Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid 4WD Trailhunter
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover/SUV
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Shade: Everest
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 155
Actual-world gasoline financial system: 18.7 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | B |
| Gas Economic system | B |
| Worth | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A- |
| Tall Man | B+ |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 326-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged hybrid 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 8-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 435% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 23/24/23 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Common Gasoline
Base worth: $66,900 (not together with $1450 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Digital key ($275), cargo lights ($375), purple entrance tow hooks ($180), trailer ball ($24), LED lantern ($160), cargo mat ($130), ground mats ($199), ball mount (towing) ($65)
Worth as examined: $69,758
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Extra refined, highly effective, and gasoline environment friendly than earlier era 4Runner
The nice: Promise of great off-road/foul-weather functionality
The not so good: Premium trim ranges command premium costs
Evaluate
2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter
After going largely unchanged for 14 large years, the fanatically beloved Toyota 4Runner has been fully redesigned for 2025. The 4Runner is the final of Toyota’s conventional “body-on-frame” vehicles to transfer to the maker’s new, trendy, GA-F structure. With the transfer, the ‘Runner joins the likes of the Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser, in addition to the Lexus GX, and LX on the GA-F platform. Additionally architecturally associated are the international-market Land Cruiser Prado, and bigger Land Cruiser 300 Collection. We want that was the entire story right here, however it isn’t; the 4Runner replace consists of all-new drivetrain choices–together with hybrid–new trim ranges, and a brand new range-capping Trailhunter variant.
4Runner versus land Cruiser
And whereas the Land Cruiser has additionally been not too long ago redesigned and repositioned—much less premium, extra rugged—the 4Runner retains its place within the Toyota showroom because the model’s off-road-capable Highlander different. And for the report, although comparable in measurement, the also-off-roadie Land Cruiser nonetheless performs upmarket of the 4Runner, although that hole has closed a bit. Additional differentiating the 2 fashions, a 3rd-row seat is obtainable on some 4 Runner trim ranges, whereas the Land Cruiser is strictly a 5-seater.
Dimensions
Although to some eyes the brand new 4Runner appears to be like trimmer than its predecessor, it’s truly considerably lager. For 2025, the 4Runner is 2 inches longer in wheelbase, 4-5 inches longer general, and a pair of inches wider.
Off-roaders might be glad to listen to that the brand new ‘Runner picks up about half an inch of floor clearance, and a further 1-2 levels of strategy angle. The brand new truck does lose about 2 levels of departure angle, nonetheless.
Engines
Gone for ’25 is the 4Runner’s aged however fabled 4.0-liter V6. The 270-horsepower workhorse was widespread with off-road fanatic for its easy, considerable, low-end torque, which proved a boon on difficult trails. The engine was additionally recognized for its horrible real-world gasoline financial system.
Changing the 4.0-liter powerplant are a pair of 4-cylinder engines, each smaller however extra highly effective than the V6. For 2025, the usual 4Runner engine is a turbocharged 2.4-liter mill rated at 278 horsepower. Additionally out there is Toyota’s i-Power Max hybrid engine. Within the 4Runner, the two.4-liter engine, mated to an electrical motor, produces 326 horsepower. Each engines pair with an 8-speed computerized transmission. Normal on i-Power fashions, and normal or out there on base-engine examples, is part-time 4WD augmented by a 2-speed switch case. Restricted and Platinum fashions (see under) with the i-Power engine include normal full-time 4WD. Sure base-engine trim ranges include rear-wheel drive, see under:
Extra on rear-wheel drive fashions in a second…
Costs and Trim Ranges
Toyota has aligned its 4Runner lineup across the drivetrains choices, with six variants supplied for every powertrain possibility. Right here’s the deal:
Normal 278-horsepower trim ranges:
SR5* ($42,675)
TRD Sport* ($49,245)
TRD Off-Highway ($51,185)
TRD Sport Premium ($54,605)
TRD Off-Highway Premium ($56,985)
Restricted* ($57,395)
i-Power Max trim ranges:
TRD Off-Highway ($53,985)
Restricted ($59,765)
Platinum ($62,195)
TRD Off-Highway Premium ($65,895)
TRD Professional ($68,895)
Trailhunter ($68,895)
*Costs for the SRT, TRD Sport, and Restricted are for rear-wheel drive fashions. All different 2025 4Runner trim ranges come normal with 4WD. Half-time 4WD provides $2000 to the underside line.
Trailhunter
New for 2025 is the Trailhunter. Parity priced with the TRD Professional, the Trailhunter caters to people severe about each luxurious trappings and severe off-road journey.
Word that the TRD Professional and Trailhunder, although comparable in worth and tools, truly serve totally different wants.
