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Picture: Toyota Motor Company
That is the sixth Toyota truck based mostly on the modular TNGA-F body-on-frame platform after the J300 full-size Land Cruiser, the returning J250 mid-size Land Cruiser (Prado), the N400 Tacoma sibling, in addition to the full-size Sequoia SUV and Tundra pickup truck. Plus, there are additionally the J310 Lexus LX and J250 Lexus GX, so it is protected to say that the Japanese automaker has some expertise with the structure. Hopefully, which means there will likely be fewer preliminary recollects than on prior fashions.
Naturally, the closest Toyota mannequin to the 2025 sixth-gen 4Runner is none apart from the fourth-generation Tacoma mid-size pickup truck. A veritable best-seller, the cool Tacoma is youthful than the 4Runner however clearly leads the best way by way of rugged styling, options, and powertrains. A lot of the styling – particularly forward of the B-pillar – has plenty of similarities between the off-road SUV and the pickup truck. That is fairly apparent because the entrance fascia on each fashions solely differs barely – and it stays to be seen which ones seems to be higher based on fashionable demand.
The inside is just about the identical deal, not less than across the driver and entrance passenger, because the 4Runner nonetheless incorporates a seven-seat association that is not possible to realize on the Tacoma pickup truck. Final however not least, in addition they have nearly the identical powertrains – Toyota’s 2.4-liter inline-four turbocharged engine in two guises. Not like the Tacoma’s base mannequin or the one with the guide transmission, the 4Runner solely will get the 278-horsepower i-Power with the eight-speed automated transmission. So, let’s wave goodbye to 4Runner’s 4.0-liter V6, naturally aspirated to churn out 270 hp and 278 lb. -ft. of torque, and welcome the marginally extra highly effective gasoline engine that is additionally much more torquey – 317 pound-feet of torque.
Moreover, the Tacoma i-Power Max donates its 326-horsepower hybridized powertrain with 465 lb.-ft. of torque, and it’s making the TRD Off-Street, Restricted, TRD Professional, Trailhunter, and Platinum fashions probably the most highly effective 4Runner SUVs ever. The rear, then again, has nothing to do with the Tacoma as a result of the 4Runner retains its roll-over rear glass and integrates the legacy “wrap over” quarter glass as a nod to the primary and second generations, whereas the mid-size pickup truck clearly has an open mattress. A minimum of aesthetically, Toyota managed good separation in comparison with the 2024 Land Cruiser, as nicely. The 2 haven’t got the identical exterior and inside styling, in fact, and the LC stays a five-seat affair in America, whereas the 4Runner will get entry to seven seats. Then again, it is odd that Toyota offers each the identical powertrain – the i-Power Max with 326 hp is shared by Tacoma, 4Runner, and Land Cruiser with out bias.
To date, it is solely the inside and exterior design plus the seat association that separates the 4Runner from the Land Cruiser – and it is solely logical that Toyota will search to make them extra distinct by means of pricing. Nevertheless, there’s an issue – the 2024MY 4Runner already begins at $40,705, whereas the 2024 Land Cruiser kicks off at $55,950. You’d suppose that is lots of house between them, however do think about that Toyota needs us to know there is a 4Runner grade for everybody and a minimum of 9 of them in complete, versus simply three for Land Cruiser: SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off Street, TRD Off Street Premium, Restricted, Platinum, TRD Professional, and Trailhunter. As such, it is not laborious to think about the brand new flagship introductions – like Platinum and Trailhunter – may surpass the 2024 Land Cruiser’s base MSRP when already the 2024 4Runner TRD Professional begins from a minimum of $55,170!
Talking of costs, the refreshed 2024 Jeep Wrangler begins from as little as $31,995 – however that is for the 2-door mannequin. As a substitute, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4-door kicks off at $36,595, which continues to be beneath the 4Runner’s present base worth. It is not laborious to know why the Wrangler offered greater than 38k items through the first three months of the 12 months, whereas the Ford Bronco dropped nearly 26% to a little bit over 24k. The latter begins from $39,630 however once more as a 2-door Massive Bend reasonably than a 4-door, which is $40,370, a smidgen beneath the 2024 Toyota 4Runner’s SR5 beginning MSRP of $40,705. Nevertheless, the distinction may solely develop into deeper, as everybody and their mom expects the 2025 mannequin 12 months 4Runner to start out above the $41k threshold earlier than vacation spot and different charges.
So, which is your favourite? May or not it’s the mid-size Toyota Tacoma pickup truck workhorse, the legendary and vintage-looking 2024 Land Cruiser, or the all-new and trendy 4Runner? Alternatively, do you suppose the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco represents the higher deal, particularly contemplating that they each function detachable laborious tops and soft-top choices?