Text by Tom Appel
2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid 4WD Trailhunter
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover/SUV
Country of Manufacture: Japan
Color: Everest
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 155
Real-world fuel economy: 18.7 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | B |
| Fuel Economy | B |
| Value | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A- |
| Tall Guy | B+ |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 326-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged hybrid 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 435% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 23/24/23 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular Gas
Base price: $66,900 (not including $1450 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Digital key ($275), cargo lights ($375), red front tow hooks ($180), trailer ball ($24), LED lantern ($160), cargo mat ($130), floor mats ($199), ball mount (towing) ($65)
Price as tested: $69,758
Pros and Cons
The great: More refined, powerful, and fuel efficient than previous generation 4Runner
The good: Promise of serious off-road/foul-weather capability
The not so good: Premium trim levels command premium prices
Review
2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter
After going largely unchanged for 14 big years, the fanatically beloved Toyota 4Runner has been completely redesigned for 2025. The 4Runner is the last of Toyota’s traditional “body-on-frame” trucks to move to the maker’s new, modern, GA-F architecture. With the move, the ‘Runner joins the likes of the Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser, as well as the Lexus GX, and LX on the GA-F platform. Also architecturally related are the international-market Land Cruiser Prado, and larger Land Cruiser 300 Series. We wish that was the whole story here, but it is not; the 4Runner update includes all-new drivetrain options–including hybrid–new trim levels, and a new range-capping Trailhunter variant.
4Runner versus land Cruiser
And while the Land Cruiser has also been recently redesigned and repositioned—less premium, more rugged—the 4Runner retains its place in the Toyota showroom as the brand’s off-road-capable Highlander alternative. And for the record, though similar in size, the also-off-roadie Land Cruiser still plays upmarket of the 4Runner, though that gap has closed a bit. Further differentiating the two models, a 3rd-row seat is offered on some 4 Runner trim levels, while the Land Cruiser is strictly a 5-seater.
Dimensions
Though to some eyes the new 4Runner looks trimmer than its predecessor, it is actually somewhat lager. For 2025, the 4Runner is 2 inches longer in wheelbase, 4-5 inches longer overall, and 2 inches wider.
Off-roaders will be glad to hear that the new ‘Runner picks up about half an inch of ground clearance, and an additional 1-2 degrees of approach angle. The new truck does lose about 2 degrees of departure angle, however.
Engines
Gone for ’25 is the 4Runner’s aged but fabled 4.0-liter V6. The 270-horsepower workhorse was popular with off-road enthusiast for its smooth, abundant, low-end torque, which proved a boon on challenging trails. The engine was also known for its terrible real-world fuel economy.
Replacing the 4.0-liter powerplant are a pair of 4-cylinder engines, both smaller but more powerful than the V6. For 2025, the standard 4Runner engine is a turbocharged 2.4-liter mill rated at 278 horsepower. Also available is Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid engine. In the 4Runner, the 2.4-liter engine, mated to an electric motor, produces 326 horsepower. Both engines pair with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Standard on i-Force models, and standard or available on base-engine examples, is part-time 4WD augmented by a 2-speed transfer case. Limited and Platinum models (see below) with the i-Force engine come with standard full-time 4WD. Certain base-engine trim levels come with rear-wheel drive, see below:
More on rear-wheel drive models in a moment…
Prices and Trim Levels
Toyota has aligned its 4Runner lineup around the drivetrains offerings, with six variants offered for each powertrain option. Here’s the deal:
Standard 278-horsepower trim levels:
SR5* ($42,675)
TRD Sport* ($49,245)
TRD Off-Road ($51,185)
TRD Sport Premium ($54,605)
TRD Off-Road Premium ($56,985)
Limited* ($57,395)
i-Force Max trim levels:
TRD Off-Road ($53,985)
Limited ($59,765)
Platinum ($62,195)
TRD Off-Road Premium ($65,895)
TRD Pro ($68,895)
Trailhunter ($68,895)
*Prices for the SRT, TRD Sport, and Limited are for rear-wheel drive models. All other 2025 4Runner trim levels come standard with 4WD. Part-time 4WD adds $2000 to the bottom line.
Trailhunter
New for 2025 is the Trailhunter. Parity priced with the TRD Pro, the Trailhunter caters to folks serious about both luxury trappings and serious off-road adventure.
