Toyota’s new lineup of SUVs and trucks is a powerful punch. The new designs for Toyota’s Sequoia as well as the Tundra are an enormous improvement over the previous generation models. The 2024 Tacoma changes the mid-size pickup market. The only model in need of an update will be that of the Toyota 4Runner. Toyota is likely to release the updated version in 2025 in the coming months. Similar to its frame-on-frame-body siblings it is expected that the brand updated 4Runner will also receive many improvements all over the all-inclusive. The most significant improvement over the current model is the addition of the iFORCE MAX hybrid powertrain.
2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid Review
At present, there are a handful of mid-sized SUVs across North America that offer serious off-road performance. From those just the Jeep Wrangler is available with an electric hybrid engine in its 4xe version. It’s a great option because it provides amazing off-road performance and decent MPGs. The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid is a new model, featuring a hybrid engine, off-road capabilities, and numerous other upgrades that could be Wrangler 4xe’s top competitor. There’s a long way to go until Toyota announces the brand-new 4Runner hybrid. Our Digital Artist house Timothy Adry Emmanuel has come up with a stunning image of the upcoming version of Toyota’s most popular SUV will appear like!
Powertrain
A 4.0-liter V6 engine powers the latest generation 4Runner. It produces 270 horsepower and 278 pounds of torque. This is an old powertrain that’s been performing its job beneath the hood of this mid-sized SUV for some time now. As with most Toyota engines that are six-pot, this one is also quite sturdy and reliable. But this unit is woefully underpowered compared to the more modern powertrains of 4Runner’s rivals and certainly down on fuel economy. EPA evaluates the current generation of the Toyota pickup at 16 MPG within city driving as well as 19 MPG when driving.
The updated version will come with Toyota’s hybrid i-FORCE MAX powertrain. For both the Sequoia and Tundra models, it’s a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged engine that’s paired with an electric motor producing 437 horsepower. The newly designed 4Runner will be a smaller version of this configuration. We would recommend the 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four out of 2024’s Tacoma. In this model, Toyota has added the 48-hp electric motor in between the turbo four-cylinder as well as the eight-speed auto to create an overall system output of 326 horses and 478 pounds of torque.
Specs
Toyota hasn’t yet released official figures for fuel efficiency for the upcoming Tacoma at this time. However, the i-FORCE MAX engines that are in the new Sequoia and Tundra significantly increased the average MPG. The new mid-sized truck could see similar results. If Toyota decides to use its hybrid powertrain on the brand-new 4Runner. This will aid in boosting its fuel efficiency and performance as well!
With its low mileage on gas and its old V6 engine, the 4Runner’s older V6 is not a match for the Wrangler 4xe’s powerful 375 hp plug-in hybrid engine. It is powered by an engine that is turbocharged and is paired with two electric motors. EPA puts the 4xe’s efficiency at 49 MPGe. This 14.0 kWh of battery capacity is able to allow 21 miles of pure electric driving. However, once the butternut of fuel and the gasoline engine is four-pot, it can only produce 20 MPG. This is two MPG less than the Wrangler’s non-hybrid model.
The brand new 4Runner will offer improved fuel economy and consistent performance when paired with the standard hybrid configuration and is a good option to replace the 4xe. In terms of appearance, hybrid variants of the mid-sized SUV will look similar to other models in its lineup. As with Emmanuel’s renderings, they will sport Toyota’s “Hybrid’ badge across the top of the rear quarter panel as well as the lid of the boot.
Redesign
The brand-new 4Runner is closely linked to the refreshed Tacoma. The hybrid engine is available in the mid-sized Tacoma’s TRD Pro grade for 2024. This is likely to be the case for the updated 4Runner as well. That means you don’t have to compromise your gas mileage when you opt for this off-road version of the mid-sized SUV when it is released. The new generation 4Runner TRD Pro will likely feature the same all-terrain package as the Tacoma TRD Pro. It comes with a reversible 2.5-inch FOX bypass shock and a brand-new multi-link suspension at the rear.
