2025 Toyota 4Runner: Is the Base Model Enough?
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After a decade and a half, Toyota has finally redesigned its rugged 4Runner for the 2025 model year. Sure, the old one was still a relatively good seller and retained excellent resale value, but a change was clearly called for, especially considering Toyota's refreshed and growing lineup of trucks and SUVs.
Positioned below the new Land Cruiser, the 4Runner rivals the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco (not to mention the recently launched, second-generation 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport). It has undergone a number of technical, mechanical and interior upgrades, while styling is properly modernized yet easily recognizable.
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- Also: 2025 Toyota 4Runner: The Long-Awaited Revolution
The result, combined with a larger selection of models and more importantly the addition of a hybrid powertrain (applied to the top five trim levels including the fearsome TRD Pro and the new Trailhunter designed for overlanding), means that prices go well beyond $70,000 and sometimes even $80,000. Welcome to 2025! The electrified 4Runner happens to compete directly with the Land Cruiser, also a five-seater. Customers have some tough choices to make, so we took a base 4Runner to see how it stacks up and if you should consider it.
A Compromise?
It's pretty rare, yet oh-so refreshing, for an automaker to give journalists the keys to the cheapest iterations of their new vehicles. In the case of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, the entry-level SR5 (starting at an all-inclusive price of $57,200) is only about $800 more expensive than last year. That’s great news—if you can settle for a white, grey or black exterior.
Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, raised roof rails, an integrated tow hitch receiver (with 7-pin trailer wiring harness) and a sliding rear window that can be conveniently operated by pressing a button on the liftgate trim. The wide running boards will please some but annoy others when getting in and out of the vehicle.
The ungainly plastic spoiler underneath the front bumper is designed with aerodynamics in mind, except that it won’t save you a lot of fuel. Fortunately, it can be removed for a more attractive look and an easier time on sketchy terrain (we’re talking about a one-minute job using a power screwdriver).
The Yokohama Geolandar X-CV all-season tires are mainly suitable for pavement. If you're planning to drive frequently on gravel roads and dirt trails, replacing them with all-terrain tires is a smart solution that will spare you from investing in a higher-priced 4Runner that's admittedly better equipped for this kind of use, such as the TRD Off-Road Premium mode (starting at $66,702). Various underbody skid plates are optionally available, too.
Extensive Transformation Inside
Whatever the trim level, the interior of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner benefits from a remarkable transformation similar to the latest Tacoma midsize pickup. The steering wheel (which is leather-wrapped but not heated as standard) and controls are more pleasant to use, especially the new drive mode and 4WD selection knob on the console. There's adequate storage throughout, including a space for two phones, although we would have liked a larger compartment under the centre armrest.
Inevitably, the evolution of the 4Runner is a digital one, as well. In SR5 trim, the instrument cluster is fully digital but divided into three small displays (two for the fuel and engine temperature gauges), while the 8-inch touchscreen pales in comparison to the 14-inch unit in some of the more luxurious 4Runners (which also come with a practical multi-terrain monitor). At least Toyota’s new multimedia system, while not among the best in the industry, is clear and easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration comes standard. Below, the HVAC controls are still physical buttons, but for some reason the temperature is displayed in the form of bars instead of degrees Celsius. Go figure.
As for the seats, we found the front buckets to be on the firm side yet not uncomfortable over long distances. The SR5 (cloth upholstery) and Limited (genuine leather) are the only 2025 4Runners to offer three-row seating, by the way. The second-row seats can be manipulated fairly easily and make for quick access to the third row, but only children will enjoy spending time back there due to the limited space and low seat height. Still, it’s something direct rivals don’t have.
The trunk has expanded but is limited to 343 litres (previously 255 litres), so when the rear seats are not occupied, it's best to fold them and take advantage of the 1,200+ litres available. Incidentally, total cargo capacity is 2,381 litres versus 2,540 litres in the old 4Runner.
Better With Four Cylinders, Except…
On the road, it quickly became apparent that the 2025 Toyota 4Runner is more stable and quieter than its predecessor. Much of that comes from the TNGA-F platform with a double-wishbone suspension up front and multi-link and coil springs at the rear, as well as improved soundproofing including acoustic glass. Things are definitely smoother than with a Wrangler or even a Bronco. We also appreciated the strong brakes (despite the noticeable weight transfer), the fairly soft ride and the 4Runner’s ability to handle bumps and potholes on a dirt road. On the flip side, steering is still vague and lacks precision.
Now, we have to talk about the biggest change to the vehicle for 2025, namely the new turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine replacing the old 4.0-litre V6. While output is marginally increased (278 hp vs. 270 hp), it's the 317 lb-ft of torque (instead of 278 lb-ft) that makes the difference.
Performance is definitely improved, despite some turbo lag, and the new eight-speed automatic transmission is a radical departure from the old one, which only had five gears. Expect about 20 percent better fuel economy. That said, we could only manage 12.2 L/100 km combined, whereas Natural Resources Canada rates the 2025 4Runner at 11.2 L/100 km. The four-banger sounds rough, almost unrefined when pushed—not a deal breaker, but certainly an irritant—and the whistling turbo is somewhat louder than we’d like, too.
What about the 4Runner Hybrid? The i-FORCE MAX system, shared with the Land Cruiser and Tacoma Hybrid, pairs the same turbo engine with an electric motor to generate a total of 326 hp and a stout 465 lb-ft of torque. This is great for pure acceleration and off-road driving, even though max towing capacity drops from 6,000 lbs to 5,800 lbs. Fuel consumption officially drops to 9.9 L/100 km combined—but again, we bet you’ll have a hard time matching this figure in real-world conditions.
Our Verdict
Let’s be honest, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner needed a serious dose of new blood and fresh air. The result is satisfying overall and largely what we expected when looking at Toyota's other SUVs and pickups. Depending on what you're going to use it for, it's possible to settle for an entry-level model like the SR5. Of course, if you can afford one, a 4Runner Hybrid will give you far more satisfaction.
Luckily for us, all models continue to be manufactured in Japan (alongside the Land Cruiser) and not in the U.S. like the Sequoia, Highlander/Grand Highlander, Tacoma and Tundra, which means they are not subject to Canadian countertariffs. Resale values will likely remain high, just like the Wrangler’s, and Toyota's reputation for reliability will make up for off-road capability that isn’t quite up to the same standard as the American rivals.
