6th Gen 4Runner Expectations – What We Expect To See From The New Generation Toyota 4Runner

2025 Platinum 4Runner Model

Updated Photos 4/16/2024: Platinum Model Trim

What We Hope To See In The Upcoming Model Year

Note: All photos have been updated with the new 2025 Model Year TRD Pro, Limited, Platinum, and Trail Hunter.

The 4Runner is one of the most iconic nameplates that Toyota has ever made. I would say it is as iconic as the Camry and Corolla, which have been around for decades. With every generation of 4Runner introduced, Toyota evolved and improved the platform while staying true to the platform’s identity.

That being said, the 5th Gen is going on its 15th year of production with the 2024 model year. This is the longest, by far, that we have been without a new generation. For example, 15 years is double the wait time between previous generations. So, it is extremely safe to say, that we are due for the 6th Gen any day now.

In this article, I want to share with you my expectations for the upcoming (2025?) 6th Gen for it to be a worthy replacement for your favorite dinosaur of an SUV.

I also have a similar video over on my YouTube channel, where so many of you had great ideas for what you want to see with the new 4Runner. Let’s get into it!

Design

Updated Photos 4/16/2024: TRD PRO Left & TrailHunter Trim Right

The next-gen 4Runner needs to look like a 4Runner. What do I mean by that? Every auto manufacturer aims to have their own brand identity whether it be unique grille styling or taillights. I do not want the 6th Gen to fail at that.

The new 6th Gen needs to have iconic styling that stays true to the 4Runner’s heritage. Starting up front, I’m sure that it will look like a blend of Toyota’s newer Tundra, Sequoia, and Tacoma. Hopefully, though, Toyota will find a way to make it unique from its other body-on-frame off-road siblings.

For the side profile, I expect to see that iconic angled C-Pillar that has been a key design feature for the last five generations. There are rumors that this C-Pillar will become a little more upright to make the ingress and egress of the vehicle easier, however, I still suspect it to have a slight angle.

As we move around back, I expect and hope that Toyota keeps “4Runner” spelled out dead center on the rear hatch. This has been a design feature dating back to the first generation in 1984. While previous models had “Toyota” spelled out, it is a design feature nonetheless.

Additionally, I expect to see a rear spoiler with an integrated wiper, more on that later.

Manufacturing

4Runner Tahara plant

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that the current 5th Gen is manufactured in Japan, at Toyota’s Tahara facility. This is one of the 4Runner’s biggest-selling features.

Currently, Toyota produces around 115K units, on average, every single year. The level of build quality and attention to detail that the Japanese factory has is truly unmatched. That’s especially true when compared to Toyotas made in Mexico or even America. While all factories worldwide share Toyota’s Kaizen approach, Japanese Toyotas seem to be held to a higher standard.

That being said, every 4Runner enthusiast and potential 6th Gen owner wants to see the next-gen remain in Japan for manufacturing. I feel that this is possible as the new 4R will most likely share the same powertrain as the Tacoma, including the i-FORCE MAX powertrain. It will also be on the TNGA-F global platform, which the Land Cruiser also shares, and will be built in Japan as well. Let’s have hope, people!

Reliability

i-Force turbocharged 2.4L 4cly pumping out 278hp and 323lbs of torque

Updated Photos 4/16/2024: i-Force turbocharged 2.4L 4cly pumping out 278hp and 323lbs of torque

This is a no-brainer. Has there ever been an unreliable 4Runner? Sure, there have been some minor issues here and there like any vehicle, but has there ever been a generation that was so plagued with issues that people avoided them?

Spoiler alert, there hasn’t, so this should hold true for the 6th Gen. Of course, there will probably be first-year issues, some recalls, and bulletins. For the most part, though, I have faith that Toyota will ultimately make a super reliable 4Runner just as they have for the last 40+ years.

Price

2025 4Runner Price Expectations

2025 4Runner Price Expectations: Source 6thGen4Runner.com

When the 4th Gen Tacoma’s official pricing was announced, there was a bit of a price bump over the prior generation. About $3500 for base trims before getting into packaging.

So, will this be the case for the new 4Runner? Most likely, but I am hoping that it won’t exceed $3000. For example, the 2024 Land Cruiser’s starting price is in the mid $50K range per Toyota USA. It is slotted between the 4Runner and Sequoia, so there shouldn’t be too much of a price overlap.

Currently, the 5th Gen TRD Pro has a base MSRP of $56K, which is just wild for a 15-year-old vehicle by the way. This is already super close to the starting price of the new Land Cruiser. Granted, the 4Runner has more “luxury” features like Softex seats and a moon roof. However, when it comes to off-road features, they are pretty comparable.

It will be interesting to see just how much the new 4Runner overlaps with the new Land Cruiser in terms of pricing. Plus if the price is good, that leaves more money for mods, right?

Rear Window

Rear Window View 2025 4Runner

This is a must and goes without explanation. The rear hatch sliding glass has been a staple feature of the 4Runner since the 1st Gen. If the 6th Gen omits this feature, then we will riot. A roll-down window has so many uses such as giving pets fresh air and hauling lumber. Plus, it gives you easy access to your cargo area without opening the entire hatch.

There is nothing like an amazing 75-degree day with every single window rolled down as you jam to music. Toyota needs to keep this iconic feature on the new 4Runner.

Final Thoughts

So, those are my 6th Gen 4Runner expectations. To summarize, the long-awaited 6th Gen 4Runner needs to retain the styling of the iconic nameplate. It also needs to be built in Japan, maintain stellar reliability, be priced well, and have a rear roll-down window. Of course, I’ll report here whenever I get concrete details, but these are my hopes and expectations so far.

Are you excited for the 6th Gen 4Runner when it ultimately makes its debut? What features are you hoping for? Leave a comment below!

