The new Toyota 4Runner is both good and bad. The bad news is we may have to wait several months longer to drive the next-generation Toyota 4Runner in 2025. The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid, however, could bring much-needed upgrades.
What to expect from the 2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid?
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid is the first of the 11th generation and will feature important updates that provide a modern feel. This reliable SUV has been around since 2010 when the fifth generation was introduced. The standard engine is reliable. The 4.0-liter engine produces 270 hp and 278 lb.-ft. of torque. The 4Runner can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds. It’s paired up with an old five-speed transmission.
The 4runner gets only an EPA-estimated 16 mph on the city streets and up to 19 mpg on the highway. This isn’t very good. A hybrid powertrain can increase power, speed, and fuel efficiency. The 2023 Toyota Sequoia uses a 3.4-liter engine paired with an electrical motor to produce 437 hp and 583 lb.-ft. of torque.
This would be a 4Runner that is insanely powerful. It gets up to 24 mpg on highways and 21 mpg city, according to EPA estimates. The 4runner could have better fuel economy because it is lighter. It could also get the Hybrid Max engine from the Toyota Crown. The 2.4-liter engine has three electric motors that deliver 340 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. The EPA estimates it to get 41 mpg for city driving and 42 mpg for highway driving.
When will the 4Runner Hybrid be released?
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid might be the model we have to wait for. MotorTrend says that the 2024 Toyota Tacoma will be unveiled first. Spy shots and clues regarding the next-generation Tacoma are limited. Will the release date be delayed until 2025 or later? This would not be fun. Years have passed since we waited for these two ionic cars to hit the modern market.
The Tacoma and 4Runner, however, are not struggling. Toyota can afford to take a little more time because they are the top sellers in their respective segments. A production delay could be avoided by waiting until the supply chain constraints are eased and the semiconductor shortage is resolved. Information is scarce, but it’s possible that the 4Runner could be redesigned by 2024. There are no official specifications.
What is known about the new 4Runner?
Toyota 4Runner Hybrid 2025 is expected to be based on the global TNGA F architecture. This is a new modular body-on-frame platform. It will have upgraded suspension to improve its ride on the road and off-road capabilities. This could be the new Land Cruise Prado, which is coming soon to America. The new 4Runner could be pushed back by a few months. After the hybrid model is launched, the Toyota 4Runner EV could follow.
The interior of the car will also be completely redesigned. Plastics will likely be replaced by higher-quality materials, and new technology is on the way. A new touchscreen of 14 inches and a digital gauge cluster that includes a head-up screen could be on the way.
2025 Toyota 4Runner Redesign
The 4Runner has a great reputation and the new redesign is expected to be a huge success. The 4Runner is one of the few genuine body-on-frame SUVs left on the market, and based on what we’ve learned so far, it will stay that way. The new Toyota 4Runner 2025 is set to adopt Toyota’s F1 platform. This is the same platform that supports the latest models such as the Tundra and Sequoia. The platform will be slightly downsized on this occasion as the new model is a midsize SUV.
The upgrades will be substantial in any case. This new platform should make the SUV lighter and have a lower center of gravity. This will improve handling. The chassis will be stiffened, and the new platform opens up new possibilities in terms of powertrains or other technologies.
Exterior
The new exterior is sure to play a major role in the redesign. The new model is unlikely to change much in terms of overall size. Most likely, the proportions will remain similar. The new model could be slightly wider while the wheelbase is stretched. This is important, as it will not only increase passenger space but also increase the approach and departure angle.
We will, of course, see a new design. The company has been able to keep the aesthetic details of the car a secret for a while, but some unofficial renderings have appeared online. All of them suggest a mixture of 4Runner classics, with some modern touches. The exterior should be more rugged and aggressive. There is no doubt the TRD Pro, which is the most capable off-roader of the model, will continue with all the off-road upgrades and possibly include more. We could also see a new Trailhunter Trim, which was already announced for the 2024 Tacoma.
Interior
Interior design is a subject of criticism for the current generation for several reasons. It’s not surprising that the interior design is outdated. Not much has changed since 2009. It’s not surprising that the cabin looks outdated. The materials used are not great and there is a noticeable lack of technology. The new model will be much better in these areas, particularly when it comes down to the materials and technology features.
The expected extension of the wheelbase should provide more room for passengers, particularly in the third row. This is a very tight space. The cargo area will probably not change in size, but we may see more storage space and more practical solutions.
Will there be a new Toyota 4Runner?
The Toyota 4Runner 2023 will continue to use the same V6 with 270 horsepower, automatic transmission, and leaf-sprung suspension. It’s tougher than old boots but the Tacoma of today is proof that technology has advanced. It would be improved with the same TNGA F architecture as the latest models, an independent suspension, an 8-speed automatic or manual transmission, and a new hybrid powertrain.
The flagship engine for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma is the I-Force MAX 2.4-liter with 326 hp / 465 lb-ft. However, the 4Runner would benefit from the Tundra’s 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged hybrid V6 with 437 hp / 583.3 lb-ft. The Tundra’s 10-speed automatic would pair well with the 4Runner engine. This rendering shows an updated front with slim LED headlamps and a busy, busy grille that is flanked by two aggressive protruding fangs on the bumper. The under-body skid plate hints at the off-road focus.
What is the price of the new Toyota 4Runner?
The familiar rear pillar that leans forward is still there, but it’s curved, larger, and wraps all the way around. The render shows a pinched back with smaller lights and a more modern shape. This is what the current SUV needs to stay up to date with its competition, but also with Toyota’s models, which are mostly in a different league than the current 2023 4Runner.
The Runner is a chiseled, new model that looks great. Its beadlock wheels, knobbly rubber, underbody protection, and increased ride height make it look like it could handle the same or even more than the previous model, especially if the powertrain was upgraded.