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2025 Toyota 4Runner First Drive Review: A Rugged SUV That Outshines the Land Cruiser

The sixth-generation 2025 Toyota 4Runner is finally here, and it is an impressive torchbearer for the iconic SUV.
2025 Toyota 4Runner(Photo/Toyota)
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The new 4Runner did not surprise me in any way. It is exactly the modern off-road-capable vehicle you expect it to be, and essentially the SUV version of the latest Tacoma pickup. That means it is the most comfortable, capable, and adventure-ready 4Runner ever. But, it also means it’s got lots of little flaws and a few glaring ones.

Toyota invited me to San Diego to drive the 2025 4Runner. I got to experience nearly every trim of the new SUV on and off-road. The groomed off-road courses on a private ranch near the Mexico border ranged from easy hills to fast, loose trails to some basic technical rocks. I pushed these vehicles to near their limits in a short period of time, back-to-back, to extract as much information as I could for you. Here’s what I discovered.

In short: The sixth-gen 2025 Toyota 4Runner sticks to its rugged roots while adding modern features like a hybrid powertrain, massive infotainment screen, and new adventure-ready Trailhunter trim. It’s more affordable, capable, and fun to drive than its Land Cruiser sibling, although it’s not without quirks like tight rear passenger room and some poor driver ergonomics. Both new customers and stalwart 4Runner fans will likely be happy with this all-new vehicle, but that is only if they can get past the big price tag.

2025 Toyota 4Runner

  • Engines: 2.4L Turbo i-FORCE (278 hp, 317 lb.-ft. torque); 2.4L Turbo Hybrid i-FORCE MAX (326 hp, 465 lb.-ft. torque)
  • Transmission: 8-speed automatic
  • Drive: 4×2 or 4×4 (part-time or full-time depending on trim)
  • MPG (city/highway/combined): Best i-FORCE MAX 4WD 23/24/23, worst i-FORCE 4WD 19/25/21
  • Dimensions: 194.9" L x 77.9"-79.9" W x 72.6"-75.5" H, Wheelbase: 112.2"
  • Cargo capacity: (behind 2nd row): i-FORCE 48.4 cu.-ft., i-FORCE w/3rd row 44.8 cu.-ft., i-FORCE Max 42.6 cu.-ft.
  • Load capacity: Ranges from SR5 2WD at 1,550 lbs. to Trailhunter at 1,005 lbs.
  • Cup/Bottle Holders: 12
  • Charging: 5 USB-C ports and 1 wireless charging pad (all but SR5)
  • Ground clearance: 8.1"-10.1"
  • Turning radius: 19.7'
  • Fuel tank: 19 gal.
  • Towing: Up to 6,000 lbs.
  • Roof load capacity: 770 lbs. static, 165 lbs. dynamic
  • Trims: 9 (SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, Trailhunter, TRD Pro, Platinum)
  • MSRP: $40,770-66,900 (+ $1,450 DPH fee)

Pros

  • Very off-road-capable
  • Hybrid powertrain delivers impressive low rpm torque
  • Tight turning radius, even in low range
  • Impressive adventure-focused optional upgrades, like an integrated air compressor and multitool dash insert
  • A great value when compared to the very similar Land Cruiser 250

Cons

  • Big price tag
  • Base engine is under powered
  • Hybrid engine always sounds like it's working hard and batteries reduce cargo space and elevate load floor
  • Tight rear legroom and headroom
  • Hood flex is distracting, especially on TRD Pro with glossy fake scoop
  • Lacks dual-zone climate control on some trims
  • Hard plastic steering wheel inserts are uncomfortable
  • Third row only available in non-hybrid Limited and SR5 versions
  • Hard headrests

2025 Toyota 4Runner Review

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

With nine trims to choose from, including the all-new Trailhunter and TRD Pro off-road-focused versions, the sixth-generation 2025 Toyota 4Runner should attract a wide range of buyers. It is a thoroughly modern version of the adventure-ready SUV we’ve come to expect — and love — from the nameplate. It is offered in 2WD and 4WD configurations, with the on-road-focused Limited and Platinum trims getting a full-time 4WD system.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
2025 4Runner Platinum; (photo/Toyota)

Built on the TNGA-F platform — which also underpins the LC 250, GX 550, Sequoia, LX 550, Tacoma, and Tundra — the new 4Runner has a stiffer chassis, is more capable, and is better equipped for a rugged lifestyle than ever before. Whether crawling over rocks or taking the kids to soccer practice, the 4Runner will do the job with style.

With the advanced safety and driver assistance aids included in the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite — standard on all 2025 4Runners — the SUV is confidence-inspiring for drivers and passengers alike. And, all new 4Runners come with ToyotaCare. The plan covers all factory-scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles. Oh, it also comes with 2 years of unlimited mileage Roadside Assistance.

