The Toughest Path: The 2025 Toyota 4Runner 4WD Limited

Forget the Rubicon Trail. The toughest road in front of any automaker is the road forward. Especially when it's time to introduce an all-new generation of an icon.

The Toyota 4Runner was an instant hit and has been a constant and evolving presence since the 1984 model year. The most recent generation was in production, with running changes, for fifteen years.

That long run for the last 4Runner meant a lot simply had to be changed. The challenge was to replace a vehicle designed in the late '00s with one that will sell in the early 2030s and still have it be immediately recognizable as a Toyota 4Runner, with attributes the faithful expect.

The stylists certainly understood the assignment, delivering a shape that could not possibly be anything other than a 4Runner, one that can successfully carry nine trim levels from TRD Off-Roads and Trailhunters with snorkels to the more sophisticated but still capable Limited and Platinum grades.

The biggest change comes under the hood, as the venerable 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 and five (yes, five)-speed automatic transmission are replaced by an eight-speed automatic and a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 278 horsepower. That doesn't sound like much of a change, and 0-60 times are only 2/10ths of a second better than last year (7.5 instead of 7.7 seconds) but other numbers are essential here.

What was 278 lb-ft of torque is now 317 lb-ft. Max towing capacity increases by a half ton, from 5,000 pounds to 6,000. And the more modern engine and transmission combination makes a significant difference in fuel economy. What was 16 city/19 highway before is now 23 city/24 highway for all-wheel-drive models and 20 city/26 highway for two-wheel-drive models.

It is an easier, smoother vehicle to drive than the previous-gen 4Runner, which was no slouch in everyday livability.

Range improves as well, with 437 miles on a full tank of regular-grade gasoline.

The 2025 4Runner also gets a second engine choice---the 326 horsepower, 465 lb-ft of torque iFORCE MAX turbo four. It's standard on the TRD Pro, Trailhunter and Platinum and available at extra cost on TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium and Limited. It's thirstier, at 19 city/25 highway, but still an improvement over the previous 4Runner.

SR5, Sport, Sport Premium and Limited models are the only 4Runners available with two-wheel drive. Four-wheel-drive is available on those models and standard on the five remaining trim levels (Off-Road, Off-Road Premium, Trailhunter, Platinum and TRD Pro).

Even the lowest-riding SR5 has 8.1 inches of ground clearance. Sport, Limited and Platinum models get 8.8 inches, the Off-Road 9.1 and the TRD Pro and Trailhunter leave 10.1 inches between their undercarriage and the earth below.

There has been incremental improvement on the previously cavernous cargo area. It now holds 48.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 90.2 with those seats folded flat. The old 4Runner was no slouch, but stil shy of that at 47.2 and 89.7.

Rear seat passengers get a bit more legroom as well, 34.8 inches, up from last year's 32.9.

Our tester was the 2025 Toyota 4Runner 4WD Limited. Base price $57,400 ($58,850 including destination. As the second-most luxurious of the 4Runners, it comes with a healthy list of standard features including a comprehensive suite of active safety features, adaptive variable suspension, tow hitch reciever with 7-pin and 4-pin connector, 20-inch alloy wheels, hands-free power liftgate with power rear window, LED headlights, daytime running lights and fog lights, power-folding exterior mirrors, leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar support, a 14-speaker JBL audio system including subwoofer, amp and portable speaker, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, leather shift knob, wireless charging and a power moonroof.

Our test vehicle also had some extra-cost options, including automatic power running boards ($1,005), a tow tech package with trailer reverse assist control and a digital display rearview mirror ($400), a tailgate LED light ($200), third-row seating ($1,330), a towing ball mount ($65), gloss black roof rail cross bars ($420), bright chrome wheel locks ($90), a cargo mat ($130), an accessory ready LED lantern ($160) and a retractable black cargo cover ($135).

All told, the as-tested price of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner 4WD Limited is $62,785.

If you haven't been SUV shopping in a while, that number is likely to produce some sticker shock, but it's in line with the segment, and even at that price, the new 2025 Toyota 4Runner 4WD Limited represents a solid value.