To 24' or 25', that is the question

Greetings- I come to this forum as a Toyota Tacoma Pre-runner owner for 10 years. I am ready for a new Toyota , and I have my heart set on the 4-runner. Now, here comes the BIGGG QUESTION: I have to decide between a 24’ and a 25’ 4-runner. I have never owned a hybrid or EV, but I am interested in the advantages and tech going forward. I am very familiar with a V6, and I have uncertainties towards changing to a hybrid at this stage/time. Please, if you would, offer me whatever opinion or advice you could toward purchasing either a 24’ or 25’ 4-runner.

I live southern CA, don’t do off roading, I am considering either the limited or TRD pro trim. Thanks-

 

Why do you want a 4Runner? A Highlander would do fine

 

…n so it begins

 

Never buy the first couple of years of a new vehicle unless you want to deal with the growing pains. There are better street vehicles like the Highlander, Pilot, RX and others but would go Limited over the Pro Bro for the street.

 

Get a Honda Pilot.

 

2024, then a 2027 if you really want new tech. First year model year with all this tech? No thanks.

 

The difference is only a foot.

Sorry, had to. But seriously, I value reliability over everything else when it comes to a vehicle. So that would lead me to buy a ‘24. 2025 might be extremely reliable, but being new, it has no track record yet.

 

I already voted with my wallet and I bought a 2024 Limited. The 2025 might be a great vehicle, but almost without exception the first year of a completely new model will have at least a few kinks to work out. Never buy version 1.0 of anything. I know the 2024 doesn't get very good mileage and isn't peppy, but it's as reliable as an anvil and I value reliability above all else.

If you're not going to offroad it at all, the Limited is a good choice. You get the auto-climate control, real leather seats, JBL sound system and full-time 4wd. The Pro is much better looking but you pay a big premium for it, depending on your dealer's level of greed.

 

If I wasn’t going off-pavement a Highlander would fit my use case a lot better and cost less. Since you’re interested in a hybrid, the system in the Highlander is proven and a bulletproof design.

There’s certainly going to be a price jump of some kind for ‘25 whether upfront or in markups and lines.

I currently expect the new 4Runner to be solid in bones but you still gotta contend with the first year of production risk. Note that you won’t get as much efficiency benefits going gas to hybrid 4Runner than say, gas to hybrid Highlander.

 

Ineos Grenadier? If you won't off road but are considering a TRD Pro, the Ineos is probably a better vehicle for you, honestly. Otherwise, the 2025 Limited is the way to go. The 2024 was designed, maybe 15 years ago. It's old.

 

If not offroading, go limited, they are nice and still very capable. I’d buy the 24 and wait to see what the next generation 4Runner turns out to be. I do agree with others who say to check out other vehicles, although I don’t like the highlander, we do enjoy our Rav4 along with our runner. Good luck.

 

2024 Limited 4wd 7seat with automatic running boards is my vote.

Far more comfortable, easy to park with parking sensors, ventilated seats for summer over TRD Pro.

As for 2025 4runner, the engine expert CarCareNut clearly mentioned turbo engine never be reliable as N/A engine. Also he said 5th gen 4runner engine is better than 5.7 Land Cruiser/Tundra and 4.6 GX460 engine.

Also by seeing the disasters the new Tundra see since beginning of its launch I have poor faith in new Toyota engines.

 

Get the 25 4runner and then post in here and watch everyone above change their minds and congratulate you

 

Congratulating doesn't mean people change minds. Even I Congratulate when someone post buying a new Land Cruiser/ Tundra/ Sequoia or even LX600 where I believe it's a poor choice in terms of reliability.

 

I didn’t congratulate the guy that traded in for a LC.

 

I want folks to buy the 25, thus it can be real world tested.

 

I bought the 1st year Armada in 2004, many trips to the dealer to get it straightened out. What’s your time and hassle worth? Never again.
BTW, the Nissan 5.6 is a powerhouse.

