2025 Toyota 4Runner Road Test Review: Change, For The Better

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – As I settle in for my first drive of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, “Self Esteem” by The Offspring comes on satellite radio. A dated yet familiar anthem from the '90s, the track takes me way back. For a long time, that’s what driving a 4Runner was like. Familiar, yet from another time.

No more. The sixth-generation 4Runner arrived this year and is legitimately an all-new vehicle, carrying on the spiritual elements of its predecessors but with practical improvements that make it reasonable to drive.

I spent a fair amount of time this summer in the new 4Runner, testing Platinum and TRD Pro models at an event in Ann Arbor, Mich., followed by a week in the TRD Pro. We found some mud and gravel. I took it golfing and fishing. I got groceries. I took it on the expressway.

I did nearly everything a 4Runner owner would do, short of the most serious off-roading. I found that the SUV is as capable as ever, and I’m looking forward to more challenging circumstances—or at least more time on a muddy trail.

The 4Runner’s driving character gets a makeover, thanks to a new platform, powertrain, and chassis. The steering is much more precise, and it handles corners with poise, despite being taller and wider with more ground clearance than the outgoing fifth generation.

Based on Toyota’s new global truck platform that’s also shared with the Toyota Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Tacoma, and Tundra, the 4Runner now has a double wishbone front suspension and a multilink coil rear suspension, which are anchored by a boxed ladder steel frame. The brakes are much more direct with less empty pedal travel and an improved feel. Gone are the offensive suspension dives and rubbery stops that could make your passengers queasy in the old 4Runner.

The Platinum and TRD Pro are both pleasant on pavement and capable on soft roads. They’re also quieter inside – more in line with the midsize SUV segment – and in general, much more comfortable. (A ride in the old 4Runner TRD Pro was akin to an afternoon in a bounce house set inside a wind tunnel.)

The new powertrain, the iForce Max hybrid, puts out 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque from a turbo four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic gearbox. It delivers considerably more punch low in the band than the last generation's lumbering 4.0-liter V6 (270 hp/287 lb-ft) and its five-speed partner. That’s not a totally fair fight, as the naturally aspirated V6 engine dates to the turn of the century, and the new one is Toyota's latest technology. I didn’t test the 278-hp four-cylinder that’s standard on lower trims, though I expect it to have more guts than the old V6.

Despite its larger dimensions, the new 4Runner looks more hunkered down, with flared fenders and a sleek greenhouse. It’s going for an almost Decepticon vibe, which is a good thing. Inside, the leather and soft-touch materials on the door panels and dash take the 4Runner to a more modern level that flirts with luxury, and Toyota’s clear, 14-inch multimedia screen is relatively easy to use.

I was able to toggle through various radio channels easily after the final strains of The Offspring gave way to a less familiar tune. I liked the 4Runner's interior more than the Land Cruiser's, and I put it nearly on par with the more expensive Land Rover Defender.

I think most 4Runner fans will embrace this new edition. It’s better in every way. Yes, some people prefer V6s to turbocharged hybrids. Yes, the old one probably looks more distinctive, whereas the new model—in both looks and driving character—feels more generic Toyota.

Some of the nostalgia is gone, but there’s still plenty of outdoorsy off-road magic on offer. And remember, one of the reasons the 4Runner was so unique is that it was dated. Outdated. Toyota has largely stopped using the fifth-gen 4Runner’s infotainment, powertrain, and other fundamentals years ago. You might have loved how commanding the 4Runner made you feel, but did you really enjoy plodding away from stoplights and sending takeout flying at the jab of the brakes?

A note on the TRD Pro, which has long been my favorite 4Runner. I sampled an eye-catching ‘mud bath’ colored model for a week this summer, and I think the 4Runner’s refresh is best viewed through the lens of this trim. Yes, it’s still a hardcore off-roader, but even the TRD Pro is more refined and palatable for daily driving. It’s not soft at all, so don’t misread me, but the 4Runner is now a vehicle you can drive without feeling like you need a chiropractor on retainer.

You can’t say the same thing about the Wrangler and Bronco. I’ve long told people interested in those 4x4s to really think about what daily life would be like.. Yeah, they’re awesome. And driving is emotional for enthusiasts. But the Ford and Jeep are a lot more work to drive than the 4Runner. I would recommend the 4Runner to families looking for daily use and off-road adventures—there are fewer tradeoffs.

Toyota has practically upgraded the 4Runner, setting it up to do battle in a crowded, prestigious segment where Ford, Jeep, Land Rover, and Toyota’s own Land Cruiser are formidable. No longer is the 4Runner the unintentional retro choice. Change was inevitable, and it has made the 4Runner better.

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