Note that the TRD Pro and Trailhunder, though similar in price and equipment, actually serve different needs.
Trailhunter versus TRD Pro
The TRD Pro, which returns for 2025, is design for high-speed desert-style off-road use, while the Trailhunter is configured for slower, rock-crawling style off-road activity. As such, though both trucks boast more than 10 inches of ground clearance, the Trailhunter boasts larger wheels and tires, as well as greater wheel articulation for improved low-speed maneuverability. While both trucks are plenty capable, but buyers will want to closely examine their needs to determine which 4Runner best suits their needs. Note that the Tacoma small pickup is also offered in like-price TRD Pro and Trailhunter configurations.
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2025 4Runner Trailhunter in Everest (color). All told, our well-accessorized top-of-the-line test car came to $69,758.
One of the things you get for your nearly $70,000 worth of Toyota SUV is large number of reminders that you have, indeed, chosen the Trailhunter trim level. We stopped counting the trim-level/engine-specific badges, but share a number of them in the gallery below.
Cabin
The inviting cabin is both nicely finished, and generally upscale in feel, though not exactly luxurious. Instead of leather, Toyota has opted for SofTex-brand seat fabric which looks tidy had high-grade, and is meant to be easier to clean than cowhide in the aftermath of a serious off-road excursion.
There is a fair amount of hard plastic to be found in the 4Runner cabin, which is a little disappointing at this price. That said, the general look is thoughtful and organized. The infotainment system is Toyota-familiar, which means it works well, and is generally trouble free. As far as controls go, there is a large bank of customizable switches on the lower dash to the left of the steering wheel. Customizers looking to add auxiliary lighting and the such will find the built-in control panel handy.
Audio System
Music lovers will be disappointed, as the JLB audio system serves only passable sound reproduction, and hardly merits special branding. It’s fine, but sounds no better than a standard, base trim-level setup.
Room and Comfort
Despite the ride height, getting into and out of the 4Runner is easy enough. And there’s ample front-row space for even larger adults, such as this editor. Rear seat accommodations are no less generous. Remember, too, that certain non-hybrid 4Runners are offered with 3rd-row seating.
Cargo Space
Cargo space is SUV-ample, though the high cargo floor (see image below) can complicate larger and heavier items.
Ride and Handling
On the road the 4Runner in Trailhunter trim rides and handles surprising well, especially given its serious off-road potential. While there is some wallow during directional transitions—and after major impacts—the Trailhunter generally delivers ride quality similar to similar-size crossover—such as Toyota’s own ighlander. Handling is a little numb, likely a function of the burly tires, but overall, we found our test car easy enough to zip around town in.
Quietness
Though not as hushed as some midsize crossovers/SUVs, the Trailhunter cabin is quiet enough for relaxed long-trim comfort. Note though that the i-Force engine doesn’t sound—or-feel—quite as smooth as the old husky V6.
Power and Performance
And while we have not yet evaluated a 4Runner with the standard 278-horsepower engine, we can report that i-Force Max unit serves up plenty of power, and decent fuel economy, as well. While old-school 4Runner loyalists will bemoan a lack of low-speed torque compared to the departed V6—and maybe that’s true—the i-Force engine delivers far more passing and merging power, and excellent midrange oomph as well. Also, and this is key, we saw nearly 19 mpg in routine driving, a huge improvement over the last 4Runner we test, which returned just 17 mpg. Also, both 4Runner engines run just fine on regular-grade gas.
Affordability
Some media outlets have decried 4Runner pricing, claiming that the truck has become too expensive for long-time fans to afford. In reality, prices have not actually risen much—model-to-model—instead, Toyota has introduced premium and hybrid trim levels, which do raise the average price of a 4Runner. Note that the SR5 and TRD Sport can still be had for less that $50,000, not including 4WD.
Value
In a nutshell, at least in Trailhunter trim, the 2025 4Runner is a quick and nimbler feeling truck, with a quieter cabin and better fuel economy than its processor. Most shoppers don’t need—and may not want—the costly equipment included in the Trailhunter model, but its hard not to be impressed by how well the truck comes together. If the Corvette can transition to a mid-engine layout after almost 70 years of going with a front-engine design, we suspect the 4Runner will soldier on just fine with its new architecture and 4-cylinder engines.
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2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter Pictures
Click below for enlarged images