Toyota marked four decades of the 4Runner in 2023. With its ruggedness and excellent off-road capabilities, the 4Runner remains a dependable choice for adventure enthusiasts. It’s not hard to love its attractive design, four-wheel drive, and excellent off-road features. But will the new 4Runner be even bigger and better? Read as our team at Longo Toyota in El Monte, California, looks at what we can expect from the new 4Runner and when Toyota will likely release it. We’ll also focus on its performance, off-road features, interior comfort, safety, and price.
What To Expect for the 2024 Toyota 4Runner
Despite being the 2024 model year, Toyota plans to release the 2024 Toyota 4Runner in 2025. The good news is that you can expect a completely reimagined vehicle that still does what it does best: conquers off-road trails. Toyota hasn’t confirmed the exact details of the 4Runner, but we believe the new model could share a similar design to the Toyota Tacoma. It may offer a more vertical C-pillar to make accessing the second row easier.
Its standard body-on-frame could move over to the TNGA-F platform Toyota has favored recently. We expect Toyota to discontinue the 40th Anniversary trim, along with some exterior colors, such as Lunar Rock and Lime Rush. Brand-new exterior paint colors include the dark gray Underground and Terra, an earthy tone exclusively for the TRD Pro. While we’re not expecting it as soon as the 2025 release, we anticipate an all-electric 4Runner to hit the market in the near future.
Trim Levels
The 4Runner comes in a wide array of trim levels to suit different driving preferences. We expect no changes for the new generation. Choose the aggressive TRD Pro for agile off-roading or the TRD Sport for high-performance handling on the road. Here are the trim levels you can expect from the 2024 Toyota 4Runner:
- SR5.
- TRD Sport.
- SR5 Premium.
- TRD Off-Road.
- TRD Off-Road Premium.
- Limited.
- TRD Pro.
Power and Performance
Toyota has yet to release specifics about its 2024 4Runner. But we expect Toyota could swap its current standard 4.0-liter V-6 engine for more updated options. It could include the 2.4-liter hybrid powertrain under the new Tacoma’s hood that produces 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. It could also feature the 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the Lexus NX 350 that produces 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. Other predictions include hybrid four- and six-cylinder engines.
An upgrade from the current five-speed transmission system is a given. We expect Toyota to swap it out for the Tacoma’s eight-speed automatic transmission. With this updated gearbox, the 4Runner could offer more aggressive ratios, including higher torque and enhanced acceleration. Another possibility is a manual option like the six-speed manual gearbox in some Tacomas. Depending on the powertrain, you could take the 2024 Toyota 4Runner from zero to 60 in 7.5 seconds. It currently achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy of 16 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway, which we believe will continue for the new model.
Rugged Off-Road Capability
The 2024 Toyota 4Runner does many things right when it comes to off-road capability. There may be some additions for the new model year that take its tough charm to new heights. We could see an upgraded suspension for tackling trickier terrain. A manual transmission could give the 4Runner an off-road appeal like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. We may also see the Trailhunter grade enter the 4Runner lineup. This model is perfect for rock crawling and intense overlanding, giving adventurers more choice than the TRD Pro.
The 2024 Toyota 4Runner can withstand just about any terrain. All models have an impressive towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds and a maximum 500-pound tongue weight. We don’t expect this to change much. The 4Runner Limited features a full-time four-wheel-drive system that automatically adjusts the differentials for exceptional traction. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro have an electronic-locking rear differential and Toyota’s Crawl Control for low-speed or off-road conditions. What’s more, you can rev up the TRD Off-Road with Toyota’s available Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for enhanced agility and control.
Interior Comfort and Features
The Toyota 4Runner is available in a choice of two-row and three-row configurations. Depending on your chosen configuration, you can comfortably seat five or seven passengers. Toyota may make some improvements when it comes to legroom in the second and third rows, but we don’t expect a huge change to the already-decent cargo space the 4Runner offers.
The current 4Runner has an 8-inch infotainment touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on all trims. As the Tacoma has already moved to an available 14-inch touch screen, we expect the 4Runner to do the same. You may be able to enjoy built-in navigation in lower trim levels and a higher-grade audio system than the current eight-speaker one.
Safety Features and Ratings
All 4Runners come standard with Toyota Safety Sense P, which offers a host of driver-assistance technologies, such as a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. It also includes automatic high beams, lane departure alert with a sway warning system, and high-speed dynamic radar cruise control. The 2023 Toyota 4Runner received high scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for crashworthiness. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated it four stars for overall safety. The IIHS or NHTSA hasn’t yet rated the 2024 Toyota 4Runner.
Price
Toyota has yet to confirm the price for the new 2024 Toyota 4Runner. With so little information available, predicting an accurate price is hard. We expect it to increase slightly for the new model year. We anticipate the 2024 Toyota 4Runner SR5 to have a starting MSRP of around $40,455.
Test-Drive the 2024 Toyota 4Runner
We predict the 2024 Toyota 4Runner will exceed expectations when it comes to off-road performance. Are you curious to discover the handling and reliability Toyota is known for? Visit Longo Toyota to take one of our new Toyotas for a test drive. Our sales experts can answer questions and introduce you to the new model when available. We can also provide financing assistance should you need it.
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