Flash Drive: 2025 Toyota 4Runner

Sixth Generation Brings New Styling, Hybrid, Same Off-Road DNA

Clean Fleet Report is a big fan of adding a hybrid option to any existing gasoline-powered vehicle, so the 2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid is welcome news. Consumers have the choice of gas-only or gas-electric hybrid powertrain, rear-wheel (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and part-time or full-time 4WD.

Toyota recently invited the automotive media to San Diego to drive the all-new 2025 4Runner, where we got street and off-road time with both powertrains. This Flash Drive is a quick overview of the 2025 4Runner with a more in-depth look to come later in a Road Test review.

Power and Efficiency

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner comes in three versions that all come with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Layer on top of that nine trim packages. All feature Eco, Normal, Sport, and Tow and Haul drive modes. Here is how the models breakout.

i-Force gasoline – with RWD and an automatic limited-slip differential

i-Force gasoline – with part-time 4WD with an electronically controlled 2-speed transfer case with high- and low-range, and active traction control

SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, TRD Pro, Trailhunter

2.4-Liter Turbo 4-cylinder (non-hybrid)

278 hp

317 lb.-ft. of torque

Fuel Economy: 20 city/24 highway/21 combined

i-Force Max Hybrid – with full-time 4WD and a Torsen limited-slip, locking center differential

TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, Trailhunter

2.4-Liter Turbo 4-cylinder

326 hp

465 lb.-ft. of torque

Fuel Economy: 23 city/24 highway/23 combined

Why Get the Hybrid

When the conversation turns to a hybrid versus a non-hybrid powertrain, in almost all cases the hybrid gets significantly better fuel economy. In the case of the 2025 4Runner, as shown above, the difference between the two engines is not great. So why go with the hybrid? Adam Lovelady, product public relations analyst, said: “The i-Force Max Hybrid is not an efficiency play, but a performance play to enhance the driving experience for the customer.”

That performance comes in handy when towing. The towing capacity for all grade levels is 6,000 pounds, with a gross vehicle weight ranging from 6,005 pounds to 6,505 pounds. If you need to tow frequently, then going with the i-Force MAX Hybrid, with 465 lb.-ft. of torque versus the i-Force non-hybrid with 317 lb.-ft., should be a consideration.

Jake Robin, 4Runner product education planner, told us: “With 4Runner, and Tacoma for that matter, it has the capability to tow smaller boats or campers, but that is not its main purpose. We have vehicles that are towing machines. The Tundra can tow 9,500 pounds, and the Sequoia that can tow 12,000 pounds.” Lovelady added: “The 2025 4Runner is a 1,000-pound (towing) improvement over the outgoing model, so we went from 5,000 to 6,000 pounds.”

Smooth Performer

The limited time I had in the 4Runner showcased the extra horsepower and torque in the iForce MAX Hybrid. It was easiest to drive and more fun with the added torque. The body-on-frame platform (shared with the Tacoma, Land Cruiser and Tundra) is new for the 2025 4Runner. Laser welds throughout the chassis increased the rigidity over the 5th generation 4Runner, and aluminum was added to reduce weight, while the frame cross-members were strengthened to increase durability.

There are tuned Bilstein monotube or tuned Fox three-way adjustable shocks. Depending if the 4Runner will be used mostly for street, mild-off-road or more serious off-road driving, Toyota has options to make your 4Runner more responsive to your lifestyle needs.

Depending on the 4Runner trim level, bronze, gray, black or machine-finished wheels are either 18- or 20-inch shod with 245/70 through 265/70 tires.

Getting Dirty Off-Road

Toyota says the 4Runner has a “reputation of a go-anywhere adventure vehicle” which is good to know as they gave us time on three different off-road courses at the Vogt Ranch to prove them wrong. We didn’t, of course. The courses featured steep up-and-down sections and loose dirt on sweeping corners. In all cases the i-Force Max Hybrid was the better performing of the two engine options as it made all challenges a breeze.

