The 2025 Toyota 4Runner packs some serious off-road engineering, making it trail-ready from factory

Gabriel Ionica

September 24, 2024 at 5:39 PM·4 min read

Now that the sixth-generation 4Runner has been announced after a 15-year tenure of its fifth-generation model, Toyota wants to remind people that they’ve never lost their off-road chops. If you cast your mind way back, you’ll remember that the first-generation 4Runner was an SUV version of the nothing-short-of-legendary Hilux. Does that legacy carry through all these years later?

The 2025 4Runner offers an impressive combination of off-road features

Right off the bat, it’s clear that the 2025 4Runner was built with off-road in mind. The newest feature Toyota proudly touts in its press release is the Stabilizer Bar Disconnect Mechanism, which enhances suspension articulation with the push of a button, improving rock crawling capability and reducing the risk of wheel well damage. Speaking of rock crawling, the new CRAWL Control function is essentially a low-speed cruise control, allowing the driver to focus on steering over obstacles rather than maintaining a constant speed.

2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Toyo Tires<p>Toyota</p> — 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Toyo Tires
Toyota

A 32-degree approach angle gives the Toyota 4Runner an edge in tackling tough terrain

Still worried about damaging other parts of the bodywork? Don’t be! The 32-degree approach and 24-degree departure angles along with a Multi-Terrain Monitor system work together to help you keep an eye out for hazards. But you can’t monitor multiple terrains if the car can’t handle multiple terrains. Thankfully the Multi-Terrain Select system makes short work of that by controlling wheel spin on mud, dirt, and sand in both 4WD-High and 4WD-Low.

Once you make it past the rocky areas, the Downhill Assist Control is another cruise control-like system that saves your brakes by keeping speeds low on the way down.

2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Rear<p>Toyota</p> — 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Rear
Toyota

The 4Runner 4WD drivetrains are a must-have for serious off-roaders

Even though the 4Runner will be available as a 2WD with an automatic limited-slip differential, the part-time or full-time 4WD models are the ones off-roaders will want to opt for. The list of toys available for those is sure to impress even the most grizzled off-roaders, including the standard electronically controlled two-speed transfer case with high/low range, Active Traction Control, and an available Electronically-activated Locking Rear Differential.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter trim brings serious off-roading to the Japanese marque

A total of nine trim levels will be available for the 2025 4Runner including SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off Road, TRD Off Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter.

2025 Toyota 4Runner Limited Interior<p>Toyota</p> — 2025 Toyota 4Runner Limited Interior
Toyota

Every trim level brings certain options as standard, but the top-of-the-mountain Trailhunter is where Toyota pulled out all the stops. In place of the standard shocks are ARB Old Man Emu (OME) 2.5-inch forged shocks with rear external piggyback remote reservoirs and 33-inch Toyo Open Country A/T tires for an additional two inches of lift in the front and one and a half inches in the rear. The i-FORCE MAX powertrain breathes easier thanks to a low-profile high-mount air intake, ensuring it stays cool during long stints of dirt driving. The Trailhunter trim adds further protection for the important bits including rock rails and high-strength steel skid plates.

Toyota also recognizes that off-roading doesn’t equal negating certain convenience features. The new ARB roof rack provides extra storage space for all your bags while the 2400W AC inverter and three pre-wired auxiliary switches provide juice for any additional accessories you might need on your adventure. Getting dark outside? Flick on the integrated 20-inch LED light bar with color-selectable RIGID LED fog lamps.

2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter Suspension<p>Toyota</p> — 2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter Suspension
Toyota

Final thoughts

Toyota packed some serious off-road equipment into their latest 4Runner. The numerous trim levels should give buyers plenty of flexibility regarding how serious they want to get on their trail adventures, meaning you don’t have to shell out for the Trailhunter if the SR5 does everything you want it to do.

Prices for the 4Runner as a whole have yet to be announced, but many outlets are estimating a $43,000 price tag for the starter SR5. Expect to approach the upper end of $60,000 if you want to go all out. We’re also excited to see how these specs perform in the real world and how the aftermarket responds to the new 4Runner. Watch your back Jeep.

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