One of the biggest questions we’ve had since Toyota announced that our new Land Cruiser would be based on the smaller Prado variant and slot under the Sequoia was: How will it compare to the new 4Runner? Now that the 2025 Toyota 4Runner has been introduced, we can start answering this question. And we only say “start” because at this point we’re not sure we fully understand the answer.
You see, we’ve put together the numbers for the new 4Runner and the new Land Cruiser as well as the old Toyota 4Runner to be safe. We’ve put them all together in a handy table above. And well, the 4Runner and Land Cruiser seem to be even closer together than we expected.
First, the wheelbase and width are virtually identical (the Land Cruiser is only a tenth of an inch wider). The length is also pretty darn close: The 4Runner is only 1.1 inches longer than the Land Cruiser.
What’s even stranger is that the 4Runner is in two key places better for off-road use than the Land Cruiser. It has 1.2 inches more ground clearance (compared to the standard models) and is almost half a foot shorter in overall height than the Land Cruiser. The 4Runner also has an optional third-row bench seat, while the Land Cruiser is only a two-row model.
There is hardly any difference in the drive either. Yes, the standard 4Runner only has the non-hybrid turbo four-cylinder with significantly less power and torque, but the optional Hybrid Max powertrain has the exact same 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque as the Land Cruiser. And both have all-wheel drive, although some versions of the 4Runner can only be selected with all-wheel drive (not a full-time setting).
Actually there Is a version of the Land Cruiser that may be further differentiated from the 4Runner. But it has a Lexus emblem. The GX, the Land Cruiser’s fancier twin, still has a third row of seats. It also has a twin-turbo V6 with significantly more power than the Land Cruiser. Sure it’s more expensive, but the engine, features and seating flexibility make it special. However, the Land Cruiser looks good in a retro look. The 4Runner is also visually no problem, although it is much more modern and is closely based on the Tacoma on which it is based.
One thing is clear, however: In technical terms, the new 4Runner is largely bigger and better than its predecessor. The base turbo four-cylinder makes 8 more horsepower and 39 pound-feet more torque than the old 4.0-liter V6 it replaces. The gearbox of the new version has three also additional gears which will almost certainly help with fuel economy (stay tuned for this information in the future). And of course that only applies to the basic four-cylinder. The hybrid version we already discussed will probably feel like an order of magnitude (not). literallybut I see you, math commenters) stronger.
Based on our experience in the Tacoma, the new four should be a welcome improvement all around, even without all the extra gears. It has much more torque, all at low revs with quick turbo response. Compared to the stodgy old powertrain, the new 4Runner’s standard powertrain will undoubtedly be better in every way.
The new 4Runner is also more than 3 inches longer in length and wheelbase and 2 inches wider than its predecessor. This isn’t necessarily an improvement in off-road capability, but it should make the interior more usable. Hopefully this will somewhat improve the third row seats, which were extremely tight in the old model.
Of course there are many open questions. We don’t have fuel economy numbers or pricing for the new 4Runner. However, we expect the mileage to improve compared to the last model and the price to be lower than the Land Cruiser. Where the Hybrid Max version lands in terms of price compared to the Land Cruiser will be very interesting. So be sure to check back Autoblog when these numbers come out to provide an even clearer picture.