Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid 4WD Trailhunter
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover/SUV
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Colour: Everest
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 155
Actual-world gasoline economic 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 stage evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A- |
| Tall Man | B+ |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” 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 automated |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 435% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 23/24/23 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Common Fuel
Base value: $66,900 (not together with $1450 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Digital key ($275), cargo lights ($375), pink entrance tow hooks ($180), trailer ball ($24), LED lantern ($160), cargo mat ($130), flooring mats ($199), ball mount (towing) ($65)
Value 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 massive years, the fanatically beloved Toyota 4Runner has been fully redesigned for 2025. The 4Runner is the final of Toyota’s conventional “body-on-frame” vans to transfer to the maker’s new, fashionable, GA-F structure. With the transfer, the ‘Runner joins the likes of the Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoiaand Land Cruiserin addition to the Lexus GXand 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’s not; the 4Runner replace contains all-new drivetrain choices–together with hybrid–new trim rangesand 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 various. And for the file, although related in dimension, 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 trimmer than its predecessor, it’s really considerably lager. For 2025, the 4Runner is 2 inches longer in wheelbase, 4-5 inches longer general, and a couple of inches wider.
Off-roaders shall 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 common with off-road fanatic for its clean, ample, low-end torque, which proved a boon on difficult trails. The engine was additionally identified for its horrible real-world gasoline economic 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 accessible is Toyota’s i-Drive 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 automated transmission. Customary on i-Drive fashions, and commonplace or accessible on base-engine examples, is part-time 4WD augmented by a 2-speed switch case. Restricted and Platinum fashions (see under) with the i-Drive engine include commonplace 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 provided for every powertrain choice. Right here’s the deal:
Customary 278-horsepower trim ranges:
SR5* ($42,675)
TRD Sport* ($49,245)
TRD Off-Street ($51,185)
TRD Sport Premium ($54,605)
TRD Off-Street Premium ($56,985)
Restricted* ($57,395)
i-Drive Max trim ranges:
TRD Off-Street ($53,985)
Restricted ($59,765)
Platinum ($62,195)
TRD Off-Street 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 commonplace 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.
Notice that the TRD Professional and Trailhunder, although related in value and tools, really serve completely 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 vans boast greater than 10 inches of floor clearance, the Trailhunter boasts bigger wheels and tires, in addition to larger wheel articulation for improved low-speed maneuverability. Whereas each vans are a lot succesful, however consumers will need to carefully study their wants to find out which 4Runner most accurately fits their wants. Notice that the Tacoma small pickup can also be provided in like-price TRD Professional and Trailhunter configurations.
Take a look at Automobile
Shopper Information not too long ago spent every week behind the wheel of a 2025 4Runner Trailhunter in Everest (colour). All advised, our well-accessorized top-of-the-line check automobile got here to $69,758.
One of many stuff you get in your practically $70,000 price of Toyota SUV is giant variety of reminders that you’ve, certainly, chosen the Trailhunter trim stage. We stopped counting the trim-level/engine-specific badges, however share a lot of them within the gallery under.
Cabin
The inviting cabin is each properly completed, and usually upscale in really feel, although not precisely luxurious. As a substitute of leather-basedToyota has opted for SofTex-brand seat material which appears 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 truthful quantity of laborious plastic to be discovered within the 4Runner cabin, which is a bit of disappointing at this value. That mentioned, the overall look is considerate and arranged. The infotainment system is Toyota-familiar, which suggests it really works properly, and is mostly hassle 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 helpful.
Audio System
Music lovers shall be disillusioned, because the JLB audio system serves solely satisfactory sound replica, and hardly deserves particular branding. It’s high-quality, however sounds no higher than an ordinary, base trim-level setup.
Room and Consolation
Regardless of the experience peak, stepping into and out of the 4Runner is simple sufficient. And there’s ample front-row area for even bigger adults, resembling this editor. Rear seat lodging are not any much less beneficiant. Bear in mind, too, that sure non-hybrid 4Runners are provided with 3rd-row seating.
Cargo Area
Cargo area is SUV-ample, although the excessive cargo flooring (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 properly, particularly given its severe off-road potential. Whereas there’s some wallow throughout directional transitions—and after main impacts—the Trailhunter typically delivers experience high quality much like similar-size crossover—resembling Toyota’s personal ighlander. Dealing with is a bit of numb, seemingly a operate 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. Notice although that the i-Drive engine doesn’t sound—or-feel—fairly as clean because the outdated husky V6.
Energy and Efficiency
And whereas we now have not but evaluated a 4Runner with the usual 278-horsepower engine, we are able to report that i-Drive Max unit serves up loads of energy, and first rate gasoline economic system, as properly. Whereas old-school 4Runner loyalists will bemoan a scarcity of low-speed torque in comparison with the departed V6—and perhaps that’s true—the i-Drive engine delivers much more passing and merging energy, and wonderful midrange oomph as properly. Additionally, and that is key, we noticed practically 19 mpg in routine driving, an enormous enchancment during the last 4Runner we check, which returned simply 17 mpg. Additionally, each 4Runner engines run simply high-quality on regular-grade fuel.
Affordability
Some media retailers have decried 4Runner pricing, claiming that the truck has turn into too costly for long-time followers to afford. In actuality, costs haven’t really risen a lot—model-to-model—as a substitute, Toyota has launched premium and hybrid trim ranges, which do elevate the typical value of a 4Runner. Notice that the SR5 and TRD Sport can nonetheless be had for much less that $50,000, not together with 4WD.
Worth
In a nutshell, at the least in Trailhunter trim, the 2025 4Runner is a fast and nimbler feeling truck, with a quieter cabin and higher gasoline economic system than its processor. Most buyers don’t want—and will not need—the pricey tools included within the Trailhunter mannequin, however its laborious to not be impressed by how properly the truck comes collectively. If the Corvette can transition to a mid-engine format after nearly 70 years of going with a front-engine design, we suspect the 4Runner will soldier on simply high-quality with its new structure and 4-cylinder engines.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter Footage
Click on under for enlarged photos
2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Street: Evaluate, Costs, and Specs
