First Look At The All-New 6th Gen Toyota 4Runner (2024)

It’s Finally Here! Here’s Our First Look At The All-New 4Runner!

After a decade and a half, Toyota has FINALLY revealed to us, their new 6th Generation 4Runner! I was insanely lucky enough to have been invited out to California this past week, to get hands-on content for all of you to bring you this new vehicle. I’m not going to lie, I was a bit nervous going into this week, unaware of what it had in store for me, or even what this new 4R looked like. The reason is that the outgoing 5th Gen is so iconic. That model will go down in history as one of the best 4Runners that Toyota has ever offered, so needless to say, this new 6th Gen has some massive shoes to fill.

“This all-new 4Runner has incredible versatility and capability that nicely rounds out our truck family story. We’ve sold over 3 million in the 40 years it has been on sale, and this sixth-generation model offers a cool new look and incredible features, yet retains the rugged style and capability our customers love about this icon of adventure.”
– Dave Christ, Toyota group vice president and general manager.

Toyota clearly recognized this as well, and let me know you, they knocked the new design outta the park. The cherry on top? We will still get a 4R made in Japan too! They are keeping true to the DNA of previous generations.

In this article, I will break down both the exterior and interior changes, along with the new powertrain options that this vehicle receives. Two new trim levels also join the lineup, so we will touch on those as well.

As of right now, there are no packaging details, price, MPG numbers, etc… We only have our first brief look at this new icon.

Finally, here is the official Forum for the 2025+ 4Runner (https://6thgen4runner.com/) and the Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/6thgen4runner). We will be posting a ton of exclusive content on the forum and Facebook group soon.

New Exterior Design

Well, I’m glad to see that it looks like a 4Runner, as it should. This new 6th Gen literally looks like a proper evolution of the current 5th Gen which most of us know and love. This is especially true as you look down the side of this vehicle towards the rear quarter panel. The evolution continues as you make your way around back to the newly redesigned hatch, which is also finally an automatic lift gate! I know, stop the world, modern tech in a 4Runner.

Toyota Michigan-based CALTY designers pulled inspiration from past generations of 4R by integrating a feature from the first and second generations by bringing back the legacy “wrap over” quarter glass, and of the popular roll-down rear window stays. It’s no secret too that this vehicle was designed alongside the Tacoma to share a brand/family resemblance, but Toyota made them both unique in their own way.

“Designing the legendary 4Runner began with identifying its unique and memorable aspects linked to fun, outdoor recreation. Inspired by Baja desert racing, the high lift, lean body, big tire, and rugged athleticism define the core of 4Runner’s go anywhere purpose”.
Calty President, Kevin Hunter.

Photos never do new vehicles justice at all. You have to see them in person to get a good sense of what they look like. I thought that the new 4Runner looked good when I first saw it. In photos, however, I don’t care for the front end a whole lot, however in person, it looks really good. When I first laid eyes on it, I said, “Yep, that’s a freaking 4Runner”. The interior though, well, that’s another story…

New Updated Interior

So, Toyota mentioned that the new 4Runner retained its own identity even though it was designed hand-in-hand with the new 4th Gen Tacoma, while true with the exterior, this could not be less true when it comes to the interior. This new 6th Gen is pretty identical to the new Taco when you step inside of it. Thankfully though, since this vehicle is built in Japan, the materials used (at least in the prototype models that I saw), were a bit higher quality than those used on the Tacoma. The soft-touch materials seemed more premium along the plastics felt a bit sturdier. Aside from that, the rest of the interior is essentially identical to the new Tacoma.

More Trim Level Options

For the new 2025 Model year, 2 more trim levels have been added to the lineup in addition to all of our returning favorites. That makes nine grades now available including SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off Road Premium, Limited, TRD Pro, and lastly the two new models, Trailhunter & Platinum. The first-ever Platinum grade will be high-end luxury and slot itself above the once top-of-the-line Limited grade. I’m curious to see how much more luxurious the Platinum will be over the Limited. The new Trailhunter has some ARB and Old Man Emu bits to help it stand out among the other models offered in the lineup.

Improved Powertrain

New Engine & Transmission

Well V6 lovers, I am sorry, the legendary 4.0L is gone and in its place is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder offering 278 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of torque. This new 4cyl is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. So if you are following along with Toyota’s latest vehicles, this is the same i-FORCE powertrain that was introduced with the 4th Gen Tacoma. The SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and Limited grades will come standard with this setup. The new 4R also gets an i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain option as well. This package is available on TRD Off-Road and Limited, while standard on the TRD Pro, Trailhunter, and Platinum models. This hybrid option makes 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque which is insane.

Off-Road Upgrades

The new 4R added even more off-road capability for this new generation. The newly available Stabilizer Bar Disconnect Mechanism increases suspension articulation at the push of a button. This feature will most likely just be available on TRD OR, Pro, and Trailhunter models. This allows the vehicle to flex while helping keep tires in contact with the trail, kinda acting as a pseudo locker for the front allowing to keep contact with the ground and traction to the tires. The new 4Runner still retains its rear locking diff as well as a center locking diff on full-time 4WD models.

We have a 32-degree approach and 24-degree departure angles with this new design. The Multi-Terrain Select system now functions in both 4WD-High and 4WD-Low. Lastly, we get the new, quieter CRAWL Control function. Gone are the days of loud ABS banking and clanking. This new version is super quiet and works super well on my Tacoma, so I’m sure it will be amazing here on the new 4R.

Increased Towing

The frame is also all-new from the ground up and is built on Toyota’s global TNGA-F platform which is shared with Tacoma, Land Cruiser, Tundra, and Sequoia. This platform utilizes a high-strength boxed, steel-ladder frame and features a multi-link coil rear and double wishbone front suspension improving overall ride comfort. This new frame design, paired with the i-FORCE MAX powertrain, allows 4Runner to tow up to 6,000 pounds, which is more than the outgoing 5th Gen.

TRD Jon’s First Impressions

So I refused to look at any photos of this new 4R that Toyota had provided us before seeing it for myself in person. I’m glad I did. I have my raw reaction over on my YouTube, but I was genuinely excited when I saw it. I love the fact that it looked like a 4Runner and the fact that it is still built in Japan. I expected it to have the Tacoma powertrain but wasn’t shocked when there was no manual option mentioned, it’s an SUV so I mean it makes sense. Honestly, my only gripe is just the Tacoma copied interior. I get it that it makes sense from a business standpoint to keep costs down which will hopefully be passed onto us as the customer, but it would have neem nice for it to have its own flare at least up front on the dash.

The TRD Pro and Trailhunter colors were awesome too! I will dive deeper into those later when I have a little more information after the reveal tonight and I pick the designer’s brains on some things. But I think the TRD Pro is calling my name.

Final Thoughts

So, what do you all think? Was it worth the wait? I honestly feel Toyota knocked it out of the park with the design.

They kept it true for us 4Runner enthusiasts and I love that. We should see this new 4Runner later this year, hopefully around October/November timeframe. Will you be picking one op? Let us know in the comments below!