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Mark
Mark
7 months ago

Needs a TT 6 cyn engine

Polarorbit
Polarorbit
8 months ago
  • Get rid of the stupid shark fin antenna
  • Give us easier paths to route power and antennas to the roof
  • A little more headroom in the cabin
  • Better, or at least the option for better, factory bumpers
  • Industry standard connectors for wiring, instead of Toyota proprietary stuff (especially radios and antennas)
  • Make leather seats and other creature comforts available on all trim lines
  • Reduce road noise
  • Full-length roof rack mounting points
RayC
RayC
8 months ago

I agree with most comments except a rear bumper/tailgate mounted spare tire, yuck! A quieter interior at highway speed is a must. Heated steering wheel. Better climate controls for rear passengers as well as rear heated seats. I think the 6th Gen T4R will inherit the LandCruiser 4cyl turbo hybrid. Need a 6-7K lbs tow capability. Front fender integrated LED ditch lights. Keep the hood scoop!

John W.
John W.
8 months ago
Reply to  RayC

Quieter interior, for sure.
Heated and cooled seats up front. Heated in the rear.
Power lift gate
Front camera
Standard remote start on all trims
More usable storage compartments by the shifter (add doors to make it look clean and hide stuff)

Ricky T
Ricky T
8 months ago
Reply to  RayC

My word! You read my mind.

John S.
John S.
8 months ago

Suspension designs could be similar to uni-body Dakar machines. The race version of the Hi-Lux has a twin turbo V6. That could be interesting. A V8 option would be nice

Dave
Dave
8 months ago

Optional Plug-in Hybrid capable of at least 30-40 miles of all electric (and a little boost in hp),,

HECTOR R
HECTOR R
8 months ago

Bring back V8 4RUNNER

Rich
Rich
8 months ago

Bumper mounted spare.
Double the roof weight capacity
Move body mount for larger tires
Premium Sound option on all models
Built in conduit and roof,front & rear bumper, plug for wires to route to under dash
Flat second row at fold down
Black interior a pillar trim and ceiling. MINI has this option

Sidhean
Sidhean
8 months ago
Reply to  Rich

Yes! Yes! Yes! The second row MUST fold down flat.

Laurie
Laurie
8 months ago

get rid of third row seats

Suzanne ryan
Suzanne ryan
8 months ago

Power lift rear tail gate ,,,if they do away with power rear window,,I’m done,,will go back to Jeep for which I was an owner for over 30 years,,,love the moon roof open with rear window,,just like a keep width top open

Angel Garcia
Angel Garcia
8 months ago

Well said.

GJM
GJM
8 months ago

A TRD Pro version in Classic Silver Metallic. That’s all, that’s my only request.

Bobby
Bobby
8 months ago

You know, you are gonna get a 2 liter turbo that makes great power on the books, but absolutely sucks.

Mike Davenport
Mike Davenport
8 months ago

$3,000 would be great!

in_a_4runner
in_a_4runner
8 months ago

I would love to see

  1. Better Smiles per gallon
  2. More ponies under the hood
  3. More cargo space – wider build or even longer
  4. Technology has to be better, nice to have *Wish* GRMS communication
  5. A pull up handle on the driver’s side
  6. More room in the center counsel
  7. More power ports in the rear
  8. Available ports to add additional lighting under the wheel wells (Rock Lights)
  9. Better cameras for both front, sides & rear
  10. The rear parking guides (mirror View) turns as the wheel turns
  11. Auto tinting rear mirrors
  12. More clearance (Height)
  13. Body mounts that are pushed back further so if we want to add bigger tires, we can skip hiring a wilder to do a body mount relocation
  14. Additional power (blank) ports in an easy location to add additional lights, winch, compressor
  15. Larger diameter fire wall (the hole under the dash that cables run through from the dash board to the engine will so that we can run more wires and cables or a 2nd firewall
  16. Move the water resavore to another location to accommodate larger tires and to allow for more articulation and clearance
  17. More room to add additional equipment like a 2nd gel battery or some Red Arc gear under the hood
  18. a better responsive engine that will accelerate out of the high way exit so that we will not need to add the pedal commander
  19. some decent body armor, get rid of the plastic stepper below the doors
  20. A larger wheel well where the spare tire hangs under the body so if We did go to 35’s or above, would not need to get a tire carrier or a rear bumper to carry it
  21. additional tow points in the front & rear of the body
  22. Bigger cup holders
  23. More storage spaces along the side of the doors to hold snacks for road trips
  24. More space in the glove compartment for sun glasses & other items than the place to stick the register
  25. some place to store a tool box or some recovery tools under the rear seat

I am sure that I am missing a few, but please add to this list.

Pam
Pam
8 months ago
Reply to  in_a_4runner

I agree with all the above!! You couldn’t have said it better, but better headlights/fog lights would be a great improvement. I bought aftermarket LED’s because the majority of the time, I had to look at my dashboard to make sure I even had the headlights on.

in_a_4runner
in_a_4runner
8 months ago
Reply to  in_a_4runner

26** Get rid of the hood scoop that serves no purpose
27** slap a solar panel on the hood
28** Additional mounts to secure a shovel or axe
29** reclaim that space in the rear of the passenger side area above the rear tire for gear
30** Auto Start remotes keys

Please feel free to add more to the list

in_a_4runner
in_a_4runner
8 months ago
Reply to  in_a_4runner

31** Remove all halogen bulbs with all LED’s

Josh A.
Josh A.
8 months ago

Hey!

I’d like to see power folding side mirrors that also aim down when reverse is engaged. A power lift gate would be awesome too and I’d love some prewired switches for accessories. Other than that, I hope it remains simple and classic looking, while still turning heads!

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