2025 Toyota 4Runner Review // Decisions, Decisions

[Dragoon]

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The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter is fully new and now comes with a hybrid option to complement its 2.4 L 4-cylinder turbo engine. In this Trailhunter trim, it comes with 326 hybrid horsepower and 465 lb ft of torque, along with all sorts of overlanding focused upgrades. This includes Old Man Emu shocks, a stabilizer disconnect mechanism, and 33 inch all terrain Toyo tires. Thomas is currently trying to decide between the new 4Runner and the Landcruiser to replace his daily driver. How does the 4Runner compare? And why is he leaning towards the Toyotas over their competitors? Thomas and James can’t wait to find out! We hope you enjoy the episode.

 

[neema2k]

That's one ugly hag. Skip to 7th gen.

 

[Matsayz]

So many trim leves but once you get the hybrid-engine it just comes down to the look of the 4Runner vs Land Cruiser. I prefer the Land Cruiser, as Thomas mentioned... the front of the 4Runner just looks like it's been working out too much. I'm excited to see what Thomas purchased, I think it's a 1958 LC

 

[PACruiser]

The new 4Runner looks great. However, notice how the reviews for the i-FORCE Max hybrid system on the LC were horrible and the ones for the 6th gen 4Runner all faun over how smooth, peppy, and fuel efficient it is.

Hmmnnnn.....?

 

[Esquire]

The new 4Runner looks great. However, notice how the reviews for the i-FORCE Max hybrid system on the LC were horrible and the ones for the 6th gen 4Runner all faun over how smooth, peppy, and fuel efficient it is.

Hmmnnnn.....?

Because very few of these "reviewers" have actually owned any Land Cruiser...old or new. All they do is parakeet what the others have said. Namely, that every LC should have a V8. The V8 in the L200 was actually a dog that couldn't get out of its own way and roared like an old farm harvester.
People like the 4Runner because it is more affordable and people don't relate to Land Cruises as they are more expensive to buy and operate.

Think how many 911's get rave reviews when the have an improved model....none of them. They're no longer air cooled; they are getting bigger and bigger and don't handle well anymore; The IMS bearing grenades on every single 911 costing millions of dollars to repair. The list goes on and on.

People typically don't learn anything because they start yacking without education on the product they are trying to make a couple of bucks from another worn out YouTube video.

 

[Esquire]

That's one ugly hag. Skip to 7th gen.

The new 4Runner looks too much like a muscle head / college kid SUV.

 

[ptahkeem]

Basically it boils down to what you want in terms of:
-looks
-headroom or lack thereof
-full time 4WD or part time 4WD
-maturity level(lol)

The chassis, wheelbase, powertrain are the same essentially. 4Runner, Fortuner, LC Prado, Hilux, and Tacoma are all generally the same vehicle.

 

[bgeorger]

The integrated flashlight and portable speaker is super neat and I wish it was on the LC. Also, the camera system seems to be much better than what we got.

This was seen on Doug Demuro's review.

 

[Matsayz]

The integrated flashlight and portable speaker is super neat and I wish it was on the LC. Also, the camera system seems to be much better than what we got.

This was seen on Doug Demuro's review.

Yeah, wtf is up with the camera system? Is it because of the two different screens?

I'm coming from a Tesla Model 3 so when I see the reverse camera I'm super disappointed in the resolution

 

[Noctilucent]

The integrated flashlight and portable speaker is super neat and I wish it was on the LC. Also, the camera system seems to be much better than what we got.

This was seen on Doug Demuro's review.

A removable speaker and lantern are total gimmicks. If you need one, just research and buy exactly what you want, then store it in the Cruiser or wherever you prefer. Features like these only water down the 4Runner, catering more to the ''Whoa bro, fr fr'' Brocelli head crowd imo

 

[LChopeful]

A removable speaker and lantern are total gimmicks. If you need one, just research and buy exactly what you want, then store it in the Cruiser or wherever you prefer. Features like these only water down the 4Runner, catering more to the ''Whoa bro, fr fr'' Brocelli head crowd imo

I would tend to agree, but apparently the speaker is continuously charged and the battery is hardened to resist heat/cold. Kinda cool. The lantern doesn't appear to be hooked up to anything. I wonder if you need to replace the batteries once in a while or whether it will light up when you actually need it.

 

[Esquire]

A removable speaker and lantern are total gimmicks. If you need one, just research and buy exactly what you want, then store it in the Cruiser or wherever you prefer. Features like these only water down the 4Runner, catering more to the ''Whoa bro, fr fr'' Brocelli head crowd imo

Very much agreed. Land Cruiser has never been into gimmicks. Those flashlights have been in BMWs and Jeep Grand Cherokees for years and then they both quit installing them as they quit working after one cold winter. And they were just not needed.

 

[TheBat]

The integrated flashlight and portable speaker is super neat and I wish it was on the LC. Also, the camera system seems to be much better than what we got.

This was seen on Doug Demuro's review.

The Grumpy Old Man part of me sees most gimmicky things as a waste, BUT, my 2010 4Runner had the "Party Mode" button and although completely a gimmick it made me smile that boring Toyota would include such a thing, so I guess I'm all for some gimmickry after all. I'll allow it

 

[jnsplace]

I don't need anything on my dash that temps someone to break in. I mean, it's cool but I doubt I'd ever use it.

Frankly, back when the LC was announced, I had a deposit on one. Then the price and etc, made me look at the 4R, I moved my deposit there. THEN the production delays had me looking at a LC again. Obviously from the profile pic, I have an LC now.
Frankly, I don't have any regrets. LC is a lovely drive. My entire family likes the car.

To each their own

 

[AustinLC250]

Yeah, wtf is up with the camera system? Is it because of the two different screens?

I'm coming from a Tesla Model 3 so when I see the reverse camera I'm super disappointed in the resolution

I came from a 92 FJ80, so these cameras are fantastic!

Also, I think the LC is much better looking than the new 4runner. In my opinion.

 

[Jayhawk78]

Trailhunter model doesn't start at $40k, it starts at $68k.

 

[Area 51]

The Forerunner is a less sophisticated vehicle.
Smaller and less robust when you get underneath.
For more off road a searious build a good way to go. It will never be a Cruiser on road.
Less interior space front and rear.
A great second vehicle and keep the new Cruiser nice.

 

[HDHunterMatt]

Because very few of these "reviewers" have actually owned any Land Cruiser...old or new. All they do is parakeet what the others have said. Namely, that every LC should have a V8. The V8 in the L200 was actually a dog that couldn't get out of its own way and roared like an old farm harvester.
People like the 4Runner because it is more affordable and people don't relate to Land Cruises as they are more expensive to buy and operate.

Think how many 911's get rave reviews when the have an improved model....none of them. They're no longer air cooled; they are getting bigger and bigger and don't handle well anymore; The IMS bearing grenades on every single 911 costing millions of dollars to repair. The list goes on and on.

People typically don't learn anything because they start yacking without education on the product they are trying to make a couple of bucks from another worn out YouTube video.

You clearly know nothing about 911's when you refer to, and I quote you, "The IMS bearing grenades on every single 911" now this is being a true parakeet

 

[Esquire]

You clearly know nothing about 911's when you refer to, and I quote you, "The IMS bearing grenades on every single 911" now this is being a true parakeet

I've been around a couple of 911's.

 

[Altitude]

You clearly know nothing about 911's when you refer to, and I quote you, "The IMS bearing grenades on every single 911" now this is being a true parakeet

Pretty sure he was satirizing the overreaction of the auto community around that particular Porsche issue, not being literal.