2025 4Runner rental review

[dishdude]

Recently had this new 4Runner as a rental, picked it up with less than 1k miles on the clock. About 2 years ago I had the previous generation as a rental and returned it extremely disappointed by the driving experience, but I am pleased to say this new generation is much more pleasant, engaging and comfortable to drive.

Pros -
The brakes/steering/ride and handling are all dialed in and pleasant. It's an easy, comfortable and fun SUV to drive, kind of reminded me of a WK2 Grand Cherokee. The 2.4L turbo has plenty of power and low end torque, I think it's a great engine for this vehicle. There's an area ahead of the gearshift that holds two cell phones that are visible while driving, very convenient. In higher end trims, I would expect these to offer wireless charging but this was not available on this base SR5.

Cons -
The interior is completely made up of cheap, hard plastics - absolutely nothing is soft touch. The tech for a brand new vehicle was lacking, the gauge cluster already looked dated and the infotainment screen was on the small side, but the resolution was decent and wireless Android Auto and CarPlay worked well. When I went to refuel it I was surprised to find a gas cap, haven't come across one of those in a long time. The transmission also had some rough, abrupt shifts but that seems to be the norm these days with a lot of autos.

Bottomline, I liked this 4Runner and of all the Toyotas I've rented, it's the first one I actually liked and wouldn't mind owning. MSRP $45k, if you can find one for that I'd say it's worth it.

 

[FZ1]

Recently had this new 4Runner as a rental, picked it up with less than 1k miles on the clock. About 2 years ago I had the previous generation as a rental and returned it extremely disappointed by the driving experience, but I am pleased to say this new generation is much more pleasant, engaging and comfortable to drive.

Pros -
The brakes/steering/ride and handling are all dialed in and pleasant. It's an easy, comfortable and fun SUV to drive, kind of reminded me of a WK2 Grand Cherokee. The 2.4L turbo has plenty of power and low end torque, I think it's a great engine for this vehicle. There's an area ahead of the gearshift that holds two cell phones that are visible while driving, very convenient. In higher end trims, I would expect these to offer wireless charging but this was not available on this base SR5.

Cons -
The interior is completely made up of cheap, hard plastics - absolutely nothing is soft touch. The tech for a brand new vehicle was lacking, the gauge cluster already looked dated and the infotainment screen was on the small side, but the resolution was decent and wireless Android Auto and CarPlay worked well. When I went to refuel it I was surprised to find a gas cap, haven't come across one of those in a long time. The transmission also had some rough, abrupt shifts but that seems to be the norm these days with a lot of autos.

Bottomline, I liked this 4Runner and of all the Toyotas I've rented, it's the first one I actually liked and wouldn't mind owning. MSRP $45k, if you can find one for that I'd say it's worth it.

Good review. Thanks!

 

[CKN]

Recently had this new 4Runner as a rental, picked it up with less than 1k miles on the clock. About 2 years ago I had the previous generation as a rental and returned it extremely disappointed by the driving experience, but I am pleased to say this new generation is much more pleasant, engaging and comfortable to drive.

Pros -
The brakes/steering/ride and handling are all dialed in and pleasant. It's an easy, comfortable and fun SUV to drive, kind of reminded me of a WK2 Grand Cherokee. The 2.4L turbo has plenty of power and low end torque, I think it's a great engine for this vehicle. There's an area ahead of the gearshift that holds two cell phones that are visible while driving, very convenient. In higher end trims, I would expect these to offer wireless charging but this was not available on this base SR5.

Cons -
The interior is completely made up of cheap, hard plastics - absolutely nothing is soft touch. The tech for a brand new vehicle was lacking, the gauge cluster already looked dated and the infotainment screen was on the small side, but the resolution was decent and wireless Android Auto and CarPlay worked well. When I went to refuel it I was surprised to find a gas cap, haven't come across one of those in a long time. The transmission also had some rough, abrupt shifts but that seems to be the norm these days with a lot of autos.

Bottomline, I liked this 4Runner and of all the Toyotas I've rented, it's the first one I actually liked and wouldn't mind owning. MSRP $45k, if you can find one for that I'd say it's worth it.

Yes...but...HOW ARE THE SEATS? Did you spend any extended time in them?

 

[dishdude]

Yes...but...HOW ARE THE SEATS? Did you spend any extended time in them?

MUCH better than the previous version. The old ones I couldn't wait to get out of after 20 mins.

 

[02SE]

I really wanted to like the 6th gen, but looking them over closely, and driving various trim levels in non-hybrid and hybrid versions, I couldn't get over the cheapness and cost-cutting everywhere.

A neighbor bought a 6th gen TRD ORP non-hybrid to replace his 5th gen TRD ORP. The 6th gen has a smaller gas tank, but he's getting the same MPG as his old 5th gen in his daily commute. When he found the plastic skidplates, he was annoyed they weren't steel like on his old 5th gen. The rock hard plastics, flimsy door panels, ill-fitting fender flares, and various rattles his 5th gen didn't suffer from, has him regretting his purchase.

The SR5 like in this review, for the first time ever on 4Runners, also doesn't get a full-size spare tire. It's a space saver.

 

[dishdude]

Here are my thoughts on the 2024. The 2025 is a huge improvement, imo.

D

Thread 'Rental review - 2024 4Runner'

Jun 10, 2024

This has to be a BITOG favorite, I know it's not a Corolla, but it's still a Toyota and although it's a 2024, it might as well be a 2004.