A Tale of Two Powertrains

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

Toyota offers the 2025 4Runner with two engines, both backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. They are essentially the same engines, with one integrating a mild-hybrid system.

The standard i-FORCE 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder delivers 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. While it does feel a bit underpowered, it is plenty to keep up with modern traffic and tackle basic off-road terrain while hauling family, friends, and gear. With this base engine, third-row seating is available, and it has a much lower load floor and more cargo capacity than the Hybrid — nearly 6 cubic feet more.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
Just enough room for my 6’3″ body to sleep, but the load floor is high with the hybrid battery, and the backseats don’t fold flat.

The upgraded hybrid powertrain option is the i-FORCE MAX, which integrates an electric motor between the engine and transmission and has a battery pack on the floor of the rear cargo area. With 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, this hybrid setup makes the new 4Runner very capable on the trail and on the highway. Its torque comes on at very low rpm, which is great for crawling over rocks and towing.

That said, both engines feel like they’re working hard whenever any throttle is applied. The sounds these powertrains make are not pleasing, either — at least to my very critical ear.

While you might hear “hybrid” and think “great fuel economy,” you’d be wrong. The best the 2025 4Runner can muster is a 23 mpg average, in i-FORCE MAX 4WD trims. The worst fuel economy any 4Runner has to offer is 21 mpg in the i-FORCE 4WD trims. While these are very reasonable numbers for a proper body-on-frame SUV, they aren’t all that impressive.

A plug-in hybrid would be impressive — think Wrangler 4Xe — which would give some all-electric range. But, Toyota only offers the all-gas and the mild-hybrid powertrains in the new 4Runner, for now at least.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
2025 4Runner TRD Pro interior; (photo/Toyota)

A Driver’s Perspective

Throttle tip-in is relatively aggressive, compared to most modern cars, and for sure, more aggressive than the Land Cruiser 250. This helps make the 4Runner feel faster than it is.

The brakes and steering are exactly as you expect in this vehicle, and both are the same across all trim levels. They are properly weighted and easy to modulate.

Electric Power Steering (EPS) is now standard, which is a bit vague — but what do you expect out of any modern vehicle with advanced safety systems and adaptive cruise control? And, to my delight, the vehicle allows for two-foot driving in its most aggressive drive modes, which is great for performance driving on- and off-road.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

And, even in low-range 4WD, the new 4Runner has a decent turning radius, with impressively little binding at full lock. What’s sad though, is the hard plastic inserts in the steering wheel that are exactly where you rest your hands on the wheel. This is uncomfortable and a big oversight by Toyota.

The preproduction units that I was driving seemed very well put together, with no real creeks or rattles. Of course we’ve come to expect this with Toyota vehicles coming out of Japanese factories. The 4Runner is still made in Japan, which is a bit of an odd choice when you consider most are sold in North America, and the Tacoma is made in Mexico.

Adventure-Ready From the Factory

What sets the 4Runner apart from the Land Cruiser is how off-road-capable it can be optioned straight from the factory.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

Take the new Trailhunter trim, for example. With 33-inch AT tires, Old Man Emu shocks, a high-mount air intake, steel rock rails, and an ARB roof rack, it’s ready to tackle real off-road terrain straight from the dealership.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Toyota)

The TRD Pro remains the performance king in the 4Runner lineup. It has three-way adjustable FOX QS3 remote reservoir shocks. Whether you’re blasting across desert washboards or inching over boulders, this setup ensures a smooth, controlled ride.

A Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism (SDM) that boosts articulation is standard on Trailhunter and TRD Pro. This feature is very worthwhile to get, as it greatly improves off-road comfort and capability at the touch of a button.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

Finally, thoughtful touches like the dash-mounted JBL Flex portable speaker and side-of-dash accessory hole — with various optional inserts, like a light, multitool, or first-aid kit — show that Toyota knows its audience. Adventure is calling, and this SUV is ready to answer that call.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

Limiting Numbers

Ground clearance ranges from 8.1 to 10.1 inches, which isn’t all that impressive. The TRD Pro and Trailhunter both have reasonable approach (33 degrees), departure (24 degrees), and breakover (24 degrees) angles. Other 4Runner trims suffer a bit, specifically in the approach angle department, at 18-19 degrees.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
Factory ARB roof rack on the 2025 4Runner Trailhunter; (photo/Bryon Dorr)

And, the new 4Runner offers a 770-pound static roof load capacity, which is perfect for a rooftop tent (RTT). However, the roof’s dynamic capacity is only 165 pounds, which isn’t enough to carry many larger RTTs.

