Toyota re-imagines 4Runner to refresh design, features 

TOYOTA

Toyota’s 2025 4Runner is a refresh of its longtime design.

Toyota struggled with redesigning the 4Runner, but not how you think. 

Heck, the design was 14 years old, but buyers bought them in large numbers and loved it. Toyota did mild updates but essentially left the vehicle unchanged.

That was 2024. The 2025 4Runner is new – brand new. It has a familiar look but miles ahead of the vehicle it replaces. Everything has been retouched and improved. 

The new 4Runner can seat up to seven on certain models, can equipped with part time or full-time all-wheel drive and even gets the i-force Max hybrid. My test vehicle was the Trailhunter which had 4WD and the i-force engine standard. It would only seat five because the third row is not an option on the Trailhunter. This vehicle also gets a different suspension and can breathe through a snorkel on the right side, enabling it to drive through deep water.

Most 4Runners get a turbo charged four-cylinder engine that make 278 horsepower and 317 pounds-feet of torque.

The i-force Max hybrid makes a total of 323 horses on the Trailhunter and 465 pounds-feet of torque. That’s a lot of twist from this engine for rolling through a variety of terrains or towing a lot of stuff. The hybrid system does cut in on the 15 cubic feet of storage, but the back seat can be folded. 

The Trailhunter also gets Old Man Emu off-road shocks, bronze-finished wheels, steel skid plates, Rigid Industries color selectable foglight, integrated air compressor and frame-mounted ride rock sliders.

The Trailhunter was surprisingly comfortable on the highway. The suspension allows the vehicle to attack each bump and road imperfection, but I didn’t find the ride bothersome. This is a true truck – body on frame – and that’s what most 4Runner owners want. The Trailhunter is built for the weekend warriors who want to take their $60,000 truck out into the woods for across a few streams on occasion.

The big mirrors and 20-inch tires can be heard during highway travel, but, again, not so much to be troubling.

The 4Runner’s looks are still rugged. Rough edges have been rounded and smoothed over but its looks are more updated than radically changed. The grille looks like the current Toyota family. The fenders are wider as is the entire vehicle and the rear has a more tailored look.

The rouged theme continues inside with buttons and switchgear having a bulkier and weightier feel. Everything is more modern looking but not slick. There is a huge touch screen that reacts quickly but finding stuff takes a bit of time getting acclimated.

If the interior has a fault, it’s the lack of legroom in the second row. The vehicle is a bit wider and taller, but cabin space is only marginally larger. Front passengers have better room and a nearly panoramic view of the road. 

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner has been improved in nearly every aspect. The Trailhunter version starts at $67,400 before destination or options or accessories. 

Base vehicles start at $41,270 with a good bit of standard equipment. Every 4Runner comes within eight-speed transmission and a plethora of advanced driver’s assist features.
Pros: 

• All-new design

• i-Force Max hybrid engine

• Rugged, handsome looks

• Modern interior 

• Excellent off-road capability 

• OK fuel economy 

• Impressive towing capacity

Cons:

• No V6 option

• Cramped second row

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