Official Reveal Thread 2025 6th gen 4Runner

[trainman605]

You can look at the new Gen 6 as compared it to the Gen 5 and see all the differences that the new model will have, new Turbo engine, 8 spd trans, every electronic device that the Gen 5 didn't have, plus a new body styling. Now is this a good thing, or not, remember the Gen 5 has been a very good model and making it better is going to take some top work from Toyota to make the Gen 6 that much better. Since we don't have much to compare it to the 2024 Tacoma is pretty much it for now and if you are ok with it then the new 4 Runner should work for you. I realize you don't have any longevity on this vehicle, so I guess time will tell, as all vehicles have to go through the test of time. My personal feeling on this is, the Gen 5 is proved itself over the years and you will not be able to take that away from it and 4 Runner buyers will always know this and will keep the Gen 5 high in price because the value is there.

 

[TK-422]

I do not think it looks bad at all. The extra curvature on the sides looks nice to me. Switching out the tried and true 4.0 V6 for an over stressed 4 cylinder is definite no go for me.

That and it will cost twice as much as my low mileage 2015 makes me willing to keep mine forever. Being retired and only having to fill up once a month really helps.

 

[phillyd2]

For fun, I went back and looked at the reveal thread of the refreshed 5th gen...

Ha - Good One. And while all that may be true after 13 years I still miss the V8. For me the Four may just be a bridge too far......

 

[probos]

It looks good, but I'm not massively impressed. IMO, front end is too much like the Tacoma. Lost some of it's own character. I'm sure they will sell a bunch.

 

[02SE]

I'm not liking the wheel flares that don't extend all the way to the bottom of the wheel wells. It looks stupid, but the RAV4 has the same look.

I'm not big on the short space behind the seats, if you want the floor flat. That would necessitate unbolting the rear seats and removing them from the vehicle, if I wanted to sleep in back.

Better fuel economy would be nice, but it will likely have a smaller gas tank. So the need to carry extra fuel remains.

I don't like the tablet stuck on the dash look.

Unless it really impresses in person, I'll likely stick with my 5th gen TRD ORP.

 

[Surfinguru]

All I can say is I'm REALLY glad I picked up a '24 ORP in January.

 

[KimchiJae]

Yters have to be nicer to their 4runner as they borrow for "friendly" reviews. I want to see careless yters to push beyond runner's limit. I liked to watch that tfl to beat up and poked around the cars but the brand companies raged about their abuse with their cars. I hope tfl will make raw reviews about 4runner or I would have to unsubscribe their channels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=x86yzrczjImoNWaf&v=RDcOOoDqcto&feature=youtu.be

Throttle House went ham with their Land Cruiser press car. Despite Thomas' best efforts, the Land Cruiser still got them back home.

 

[4runner4J]

Yters have to be nicer to their 4runner as they borrow for "friendly" reviews. I want to see careless yters to push beyond runner's limit. I liked to watch that tfl to beat up and poked around the cars but the brand companies raged about their abuse with their cars. I hope tfl will make raw reviews about 4runner or I would have to unsubscribe their channels.

That's why I always view these first drive reviews with a huge grain of salt. I mean they fly these guys in, put them up in nice hotels and feed them nice food. What else are they gonna do once they talk about the cars other than be nice. Their literal livelihoods are at stake if they dog on the vehicle and don't get invited back to future press drives.

 

[young]

That's why I always view these first drive reviews with a huge grain of salt. I mean they fly these guys in, put them up in nice hotels and feed them nice food. What else are they gonna do once they talk about the cars other than be nice. Their literal livelihoods are at stake if they dog on the vehicle and don't get invited back to future press drives.

Yeah, they screwed the subie car really good years ago but today, they would have to be nicer to them if they could borrow their subies and take it easy on them. I think Subie is still not too happy with them but other tubers still screw their new subies as soon as they come out. whatever.

 

[johnbt]

"All I can say is I'm REALLY glad I picked up a '24 ORP in January."

