2025 Toyota 4Runner Prototype Spied Flaunting Tacoma TRD Off-Road Wheels

The camouflaged prototype appears to be an off-road specification, more so because of the wheels. Those are standard on the 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road, which is rocking an electronic locking rear differential. Remote sway bar disconnect is available as well, although upgrading to the TRD Pro and Trailhunter makes it standard.

Turning our attention back to the 4Runner, the windshield's rake also happens to be pretty similar to the mid-sized pickup truck. The rear door appears to be inspired by that of the Lexus GX, which – as you're well aware, is twinned with the Land Cruiser 250 series. Marketed as the Land Cruiser in the United States, the J250 shouldn't be confused with the larger J300 that replaces the V8-powered J200.

Better known as the Prado in many parts of the world, the smaller Land Cruiser is available with three rows in a number of markets. Not the US, though, because a three-row J250 would cannibalize sales of the 4Runner. The all-new 4Runner could also be differentiated from the J250 by means of non-hybrid engine choices. The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is hybrid from the outset, with prices kicking off at $55,950 for the entry-level specification.

By comparison, the outgoing 4Runner is available to configure at $40,705 in SR5 rear-drive flavor. As opposed to the V6-powered GX 550, which boasts precisely seven finely-appointed seats, the sixth-gen 4Runner is expected with a four-cylinder mill.

The gentleman who uploaded these pics to the 4Runner6G forums didn't say a word in regard to the prototype's induction and exhaust sounds. Both the four-cylinder Land Cruiser and six-cylinder GX 550 feature a driver-side outlet. Considering the GX 550 Premium's base retail price of $64,250, the hearsay suggesting four cylinders only for the 4Runner does hold water. We also have to remember that automakers in the US are required to improve their fleet average fuel economy.

The 4Runner sells much better than the GX, meaning that four cylinders would help Toyota get closer to the NHTSA's CAFE targets than a six-cylinder engine would. Toyota moved no fewer than 86,594 units of the 4Runner in the United States last year as opposed to 21,492 GXs.

Both longer and wider than the 2024 Toyota 4Runner, the fourth generation should come with an eight-speed automatic rather than the Sequoia's ten-speed unit. Under the hood, the standard engine should be the 278-hp version of the Tacoma's 2.4-liter turbo inline-four. If there's a case to be made for the i-FORCE MAX, then look forward to 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet (630 Nm). Coincidentally, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser also develops 326 ponies and 465 pound-feet.