Toyota’s 2025 4Runner Trailhunter – Built for the Wild, Not the School Run

The Toyota 4Runner has always been the SUV for people who’d rather make their own trail than follow someone else’s. It’s a name with four decades of credibility — part of the same lineage that built Toyota’s reputation for go-anywhere durability. But time catches up with everyone, even legends. The last 4Runner soldiered on for over a decade, and while fans loved its old-school charm, it was due for a serious refresh.

Enter the 2025 Toyota 4Runner — a complete redesign that finally brings this icon into the modern era. It shares its bones with the latest Tacoma and Land Cruiser, runs on Toyota’s TNGA-F platform, and introduces new tech, powertrains, and trims. But most importantly, it manages to look and feel like a 4Runner should.

And then there’s the Trailhunter — the new, factory-built overlanding trim that takes Toyota’s adventure DNA and cranks it to eleven.

Looks That Stick

Toyota did something special here. They modernized the 4Runner without watering it down. From every angle, it still has that upright, purposeful stance — broad shoulders, squared fenders, short overhangs — but with sharper edges and better proportions. The face ties in with the Tacoma and Tundra, and the details, from the chiseled hood to the sculpted rear glass, make it clear: this thing was designed to last another decade.

My tester, the Trailhunter trim, takes that rugged look and gives it an edge. It rolls on bronze 18-inch alloys wrapped in all-terrain tires and wears a bronze heritage “TOYOTA” grille with an integrated LED light bar. The headlights are unique to the Trailhunter, and tucked below are switchable Rigid Industries fog lights that can shine in white or amber. (Amber’s not just for looks — it helps cut through dust and fog during off-road driving.)

Then there’s the snorkel. A high-mount air intake sits proudly on the passenger fender — a badge of honor for off-roaders, and maybe a badge of frustration for commuters. We’ll get to that part later.

Add in the Old Man Emu suspension, steel skid plate, onboard air compressor, and ARB roof rack, and the Trailhunter looks like something straight from a SEMA overlanding display. But here, it all comes standard, built by Toyota and backed by warranty.

Inside the Modern 4Runner

Step inside and you’ll realize just how long the old 4Runner had been around. This new interior finally feels like a product of 2025. The layout is clean, functional, and solidly put together. Toyota balanced rugged with refinement — durable materials where you want toughness, and enough soft-touch surfaces to remind you this isn’t a work truck.

Front seats are SofTex-trimmed, heated and ventilated, and incredibly comfortable on long drives. The Trailhunter adds bronze accents and subtle badging throughout. There’s plenty of space, and the driving position feels spot-on — high enough to see the trail, but relaxed enough for highway cruising.

Front and center is Toyota’s new 14-inch multimedia screen running the latest interface. It’s quick, intuitive, and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital cluster is clean, the switchgear is tactile, and everything feels thought-out. The 14-speaker JBL audio system sounds excellent — and the removable JBL FLEX portable speaker is a fun touch for camping trips.

It’s modern without feeling fragile — exactly what a 4Runner interior should be.

Under the Hood: Hybrid Muscle

Under the hood of this Trailhunter is Toyota’s new i-FORCE MAX hybrid — a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor and 8-speed automatic. Combined output: 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.

That torque number is the key. It’s what gives this big SUV its confidence. Pulling away from lights or merging onto the freeway, the hybrid torque comes on instantly, giving the 4Runner a smooth but assertive feel. You don’t have to push it hard — it just moves.

Fuel economy is rated at 23 mpg city, 24 highway, 23 combined, which might not sound groundbreaking, but compared to the old V6, it’s a big improvement — especially for something that still rides on a ladder frame and can crawl up a rock face.

On the Road

Here’s the truth: I didn’t take this Trailhunter off-road. Toyota built it to, and I have no doubt it’s a beast in the wild, but I spent my week with it doing something more challenging — daily life. Grocery runs, school pickups, commutes across Dallas traffic.

And that’s where the Trailhunter shows its personality. Around town, it’s easy to drive. The steering’s light, the suspension feels planted but compliant, and the hybrid powertrain has plenty of grunt. But then there’s the snorkel.

At low speeds or under load, it makes a distinct whooshing, gulping intake sound as the turbo spools and the hybrid system breathes. On a trail, it’s kind of cool — mechanical, purposeful. On the highway, with the family on board? It gets old fast. It’s been mentioned by other reviewers too, so it’s not just me.

Still, the overall driving experience is impressive. It feels more refined than any 4Runner before it, but it hasn’t lost that sense of toughness that makes the nameplate special.

Space and Practicality

Pop the rear hatch — which is now hands-free — and you’ll find a ton of usable space. Behind the second row, there’s 42.6 cubic feet of cargo room; fold those seats down and it opens to 82.6 cubic feet. That’s plenty for camping gear, coolers, camera bags, and everything else life throws at you.

And yes, the power rear window is still here — a 4Runner signature that remains one of those simple, satisfying features Toyota refuses to give up.

Inside, there’s clever storage everywhere — big door bins, wide center console, and enough charging ports to keep a family of four plugged in and happy.

Off-Road Hardware

Even if I didn’t hit the trails, it’s worth talking about what makes this trim special. The Trailhunter packs serious hardware: an electronically locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and a stabilizer bar disconnect for more articulation. Add the ARB rack and onboard air compressor, and it’s basically trail-ready straight from the showroom floor.

This is Toyota looking at the aftermarket overland boom and saying, “We can do that — and we’ll warranty it, too.”

Price and the Competition

My tester came in at $69,893 after options and destination. The 2025 4Runner lineup starts at $40,770, so the Trailhunter sits near the top with the TRD Pro and the new Platinum trim.

That’s serious money, but context matters. The Trailhunter is aimed squarely at enthusiasts who would otherwise buy an SR5 and spend months adding bumpers, racks, and suspension upgrades. Here, it’s all integrated — no weekend wrenching required.

Competitor-wise, Toyota’s playing in interesting company. The new Land Cruiser 250 Series shares DNA and philosophy but takes a more heritage-meets-luxury approach. The Ford Bronco is fun and configurable but louder and less cohesive as a long-haul machine. The Jeep Wrangler remains the hardcore choice but demands more day-to-day compromise. The Land Rover Defender feels upscale and capable but lives in another price bracket.

The Trailhunter lands in a sweet spot: rugged capability with Toyota reliability and none of the boutique fuss.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter is exactly what it looks like — a factory-built adventure rig. It’s modern where it counts, tough where it matters, and packed with character. The new design looks fantastic, the hybrid torque is a revelation, and the interior finally feels ready for the next decade.

But it’s not for everyone. That snorkel noise, the extra wind rush, and the overlanding focus make it less ideal as a family daily driver. If you want a 4Runner for school runs and weekend errands, the TRD Off-Road Premium or Platinum trims are the smarter picks.

If, however, your weekends involve dirt roads, state parks, and a little too much gear — this one’s for you.

It’s built for the wild, not the school run — and that’s exactly why it exists.