I avoided the rush and bought my '23 ORP in July.

I put it in the garage for 2 weeks and drove my '16 to Ocracoke Island for two weeks before my stepson got it. He was there for a week with his family so fair is fair.

 

[Buckfever]

Saw a black render of the Pro. Not horrible.

Fun colors for 2025 4Runner TRD PRO, Trailhunter, Platinum Trims -- previews | Page 2 | 2025 4Runner Forum (6th Gen) News, Specs, Models - 2.4L, Hybrid, TRD Pro, Trailhunter, Platinum, TRD Off-Road, SR5, Limited -- 4Runner6G.com

 

[Buckfever]

So when I build a 2024 4runner Off-Road with the kdss I get to ~ 51. Figuring the sdm as an option should price around the same. I got to believe that with the hybrid it's got to be 5k more. So ~ 56?

There's nostalgia for sure but I don't know.

 

[Buckfever]

Also one interesting note and I don't know what it means but around here they are discounting the 2024s.

 

[perf0rmance]

I think the biggest takeaway is the much needed power upgrade. 465 torque is solid.

The looks will grow on people like they do with every other car. Look at how people hated the new M4's at first.

the new M4 is still ugly to me LOL
and that's based on my F80 M3 ownership hahaha.

While the 6th gen isn't perfect, I kinda dig the new look. I wish it main stauche was angled more like the taco though

 

[Hitman]

....Over the years most of the mainstream branded, midsize, off-road oriented two-row SUVs have fallen by the wayside such as the Nissan XTerra and Chevy S-10 Blazer, leaving the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco as the main competition to the 4Runner.

I always chuckle when I see people saying that the 4Runner competes with the Wrangler and the Bronco. It's not in the same class. The 4Runner competes against the Grand Cherokee. That's really the only direct competitor remaining.

I was hoping that the 6th gen 4Runner was built to compete with Wrangle and Bronco, but unfortunately that's not the case.

 

[Hitman]

the new M4 is still ugly to me LOL

Same here. That beaver teeth grill looked bad when it first came out and it still looks terrible today. Everyone said it will grow on me. It hasn't. Not even a little bit.

 

[TexasFunRunner]

I always chuckle when I see people saying that the 4Runner competes with the Wrangler and the Bronco. It's not in the same class. The 4Runner competes against the Grand Cherokee. That's really the only direct competitor remaining.

I was hoping that the 6th gen 4Runner was built to compete with Wrangle and Bronco, but unfortunately that's not the case.

Yes, but...

Many could care less to ever take the roof or doors off a Bronco or Jeep. So they are simply there to increase wind noise and provide free leaks.

Only 10% to 20% will ever use their "off-roader" in extreme off-road conditions, such as the Rubicon trail or in the extremes of Moab. For the other 80% to 90% of owners, their choice is more about utility, higher ride stance, looks, or just knowing it will take them down a fire trail to the campsite.

Having been on both Jeep and Bronco forums, once you get past the diehard Jeep or Bronco fanboys, there are many members who have owned or are returning to a 4Runner.

Yes, the 4Runner is competition to the Jeep and Bronco, for many, many shoppers.

 

[Jetboy]

For me the 4Runner sits half way between the Bronco/Wrangler and Jeep GC. Toyota doesn't build a direct competitor in either of those two segments. Nor does Jeep or Ford sell a 4Runner competitor in the USA market. Ford does build and sell the Everest that is pretty similar to a 4Runner segment globally. But not in the USA. I don't think anything globally in the Jeep world is similar. In my view the closest direct competitor to the Wrangler in the toyota corporate umbrella is the Subaru outback. It's very similar structurally.

Anyway - 4Runner overlaps the jeep/bronco market. I think this moves the needle that way with 35's fitting stock and 37's being pretty easy to bolt on.

I do think Toyota is missing the "fun" part of the market without any removeable top. That's what really separates the Bronco and Wrangler from all others.

