Ever since Toyota announced the next-generation 2025 Toyota 4Runner, the excitement has been real. And why wouldn’t we be? The Toyota 4Runner has been running the pickup truck show for ages. It’s the truck that’s been cruising the streets with that Superstar charm, and the resilience of a superhero. It’s one of the segment’s toughest, most powerful, and most gorgeous trucks. Sure, it might sound a bit cliché in this era of what we call “peak truck,” but the 4Runner will go anywhere at any time and still look good while doing it. Riding the wave of the fifth-generation 4Runner, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner kicks off the sixth generation of this beloved truck. Is this the upgraded and functional 2025 truck we’ve been waiting for?
From design and powertrain to performance and technology, here’s what you should know about the 2025 Toyota 4Runner.
2025 Toyota 4Runner Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Off-road capabilities
- Rugged and durable design
- Spacious interior
- Strong resale value
- Variety of trim levels and configurations
- Toyota’s reputation for reliability
- Potential for hybrid or electric options
- Integration of modern technology features
- Updated and stylish interior (anticipated)
- Possible improvements in fuel efficiency
Cons:
- Outdated fifth-generation model
- Lower fuel efficiency compared to competitors
- Limited cargo space
- Aging interior design (current model)
- Lack of a modern infotainment system (current model)
- Potential for a higher starting price in the new generation
- Uncertainty regarding manual transmission availability
- Limited changes in exterior styling
- Possible delay in introducing hybrid or electric options
- Production shift impact on availability and pricing.
How Will The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Look?
Toyota is giving its body-on-frame trucks and SUVs a new home on the TNGA-F truck platform. This platform supports heavyweights like the J300 Land Cruiser, the fresh Tundra, the luxurious Lexus LX 600, and the revamped Sequoia. A downsized version is in the works for the 4Runner and the spanking-new Tacoma pickup. Folks like the idea that the 4Runner will be a lot like the 24 Land Cruiser.
Traditionally, the 4Runner, like its Land Cruiser sibling, found its roots in Japan. However, the game plan with this shared platform is all about cutting down production costs. While Toyota keeps crafting the American Land Cruiser in Japan, there’s a chance the 4Runner might change its address to North America. Watch out for potential production shifts as Toyota aims for a more cost-effective strategy.
When To Expect The 2025 Toyota 4Runner
Toyota, keeping us on our toes like a cat stalking a laser pointer, keeping the reveal date a secret. First, the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra was strutting onto the scene with a makeover that even Cinderella would envy. Then, the 2023 Sequoia joined the party with a more polished look.
Not to be outdone, Toyota recently unveiled the 2024 Tacoma, serving up fresh features like a chef at a gourmet restaurant, and the all-new 2024 Land Cruiser, ready to conquer terrain like a knight in shining armor.
Hold your horses, though! Toyota said the fifth-gen 4Runner will wave goodbye in 2024, making room for the next big thing. If the rumors swirling around the 4Runner6G forum are true, we might catch a glimpse of the 2025 4Runner model in July 2024.
Word from the 4Runner6G community suggests the 2025 4Runner will be a carryover from the current one. We know that it will share the front-end look with the 2024 Tacoma. But, how different will it be? We’ve seen lots of renders across the web, like this one from Autoevolution.
The buzz of a new 4Runner meets a bit of caution, wondering if it’s a big upgrade or just a small tweak. It’s like a mix of saying goodbye and hoping for a fantastic hello. We’ll have to wait and see if the 2025 4Runner turns out to be the superstar we’re crossing our fingers for. One notable alteration mentioned is a more vertical C-pillar design. This adjustment will provide easy access to the second row.
The 2025 4Runner Will Carry Powerful Engines
Toyota is downsizing engines in its shift to the TNGA-F platform for body-on-frame trucks. The next-gen 2025 4Runner will likely transition from the current 4.0-liter V6 to a four-cylinder powertrain. The top contender is Tacoma’s 2.4-liter gas engine, boasting 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Is There A Manual Transmission 2025 4Runner Model?
While stick-shift cars are becoming rare, the idea of Toyota bringing back a manual option for the next 4Runner is quite possible.
Looking at the strong connection between the 4Runner and the new Tacoma, where a six-speed manual is on offer for select trims, it’s like Toyota has already set the stage for this move. Going back to a manual transmission fits well with the rugged, classic feel of the 4Runner, aligning with the vibes of the good ol’ days.
