Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Toyota 4Runner Restricted 4WD
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Miles pushed: 207
| 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 degree evaluated, and will not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A- |
| Tall Man | B+ |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 278-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Kind | Turbocharged 4 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Noticed gasoline financial system: 20.5 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 20/24/21 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas sort: Common fuel
Base value: $57,400 (not together with $1450 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Energy operating boards ($1005), towing bundle ($400), LED tailgate mild ($200), Third-row bench seat ($1330), tow-ball mount ($65), black roof-rack rails ($420), TRD air filter ($90). chrome wheel locks ($90), cargo mat ($130), LED lantern ($160),
Value as examined: $62,875
Audio-System Model
JLB
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Wonderful
Execs and Cons
The nice: Roomy and comfy cabin, promise of off-road journey
The great: A lot-improved gasoline financial system, loads of energy
The not so good: Huge value will increase on some trim ranges for 2025
Evaluation
Toyota has been blessed with not one, however two, well-regarded and very talked-about midsize utility autos. One is the refined and household road-trip pleasant Highlander, the opposite the rugged-but-functional 4Runner. And although the 2 Toyotas serve completely different masters, they’re in the end not all that completely different—at the very least not in every day use.
Distinctive DNA
What separates the 2 common autos is structure. Whereas the Highlander (and long-wheelbase Grand Highlander) relies Toyota’s TNGA-Ok platform, which it shares with the compact Toyota RAV4 and ultra-refined midsize Lexus RX, the 4Runner relies on the maker’s TNGA-F structure, which additionally underpins such off-road-ready rides because the Toyota Tacoma and Lexus GX.
The distinction comes all the way down to the Highlander’s carlike “unibody” design versus the 4Runner’s truck-based “body-on-frame” basis.
Highlander and 4Runner Similarities
Truly, given the 2 autos’ unbiased DNA, it’s price noting how related they’re. Each autos are…
- Roomy
- Refined
- Comparatively straightforward on the fuel
- Seat as much as seven passengers
- Provide loads of cargo area
Additionally they value about the identical, equally geared up.
Highlander Execs
That mentioned, the Highlander gives…
- Quieter cabin
- Higher trip and dealing with
- Simpler cabin entry because of decrease trip peak
- Nicer cabin appointments
- Higher gasoline financial system
4Runner Execs
Whereas the 4Runner boasts…
- Sportier character
- Higher off street functionality (together with deep snow)
- Better most towing capability (6000 kilos versus 5000)
- Arguably higher design (we just like the look higher)
And whereas our interior pragmatist desires buyers to go together with the Highlander, we absolutely admire why shoppers on the lookout for one thing a bit “particular” would possibly go for the 4Runner, as a substitute.
4Runner Redesign
Utterly redesigned for 2025, the 4Runner gained a bit cabin area, and shed itself of its historical and inefficient 4.0-liter V6 engine. For ’25, the 4Runner is fitted with both a 278-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter 4, or Toyota’s branded i-Power Max turbocharged and hybrid 2.4-liter 4 rated at 326 horsepower. Commonplace-engine 4Runners include both rear-wheel drive or 4WD, whereas i-Power Max editions are fitted solely with 4WD. All 4Runners comes with an 8-speed automated transmission.
Trim Ranges and Costs
Toyota kind of thinks of the usual and hybrid 4Runners as separate product strains, treating the hybrids as premium trim ranges. For 2025, the non-hybrid 4Runner lineup appears to be like like this:
- SR5 ($42,795)
- TRD Sport ($49,245)
- TRD Off-Street ($51,185)
- TRD Sport Premium ($54,605)
- TRD Off-Street Premium ($56,965)
- Restricted ($59,395)
The 2025 hybrid lineup ranges in value from $53,985 to $68,895, and doesn’t embrace a base SR5 trim degree. Obtainable solely in hybrid guise are range-topping Platinum, TRD Professional, and Trailhunter fashions.
Take a look at Automotive
Client Information just lately spent every week behind the wheel of a 2025 4Runner Premium that includes quite a few important choices (see costs and choices above in Specs) in Heritage Blue. All instructed, our take a look at automobile got here to $62,875. Notice: Our tester was geared up with the choice 3rd-row seat.
Cabin Appointments
In Restricted trim the 4Runner cabin presents properly. Maybe a bit shy of luxurious, the inside is sweet sufficient, and is seemingly properly screwed collectively. Cabin supplies are a bit pedestrian, however we admire the tidy design, open feeling passenger space, and common simplicity of the design. In the event you’ve been within the Tacoma pickup truck, the 4Runner cabin will appear very acquainted.
Room and luxury
There’s ample front-row area for large adults, and moving into—and out of—the 4Runner is lots straightforward. Second-row area is equally beneficiant, and even taller folks will discover all of the room they want. The accessible 3rd-row is much less accommodating, however will simply match youthful—and extra agile—passengers. Simply don’t count on adults to be blissful within the final row on longer journeys.
Controls and Connectivity
Most in-cabin operations are managed by the 4Runner’s massive console touchscreen, and in fantastic Toyota custom the system works properly as is straightforward to change into accustomed to. Local weather features are dealt with by a row of actual switches situated beneath the display, and audio quantity is dealt with by way of an actual, massive knob. Thanks, Toyota. (Quantity may also be managed by way of the steering wheel.)
Journey and Dealing with
And whereas the 4Runner is louder and a bit extra rigid-riding than the Highlander as soon as underway, we admire the firmer, extra exact steering, and common sense of drive engagement. Likewise, the 4Runner’s turbocharged engine is mostly refined, however might be felt and heard greater than the powerplants discovered within the Highlander. That mentioned, we fairly benefit from the sporty character of the drivetrain, and don’t take into account it in anyway crude or coarse.
Gas Economic system
Over greater than 200 miles of testing we averaged 20.5 mpg. This compares to the 18.7 mpg we noticed in a take a look at 2025 4Runner Trailhunter with the i-Max engine, and the 17.3 mpg we averaged in a previous-generation 2022 4Runner TRD Sport fitted with the outdated V6.
Worth
Except you reside someplace that suffers from severe snow-sourced entry points, otherwise you’re a doomsday prepper, it in all probability makes extra sense to go together with the wonderful Highlander as a substitute of the 4Runner. That mentioned, we fairly get pleasure from driving the 4Runner, and discover its driving character refreshing. We advocate you test-drive each—regardless of which you assume you’re contemplating—and let your seat time be your information. Actually, we would go together with the 4Runner simply because we benefit from the road-feel.
Take heed to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Toyota 4Runner Restricted Photos
Click on under for enlarged photos
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