The i-Force Max hybrid engine is smooth and powerful, with the added hybrid (electric) torque one of the reasons for getting any electrified vehicle. Toyota’s parallel hybrid system automatically switches between the electric drive mode, combined electric motor and gasoline engine, and gasoline-only engine power. At low speeds the 4Runner hybrid can roll along in electric-only mode, but quickly goes into gasoline when you step on the accelerator, then returns to EV mode when you lift off the pedal. You won’t notice any of these transitions as the system is seamless.

Nine Trim Packages: In-and-Out

Inside and out, the 4Runner offers so many choices that it is best to start here and then go here to look through the trim packages in detail. Exterior options include a choice of eight colors, then inside the seats can be covered in fabric, SofTex (synthetic leather) or leather.

The exterior still looks like a 4Runner, but there are noticeable differences from the outgoing model. Depending on the trim, there are grilles with a honeycomb-style, satin-chrome tri-bar or gloss black “TOYOTA” heritage-style. If opting for the Trailhunter trim, there is a standard high-mount air intake for fording deep water and an air compressor.

All trim levels get LED head and fog lights and LED taillights. A power tilt and slide moonroof is standard or available, as are fixed running boards. Rear access is through a power lift gate with a power sliding window.

The redesigned interior has a simple, driver-friendly, well-laid-out dash. Depending on the trim, an 8-inch multimedia touch screen with an 8-speaker sound system is standard, or upgrade to a 14-inch touchscreen with the 14-speaker JBL premium audio system with a separate subwoofer and amplifier. It also has a Bluetooth-enabled portable speaker.

Sounds from FM/CD/HDAM, with the AM/FM being a cache radio, and SiriusXM fill the cabin. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are accompanied by Bluetooth for streaming and hands-free telephone calls. Toyota has made it easy to go hands-free by just saying “Hey, Toyota!”—then asking for help with channel selection, navigation, points-of-interest destinations and many other helpful requests.

If a third row is on your shopping list, it is only available on the SR5 and Limited trims, and you will need to go with the i-Force gasoline engine.

Safety Systems

The 2025 4Runner comes with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 safety technology that includes nine airbags, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane tracking assist, adaptive cruise control and lane departure alert with steering assist, among many features.

Warranties

The 2025 4Runner comes with these warranties.

Hybrid Battery – 10 years/150,000 miles                        

Powertrain – Five years/60,000 mile

Comprehensive – Three years/36,000 mile  

Maintenance Plan – Two years/25,000 mile 

Roadside Assistance – Two years/25,000 miles

Corrosion Perforation – Five years/Unlimited miles

Pricing and Availability

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner with the i-Force gasoline engine is on-sale now (January); the i-Force MAX Hybrid arrives in April. These base prices include the $1,450 delivery, processing and handling fee.

SR5                                $42,220

TRD Sport                       $48,700

TRD Off-Road                  $50,640

TRD Sport Premium        $54,060

TRD Off-Road Premium  $56,420

Limited                           $56,850

Platinum                         $64,310

TRD Pro                          $68,350

Trailhunter                      $68,350

Observations: 2025 Toyota 4Runner

The outgoing 4Runner had been on-sale since 2010. Even though it had refreshes over the years, it was time for an all-new model. It would be easier to list what wasn’t new on the 2025 4Runner than what is new. Everything was touched, from the engine options, the introduction of two new trims and technology upgrades, topped off by the introduction of a hybrid model.

All 4Runner grades are plenty capable on-road and off-road, but some are more rugged and off-road focused, and some are more for on-road driving. This means shoppers need to spend extra time at the Toyota website to determine which 4Runner is closest to how you drive most of the time, and which of the nine grades most closely fits your lifestyle. The Toyota dealer sales representative can be helpful with this, but the best advice is to know pretty much what you want before setting an appointment for a dealer visit and test drive.

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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner, Paul Eisenstein and Toyota.

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