While load capacity isn’t impressive, it is competitive with the other midsized body-on-frame SUVs on the market. The model with the least capacity is the one most loaded with accessories already, the Trailhunter, at just 1,005 pounds. The base 2WD SR5 offers 1,550 pounds, the most of any 2025 4Runner model.

With up to 6,000 pounds of towing capacity, you’ll also need to keep a close eye on your tongue weight. It would be easy to exceed the GVWR with two adults, fuel, and a midsized trailer, even without carrying any gear.

Grumpy Exterior

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

The latest 4Runner continues with the modern car theme of grumpy/mean faces on vehicles. To be honest, the exterior styling of the 2025 4Runner is a bit cartoonish, a cartoon character that looks very grumpy.

With that said, I do find the design to be mostly pleasing from most angles. It’s a distinctly modern look that pays plenty of homage to the styling cues that have been present on all six generations of the SUV.

One of my least favorite parts of the new 4Runner — and Tacoma — are the super flexy hoods. Just the wind on the highway will make the hood ripple, which is super-distracting when driving. The glossy — and fake — hood scoop on the TRD Pro flexes a ton and is super reflective, so it’s my least favorite hood in the lineup.

On most trims, there are quality recovery points for off-road rescue scenarios. Standard across all trims are LED head and fog lights, a power rear liftgate window, and Smart Key.

Modern & Practical Interior

2025 Toyota 4Runner
TRD Off-Road Premium; (photo/Bryon Dorr)

While massage is still not an option in a 4Runner, heated and cooled seats are available. The seats offer good cushioning, adjustment, and lumbar support. But they have super-hard headrests, and the bottom cushion could be longer to support the legs of taller passengers — like me. All the front seats are basically the same, besides the cloth manual seats on the SR5, which have a nice material but aren’t a very supportive design for long drives.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
SR5 interior; (photo/Bryon Dorr)

And, no, you can not get the Isometric seats on offer in the Tacoma TRD Pro. Toyota says this is because the 4Runner is a “we vehicle,” whereas the Tacoma is a “me vehicle.” What they mean by that is that they see the 4Runner as a people mover and don’t want to completely destroy the rear passenger legroom, which is already not very good.

Overall, I love the steering wheel design, but it has one major flaw I mentioned earlier: the hard plastic insert where your hands rest.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

Another unfortunate hard plastic oversight is the sharp corner of the center console right where the driver’s right knee rests. A little padding would go a long way here. However, I didn’t find it to be a big issue with my 32-inch inseam, as my knee hovers an inch or so from the console area’s sharp corner, as there’s plenty of leg room for the front seat passengers in the new 4Runner.

No modern U.S. market SUV would be complete without loads of cup/bottle holders (12) and charging options. All but the SR5 trim gets five USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. All i-FORCE MAX hybrid models also get a 110V inverter.

Tech

2025 Toyota 4Runner
TRD Pro interior with 14″ touchscreen; (photo/Toyota)

As with every modern vehicle, the interior is dominated by a central multimedia touchscreen. In this case, it’s an 8-inch or 14-inch screen with a responsive and intuitive interface. And, better still, there are some key piano-style toggle switches under the screen and buttons and knobs on the center console that allow for easy operation with gloves on.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
SR5 interior with 8″ touchscreen; (photo/Bryon Dorr)

All new 4Runners also come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. Sadly, though, some trims only have single-zone climate control, which seems like a bit of a miss in 2025 and at these price points.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Toyota)

Of course, off-road is where the 4Runner shines. And, Toyota’s latest off-road driver assist tech makes this SUV look good with just about anyone behind the wheel. The Multi-Terrain Select system handles mud, sand, and rocks with ease, while Crawl Control acts as your co-pilot in challenging conditions.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Toyota)

Wheels & Tires

One thing I found very interesting is that nearly every trim level of the 4Runner has a different tire, with a wide range of brands used. Here’s the rundown of the ones I was able to experience: SR5 gets Bridgestone Dueller H/L423, Limited gets Dunlop Grandtrek, TRD Offroad gets Falken Wildpeak, TRD Offroad hybrid gets Michelin LTX Trail, and TRD Pro and Trailhunter get Toyo Open Country A/T.

Most 2025 4Runner come on 18-inch wheels, but the base SR5 comes on 17s. The more street-focused trims — Limited, Platinum, and TRD Sport — come on 20-inch wheels.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
2025 4Runner TRD Pro wheels/tires; (photo/Toyota)

2025 4Runner Availability & Pricing

The base engine 2025 4Runners are hitting dealer lots now, with the hybrid powertrain models rolling onto U.S. dealer lots around the end of March.

While pricing starts at just over $40K, it also easily gets into the high 60s for a well-equipped model. Here’s a quick rundown of starting prices, excluding the mandatory $1,450 DPH fee.

