Toyota 4Runner N500: 2025–Present Guide
The sixth-generation Toyota 4Runner (N500) is the current 4Runner, sold in the US from the 2025 model year. It swaps the old V6 for a turbo four or a hybrid, moves to the same TNGA-F platform as the Tacoma and Land Cruiser, and adds the overlanding-focused Trailhunter. Here's what changed, which version to pick, what owners report and how it rates for safety.
Sixth-gen 4Runner at a Glance
Model years 2025–present Revealed April 9, 2024
Platform TNGA-F Shared with Tacoma and Land Cruiser
Engines 2.4 turbo or hybrid Both with an 8-speed automatic
Power 278–326 hp Up to 465 lb-ft
Towing Up to 6,000 lb Toyota's maximum rating
Built Tahara, Japan Left-hand drive only
What Makes the Sixth-Gen 4Runner Different
After 15 model years on the same basic truck, the 4Runner finally got a clean-sheet redesign for 2025. It still rides on a ladder frame with a solid rear axle and four-wheel drive, so it's a real off-roader, but it now shares its TNGA-F bones with the Tacoma and Land Cruiser.
The biggest change is under the hood. Instead of the old 270-hp V6, you get a 278-hp 2.4-liter turbo four, or the i-FORCE MAX hybrid with 326 hp and a stout 465 lb-ft. Both use an eight-speed automatic, and Edmunds measured 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds for the gas truck and 7.7 for the hybrid.
Toyota kept the things fans love, too, including the power roll-down rear window. However, it's still truck-like to ride in, the rear seat is tight, and loaded trims cost well into the high $60,000s.
What we like
- Much more torque than the old V6
- Proper body-on-frame off-road hardware
- Roll-down rear window survives
What to watch
- Bumpy, truck-like ride
- Hybrid gets worse highway mpg than the gas 2WD
- Top trims are expensive
Sixth-gen 4Runner Engines and Power
Every sixth-gen 4Runner uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic. The hybrid adds an electric motor for a big jump in torque, and it's standard on the top trims.
| Engine | Years | Found in | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| i-FORCE 2.4L turbo I4 | 2025–present | SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited | 278 hp / 317 lb-ft |
| i-FORCE MAX 2.4L turbo hybrid | 2025–present | Standard on Platinum, TRD Pro, Trailhunter; optional on TRD Off-Road and Limited | 326 hp / 465 lb-ft |
A new truck, then small steps
Sixth-Gen 4Runner Changes by Model Year
Since the big 2025 redesign, Toyota has mostly changed prices and colors, so the model year matters less here than the trim and engine you pick.
- 2024 Toyota reveals the sixth-generation 4Runner on April 9, with nine grades, including the new Platinum and Trailhunter.
- 2025 The first model year starts at $40,770 plus $1,450 destination. The hybrid is standard on Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter.
- 2026 Most prices rise about $800, so the SR5 4×2 starts at $41,570. The stabilizer disconnect becomes optional on the TRD Off-Road Premium hybrid. In addition, IIHS rates the lower trims' headlights Good on trucks built after January 2026, up from Poor.
- 2027 As of July 2026, the only reported change is a new Hot Honey yellow paint for the TRD Pro. Toyota hasn't released full 2027 details or pricing.
Our verdict: if you're buying a lower trim, look for one built after January 2026 for the better headlights. Otherwise, a 2025 and a 2026 are nearly the same truck.
Sixth-gen 4Runner Special Models
Two hybrid-only grades sit at the top of the off-road lineup. They share the i-FORCE MAX powertrain and 33-inch tires, but they aim at different kinds of trips.
2025–present
TRD Pro
326 hp FOX QS3 shocks Rear locker
The TRD Pro gets FOX adjustable shocks with rear remote reservoirs, a stabilizer disconnect, a TRD intake and exhaust, and 33-inch Toyo tires on black 18-inch wheels.
2025–present
Trailhunter
326 hp Old Man Emu shocks ARB roof rack
Built for overlanding, the Trailhunter adds Old Man Emu shocks, an onboard air compressor, an ARB roof rack, RIGID fog lights and bronze wheels with 33-inch tires.
