One of many key questions we have had since Toyota introduced our new Land Cruiser could be primarily based on the smaller Prado variant and match under the Sequoia has been: How will it evaluate with the brand new 4Runner? Now that the 2025 Toyota 4Runner has been revealed, we will begin to reply that query. And we solely say begin, as a result of we’re unsure we absolutely perceive the reply at this stage.
You see, we have pulled collectively the numbers on each the brand new 4Runner and the brand new Land Cruiser, plus the previous Toyota 4Runner for good measure. We have put all of them in a handy desk above. And, effectively, the 4Runner and Land Cruiser appear even nearer than we had been anticipating.
To begin with, the wheelbase and width are virtually equivalent (the Land Cruiser is just a tenth of an inch wider). Size is darn shut, too, with the 4Runner stretching just one.1 inch longer than the Land Cruiser.
Much more unusual is that in two key spots, the 4Runner is higher for off-road use than the Land Cruiser. It has 1.2 inches extra floor clearance (evaluating the usual fashions), plus it is practically half a foot shorter in total peak than the Land Cruiser. The 4Runner additionally boasts an optionally available third-row bench, whereas the Land Cruiser is strictly a two-row mannequin.
There’s barely a distinction powertrain-wise, too. Sure, the usual 4Runner solely will get the non-hybrid turbo four-cylinder with considerably much less energy and torque, however the optionally available Hybrid Max powertrain has the very same 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque because the Land Cruiser. And so they each have four-wheel-drive, although some variations of the 4Runner will likely be selectable four-wheel drive-only (no full-time setting).
There really is a model of the Land Cruiser that may additional differentiate itself from 4Runner. Nevertheless it has a Lexus badge. The GX, which is the fancier twin of the Land Cruiser, nonetheless has a third-row choice. It additionally has a twin-turbo V6 with considerably extra energy than the Land Cruiser. Positive it is dearer, however the engine, appointments and seating flexibility assist distinguish it. Although the Land Cruiser does have retro beauty. The 4Runner is not any slouch within the seems division both, although it is decidedly extra fashionable and takes closely from the Tacoma it is primarily based on.
One factor could be very clear, although: The brand new 4Runner is usually larger and higher than its predecessor when evaluating specs. The bottom turbo four-cylinder makes 8 extra horsepower and 39 extra pound-feet of torque than the traditional 4.0-liter V6 it replaces. The brand new model’s transmission has three extra cogs, too, which can virtually definitely assist out gasoline economic system (keep tuned for that data sooner or later). And naturally, that is only for that base four-cylinder. The hybrid model we have already mentioned will in all probability really feel like an order of magnitude (not actually, although, I see you, math commenters) stronger.
Extrapolating from our expertise within the Tacoma, even with out all the additional gears, the brand new 4 ought to be a welcome enchancment throughout. It is received a lot extra torque, and all low down with fast turbo response. In comparison with the lumbering previous powertrain, the usual one on the brand new 4Runner will undoubtedly be higher in mainly each attainable approach.
The brand new 4Runner can also be greater than 3 inches longer in size and wheelbase, plus 2 inches wider than its predecessor. That is not essentially an enchancment for off-road functionality, however ought to make the inside extra usable. Hopefully a few of that improves the third-row seats, which had been massively cramped within the previous mannequin.
There are in fact many unfastened ends. We do not have gasoline economic system numbers or pricing for the brand new 4Runner. However we do anticipate the mileage to enhance in comparison with the final one, and the worth ought to be lower than the Land Cruiser. The place the Hybrid Max model lands in value in comparison with Land Cruiser will likely be very fascinating. So you’ll want to swing again to Autoblog when these numbers do come out to get a good clearer image.