The upgraded Tacoma TRD Prbrand-newnches of ground clearance, and is 3 inches longer than the standard SR5. It rides on a 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tire that is designed to take on the most 33-inch off-road terrains. Also, the front plate for skids has an ARB metal bumper in the back that has s for recovering. The off-road-ready Tacoma comes with the ‘IsoDynamic’ front seats which utilize an air-over-oil shock-absorbing system to provide a better performance on rough terrains. Toyota states that these improvements make the TRD Pro a brand new TRD Pro perfect for high-speed desert trails.
This off-road gear is likely to make its way into the brand new 4Runner TRD Pro, turning it into a serious rival for Wrangler 4xebrand-newr 4xe. It will require all this equipment as the plug-the-in hybrid Wrangler comes in the Rubicon package, which provides serious off-the-pavement capabilities. Steel bumpers, gritty off-road tires, rear and front locking differentials, underneath body armor, and disabling suspension bars enhance the Wrangler 4xe’s off-road performance. With the 2024 update, it comes with high-performance DANA axles, which make fitting larger tires a breeze.
Emmanuel’s rendering is like what a brand-new 4Runner TRD Pro could appear to be. The styling on the exterior is sharper than the model we have today and similar to the design we saw on the new Tathan. The front is an aggressive design, with massive paneling for the body, as well as a massive skid plate that reaches with out from under the vehicle. The massive off-road tires that have TRD caps on the center as well as the hefty fenders look cool. The rear bumper also features an edgy design with a roof that is floating. The suspension linkage, which is wild, extends from underneath the rear bumper giving this SUV a look of a wild and beautiful.
Fuel Economy
There are two models: the 4Runner, as well as the Wrangler, which are both popular choices for people who like to overland. Although the Wrangler 4xe can make a convincing case due to its gas-electric efficiency and fuel efficiency The next-generation 4Runner that comes equipped with it’s Trailhunter feature will put it in a class in its own. It will also feature the hybrid powertrain i-FORCE MAX as a standard feature of the latest Tacoma Trailhunter. It will also get impressive fuel efficiency. However, it will get a Toyota-backed landing kit right from the factory.
Safety
Similar to the Tacoma Similar to the Tacoma Trailhunter option the 4Runner would also include off-road components. This would include added shocks, under-body safety, all-terrain tires as well and a raised height of the ride. These upgrades will be different in comparison to Tro. TRD Pro grade. In addition, Toyota will likely offer more accessories manufactured by well-known manufacturers of landing equipment through its dealerships. This will save you the hassle of visiting several stores to equip your 4Runner for future outdoor adventures.
2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid Price & Release Date
As with the new Sequoia, Toyota could offer the iFORCE MAX hybrid configuration as a standard feature throughout the models of the 4Runner that has been updated. It would be possible to buy one straight out of the SR5 class that is base. The new 4Runner is likely to fall within the same price category as its predecessor. Prices will be between $40,000 for the entry-level trim, to $60,000 for the top-of-the-line TRD Pro. This puts the next-generation 4Runner hybrid within the range that is within the Wrangler 4xe model that we anticipate to range between $45,000 and $70,000 on Sport 4xe to $70,000 when it comes to the fully loaded Rubicon 4xe.
As you know the Toyota 4Runner is getting long in the tooth, and the possibility of a revamp is nearly sure to prevent taking down the beloved off-roader completely. Expect a brand new efficient, high-performance powertrain that includes hybrid components, as well as the latest technological and safety features. It will need to be an extremely durable and reliable machine however, there is an ardent fan base for the 4Runner’s go-anywhere capabilities up to the present, despite its old powerplant and basic features.
Toyota seems to have a fondness for preserving famous nameplates and models that have been successful for example, when they were able to keep the Land Cruiser discontinued in 2021 in North America, Toyota teased America by bringing back the same model, but with a completely new design. The new model will be based on the diminutive Lexus GX platform and use the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 326 horsepower. If the 4Runner utilizes an engine from the GX’s 3.4-liter hybrid engine, it will be able to boost the power by a little bit, up to 349 horsepower.