5th Gen 4Runner w/ a Supercharger or 2025 4Runner Hybrid?

[arouth]

Just wondering if there were any preferences here for a 5th get 4Runner with a supercharger vs a 2025 4Runner Hybrid.

Researching putting a Magnuson supercharger which will bring my 4Runner to at least 335hp and 345lb-ft torque and just keeping it long term. I've done lots of updates to my 4Runner (Blisten 5100 shocks, 11 in Sony navigation w/ CarPlay, etc...) so if I did this I would keep it long term vs updating to the new 4Runner in a year or two.

An initial comparison of the 5th gen vs 6th gen, & the new 4Runner is longer, wider, and lower than the previous model, will probably get about 6 mpg better gas mileage, and will be far more powerful with the hybrid. However the 5th gen 4Runner with a supercharger will be lighter than the 2025 model. Also can't speak for the new Tacoma but have heard the Tundra had a lot of growing pains as a new model.

Thoughts either way?

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

I think the general consensus with the 4Runner community is hoping that the issues with the new engines will be worked out before the 6th gens start shipping.
That said, the other opinion is to wait for a model year or 2, and see if those issues are solved, or if others might arise.

My thoughts would be to SC w a good tune on the 5th gen, if reliability is high on your list. From day one, these trucks never really had any mechanical issues. The internal components of the 1GR FE can handle the boost long term. Race engine builders are starting to appreciate the bullet proof design of our V6.

Of course your mileage will be no where near the new hybrids. So with that Capt Obvious statement, I will wish you Good Luck!

 

[rdruss]

Your 5th gen w/supercharger would still be a vehicle familiar to you and much easier to service and repair if necessary, a lot less complex than twin turbos that are barely accessible and hybrid electrics.

 

[arouth]

Just out of curiosity, am I the only one not sure what to think that the 2025 4Runner is longer, wider, and lower than the previous model?

2025 4Runner: Length 194.8 in, Height, 70.8 in, Width 77.8 in
2024 4Runner: Length 190.7 in, Height, 71.5 in, Width 75.8 in

Meanwhile as I wait and see on the new 4Runner still updating my 2015. Potentially putting an aftermarket push button start in. I've extensively modernized my 4Runner to include this SONY XAV-9500ES which is an 11 in touchscreen. Personally feel if I do get the new 4Runner model it might be a few years down the road.

 

[thatoneguy]

No way would I supercharge a 4.0L over the new engines, hybrid or non-hybrid. Your MPG will become trash. Stock 5th gen EPA mpg: 17 combined. 2024 Tacoma EPA MPG: 21mpg combined (nonhybrid), and a more aerodynamic 4Runner might pull 1mpg better than the Taco. And another 1-2mpg if going hybrid.

Supercharging raises the torque curve uniformly everywhere IIRC (in other words, by a certain percentage over prior, everywhere), so while you might make 340 lb-ft max torque... that's only at the same lofty 4400RPM. The lower-end torque will be improved, but it'll still be low.

Contrast that with the 2.4L turbo nonhybrid's 317 lb-ft of torque, which is all the way down at 1700RPM. And if that's not enough... the hybrid slings out 465 lb-ft at the same 1700RPM, more torque and lower than even the old 5.7L V8 made. Putting lipstick on our favorite literal pig, the 1GR 4.0L V6, is not going to create the low-end torque the new engines are capable of.

That said, if you don't care about low end torque, and just want to redline a supercharged 4.0L and hear nice V6 sounds, that's certainly an option.

I love my 4.0L exactly as it sits. I like the new engines too. If I'm ever craving more power and more than 5 gears, I'll go to the new gen with the new engines. Maybe the hybrid for all those many torques.

 

[John in NC]

I'd cool my jets on supercharging the 5th gen. The cost, drop in gas mileage, strain on the transmission, plus it would hurt resale for a lot of future buyers...

What about getting the new 4runner with an extended genuine Toyota warranty? Isn't there a guy on here that gives good deals on extended factory warranties? Food for thought.

 

[20204runnerguy]

Just wondering if there were any preferences here for a 5th get 4Runner with a supercharger vs a 2025 4Runner Hybrid.

Researching putting a Magnuson supercharger which will bring my 4Runner to at least 335hp and 345lb-ft torque and just keeping it long term. I've done lots of updates to my 4Runner (Blisten 5100 shocks, 11 in Sony navigation w/ CarPlay, etc...) so if I did this I would keep it long term vs updating to the new 4Runner in a year or two.

An initial comparison of the 5th gen vs 6th gen, & the new 4Runner is longer, wider, and lower than the previous model, will probably get about 6 mpg better gas mileage, and will be far more powerful with the hybrid. However the 5th gen 4Runner with a supercharger will be lighter than the 2025 model. Also can't speak for the new Tacoma but have heard the Tundra had a lot of growing pains as a new model.

Thoughts either way?

Finding the right tune is key, but you still have the old school Tiptronic-style transmission that's been around for more than 20 years.

 

[trainman605]

Just wondering if there were any preferences here for a 5th get 4Runner with a supercharger vs a 2025 4Runner Hybrid.

