Toyota USA will be releasing a fully redesigned new 4Runner in 2024. A teaser image was released on March 29, 2024 (local time). The current model has been on sale since 2009, and this will be the first full model change in 15 years. New information about the 2025 4Runner is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. We will explain what the new 2025 4Runner will be like.
Toyota USA’s new 2025 4Runner
- It uses a ladder frame based on the “GA-F platform.”
- Equipped with a 2.4L 4-cylinder hybrid (i-Force Max).
The new 4Runner uses a ladder frame based on the newly developed GA-F platform, also known as TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture), the same as the Land Cruiser 250. Compared to the previous model, the frame has been significantly strengthened with a 50% increase in rigidity, and the overall vehicle rigidity has been improved by 30%. The SDM (Stabilizer with Disconnection Mechanism) is being used for the first time in the Toyota brand, and by allowing the front stabilizer to be switched with the flip of a switch, it achieves both off-road performance and ride comfort on one hand and on-road handling stability on the other. For on-road driving performance, various parts have been made more rigid and EPS has been adopted.
“GA-F Platform” ladder frame
Additionally, the engine is equipped with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, but the 4Runner is said to be equipped with a less powerful 2.4L four-cylinder hybrid ( i-Force Max ) that produces a maximum output of 278 hp (207kW/282PS) and 317 lb-ft (429Nm).
Toyota’s official US social media accounts have released this teaser image along with previous images of the 4Runner.
About Toyota Hilux Surf (4Runner)
The Hilux Surf is a large SUV from Toyota Motor Corporation. It was designed by Hino Motors, and developed and produced jointly by Hino and Toyota. It is exported to North America and other countries under the name “4Runner.” Domestic sales of the vehicle ended in August 2009.
First generation N60 series
- May 1984: Sales began in Japan.
- A minor change was made in August 1986. The Hilux Surf in Japan was given the option of a 5-number registration, an automatic transmission, and a wagon version, both of which were added for the first time.
Second generation N130 series
- Second generation N130 series: May 1989 – Full model change. In addition to the conventional 2-door body, a 4-door body was added to the lineup.
- May 1993: Minor change. The diesel engine for the Japanese market was changed to the 3.0L 1KZ-TE type. The van and 2-door models for Japan were discontinued.
- Production ended in November 1995.
Third generation N180 series
- December 1995: Full model change.
- Partially improved in August 1999. 180 series, fuel filter lightened.
- July 2000 (Heisei 12) – Minor change. The diesel engine was changed from 1KZ-TE to 1KD-FTV. At the same time, the manual transmission model was discontinued.
- December 2001 Some improvements.
- Production ended in September 2002.
4th generation N210 series
- Full model change in November 2002.
- A minor change was made in July 2005. The V6 3.4L gasoline engine 5VZ-FE was replaced with a V6 4.0L 1GR-FE, and a 5-speed automatic transmission was also available. The grille design was also changed.
- Partially improved in June 2007. Front and rear seats are now crash-proof, and the rear armrest shape has been changed. A special edition “Limited” model is released.
- Sales ended in July 2009.
5th generation N280 series
- It underwent a model change in August 2009, but was withdrawn from the Japanese market and became an overseas-only vehicle (4Runner). Despite being manufactured in Japan, it was only produced with left-hand drive and was not sold in Japan or other right-hand drive markets.
- For 2013 (2014 model year), the 4Runner received a facelift, consisting of front and rear exterior changes with projector headlamps and clear-lens LED taillamps, as well as other minor exterior changes. The interior is also updated.
- In 2014 (for the 2015 model year), the TRD Pro trim level, featuring Toyota badges on the front and an off-road package, was introduced in the United States as part of the TRD Pro series.
- For 2016 (2017 model year), the 4Runner Trail and Trail Premium were renamed TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium in the U.S. These trim levels shared the same mechanical features as the previous Trail editions, but added aesthetic differences and TRD badging to distinguish them from the base model.
- For the 2018 (2019) model year, Toyota began offering a “Nightshade” package based on the Limited trim, which blacked out the badging, front and rear lower fascias, wheels, and parts of the interior.
- For the 2020 model year, Toyota announced that all 4Runner trims will be equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P) standard and will include two rear-seat USB ports. The TRD Pro model will also be compatible with the TSS-P front radar sensor.
- For the 2021 (2022) model year, Toyota has made a push-button smart key system standard on all trims. A new TRD Sport trim has also been added to the lineup.
- In 2022 (for the 2023 model year), a 40th Anniversary Special Edition will be produced for the North American market in a limited run of 4,040 units, and will be available in three exterior colors and with standard four-wheel drive. Solar Octane paint is exclusive to the 2023 TRD Pro model year.
- For 2023 (2024 model), Terra paint (an orange-brown color) will be available exclusively for the TRD Pro.
Will the Hilux Surf be revived as a Japanese model?
Toyota has been reviving a series of models that were previously only sold overseas, such as the Land Cruiser 70 and Hilux, as Japanese models. The 4Runner was actually sold in Japan as the Hilux Surf, but when the current fifth-generation model underwent a full model change in 2009, sales of the Japanese model ended and it became an overseas-only vehicle. With the sixth-generation model, it may be time to consider reviving the Hilux Surf, just like the other models.
The Japan Patent Office has patent number 1868003 for the “Hilux Surf,” which has an expiration date of June 27, 2026, but it was renewed on May 10, 2016, and it appears that they are considering releasing it in Japan.
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