WHAT IT IS: The 2025 Toyota 4Runner will be a completely new SUV, with new powertrains, platform, and design. It will be a big improvement over the current 4Runner, which lags behind the competition when it comes to fuel economy, ride and handling, technology, and powertrains. In order to keep up with the latest body-on-frame SUVs, like the new Ford Bronco, we believe the next-generation Toyota 4Runner will come with a turbo-four base engine and a powerful V-6 hybrid. We wouldn’t be surprised to see an all-electric 4Runner a few years after the next-generation debuts.

WHY IT MATTERS: Despite its age, the 4Runner continues to be a popular vehicle for Toyota. In terms of sales, the 4Runner was sandwiched between the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, as Toyota sold over 120,000 units last year. While that’s a healthy number given how little the 4Runner has changed over the years, it’s a big drop compared to 2021. The new generation will be quite important as the iconic off-roader enters a new era with electrified options. We predict the 2025 Toyota 4Runner to be closely related to the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, which is expected to debut later this year. The new 4Runner will have an all-new interior and exterior design.

We believe the 2025 4Runner will be powered by the 2.4-liter turbo-four that’s currently in the Lexus NX 350, where it makes 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. A detuned version of the i-Force Max Twin Turbo V-6 Hybrid engine, found in the Tundra and Sequoia, could also make its way under the hood of the new 4Runner. Another option is the Hybrid Max powertrain, a 340-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder that powers the Toyota Crown. Recently, Toyota has pushed hybrids to a new level—like making the Sequoia and Sienna hybrid-only vehicles, so we expect the 4Runner to offer some sort of electrification. Besides getting better fuel efficiency, we expect the new 4Runner to have a new suspension setup to make its ride more settled. A new transmission will replace the aging five-speed automatic, and we should also see better off-road performance.

An all-electric 4Runner could also come out a few years after the new model debuts. While Toyota has been quite conservative with rolling out EVs, the automaker recently announced Koji Sato will take over as the new CEO. Sato-san has hinted at revamping EV production, so we could certainly see an all-electric 4Runner in the future. While a Tacoma EV is believed to be in the works, we haven’t seen a 4Runner EV in any of Toyota’s future vehicles, but makes sense given how much they share.

ESTIMATED PRICE: $40,000-$55,000

EXPECTED ON-SALE DATE: Q2 2024