The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Is a Throwback to When SUVs Were Trucks
Toyota’s next step forward for the 4Runner is also a throwback.
Like the first of this breed, the new, sixth-generation trucklet boldly announces its relationship to the pickup truck line. In fact, from the B-pillar forward, the new 4Runner shares all its metal parts with the Tacoma pickup. And underneath it’s mostly Taco too. Which means it also shares plenty with the larger Tundra pickup and Sequoia SUV. And there’s a lot of new Land Cruiser and Lexus GX550 in common too. Even a hint of Lexus LX600.
All that is because the new 4Runner is the latest member of Toyota’s TNGA-F family of full-frame trucks. The common engineering elements being the basic ladder-frame design, suspension architecture, and mix-and-match powertrains. Mechanically, there’s very little about the new 4Runner that hasn’t already been seen. And yet, it’s still a kind of exciting update to what is likely the most beloved vehicle in Toyota’s portfolio.
The new 4Runner was shown at a press event held in San Diego on Tuesday night. Toyota didn’t have any ready-to-drive, so this report is based solely on the static display, press releases, and interviews with Toyota personnel. More exposure should come soon as Toyota meters access to the vehicle in order to ensure maximum marketing frenzy.
While the new Tacoma is assembled in Mexico, the 4Runner will continue to come out of Toyota’s Tahara assembly plant in Japan. It shares its assembly line with the also-new Lexus GX550 and Toyota’s North American market Land Cruiser (which is the Land Cruiser Prado in most of the world). The new 4Runner also has the same 112.2-inch wheelbase as the GX and Cruiser.
The Tacoma pickup, incidentally, runs a 131.9-inch wheelbase in double cab TRD Pro trim. The 4Runner will also be offered as a TRD Pro and in eight other configurations ranging from a base two-wheel drive SR5 through all-wheel drive Limited variants and onto TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and the new Trailhunter which mixes most of TRD Pro ability with a more grownup aesthetic and a bunch of gear from Australia’s ARB upfitter.
All those model names should be familiar to anyone paying attention to the Tacoma line. Toyota’s goal with the 4Runner seems to be to knit the 4Runner and Tacoma together for buyers who want a tough truck countenance while positioning the revivified Land Cruiser as a more sophisticated SUV alternative. Don’t bet against Toyota being smart about that.
Yes, the V-6 has been killed/euthanized/murdered. Instead, like the Tacoma, the 4Runner will now be powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four rated at 278 horsepower and 317-pound feet of torque. The upgrade from there will be adding a hybrid system to the mix to thump output to 326 horsepower and 465-pound feet of peak grunt. An eight-speed automatic transmission will be aboard either way.
Remember, the first 1984 4Runner was also powered by a 2.4-liter four (the legendarily rugged 22R) rated at a puny 100 horsepower. A turbocharged version of the 22R, known as the 22R-TE making 135-horsepower, was introduced for 1986. It wasn’t until 1988 when a V-6 first appeared in the 4Runner lineup. So, once again, a sort of throwback.
While there’s mostly Tacoma in the styling, there are a few other callbacks to previous 4Runners. The almost-triangular C-pillar recalls the third-generation machine for instance. And the tail looks very much old-school 4Runnery. And yes, the rear window will go down with the touch of a button. Will wonders never cease?
So, the new 4Runner should be on sale around summertime with prices starting around, let’s say in light of Tacoma pricing, $35,000 and the top-end Trailhunter and TRD Pro versions knocking on $70,000. Not cheap, but not unexpected. Considering that, maybe this should have been named the 5Runner or 6Runner. Official pricing will come at a later date.
What’s missing, however, is a true throwback. The world cries out for the return of the two-door 4Runner with a removable fiberglass shell behind the driver. There may be dozens of buyers for such a vehicle. Bring it on.
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