This shift to a manual would not only add a nostalgic touch but also put Toyota in the same lane as rivals like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, both offering manual choices. It’s like bringing back a classic feature in a world that’s gradually moving away from it. The possibility is exciting and adds a unique flavor to the 4Runner’s potential.
However, the real-world demand for manuals is a key factor. Toyota must weigh whether there’s enough buyer interest to justify the added effort. Regardless of the transmission outcome, an upgrade from the current five-speed automatic is anticipated for the 4Runner.
Will The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Have A Hybrid Powertrain?
Aligning with Toyota’s broader goal of integrating hybrid options across its lineup by 2025, the Tacoma has already embraced a hybrid iForce Max version of the 2.4-liter engine, delivering an impressive 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. This hybrid powertrain is also the standard choice for the new Land Cruiser.
Considering this push towards hybridization, it wouldn’t be surprising if Toyota extends the iForce Max four-cylinder hybrid option to the upper trims of the 2025 4Runner. While this move might blur the lines with the Land Cruiser, it aligns with Toyota’s commitment to a more sustainable and efficient future. Keep an eye out for updates, as the 4Runner could very well follow suit in embracing hybrid technology.
Upgraded Interior Design
The new Tacoma inside got a major facelift, boasting a fancy 14-inch touchscreen. Thinking ahead, we bet the 4Runner will follow suit. Expect the 4Runner’s insides to borrow heavily from the sleek and modern style of the Tacoma. It’s like the Tacoma set the trend, and the 4Runner is ready to dance to the same beat.
Will there Be A 4Runner Electric Version?
Don’t bet on a 4Runner EV anytime soon. Toyota gave us a peek at their EV plans in 2021, but by Fall 2022, they were reconsidering. While an electric Tacoma concept popped up, there’s no electric 4Runner yet (even though going from a Tacoma EV to a 4Runner EV isn’t a huge tech leap).
Our guess? An electric 4Runner might join the party down the road, but not right at the start of the sixth generation. Toyota could be holding off until they’re ready to roll out their fresh EV battery tech.
Will The 2024 4Runner Be Fuel Efficient Than The Predecessor?
Get ready for a 4Runner makeover geared towards better fuel efficiency – a much-needed move considering the current model’s lackluster 17 mpg combined rating. While Toyota hasn’t spilled the beans on the complete numbers for the Tacoma and Land Cruiser, a TFL report caught wind of a promising note on Toyota’s website. It hinted at the Tacoma hitting 27 mpg combined with the iForce Max hybrid. If Toyota pulls off something similar for the 4Runner, that’s a good fuel efficiency boost in the cards.
2025 Toyota 4Runner Estimated Pricing
The pricing puzzle for the upcoming 4Runner is still unsolved. The current 2024 4Runner kicks off at $39,555 MSRP, reaching a peak at $54,020. Toyota has hinted that the Land Cruiser will enter the mid-$50,000 range. If the 4Runner’s price tag nudges any higher, it might start rubbing shoulders with the Land Cruiser. Hence, don’t brace yourself for a hefty price hike – a major spike in the 4Runner’s cost seems unlikely.
Verdict: Flagship Drive’s Opinion On The 2025 Toyota 4Runner
Eagerly awaiting the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, I’m buzzing with excitement. The promise of a new generation suggests overdue upgrades, especially given the current model’s outdated features and lackluster fuel efficiency. The thrill comes from envisioning a revamped design, a modernized interior, and the potential for hybrid or electric options. It’s truly the truck worth waiting for.
But, amid the excitement, a hint of skepticism lingers. While Toyota’s reliability is well-known, the fast-paced evolution of automotive standards raises a crucial question: Will the 4Runner’s upgrades meet the bar set by the competition? Factor in the production shift to North America, and uncertainty clouds the horizon, making me wonder about the impact on availability and pricing.
Excitement fuels my optimism, hoping the 2025 4Runner will address its predecessor’s flaws. Yet, a cautious skepticism prompts me to approach the reveal with awareness—acknowledging that not all promises materialize, and the automotive realm is ever-shifting. Only time will unveil whether the 2025 4Runner stands up to the anticipation.
