Unofficial 2025 Toyota 4Runner Design Study Flexes Sequoia Styling Cues

More specifically, no fewer than 86,594 examples were moved in this part of the world in the first three quarters of 2023. By comparison, the more off-road-oriented Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler totaled 91,468 and 126,551 through September 2023. Given these numbers, the 4Runner could use a redesign.

Slotted below the Land Cruiser Prado in Toyota’s global lineup, the 4Runner is a family-oriented utility vehicle that’s extremely capable off the beaten path as well. After all, it’s closely related to the Prado. Not the 250 series, though, but the J150 that was never sold in the United States market.

Come 2024 for the 2025 model year, the 4Runner will finally receive the TNGA-F global architecture for body-on-frame applications. Even though no spy photos have been published thus far, Digimods DESIGN took the liberty to imagine the long-awaited redesign with rather familiar influences.

As implied by the headline, it’s more Sequoia than 4Runner. This isn’t going to sit well with 4Runner enthusiasts, but remember that Digimods DESIGN isn’t associated with the Japanese manufacturer. The real thing is most likely going to be closer in exterior styling to the all-new Tacoma and J250.

According to a Toyota insider cited by the 4Runner6G forum’s administrator, we’re dealing with an evolutionary design rather than a clean-sheet makeover. Said tipster also reports 2024 Tacoma influences for the front end, along with more upright C pillars to improve ingress/egress.

The TRD Pro will return as the range-topping grade, slotted above the premium-oriented Limited trim level. As for production, the insider understands that July 2024 is when the all-new 4Runner will start rolling off the assembly line. Prototypes have allegedly been testing in the US since March 2021.

The sad part? No V6 for the sixth generation. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, though, because the 1GR-FE powers the 4Runner since 2002 for the 2003 model year. This powerplant originally featured VVT-i on the intake valves only, whereas the 2010 and later 4Runner sports Dual VVT-i.

While it may be thirsty and genuinely antiquated, the 1GR-FE is a paragon of reliability in a segment where turbocharged engines are common. The only exception would be the Chrysler 3.6-liter Pentastar in the Jeep Wrangler, a naturally-aspirated sixer with one too many common issues to list here.

The 2025 model year 4Runner is getting the 2.4-liter turbo inline-four mill of the Tacoma, or so says the aforementioned insider. It’s not clear, however, if a six-speed manual such as the Tacoma’s iMT2 will be made available on certain trim levels. The iMT2 boasts automatic rev matching and anti-stall tech.

Codenamed T24A-FTS, the four-pot lump makes anything between 228 and 278 horsepower without hybrid assistance. Advertised as the i-FORCE, said engine is further used by the 250-series Prado.

i-FORCE MAX is Toyota’s designation for the hybrid version, which belts out a healthy 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet (630 Nm) in the Tacoma. The very same output figures are shared with the hybrid-only Land Cruiser Prado for the US, which is marketed as Land Cruiser because it indirectly replaces the J200. The V8-engined Land Cruiser's direct successor in the United States is the Lexus LX, which sports the very same twin-turbo V6 as the J300 Land Cruiser for global markets and the Tundra half-ton pickup.

Last but certainly not least, look forward to higher pricing than the outgoing 4Runner. At press time, the 2023 model year kicks off at $40,155 excluding the destination freight charge. For 2024, the 4Runner is $300 pricier. Including the $1,395 destination fee, that means $41,850 for the SR5.