Pros - The ride, handling and steering are all good. It has enough power. The door panels have a lot of nice soft touch materials. The mechanical cooling fan is noisy, intrusive and lets you know you're not driving some non-descript FWD crossover. I really liked hearing it roar.

Cons - Pretty much everything else. The seats are uncomfortable after 20 mins or so, the tech is woefully outdated. The brakes are over-assisted, grabby and tough to modulate...

• dishdude
• Replies: 56
• Forum: Vehicles

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[fantastic]

I can see the plastic nature of the interior. Looks okay.

 

[charbaby]

My niece had an '11 4Runner and just last year(2024) traded it in for a '24 Highlander(I believe a non-hybrid). I think that she got a decent trade-in on the 4Runner. She claims that she never had a single issue with the 4Runner in 13 years except for normal maintenance and ware-n-tare(brakes, tires, fluids).

It was a complete gas guzzler, road only so-so and kind'a noisy inside, was decently comfy inside but otherwise a cheap interior and was a complete tank/beast of a vehicle. And what she was getting in poor fuel economy, she made up for not having expensive repairs. IDK how that calculates as I didn't own the vehicle! I'd be nice to think that it was a wash but who knows?

 

[Finklejag]

That interior does look cheap. I have been reading about the low quality body parts on the 4Runner, but people will still fork out $50K+ for one though.

 

[supton]

The temperature and fuel "gauges" look really weird to me. In a cheapo car, I'd be ok with it. But not in something expensive. Fake LCD "gauges" look way better. Would not care to look at those while driving; guess I'm rather used to the display on my current Toyota fleet (2021 vintage).

The HVAC buttons, are those toggle-like? They look larger than the chiclet buttons on mine. [But I'd rather have the old rotary control IMO.]

 

[buster]

Will be interesting to see if this generation can match the prior in terms of reliability. The last gen was one of the most reliable vehicles you could buy with the 4.0L.

 

[We're Metals]

Realistically they are $50,000 vehicles. Hard to imagine a vehicle 3-4 years ago with an interior that crappy. Same with the Tacomas. Toyota has the ability to build a good interior at a price point but they chose Ford level plastics on almost everything you touch.

I saw in the Trail Hunter version over the weekend up at Camelback and it was way better with the upgrades. The leather was really nice feeling and attractive. Sticker was north of $70k. Sales kid was quick to point out the snorkel and cool wheels. I left realizing that my next daily driver likely isn't going to be a Toyota.

 

[buster]

Ya I'm not sure Toyota builds in that legendary reliability anymore. Probably hard to do with all the added complexity through tech and simple fact that they have to keep up with the joneses.

 

[02SE]

So we went and got an emissions test on our 5th gen 4Runner at the dealer we bought it from today. While there we took a 6th gen TRD ORP for a test drive, to see if the "Quality Control Hold" sales embargo they were on for several months earlier this year, improved the build quality at all over the first 6th gen 4Runners that went on sale to the public back in the Spring.

I'm sorry to say that I found the same issues. Maybe Toyota will see fit to make improvements on the 2026.

Afterwards we stopped by Carmax which was across the street, and got an offer of 5k over the MSRP our 5th gen stickered at 6 years ago. Of course I paid 15% less than MSRP back then. We could get into a new 6th gen for very little cash outlay, but then what would we have?

 

[CKN]

So we went and got an emissions test on our 5th gen 4Runner at the dealer we bought it from today. While there we took a 6th gen TRD ORP for a test drive, to see if the "Quality Control Hold" sales embargo they were on for several months earlier this year, improved the build quality at all over the first 6th gen 4Runners that went on sale to the public back in the Spring.

I'm sorry to say that I found the same issues. Maybe Toyota will see fit to make improvements on the 2026.

Afterwards we stopped by Carmax which was across the street, and got an offer of 5k over the MSRP our 5th gen stickered at 6 years ago. Of course I paid 15% less than MSRP back then. We could get into a new 6th gen for very little cash outlay, but then what would we have?

Toyota has fallen-for sure. They have issues. They will probably iron them out. But those who say "buy a Toyota for quality" in this present day are delusional.

 

[02SE]

So I've heard of the trim melting issue on the Lexus GX 550, but this is the first time I've heard of the 6th gen 4Runner having issues too.

https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...ng-in-the-harsh-northern-sun.6737/#post-82960

 

[Bryanccfshr]

So I've heard of the trim melting issue on the Lexus GX 550, but this is the first time I've heard of the 6th gen 4Runner having issues too.

https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...ng-in-the-harsh-northern-sun.6737/#post-82960

That looks like it was due to light reflection from building windows. Bummer, people need to be careful where they park their shiny new vehicles.

 

[02SE]

That looks like it was due to light reflection from building windows. Bummer, people need to be careful where they park their shiny new vehicles.

Maybe, but I've never seen that happen to another vehicle, except several instances of similar things happening to the Lexus GX550, which is built on the same platform, and in the same factory as the 6th gen 4Runner.

 

[dfarr67]

I borrowed a Tundra years ago and with all the tech compared to my GMT400, was surprised that the mileage was not far better. That has always stuck with me.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

Does it not seem agreeable that the same type of vehicles (off-road status symbols)would end up parking in an urban glass building setting? Or office park? If we are going to g with the correlation=causation theme.

Maybe, but I've never seen that happen to another vehicle, except several instances of similar things happening to the Lexus GX550, which is built on the same platform, and in the same factory as the 6th gen 4Runner.