg during my week with the Limited 4WD and mix of city and highway driving.
The cabin is nicer than the old 4Runner with more features and tech, but it’s not up to par with some rivals, even in the upper trims. There’s a lot of plastic in the lower trims, albeit some of it is nice looking and soft-touch. The upper trims have higher-end materials. Front seats are comfortable and supportive with decent leg- and headroom. The second row is spacious enough for most, but taller folks may wish for more room. The optional third row is tight and only suitable for smaller kids.
Standard features include remote keyless entry, push-button start, rearview camera, cloth upholstery, synthetic leather upholstery, real leather upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, driver’s seat memory settings, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, seven-inch digital instrument cluster, infotainment system with eight-inch touchscreen, eight-speaker audio system, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, voice controls, Wi-Fi hot spot, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Available features include a surround-view camera system, rear-camera mirror, auto-dimming rearview mirror, head-up display, automatic climate control, dual-zone automatic climate control, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, infotainment system with 14-inch touchscreen, 14-speaker JBL audio system, wireless device charging, two 120-volt household-style power outlet, and universal garage door opener.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, adaptive cruise control, Traffic-jam assist (controls braking, acceleration and steering at slow speeds), blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Available driver assistance technologies include reverse collision warning and reverse automatic emergency braking.
Toyota’s infotainment system isn’t the flashiest, but it gets the job done. The 4Runner comes with either the base system with an 8-inch touchscreen and 7-ionch digital cluster, or a 14-inch horizontal touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital cluster. Either way, the infotainment system is user friendly with logically arranged menus and plenty of physical controls. Graphics look ok and the system responds quickly to inputs. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard.
Cargo space is good for a midsize SUV. Two-row models have 48.4 cubic feet of storage behind the second row and 90.2 cubes with the second row folded. Models with three rows have 12.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 44.8 cubes with the third row folded, and 84.8 cubes with the second and third rows folded. The hybrid models have less cargo space as the battery is stored under the cargo floor. Hybrids have 42.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 82.6 cubes with the second row folded. A hands-free power liftgate is available.
The good:
Extreme off-road prowess
Better performance
Many standard and available features and tech
User-friendly infotainment system
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Price climbs quickly with upper trims and options
Available third row is cramped
Pricing info:
My 4WD Limited tester starts at $57,400. Automatic power running boards are $1,005. The Tow Tech package with Trailer Reverse Assist Control, and digital display rearview mirror is $400. The tailgate LED light is $200. Third row seating is $1,330. The air filter is $90. The roof rail cross bars in Gloss Black are $420. The retractable cargo cover is $135. The accessory ready LED lantern is $160. The cargo mat is $130. The towing ball mount is $65. Wheel locks in bright chrome are $90. The delivery fee is $1,450, bringing the grand total to $62,875.
Bottom line:
The redesigned 2025 Toyota 4Runner stays true to its heritage with its off-road prowess, but is also much nicer as a daily driver with an upgraded cabin and more amenities. For those who will spend more time driving on pavement, there are better options. But if you want a go-anywhere vehicle that can tackle tough terrain, the 2025 4Runner is worth a look.
