2025 4Runner reviewed by Doug DeMuro

[wemay]

"It doesn't have V6, but it is still a beast?" I get off-road capability, but current V6 needs passengers to get out and push at Vail pass

I'm waiting to see how it does in some off-road reviews. TFL maybe.

 

[edyvw]

I'm waiting to see how it does in some off-road reviews. TFL maybe.

Maybe, I hope they don't lock rear diff. in ice though.

 

[dogememe]

I'm waiting to see how it does in some off-road reviews. TFL maybe.

Ugh I can't stand TFL. I avoid their videos. I'll take Doug over TFL any day!

 

[edyvw]

Ours can do it no problem. Granted it needs to downshift and rev, but so do most NA engines.

I was referring to the usage of the word "beast" to explain power. Let me say, it is "inappropriate."

 

[alarmguy]

I like the Blue, not a fan of the tan =
https://www.motortrend.com/news/2025-toyota-4runner-first-look-review/

 

[Astro14]

"It doesn't have V6, but it is still a beast?" I get off-road capability, but current V6 needs passengers to get out and push at Vail pass

You should have seen my 1990 4Runner 4WD with the “3.0 slow” 150 HP V-6 in Vail Pass. Or Loveland…

 

[edyvw]

You should have seen my 1990 4Runner 4WD with the “3.0 slow” 150 HP V-6 in Vail Pass. Or Loveland…

LOL, I know, I know.

 

[02SE]

I was referring to the usage of the word "beast" to explain power. Let me say, it is "inappropriate."

So it's just a bit of hyperbole, like saying passengers have to get out and push...

 

[97prizm]

I didn't watch it yet but Doug is wacked normally

He's kooky but apparently pulls in $400k plus a year. Apparently the kooky works.

 

[edyvw]

So it's just a bit of hyperbole, like saying passengers have to get out and push...

No, that was. This is not. That vehicles is absolutely not a beast on the road, and I have never met anyone who said: you should see how this thing is going.
Off-road capabilities are one thing; no one disputes that, but beast? FAR from it. One can argue whether it has enough power or not, but "beast" is definitely not one.
I would say, pushing is closer to truth than beast.

 

[97prizm]

Man, this is gonna sell very well.

I still thnk a trd supercharged V-6 should have been an option. Is a high-strung 4 cylinder a good off-road contender especially with how heavy current SUV's are?

 

[JHZR2]

I'm waiting to see how it does in some off-road reviews. TFL maybe.

If it’s a turbo engine it should make nice flat torque down low. I’d suspect that will make for a nice rig to run in 4Low???

 

[Astro14]

If it’s a turbo engine it should make nice flat torque down low. I’d suspect that will make for a nice rig to run in 4Low???

It can certainly be tuned that way.

Both of the 5.5 L MB V-12 engines make full torque at 1,800 RPM. That’s 590 ftlbs of torque at 1,800. It’s a matter of turbo size, control systems, valve timing and overlap and a few other parameters, but yeah, torque monster is how I would describe those turbo engines.

They put a 5.5 L V-8 to shame, and are nearly in turbodiesel truck territory for torque.

Turbo engine powerbands can be tuned to be very, very broad, not something you can easily get with NA engines, even with variable valve timing.

That said, I didn’t think it was possible to make the 4Runner any uglier.

But I was wrong.

 

[buster]

Buy a sports car if you're looking for speed. 4Runner is an off roader first.

 

[SC Maintenance]

They made it longer, with with worse approach and departure angles.

Clearly not targeted at the off road crowd. Another mall crawler. Too bad

 

[edyvw]

It can certainly be tuned that way.

Both of the 5.5 L MB V-12 engines make full torque at 1,800 RPM. That’s 590 ftlbs of torque at 1,800. It’s a matter of turbo size, control systems, valve timing and overlap and a few other parameters, but yeah, torque monster is how I would describe those turbo engines.

They put a 5.5 L V-8 to shame, and are nearly in turbodiesel truck territory for torque.

Turbo engine powerbands can be tuned to be very, very broad, not something you can easily get with NA engines, even with variable valve timing.

That said, I didn’t think it was possible to make the 4Runner any uglier.

But I was wrong.

I think this engine is 1,800-3,600 flat torque.

 

[edyvw]

If it’s a turbo engine it should make nice flat torque down low. I’d suspect that will make for a nice rig to run in 4Low???

The downside I see is turbo lag and sudden rush of torque in situations where that is not desirable. They will probably have pretty long gas pedal and not as reactive throttle settings.

 

[JHZR2]

It can certainly be tuned that way.

Both of the 5.5 L MB V-12 engines make full torque at 1,800 RPM. That’s 590 ftlbs of torque at 1,800. It’s a matter of turbo size, control systems, valve timing and overlap and a few other parameters, but yeah, torque monster is how I would describe those turbo engines.

They put a 5.5 L V-8 to shame, and are nearly in turbodiesel truck territory for torque.

Turbo engine powerbands can be tuned to be very, very broad, not something you can easily get with NA engines, even with variable valve timing.

That said, I didn’t think it was possible to make the 4Runner any uglier.

But I was wrong.

Oh I know. Both my Saab 9-3 and BMW 135i makes full torque just off fast idle, and holds it nice and flat for a long while.

I’d suspect that newer engine designs do even better…

As much as I will take my shots, the 4Runner kept true to its form and remained handsome for the long run. It’s getting the funky Toyota styling more and more now…

 

[Astro14]

Oh I know. Both my Saab 9-3 and BMW 135i makes full torque just off fast idle, and holds it nice and flat for a long while.

I’d suspect that newer engine designs do even better…

As much as I will take my shots, the 4Runner kept true to its form and remained handsome for the long run. It’s getting the funky Toyota styling more and more now…

Slightly off topic, I think this was the 4Runner high water mark for styling. Not much power. But happy off road and reliable as an anvil.

 

[02SE]

No, that was. This is not. That vehicles is absolutely not a beast on the road, and I have never met anyone who said: you should see how this thing is going.
Off-road capabilities are one thing; no one disputes that, but beast? FAR from it. One can argue whether it has enough power or not, but "beast" is definitely not one.
I would say, pushing is closer to truth than beast.