Toyota has announced the arrival of the completely redesigned 4Runner SUV, marking its first major overhaul in nearly 15 years. This unveiling completes the refresh of Toyota’s current lineup of trucks and SUVs, bringing the 4Runner into a new era with modern features and enhanced capabilities. Notably, the 2025 4Runner will introduce a hybrid powertrain for the first time, alongside exciting new trim levels like the luxurious “Platinum” and rugged “Trailhunter.”
Dave Christ, Toyota group vice president and general manager, emphasized the significance of this new model, stating, “This all-new 4Runner has incredible versatility and capability that nicely rounds out our truck family. We’ve sold over 3 million 4Runners over the past 40 years, and this sixth-generation model offers a cool new look and incredible features yet retains the rugged style and capability our customers love about this adventure icon.” The “Toyota truck family,” also known as the “five brothers,” encompasses the Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks, as well as the 4Runner, Land Cruiser, and Sequoia SUVs. The 4Runner’s redesign signifies the final piece in updating this family, all now built on Toyota’s robust global truck platform, initially introduced with the Land Cruiser and Tundra in 2021.
2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter
Alt text: 2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter trim showcasing its off-road design and features.
Pricing details for the 2025 4Runner are expected to be released closer to its market launch. For reference, the 2024 4Runner models currently range from approximately $41,000 to over $55,000 in starting price. Historically, while Toyota is celebrated for its fuel-efficient vehicles like the Prius, its larger SUV counterparts, including the 4Runner, have lagged in fuel economy. Previous models were rated at 17 mpg combined or less, according to federal fuel economy ratings. The current generation 4Runner has been available with updates since 2010. Toyota has indicated that fuel efficiency figures for the new 2025 4Runner will be announced closer to its showroom arrival in the fall. However, it is anticipated that the redesigned 4Runner, especially the hybrid version, will offer substantial improvements in fuel economy, mirroring the advancements seen in Toyota’s other recently updated trucks and SUVs.
Jack Hollis, executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America, mentioned in a recent statement to CNBC the company’s ongoing strategy to balance its truck and SUV portfolio, including exploring hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric options. He highlighted the interconnected yet distinct nature of the “five brothers” lineup, emphasizing the importance of finding the optimal mix of powertrains across these vehicles to effectively reduce carbon emissions. “Those brothers, they all have a lot of similarities, and they have a lot of differences,” he said. “How do we curb carbon emissions fastest with everyone, everywhere? It’s having the right mix between those five products.”
Alt text: 2025 Toyota 4Runner Limited trim highlighting its premium design and comfort features.
The spotlight feature of the 2025 4Runner is its available hybrid engine. This powertrain combines a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with a 48-horsepower electric motor integrated into the eight-speed transmission. This hybrid system delivers a robust combined output of up to 326 horsepower and 465 foot-pounds of torque, promising both enhanced performance and improved fuel efficiency for the 4runner Hybrid 2024 (as a 2025 model year vehicle announced in 2024). For those opting for the standard gasoline engine, the 2025 4Runner will also offer a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine producing 278 horsepower and 317 foot-pounds of torque.
The 2025 4Runner will be available in a comprehensive range of nine distinct models to cater to diverse customer preferences and needs. The trim lineup includes SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off Road, TRD Off Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter. The Trailhunter trim is specifically designed for off-road enthusiasts, featuring upgraded styling and equipment such as rock rails and high-strength steel skid plates. Conversely, the Platinum trim is positioned as the top-tier luxury option, emphasizing convenience and premium features. Production of the 2025 4Runner is underway at Toyota’s Tahara plant in Japan, setting the stage for its highly anticipated arrival in dealerships.
Alt text: 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro model showcasing its sporty and rugged exterior design.
This redesigned 2025 Toyota 4Runner, with its new hybrid option and diverse trim levels, represents a significant leap forward for this iconic SUV, maintaining its adventurous spirit while embracing modern automotive technology and efficiency. The introduction of the 4Runner Hybrid 2024 model year (as a forward-looking announcement in 2024 for the 2025 model) is particularly noteworthy, signaling Toyota’s commitment to expanding its hybrid offerings across its popular truck and SUV range and meeting the evolving demands of environmentally conscious consumers and adventure seekers alike.
Correction: The 2025 Toyota 4Runner is the first new version of the vehicle in 15 years. A previous version of the article misstated how many years it had been.
