Toyota 4Runner (2025) Review

The previous 4Runner was sold new for fifteen years and people kept buying it, which tells you how narrow and loyal this market is. The replacement modernises without betraying it. The ladder frame stays, the rear window still drops into the tailgate, the shape is still boxy and upright, and the off road hardware on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter versions is serious rather than decorative. The 2.4 litre turbo four makes 278 horsepower, which is both quicker and more economical than the ancient V6 it replaces, and the optional hybrid adds torque low down where it matters on a trail.

The eight speed automatic is a large improvement on the old five speed. It is still a truck. The ride is firm and busy on broken pavement, wind noise builds on the motorway, and mid twenties economy is poor by any car standard. Interior quality improved a lot but remains functional. None of that matters much against the ownership numbers, because Toyota reliability, cheap servicing and the strongest resale values in the segment mean the total cost of owning one is remarkably low.