I also think the 4R will out perform the Bronco offroad in some conditions. The rear suspension is significantly superior on the 4Runner. The coilover design on the Bronco is a real bummer. It effectively eliminates the benefit of a solid axle while keeping most of the negatives. To maximize the benefits of a solid axle the springs need to be inboard and shocks ideally put outboard as far as possible. Toyota's rear axle coil design is better. Wrangler is also similar to the Toyota design. I think a 4Runner with 37s will be pretty comparable to the Bronco or Wrangler on the trails overall.

 

[Quentin]

For me the 4Runner sits half way between the Bronco/Wrangler and Jeep GC. Toyota doesn't build a direct competitor in either of those two segments. Nor does Jeep or Ford sell a 4Runner competitor in the USA market. Ford does build and sell the Everest that is pretty similar to a 4Runner segment globally. But not in the USA. I don't think anything globally in the Jeep world is similar. In my view the closest direct competitor to the Wrangler in the toyota corporate umbrella is the Subaru outback. It's very similar structurally.

Anyway - 4Runner overlaps the jeep/bronco market. I think this moves the needle that way with 35's fitting stock and 37's being pretty easy to bolt on.

I do think Toyota is missing the "fun" part of the market without any removeable top. That's what really separates the Bronco and Wrangler from all others.

I also think the 4R will out perform the Bronco offroad in some conditions. The rear suspension is significantly superior on the 4Runner. The coilover design on the Bronco is a real bummer. It effectively eliminates the benefit of a solid axle while keeping most of the negatives. To maximize the benefits of a solid axle the springs need to be inboard and shocks ideally put outboard as far as possible. Toyota's rear axle coil design is better. Wrangler is also similar to the Toyota design. I think a 4Runner with 37s will be pretty comparable to the Bronco or Wrangler on the trails overall.

I rode in a bronco at the new york international auto show. It seemed to flex pretty well, especially once they hit the swaybar disconnect. Admittedly didn't have a 4Runner to compare against.

 

[Jetboy]

I rode in a bronco at the new york international auto show. It seemed to flex pretty well, especially once they hit the swaybar disconnect. Admittedly didn't have a 4Runner to compare against.

It's not so much the range of travel but the load distribution while articulating. If you put the springs all the way out at the ends of the axle beam, you don't take advantage of the potential of the beam to use the lever arm to help distribute the weight side to side.

This is a copy and paste from another discussion, but it explains the issue fairly well I think:

In a simple scenario where you have a 72" track width and springs with a constant spring rate mounted inboard at 48" width (1 foot in from each WMS), and a spring rate of 200lb/in and the axle is bearing the weight of 2500lb. On a level surface each tire is loaded with 1,250lb of weight.

Now let's assume an obstacle where frame remains level and one tire is on top of a 12" rock. So the axle system will be put at a 9.56* angle.

With a solid axle modeled as a continuous beam with two point loads (springs) and supported ends (tires) the force on the tire displaced upward will be 1783lb and the force on the down side will be 717 lbs. (The springs will be displaced 4" up on one side and 4" down on the other, but that does not calculate the ground force distribution which will be a more complex, but not terribly complex, beam with asymmetrical point loads).

With coilovers like the Bronco uses if we took an extreme assumption to better tease out the issue - let's assume that each coilover was attached to the very end point of the axle beam. The axle would not transfer any of the force from one side to the other. The force on the upper tire will be 2450lb and the lower tire will be 50lb.

In both of those examples the tires always stay on the ground. They flex the same amount. Visually it would look pretty similar. But in terms of load distribution - the inboard spring design performs much better. And that translates to significantly less imbalance on the vehicle body, less body motion as you travel over obstacles (less head toss and more stability), and ideally better overall confidence and traction as the tires remain more balanced.

It's a balancing act though because as you move the springs inward you also reduce the inherent stability to resist body roll in corners or on sidehills. The solution for that is KDSS or similar anti-roll mechanisms. That's why the Toyota KDSS system paired with the inboard coils was a really great overall performer. Especially as implemented in the LC300 and should be in the GX550.