Researching putting a Magnuson supercharger which will bring my 4Runner to at least 335hp and 345lb-ft torque and just keeping it long term. I've done lots of updates to my 4Runner (Blisten 5100 shocks, 11 in Sony navigation w/ CarPlay, etc...) so if I did this I would keep it long term vs updating to the new 4Runner in a year or two.

An initial comparison of the 5th gen vs 6th gen, & the new 4Runner is longer, wider, and lower than the previous model, will probably get about 6 mpg better gas mileage, and will be far more powerful with the hybrid. However the 5th gen 4Runner with a supercharger will be lighter than the 2025 model. Also can't speak for the new Tacoma but have heard the Tundra had a lot of growing pains as a new model.

Thoughts either way?

Personally, screwing with a stock vehicle and making it something it wasn't intended to be usually you end up with a lot of dollars wasted, a vehicle that will require you are always messing with it to get what you want to achieve, and kiss your warranty goodby. Plus who would want to buy a used 4 Runner that is not in its factory built condition, isn't that where the value is.

 

[Jetboy]

I'd go for the new one. It'll have a lot more power in the useful rpm range than a supercharged 1GR. It will bolt on 35's with no lift and 37's are easy to fit. It will have about 30% more articulation stock with the SDM. Hybrid will come with a 9.5" rear end. Inverter. Transmission has a lot more range meaning it will both have lower and higher available gear ratios. 1st gear is 25% lower. It'll have a base crawl ratio of about 40:1 vs current 4Runner that's 34:1, but with just a swap of 4.56 gears it would have a crawl ratio of 52:1 and still have the same highway gearing as the current 4Runner. That's a big deal for me.

I think the styling is kinda lame. I don't like the low roof height, long hood, high sills. It's all wrong proportionally for me and it looks like the inside got smaller despite the outside getting bigger. That's my biggest beef. The style/design team did a shit job on the body. The LC250 is a lot better. But for the huge price difference, I'd go LC250. If I end up with one - I'll probably go LC250 or GX550 anyway. Especially if the market forces the prices back to reality (and I think it will). If Toyota would build what I want - it would just be a sequoia with no hybrid system or maybe just sell us an LC250 with no hybrid. With a family I need that extra cargo volume. 5 years ago - the new 4Runner probably would have been my go to.

 

[AZ Craig]

I think the styling is kinda lame. I don't like the low roof height, long hood, high sills. It's all wrong proportionally for me and it looks like the inside got smaller despite the outside getting bigger. That's my biggest beef. The style/design team did a shit job on the body. The LC250 is a lot better. But for the huge price difference, I'd go LC250. If I end up with one - I'll probably go LC250 or GX550 anyway. Especially if the market forces the prices back to reality (and I think it will). If Toyota would build what I want - it would just be a sequoia with no hybrid system or maybe just sell us an LC250 with no hybrid. With a family I need that extra cargo volume. 5 years ago - the new 4Runner probably would have been my go to.

FWIW, the Land Cruiser is already readily available for MSRP in the Phoenix metro. Had a line on 3 of them and test drove one a couple days ago. Unfortunately was not particularly impressed.

 

[phillyd2]

Honestly if anyone needs a supercharger then you may be buying the wrong type of vehicle

 

[AZ Craig]

Honestly if anyone needs a supercharger then you may be buying the wrong type of vehicle

Or you just prefer not having acceleration more typical of a midsize car from 1992.

 

[phillyd2]

Or you just prefer not having acceleration more typical of a midsize car from 1992.

It’s a blocky BOF 4WD Truck for F’s sake. I get that everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die but it won’t hurt to be somewhat realistic.

 

[thatoneguy]

Or you just prefer not having acceleration more typical of a midsize car from 1992.

Could always buy a car if you want car acceleration. Yes, a 2024 4Runner does a pretty much identical 0-60 of a 1994 Honda Accord EX.

My 5th gen is way, way faster than my 3.4L V6 3rd gen was. It's also much, much slower than my 2003 Accord V6 6MT was. It's a truck.

If I'm bent on power, I'll skip the bandaids and go electric.

 

[AZ Craig]

It’s a blocky BOF 4WD Truck for F’s sake. I get that everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die but it won’t hurt to be somewhat realistic.

Maybe it works for you out in Pennsylvania, but trying to maintain 80+ mph through Utah and Idaho in a 5th gen is a pain in the ass (and note, the speed limit is 80).

 

[AZ Craig]

Could always buy a car if you want car acceleration. Yes, a 2024 4Runner does a pretty much identical 0-60 of a 1994 Honda Accord EX.

My 5th gen is way, way faster than my 3.4L V6 3rd gen was. It's also much, much slower than my 2003 Accord V6 6MT was. It's a truck.

If I'm bent on power, I'll skip the bandaids and go electric.

I guess my point was that there are plenty of comparable gas SUVs with 0 to 60 times in the 6 second range or lower. The GX550 has been clocked in the low 6s. The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is clocked in the mid 5s. The Defender 110 is in the high 5s.

