2025 Toyota 4Runner: Which Are Its Platform Friends and All-Out Off-Road Foes?

After it was first introduced in 1983 for the 1984 model year, more than four decades later, the sixth generation finally premiered in the United States after the current N280 model had been around for no less than 15 years, since 2009. Naturally, Toyota made sure the off-road SUV can land a home run, and it's also ready to take on anything you throw at its 2WD or 4x4 bat, including the Tacoma or Land Cruiser 'friends' and the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco competitors.

This is the sixth Toyota truck based on the modular TNGA-F body-on-frame platform after the J300 full-size Land Cruiser, the returning J250 mid-size Land Cruiser (Prado), the N400 Tacoma sibling, as well as the full-size Sequoia SUV and Tundra pickup truck. Plus, there are also the J310 Lexus LX and J250 Lexus GX, so it's safe to say that the Japanese automaker has some experience with the architecture. Hopefully, that means there will be fewer initial recalls than on prior models.

Naturally, the closest Toyota model to the 2025 sixth-gen 4Runner is none other than the fourth-generation Tacoma mid-size pickup truck. A veritable best-seller, the cool Tacoma is younger than the 4Runner but obviously leads the way in terms of rugged styling, features, and powertrains. Most of the styling – especially ahead of the B-pillar – has lots of similarities between the off-road SUV and the pickup truck. That's pretty obvious as the front fascia on both models only differs slightly – and it remains to be seen which of them looks better according to popular demand.

The interior is pretty much the same deal, at least around the driver and front passenger, as the 4Runner still features a seven-seat arrangement that's impossible to achieve on the Tacoma pickup truck. Last but not least, they also have almost the same powertrains – Toyota's 2.4-liter inline-four turbocharged engine in two guises. Unlike the Tacoma's base model or the one with the manual transmission, the 4Runner only gets the 278-horsepower i-Force with the eight-speed automatic transmission. So, let's wave goodbye to 4Runner's 4.0-liter V6, naturally aspirated to churn out 270 hp and 278 lb. -ft. of torque, and welcome the slightly more powerful gas engine that's also a lot more torquey - 317 pound-feet of torque.

Additionally, the Tacoma i-Force Max donates its 326-horsepower hybridized powertrain with 465 lb.-ft. of torque, and it is making the TRD Off-Road, Limited, TRD Pro, Trailhunter, and Platinum models the most powerful 4Runner SUVs ever. The rear, on the other hand, has nothing to do with the Tacoma because the 4Runner keeps its roll-over rear glass and integrates the legacy "wrap over" quarter glass as a nod to the first and second generations, whereas the mid-size pickup truck obviously has an open bed. At least aesthetically, Toyota managed good separation compared to the 2024 Land Cruiser, as well. The two don't have the same exterior and interior styling, of course, and the LC remains a five-seat affair in America, while the 4Runner gets access to seven seats. On the other hand, it's odd that Toyota gives both the same powertrain – the i-Force Max with 326 hp is shared by Tacoma, 4Runner, and Land Cruiser without bias.

So far, it's only the interior and exterior design plus the seat arrangement that separates the 4Runner from the Land Cruiser – and it's only logical that Toyota will seek to make them more distinct through pricing. However, there's a problem – the 2024MY 4Runner already starts at $40,705, while the 2024 Land Cruiser kicks off at $55,950. You would think that's a lot of space between them, but do consider that Toyota wants us to know there's a 4Runner grade for everyone and no less than nine of them in total, as opposed to just three for Land Cruiser: SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off Road, TRD Off Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter. As such, it's not hard to imagine the new flagship introductions – like Platinum and Trailhunter – could surpass the 2024 Land Cruiser's base MSRP when already the 2024 4Runner TRD Pro starts from no less than $55,170!

Speaking of prices, the refreshed 2024 Jeep Wrangler starts from as low as $31,995 – but that's for the 2-door model. Instead, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4-door kicks off at $36,595, which is still below the 4Runner's current base price. It's not hard to understand why the Wrangler sold more than 38k units during the first three months of the year, whereas the Ford Bronco dropped almost 26% to a little over 24k. The latter starts from $39,630 but again as a 2-door Big Bend rather than a 4-door, which is $40,370, a smidgen below the 2024 Toyota 4Runner's SR5 starting MSRP of $40,705. However, the difference might only become deeper, as everyone and their mother expects the 2025 model year 4Runner to start above the $41k threshold before destination and other fees.

So, which is your favorite? Could it be the mid-size Toyota Tacoma pickup truck workhorse, the legendary and vintage-looking 2024 Land Cruiser, or the all-new and fashionable 4Runner? Alternatively, do you think the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco represents the better deal, especially considering that they both feature removable hard tops and soft-top options?