6th Gen 4Runner news and rumors

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I'm surprised that the 2025 4Runner doesn't come with more capable 4WD system, even in the Trailhunter trim.

There is a significant difference between the 4WD systems of the Land Cruiser and the 4Runner.

The LC has full-time 4WD with Torsen central differential with locking function, 2-speed transfer case and locking rear differential in all trims, starting with the "basic" 1958.

In the 4Runner you have three choices
  • All trims except Limited and SR5: part-time 4WD with 2-speed transfer case and locking rear differential
  • SR5: part-time 4WD with 2-speed transfer case but no rear locker (not even as an option)
  • Limited: full-time 4WD with Torsen central differential with locking function but no 2-speed transfer case nor rear locker
So LC has the ultimate 4WD that offers the best off both worlds: great 4WD traction on highway and very capable 4WD for off-road use.
4Runner on the other hand gives you either good off-road capability but lousy highway traction (RWD in snow is not fun) or good highway traction in the Limited trim, but limited off-road capability.
For me, there is no doubt, LC all the way.
 
If I lived in a place that didn't have snow, southern Arizona, for example, I don't think the Full Time 4WD system would be all that appealing. I live in Northern Utah and enjoy skiing, so a full time 4WD system is potentially useful to me. However, I have lived in northern Utah for 44 years, driving regularly in snow in FWD and 4wd vehicles. Over the last 38 years, I've driven: An FJ40 (part time 4wd), a 2nd gen 4Runner (part time 4wd), a 1st gen Tundra (part time 4wd) and a 2nd gen Tacoma (part time 4wd). I ski on average 40 days a year and so, I drive up and down steep, icey canyon roads and never really felt the need for a full time 4wd or AWD vehicle.

I will be buying a new vehicle in 3-4 years, and have been setting a car payment aside. When the time comes, I will see which I can get a better deal from Toyota or Lexus for: Land Cruiser J250, GX550 Overtrail, or a TRDOR 4Runner.

Full Time 4wd is less of a selling point for me than other features, such as a hybrid drivetrain, locking diffs and multi terrain select feature, and I will most likely buy the vehicle that I can get a significantly lower price on.
 
katekebo said:
I'm surprised that the 2025 4Runner doesn't come with more capable 4WD system, even in the Trailhunter trim.

There is a significant difference between the 4WD systems of the Land Cruiser and the 4Runner.

The LC has full-time 4WD with Torsen central differential with locking function, 2-speed transfer case and locking rear differential in all trims, starting with the "basic" 1958.

In the 4Runner you have three choices
  • All trims except Limited and SR5: part-time 4WD with 2-speed transfer case and locking rear differential
  • SR5: part-time 4WD with 2-speed transfer case but no rear locker (not even as an option)
  • Limited: full-time 4WD with Torsen central differential with locking function but no 2-speed transfer case nor rear locker
So LC has the ultimate 4WD that offers the best off both worlds: great 4WD traction on highway and very capable 4WD for off-road use.
4Runner on the other hand gives you either good off-road capability but lousy highway traction (RWD in snow is not fun) or good highway traction in the Limited trim, but limited off-road capability.
For me, there is no doubt, LC all the way.
Click to expand...
The SR5 now doesnt have a locking rear diff. im not sure why everyone desires a full time t-case. it isnt that hard to shift in and out.
 
katekebo said:
I'm surprised that the 2025 4Runner doesn't come with more capable 4WD system, even in the Trailhunter trim.

There is a significant difference between the 4WD systems of the Land Cruiser and the 4Runner.

The LC has full-time 4WD with Torsen central differential with locking function, 2-speed transfer case and locking rear differential in all trims, starting with the "basic" 1958.

In the 4Runner you have three choices
  • All trims except Limited and SR5: part-time 4WD with 2-speed transfer case and locking rear differential
  • SR5: part-time 4WD with 2-speed transfer case but no rear locker (not even as an option)
  • Limited: full-time 4WD with Torsen central differential with locking function but no 2-speed transfer case nor rear locker
So LC has the ultimate 4WD that offers the best off both worlds: great 4WD traction on highway and very capable 4WD for off-road use.
4Runner on the other hand gives you either good off-road capability but lousy highway traction (RWD in snow is not fun) or good highway traction in the Limited trim, but limited off-road capability.
For me, there is no doubt, LC all the way.
Click to expand...
Looks like 4 choices now. The limited i-Force Max is full time 4WD with 2 speed transferase.
1734539965813.png


4runners all have 19 gallon tanks. LC250 has 17.9 gallon tank and the GX550 has 21 gallon tank.
 
What kind of lingering questions are out there about the new 6th Gen 4Runner, i.e. what do you want to see or learn more about on them?
 
cruiseroutfit said:
What kind of lingering questions are out there about the new 6th Gen 4Runner, i.e. what do you want to see or learn more about on them?
Click to expand...
How is the NVH? That is why I didn't buy a 5th gen -- I hated the NVH. Also, how is the real world fuel economy and range?
 
I bought a 5th gen because of the drivetrain. Will we see a non-turbo version of this? Or better yet, a v-8?
 
matzell said:
I bought a 5th gen because of the drivetrain. Will we see a non-turbo version of this? Or better yet, a v-8?
Click to expand...
Yes, the 4Runner will come out with a V8 after Toyota passed over the LC250 GX, LC300 and LX600/700. Stay tuned
 
Still wishing they’d drop the Tacoma’s manual transmission in it. I know they won’t, but it’s RIGHT THERE.
 
RWBeringer4x4 said:
Still wishing they’d drop the Tacoma’s manual transmission in it. I know they won’t, but it’s RIGHT THERE.
Click to expand...
Because it would require millions of dollars of compliance testing and the take rate would be less than 5%. The additional cost to Toyota would never be recouped in additional sales.
 
M1911 said:
Because it would require millions of dollars of compliance testing and the take rate would be less than 5%. The additional cost to Toyota would never be recouped in additional sales.
Click to expand...

So, like I said, they won’t. Just lamenting that they did in the Tacoma and not the 4Runner, which share a platform. I’m not suggesting the economics would work, just that the mechanics probably would.
 
RWBeringer4x4 said:
So, like I said, they won’t. Just lamenting that they did in the Tacoma and not the 4Runner, which share a platform. I’m not suggesting the economics would work, just that the mechanics probably would.
Click to expand...
I suspect it would need a different shifter linkage, plus a modified center console for the 4Runner. But the big, big issue is the testing required to federalize it. All for the 1,000 people who would buy one, who would still buy a 4Runner if it didn't have a manual.
 
rexington14 said:
Have you actually driven the tacoma with the manual?
Click to expand...
No. I've driven it with an automatic.

So what? The take rate of manuals in the Taco is less than 10%. The take rate of manuals in a 4Runner would be less than that.
 
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