2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid

Overview

The new 2025 Toyota 4Runner marks the arrival of the off-road stalwart's sixth generation, and for the first time, it offers a hybrid powertrain. While we review the nonhybrid model separately, the 4Runner Hybrid is the one with the most off-road capability. The i-Force Max powertrain—which is comprised of a turbocharged four-cylinder and an electric motor—is good for 326 horsepower, a 48-hp increase over the standard gasoline 4runner's turbocharged four-cylinder. The real gains come in the torque department, the hybrid offering 456 pound-feet to the standard model's 317, a significant increase of 139 pound-feet. Otherwise, the 2025 4Runner Hybrid shares in the standard 4Runner's comprehensive list of updates, including fresh but still rugged exterior styling with a traditional rear tailgate with a roll-down rear window and a revised chassis with new suspension geometry, both borrowing liberally from its updated-for-2024 Tacoma sibling. The interior sees similar updates, particularly the infotainment system with an optional 14.0-inch touchscreen, an available 12.3-inch digital instrument display, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Best of all, the new 4Runner hasn't abandoned its core mission of providing factory off-road capability, even in hybrid form, as Toyota has positioned the hybrid-only Trailhunter trim as the most capable of the bunch.

What's New for 2025?

The 4Runner Hybrid is an all-new model for Toyota for 2025. Its architecture is shared with the Tacoma pickup truck and the Land Cruiser SUV. The Trailhunter trim incorporates hardware from some well-known aftermarket companies including ARB and Old-Man Emu. The interior, including the infotainment, is fresh and again follows the precedent of the Tacoma, which was revised for 2024.

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

The 4Runner Hybrid is available in six trim levels, starting with the TRD Off-Road and culminating in the top-spec Trailhunter and TRD Pro. Those models are the most capable of the bunch, as they come decked out with almost every off-road item Toyota has in its arsenal. Still, we prefer the more affordable TRD Off-Road, which might not have all the same goodies as its pricier siblings, but it's still plenty capable.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 4Runner Hybrid's powertrain combines a turbocharged 278-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a 48-horsepower electric motor for a total output of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor is integrated into an eight-speed transmission and relies on a 1.87-kWh battery pack for juice. Toyota notes the hybrid powertrain represents the most power ever in a 4Runner. When we drove the 4Runner Hybrid, we found that the hybrid powertrain is responsive off the line but runs out of steam at higher speeds. The hybrid version is heavier than the base nonhybrid model, but the TRD Pro and Trailhunter versions are still plenty of fun off-road, with a composed chassis and quick steering.

0–60-MPH Times

The 4Runner Hybrid Trailhunter we tested got to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. That's significantly quicker than the old V-6 model, but we don't yet know how it compares to the new nonhybrid model.

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Towing and Payload Capacity

The maximum towing capacity of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner hybrid is 6000 pounds. That's the same as the nonhybrid 4Runner, and a 1000-pound increase over the previous-generation 4Runner, 1500 more than the current Ford Bronco and 1000 more than the Jeep Wrangler'smaximum in Rubicon four-door trim.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA rates the 4Runner hybrid to deliver 23 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined regardless of trim level. That's a bit of a boost over the nonhybrid model, which is rated at 21–22 mpg combined. Once we test the 4Runner Hybrid on our real-world 75-mph highway fuel economy test, we'll update this section with results.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The 4Runner's interior doesn't stray far from the corporate playbook, sharing styling, materials, and switchgear with the Tacoma pickup. The dashboard and infotainment setup are crafted from the same stock, and, along with the seating and functional hardware like door pulls and seat adjusters, retain a purposeful, utilitarian layout. Though the nonhybrid 4Runner has an available third-row seat, we're not sure if it will make it to the hybrid version as the battery pack resides under the cargo floor and it may complicate packaging. Of course, the 4Runner can't match the true roof- and doorless experience of the Bronco and Wrangler, but the roll-down rear window and available sunroof let in enough of the outdoors to put a smile on your face.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

The 4Runner's tech and infotainment systems get a long-overdue upgrade in the 2025 model. The standard 8.0-inch infotainment display runs Toyota's latest software, which in our hands, has proven to be significantly speedier and more intuitive than the previous setup. A larger, 14.0-inch display is optional, as is a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. All models come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, USB-C ports, and a digital key system that lets you lock, unlock, and start the 4Runner via a smartphone app. A wireless smartphone charging pad is optional.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Toyota equips every 4Runner with a suite of driver-assistance features it calls TSS 3.0. This bundle of systems includes basics such as automated emergency braking and lane-departure warning, as well as more advanced offerings such as adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature and a system that can detect if the driver is nonresponsive and bring the 4Runner to a stop if needed. For more information about the 4Runner's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Toyota provides two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, a rarity in this class. The coverage in other categories is less impressive but matches industry norms.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Hybrid components are covered for ten years or 150,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $68,350/$68,350 

POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4, 275 hp, 317 lb-ft + AC motor, 48 hp, 184 lb-ft (combined output: 323 hp, 465 lb-ft; 0.9-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery pack)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/live axle
Brakes, F/R: 13.4-in vented disc/13.2-in vented disc
Tires: Toyo Open Country A/T III
265/70R-18 116H 3PMSF

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 194.9 in
Width: 79.9 in
Height: 74.0 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 56/44 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 83/43 ft³
Curb Weight: 5441 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.3 sec @ 88 mph
100 mph: 21.1 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.8 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 112 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 178 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.74 g 

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 17 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 23/23/24 mpg 

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

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