Trailhunter versus TRD Professional
The TRD Professional, which returns for 2025, is design for high-speed desert-style off-road use, whereas the Trailhunter is configured for slower, rock-crawling fashion off-road exercise. As such, although each vehicles boast greater than 10 inches of floor clearance, the Trailhunter boasts bigger wheels and tires, in addition to better wheel articulation for improved low-speed maneuverability. Whereas each vehicles are loads succesful, however consumers will wish to carefully look at their wants to find out which 4Runner most accurately fits their wants. Word that the Tacoma small pickup can also be supplied in like-price TRD Professional and Trailhunter configurations.
Check Automotive
Shopper Information not too long ago spent every week behind the wheel of a 2025 4Runner Trailhunter in Everest (coloration). All advised, our well-accessorized top-of-the-line check automobile got here to $69,758.
One of many stuff you get to your almost $70,000 value of Toyota SUV is giant variety of reminders that you’ve got, certainly, chosen the Trailhunter trim degree. We stopped counting the trim-level/engine-specific badges, however share quite a lot of them within the gallery under.
Cabin
The inviting cabin is each properly completed, and customarily upscale in really feel, although not precisely luxurious. As an alternative of leather-based, Toyota has opted for SofTex-brand seat material which appears to be like tidy had high-grade, and is supposed to be simpler to scrub than cowhide within the aftermath of a severe off-road tour.
There’s a honest quantity of arduous plastic to be discovered within the 4Runner cabin, which is a bit disappointing at this worth. That stated, the overall look is considerate and arranged. The infotainment system is Toyota-familiar, which suggests it really works effectively, and is mostly bother free. So far as controls go, there’s a giant financial institution of customizable switches on the decrease sprint to the left of the steering wheel. Customizers trying so as to add auxiliary lighting and the such will discover the built-in management panel useful.
Audio System
Music lovers might be upset, because the JLB audio system serves solely satisfactory sound replica, and hardly deserves particular branding. It’s advantageous, however sounds no higher than a regular, base trim-level setup.
Room and Consolation
Regardless of the experience peak, entering into and out of the 4Runner is straightforward sufficient. And there’s ample front-row house for even bigger adults, akin to this editor. Rear seat lodging are not any much less beneficiant. Keep in mind, too, that sure non-hybrid 4Runners are supplied with 3rd-row seating.
Cargo Area
Cargo house is SUV-ample, although the excessive cargo ground (see picture under) can complicate bigger and heavier objects.
Journey and Dealing with
On the street the 4Runner in Trailhunter trim rides and handles stunning effectively, particularly given its severe off-road potential. Whereas there may be some wallow throughout directional transitions—and after main impacts—the Trailhunter usually delivers experience high quality much like similar-size crossover—akin to Toyota’s personal ighlander. Dealing with is a bit numb, seemingly a perform of the burly tires, however general, we discovered our check automobile straightforward sufficient to zip round city in.
Quietness
Although not as hushed as some midsize crossovers/SUVs, the Trailhunter cabin is quiet sufficient for relaxed long-trim consolation. Word although that the i-Power engine doesn’t sound—or-feel—fairly as easy because the previous husky V6.
Energy and Efficiency
And whereas we’ve got not but evaluated a 4Runner with the usual 278-horsepower engine, we will report that i-Power Max unit serves up loads of energy, and first rate gasoline financial system, as effectively. Whereas old-school 4Runner loyalists will bemoan an absence of low-speed torque in comparison with the departed V6—and possibly that’s true—the i-Power engine delivers way more passing and merging energy, and glorious midrange oomph as effectively. Additionally, and that is key, we noticed almost 19 mpg in routine driving, an enormous enchancment over the past 4Runner we check, which returned simply 17 mpg. Additionally, each 4Runner engines run simply advantageous on regular-grade gasoline.
Affordability
Some media shops have decried 4Runner pricing, claiming that the truck has turn into too costly for long-time followers to afford. In actuality, costs haven’t truly risen a lot—model-to-model—as an alternative, Toyota has launched premium and hybrid trim ranges, which do elevate the typical worth of a 4Runner. Word that the SR5 and TRD Sport can nonetheless be had for much less that $50,000, not together with 4WD.
Worth
In a nutshell, not less than in Trailhunter trim, the 2025 4Runner is a fast and nimbler feeling truck, with a quieter cabin and higher gasoline financial system than its processor. Most customers don’t want—and should not need—the pricey tools included within the Trailhunter mannequin, however its arduous to not be impressed by how effectively the truck comes collectively. If the Corvette can transition to a mid-engine structure after virtually 70 years of going with a front-engine design, we suspect the 4Runner will soldier on simply advantageous with its new structure and 4-cylinder engines.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter Footage
Click on under for enlarged photographs
2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Highway: Evaluate, Costs, and Specs
