2025 Toyota 4Runner Initial Drive Review: Why the Delay?

      You may have heard that the Toyota 4Runner is finally getting a refresh after 15 years. This is significant, especially since the previous model was the last of its kind in the lineup. It was the only vehicle in the U.S. still equipped with a five-speed automatic before being discontinued. The 2025 Toyota 4Runner now comes only with a turbocharged engine and an available hybrid system. The question is: Do consumers want this change?

      At this moment, the answer is still uncertain. People are purchasing the new Tacoma, which shares a lot of similarities with the 4Runner, including the same platform and engines. Yet, more than 90,000 units of the previous-gen V6 4Runners were sold last year—numbers that, while not record-breaking, indicate a healthy interest. I can’t shake the feeling that many will miss the simplicity of the older models, particularly amidst concerns about Toyota’s recent reliability issues.

      However, there’s no turning back now. Toyota doesn’t have the luxury of experimenting with the new 4Runner if it doesn’t resonate with consumers. It is already committed to utilizing the same platform as its other body-on-frame trucks and SUVs, equipped with all sorts of technology and luxury features. So, I set out to determine whether this approach results in a superior 4Runner during a day of driving every variant I could access.

      The Basics

      Believe it or not, the Toyota 4Runner has been in existence for 40 years. While the previous generation debuted in 2009, making it nearly eligible for a driver's license in the U.S., the model being reviewed is entirely new. The design is refreshed, the powertrains are new to the 4Runner, and it is built on the automaker’s TNGA-F platform—just like the Land Cruiser, Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia.

      There’s no mistaking a 2025 4Runner for its predecessor, although a straight-on view may lead you to confuse it with a Tacoma. The narrow, single-piece headlights resemble those of the pickup, as do the front bumper and grille. However, the back end shows clear distinctions, as the 4Runner lacks a bed. It features a rear-side glass panel that slightly wraps around the roof, reminiscent of the original, and has uniquely shaped taillights. Personally, I think the 4Runner looks most appealing from the rear-three-quarter view.

      Inside, the SUV takes a major technological leap, particularly in the top trims, which offer a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.0-inch infotainment display. Describing the 4Runner’s interior isn’t straightforward given the variety of versions—seven in total—if you can believe that. The SR5 remains relatively basic with a smaller 8.0-inch center display, cloth seats, and numerous unused buttons. Third-row seating is an option in some SR5 and non-hybrid Limited models, although the battery pack takes up some trunk space in the electrified variants. Even then, full-grown adults will find it challenging to fit comfortably back there, but more on that shortly.

      Toyota’s new infotainment system, familiar for a few years now, proves effective in the 4Runner just as it does in other models. The 14-inch display is large enough for easy reading, and the touch response is fairly quick. While I wasn’t particularly impressed with the 14-speaker JBL audio setup, it's not outright bad, and it includes a convenient pop-out dash speaker behind the center screen—one of my favorite innovations from a car manufacturer in a while, just be careful not to lose it.

      Every new 4Runner features a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Non-hybrid versions generate 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, while hybrid variants increase output to 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque—a notable improvement. As for drivetrain options, you can choose from various configurations: some models are strictly two-wheel drive, others offer part-time four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, and some come with full-time four-wheel drive.

      Driving the Toyota 4Runner

      Anyone transitioning from an older 4Runner will immediately notice the significant changes in this new model, whether in the interior or its performance. Sitting inside feels distinctly different—something you couldn’t claim about the outgoing version. During the first part of my day, I drove a Limited hybrid, which welcomed me with power running boards as I opened the door. Quite luxurious.

      Toyota is clearly positioning the 4Runner as a more upscale option to compete with nearly every other SUV in the market. The vehicle I drove from our hotel in San Diego to Vogt Ranch, about an hour away, boasted an earthy brown color dubbed Portobello. Initially, it didn’t remind me of a mushroom, but after reading that,