0 to 60 times in the 8 second or higher range can be a liability for merging and over taking at high speed. If I'm going to pull out to pass a tractor trailer on a rural 2 lane in Arizona (with a speed limit typically of 65), I don't want to feel like my car is going to explode before crashing into oncoming traffic. That was my point .

 

[jdm-v35]

Maybe it works for you out in Pennsylvania, but trying to maintain 80+ mph through Utah and Idaho in a 5th gen is a pain in the ass (and note, the speed limit is 80).

It's not THAT bad lol. I live in CO and drive through UT and NM decently often to camp. I have done it fully loaded with a RTT as well multiple times. I do have a magnuson now, but it was still doable without it, just is a bit easier now. My mpg did take a hit though

I would not trade in my 2018 and plan to keep it forever, but if I was in the market right now and didn't have the 2018 I would probably wait a year for them to work out issues and consider the 6th gen.

 

[Jetboy]

FWIW, the Land Cruiser is already readily available for MSRP in the Phoenix metro. Had a line on 3 of them and test drove one a couple days ago. Unfortunately was not particularly impressed.

I think they need to be around $45-50k for the 1958 and maybe $55k for the "Land Cruiser" grade for me to be serious about buying one. TBH - I think we'll get there pretty fast. There's no reason they should cost any more than a Limited 4Runner and I tend to think that regardless of MSRP, they'll trend to that price point within a year or two.

I've seen a few pushing $5k under MSRP. cargurus.com <here's one listed at $54k. I think there's still room to go on the down side of MSRP. I'm not impressed at the $65k price point. At $40k - I'd be really impressed. At $50k I might be a buyer. I can buy a Limited trim Tundra 4x4 Crewmax TTv6 for $55k without much effort. The LC250 should be less expensive, especially in base trim.

 

[thatoneguy]

I guess my point was that there are plenty of comparable gas SUVs with 0 to 60 times in the 6 second range or lower. The GX550 has been clocked in the low 6s. The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is clocked in the mid 5s. The Defender 110 is in the high 5s.

0 to 60 times in the 8 second or higher range can be a liability for merging and over taking at high speed. If I'm going to pull out to pass a tractor trailer on a rural 2 lane in Arizona (with a speed limit typically of 65), I don't want to feel like my car is going to explode before crashing into oncoming traffic. That was my point .

I generally disagree with this. It's not like merging and overtaking were impossible in the days before fast SUVs. If you're really going for a dicey two-lane road pass instead of just waiting for a better spot, you paid for the whole tachometer and you can use the whole tachometer. By the way, I bet a 6G 4Runner hybrid will do high speed passes better than an LC250--it's way more aerodynamic, and that REALLY matters at 70+mph.

All of the examples you described cost more than a 4Runner or even base LC250, some significantly so. Spending a lot of money often comes with extra power.

I have driven 95% of state highway miles in Utah. I am unaware of a single onramp where an 8.0 second 0to60 time could put you in harm's way. The 5th gen is a brick limited to a 5-speed transmission--yes, if you demand to go 80-85mph with the A/C on, it might not always hold top gear. I rarely drive my 5th gen with cruise control on--it is poorly calibrated in these vehicles and unnecessarily downshifts the transmission in situations where CC off will not do so. I'm not a speed demon in my 5G. I never cruise about 75mph because I have no interest in doing so. I bleed speed going up steep hills. I go up the top of parleys' canyon at 65mph. Stuff like this is why my lifetime average MPG is above 20; highway, city, offroading and all.

 

[Jetboy]

I lived in Utah the entire time I owned my 5th gen. I never found it unsafe or even slow to the point that I felt like I needed more power in an absolute sense. What I always really wanted was more power at 2k rpms to make the driving experience more comfortable. It's the NVH from higher rpms from the 1GR that I wanted to avoid more than I ever felt like I couldn't go as fast as I wanted. Part of that is the 5 speed. An 8 speed behind the 1GR would have done as much or more to improve the driving experience than a supercharger to me. It's something I find more enjoyable driving the Tundra - the 5.7 isn't a particularly smooth or quiet engine at higher rpms, nor do I use the power very often outside of towing. It's just nice to have it cruise along unstressed without having to think about it. I like the 5th gen 4Runner styling a LOT better than the new one as well as the interior layout. I'd really love to see a low pressure aftermarket turbo option for the 5th gen. Even with only 5psi if it came on at 1200-1500 rpms, it would totally transform that engine for highway cruising comfort levels.

Also for folks who don't know - cruise control in the Tundra is horrendous as well. Maybe even worse at times. In the Tundra if you ever drop into 3rd gear it de-powers the engine to maybe 50% or less. And it would eventually bring you down to a stop I think. It's so bizarre. Where it's most bad is when you're towing at slower speeds. I live in Alaska now and there's lot of mountainous places I tow my travel trailer at speeds of 45-55mph. That's the speed limits in a lot of places. But I can't use cruise control because the inclines often want to drop into 3rd gear - because I'm going 45mph, not because it needs to redline for power up a pass. But when it drops down, all of the sudden it drops the power as though you cut off the cruise control. I'd love to understand what the logic was from Toyota on that one. It's pretty aggravating for me when I'm trying to go 600 miles and can't use cruise control on empty roads going 55mph.