Sixth-gen 4Runner Recalls
The sixth-gen 4Runner hasn't had a major safety recall so far. The one to check is the instrument-panel software fix on 2025 trucks; the others cover wrong load labels on a small number of trucks.
| Model years | Campaign | What's affected |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | NHTSA 25V595000 | A software error at startup could blank the speedometer and warning lights. The fix is a software update, over the air or at a dealer. |
| 2026 | NHTSA 26V282000 | 94 trucks with Gulf States Toyota's Blackout Off-Road package have an incorrect load-capacity label. |
| 2026 | NHTSA 26V571000 | A small number of trucks have a load-capacity label with inaccurate added-weight values. |
Sixth-gen 4Runner Safety Ratings by Region
The sixth-gen 4Runner's crash scores are good but not class-leading, and it missed an IIHS award. It's only sold in left-hand-drive markets, mainly the Americas, so some programs haven't tested it.
| Region | Program | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | NHTSA | ★★★★ overall | Four stars overall and for frontal crashes, and five stars for side crashes. |
| United States | IIHS | No award | Good in the driver-side small overlap and updated side tests, but Marginal in the updated moderate overlap test, which kept it from an award. |
| United States | IIHS headlights | Poor to Good | Lower trims built before February 2026 are rated Poor, and Good after that. Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter are Acceptable. |
| Canada | NHTSA and IIHS | As above | Canada doesn't run its own crash-star program, so Canadian buyers use the US results. |
| Europe, Australia | Euro NCAP, ANCAP | Not rated | Toyota doesn't sell this 4Runner there, so it hasn't been tested. |
| Latin America | Latin NCAP | Not rated | Latin NCAP hasn't tested this generation. |
Buying a Used Sixth-gen 4Runner
The sixth-gen 4Runner is still new, so there's no long-term reliability record yet. Here's what to check right now.
- Gas or hybrid. The hybrid's extra torque is great off-road and for towing, but it barely helps fuel economy: 23 mpg combined versus 22 for the gas 2WD, and it's worse on the highway. It also rules out the third row.
- Third row. The optional third row is only on the SR5 and Limited with the gas engine, and it's small. If you need seven seats every day, look at bigger SUVs.
- Shifting and brakes. Some owners report clunky 1-2 shifts. Early trucks could also get front brake squeal, which Toyota covers under warranty with a service bulletin (TSB-0006-26).
- Headlights and recalls. On lower trims, check the build date for the improved headlights, and make sure the instrument-panel software recall is done on 2025 trucks.
Our picks
- Best value: TRD Off-Road
- Best all-rounder: Limited with i-FORCE MAX
- Best for trails: TRD Pro or Trailhunter
Think twice
- Paying top dollar for a hybrid just to save gas
- A lower trim built before February 2026 if you drive a lot at night
- Expecting adult space in the third row
Other 4Runner Generations
The sixth gen is the newest 4Runner. Jump back to the fifth generation, or see all six.
Sixth-gen 4Runner FAQ
What years is the sixth-generation 4Runner?
The sixth-gen (N500) 4Runner started with the 2025 model year and is still on sale. Toyota revealed it on April 9, 2024.
Does the 2025 4Runner have a V6?
No. The V6 ended with the 2024 model. The new truck uses a 278-hp 2.4-liter turbo four or the 326-hp i-FORCE MAX hybrid.
What mpg does the new 4Runner get?
The EPA rates the gas 2WD at 22 mpg combined, the gas 4WD at 21 and the hybrid at 23. The hybrid's highway rating is only 24 mpg.
Does the new 4Runner still have a roll-down rear window?
Yes. The power roll-down rear glass carried over to the sixth generation.
Can you get a third row in the new 4Runner?
Only on the SR5 and Limited with the gas engine. Hybrid 4Runners are two-row only, because the battery takes up the space.
How much can the 2025 4Runner tow?
Up to 6,000 lb, according to Toyota, with either engine when properly equipped.
Sources
- Toyota: 2025 4Runner launch release
- Toyota: 2026 4Runner
- Carscoops: 2026 4Runner pricing
- TFLcar: 2027 4Runner TRD Pro color
- Edmunds: 2026 4Runner review
- The Drive: 4Runner fuel economy
- IIHS: 2026 4Runner ratings
- NHTSA: recall 26V571 report
- KBB: 4Runner load-label recall
- Recall 25V595000 details
- 4X4 Australia: 4Runner not for Australia
- Wikipedia: Toyota 4Runner
Keep Exploring
See every 4Runner generation side by side, or head back to the full Toyota lineup.
Photo credits
- Header image: OWS Photography, CC BY 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport in…: HJUdall, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Blue 2025 Toyota 4Runner SR5: HJUdall, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter with bronze wheels and…: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.