  • SR5 $40,770
  • TRD Off-Road gas $49,190
  • TRD Sport gas $49,250
  • TRD Off-Road Premium gas $54,970/hybrid $57,770
  • Limited $60,200
  • Platinum $62,860
  • TRD Pro and Trailhunter $66,900

Interestingly, the Tacoma Trailhunter costs $4,165 less and TRD Pro $3,665 less than the comparable 4Runner. That’s a lot of money to choose the SUV over the truck.

Regarding its SUV competitors, in the same family, a base cloth manual seat 1958 edition Land Cruiser starts at $56,700. A top-spec Land Cruiser starts at $61,470, but none are offered with high-end suspension and the like found on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter 4Runner models.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

4Runner Trim Level Observations

Because I drove a wide range of the nine trims on offer, I thought I’d share some of my specific notes from driving each. Do note that these are first-drive observations with very limited seat time, but they come from my experience driving and reviewing hundreds of vehicles.

SR5

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

The 8-inch screen looks very tiny and cheap in this otherwise modern SUV. The manual cloth seats offer adjustable inflation-style lumbar support and heat, but aren’t all that supportive overall.

On-road handling is impressive, but I chalk that up to its lighter curb weight and more pavement-focused tires. The basic engine has plenty of torque down low, but feels a bit gutless once moving.

TRD Off-Road

The TRD Off-Road Premium with i-FORCE Max is likely the best overall value in the lineup, especially if you plan to do aftermarket modifications versus sticking with the OEM upgrades on offer with the TRD Pro and Trailhunter. The lack of a sway bar disconnect option on this trim does limit articulation quite a bit, however.

Limited

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

I spent about an hour in the Limited trim cruising on the highway and carving up some back roads. While the interior is nice, and the wheels are a bit bling, I found that it likely had the worst ride quality of the bunch.

TRD Pro

I drove a 2025 4Runner TRD Pro extremely quickly on an off-road test track and on a tight, twisty backcountry road. Its sportiness impressed in both terrains, but it did have quite a lot of body roll.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

The Sport driving mode improves the shift points, but is otherwise similar to the other drive modes in terms of driving feel. It does make the engine noises sound louder, as it “enhances” them through the speakers as well.

I also compared it directly against the Tacoma TRD Pro on the high-speed off-road course. The 4Runner was way more composed than the Tacoma, but the Iso Dynamic seats in the Tacoma were quite nice.

I don’t like the fake, shiny hood scoop that restricts vision and is super-distracting as it flexes. I also don’t like the fake carbon trim across the dash, but otherwise prefer the interior on this over all the other trims.

The JBL Flex speaker in the dash is cool, but a bit of a gimmick. It is not connected to the vehicle’s audio system, and is just a portable Bluetooth speaker. So, if you’re not gonna use a portable Bluetooth speaker — I’ll be honest, I never really do — then it makes little to no sense to have it there.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

If I had the choice and the money, I’d buy the TRD Pro. It is loaded with all the stuff you want and, most importantly, has the super-impressive adjustable FOX shocks that make it extremely fun to hustle on the road and off.

Trailhunter

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Toyota)

If you want fun — but could get annoying — intake noises, which come from the snorkel on the passenger side, then the Trailhunter is for you. If you give it more than 10% throttle, you’ll hear it gulping for air.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)

The Old Man Emu suspension is relatively composed off-road, but there is noticeable body roll and nose dive when pushing the vehicle on-road. OME suspension is known to be hassle-free and last a long time, which means little maintenance is needed.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
2025 4Runner Trailhunter interior; (photo/Toyota)

Personally, I’m not loving the granite plastic and gray interior of the Trailhunter. For sure, it’s a personal style preference thing. However, I really do like that it comes without the TRD Pros fake hood scoop and does come with functional rock rails (which aren’t in the photos).

2025 Toyota 4Runner Review Wrap-Up

2025 Toyota 4Runner
2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport; (photo/Toyota)

Competing against the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Toyota Land Cruiser in North America, the latest 4Runner offers a compelling package. While not inexpensive, it is priced competitively. It also offers impressive off-road chops while being a generally more comfortable and refined around-town and road trip vehicle than its direct competitors.

2025 Toyota 4Runner
1st- and 6th-generation 4Runners; (photo/Bryon Dorr)

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. It’s an unapologetically rugged SUV that’s built for adventure, and it delivers on that promise in spades. Sure, it has its faults, from uncomfortable hard plastic steering wheel trim to the flexy hood and a bit of wind noise about 60 mph.

But, it’s not all that hard to look past these faults because of the sheer capability and overall modern package that it offers. If you want an everyday driver that can also take you on some epic adventures, the 2025 4Runner is a great choice.

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