In a world of crossovers, compact SUVs, and other vehicles tailored for light off-roading, sometimes you want a vehicle that returns to the roots of sport utility vehicles. The Toyota 4Runner was introduced in 1983 as just such a machine—one you can take on any terrain, from the Appalachian Mountains to the dunes of the Sahara. Originally a compact SUV and now a midsize, it’s become one of Toyota’s flagship vehicles and a staple of the off-roading community.
For the 2025 model year, the Toyota 4Runner is being born again, with the sixth generation hitting showrooms—the first major update in 15 years. This isn’t one of those minor vehicle refreshes where the automaker swaps a few decals, adds a bigger touchscreen, and calls it a day. Drivers who go to check out the 2025 Toyota 4Runner for sale will find a completely new vehicle inside and out.
With this radical makeover comes the inevitable question of whether the 4Runner remains a premier off-road vehicle. I decided to provide the answer with an in-depth look at the 2025 Toyota 4Runner off-road features and capabilities. By the end of this guide, you’ll know just how much the new 4Runner does for off-road enthusiasts.
One Tough Platform
The 2025 4Runner makeover begins with the platform. The foundation that also served previous generations of the Land Cruiser Prado, FJ Cruiser, and Lexus GX is now gone, replaced with the Toyota TNGA-F. This is the same platform underneath the most recent Land Cruiser along with the Toyota Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia, and other mounts.
If this platform is enough for a full-size SUV or pickup truck, you might imagine it works well for the 4Runner—and you would be correct. The TNGA-F has an ultra-tough steel ladder box frame that handles bumps and impacts with ease. It also comes with a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link coilover rear suspension that makes the 4Runner smoother and more responsive anywhere you drive—including the main road to make the time between off-road adventures less interminable.
Two Potent Powertrains
If you want to scale snowy peaks or charge through mud bogs with your SUV, you’ll need some serious power. Toyota heard the pleas for a little more oomph from the next-gen 4Runner and responded with a new powerplant in two configurations. The base i-FORCE engine is a 2.4L turbo four-cylinder that has 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, which is a notable improvement over the previous generation despite two fewer cylinders.
The year 2025 also sees hybrid power introduced to the 4Runner family. The i-FORCE MAX, which is standard on three trims and optional on two others, mates the new engine to an electric motor that ups the ante to 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. That makes a huge difference when it comes to getting over obstacles and conquering big elevation changes. With more power than ever, the 2025 4Runner is ready to do business.
Advanced Terrain Features
Of course, what good is all that off-roading power if you can’t control it? Looking at the 2025 4Runner, it’s obvious Toyota had that question in mind. Every 2025 Toyota 4Runner has a limited-slip rear differential to improve grip when the ground gets shaky. When you choose the four-wheel drive (4WD) option—and you ought to if you’re serious about off-roading—you also get Active Traction Control to further reduce slippage and a two-speed transfer case that you activate electronically, giving you more gear ratios for crawling and dune-bashing.
Available features include a multi-terrain monitoring (MTM) system to see your surroundings on the optional 14-inch touchscreen and downhill control assistance to avoid runaway descents. The new Stabilizer Bar Disconnect Mechanism lets you deactivate the sway bar, giving you more roll to improve traction on uneven ground and more suspension travel for getting over large obstacles.
Finding the Right Trim for You
With nine different trims of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, there are certainly a lot of options. You can get the budget-friendly adventuring of the 4Runner SR5, the modern feistiness of the TRD Sport, and more. However, three trims stand above the rest for the off-roading elite. Here’s a look at how they take your adventuring to the extreme…
The TRD Off-Road: Dominate the Trails
First debuting for the 2017 model year, the 4Runner’s TRD Off-Road trim continues to be a strong performer away from public roads. It comes standard with the i-FORCE powertrain but can be upgraded to the i-FORCE MAX. More significantly, the TRD Off-Road gets an electronic locking differential to achieve a true 50/50 rear wheel power split. It has updated Crawl Control to give you better low-speed, high-gear cruising over rocks. The Multi-Terrain Select drive mode system has settings for both the high and low transfer case gears.
Other settings you’ll love on the 4Runner TRD Off-Road include Hill Start Assist Control, which fires the engine without rolling down steep inclines, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, which shows important vehicle data. The 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium adds a few more off-roading amenities, like heated side mirrors that keep clear in chilly weather.
The TRD Pro: Designed to Fly
Taking a page from Toyota’s history on the Baja racing scene, the TRD Pro offers everything from the TRD Off-Road and then some. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain and MTM system are standard, and the suspension—which includes FOX high-performance shocks and special front springs—has been specially tuned for going fast when the course isn’t smooth.
It has 33-inch all-terrain Toyo tires to improve grip and ground clearance, plus an aluminum front skid plate to protect the engine. The cherries on the sundae are an integrated roof rack to carry cargo and dual-zone climate control to keep everyone cozy no matter what Mother Nature is doing.
The Trailhunter: An Overlanding Beast
This is the newest trim level for the Toyota 4Runner—and it’s the piece de resistance for anyone who wants to enjoy a long journey. Here are just some of the ways the 4Runner Trailhunter is equipped for heavy-duty off-roading:
- The ARB Old Man Emu 2.5-inch forged shocks offer the most stable ride possible.
- The shocks combine with the 33-inch tires to give you two more inches of front clearance and 1.5 inches of rear clearance compared to other trims.
- The 20-inch LED light bar with color-selectable Rigid fog lamps gives you amazing visibility to travel late into the night.
- Multiple steel skid plates and rock rails offer maximum protection from the hazards of the forest and desert.
- The high-mount, low-profile engine air intake gives the engine cooler and cleaner air, meaning a moderate power boost and less dirt to ruin your powerplant.
- The 2400W AC power inverter with three auxiliary switches means you can add all the accessories you need, from winches to air mattress pumps.
In short, the 2025 4Runner Trailhunter is a mean machine right from the factory. Plenty of genuine Toyota and aftermarket components are available for a personalized experience.
On Point for Off-Roading
After 15 years of the dependable fifth-generation 4Runner, the off-road community was undoubtedly eager yet hesitant to see what a new edition would bring. I’m happy to report that it’s everything that loyalists could have hoped for. Whether you’re a more casual off-roader or someone who’s looking for a new event vehicle, there’s a version of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner that will happily be your steed.