 

Well, here goes, if you can find a Pro at MSRP, I’d personally get that, they really hold their value over all the other trims in terms of resale. Although, dealerships will discount the limited trim, along with the others. I purchased my 2024 TRD ORP w/KDSS and received a 5% discount off MSRP. I specifically targeted that trim to get the KDSS option, which works well, as I expected. Go drive them, then decide. Good luck and welcome from San Diego!

 

For some people, including me, looks play an important part in selecting a vehicle. Coming out of my old friend, my 2006 Tundra SR5 Double Cab TRD 4WD, I still wanted a “trucky” looking vehicle. The pre-owned 2022 4RUNNER SR5 Premium 4WD I ran across was just the ticket for me.

Wifey and I did drive a couple Highlanders, but their looks just didn’t float my boat. Not even body on frame. Not “trucky” to me. it seemed like a Mom-mobile.

Same for that Honda Pilot. Not “trucky”. Honda Ridgeline? Give me a break. A wanna-be truck in my book. So we didn’t even test drive any Hondas.

The 4RUNNER had me. Yeah yeah some say it’s old news, but to me, coming out of my 2006 Tundra, this ‘22 fifth gen is PLENTY fresh enough and refined for me, and yet seems and feels like an old familiar friend.

…old 68 year old cave man talking here. I sure as hell don’t need all that hi-tech over-priced unreliable crap, or a distracting obnoxious damn IMAX theater screen on my dash.

 

Not OP, but here is my answer. I test drove both Highlander and Grand Highlander and visibility was awful and interior was taken over by screens. 4Runner has very intuitive dimensions - you can almost see the edge from behind the wheel. Consequently, initial test drive turned me off Highlander. Also - 4Runner has large physical buttons for all controls, proven transmission and engine, analog cluster.

Yes, 4Runner offroad capabilities will go unused in my case, but offroading isn't the only reason to get one. Especially if you go for 4Runner Limited, which has a more reasonable all-time 4WD setup insofar as on-pavement driving.

 

I don't think the new 2025 4Runner with turbocharged engine and hybrid system could be as reliable as the current one, but it may be still be a reasonable truck.

I recommend you watch this, while not 4Runner, it will give you ideas about what to expect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcNlKJCzudg

 

If you are in SW Ohio region.. I am at invoice on new 2024's.. MSRP on the Pro

 

This part is not true. They depreciate equal to all other trims. And I’ve shown many examples to prove that.

here’s a 2024 Pro with 9k miles for $57k
https://www.carmax.com/car/25918198

here’s a 2023 ORP with 5k miles for $49k
https://www.carmax.com/car/25239032

And there are tons and tons of other examples. The holding its value better than other trims is a myth. Barely, marginally, if at all. Add the MSRP discount on ORPs and the better value is an obvious choice.

Buy the pro if you like it more, it’s just worth the extra dollars it commands. It’s your money.

 

Go with the '24, never go with the first year of a new style, there's always issues, look at the issues Toyota is already having with the engines they're putting in the new 4Runners. We haven't even seen what if any other issues or recalls there is or will be on the '25. Like others have said go with a '24 or wait until '27 at least for them to iron out issues.

 

Just delivered my first Lancruiser today.. 1st edition.. an awesome machine!!! 2nd one goes next week

 

@ToyotaKingDave to where, and to whom, did you deliver it?

 

I voted with my feet and yanked my deposit on a LC250 and 6th Gen 4Runner after driving the LC. Happily purchased one of the last TRD Pro 4Runner 5th Gens while it’s still available. Many reasons why.

Also, if your timeline matters at all there’s this:

Toyota Pushes Back US Launch of Popular SUV on Shortage of Parts
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...us-launch-of-popular-suv-on-shortage-of-parts

 

Interested in your reasons why. What did you like better about the 4Runner than the LC?

 

If you’re really wanting to know, go search and look at the Landcruiser Engine Performance thread I started within the forum.

In a nutshell, the real world performance and fuel economy doesn’t seem to be living up to expectations. Also, the last of the 5th Gen 4Runners to the new TNGA marks a shift in ethos and almost necessarily so (EPA and CAFE standards). But I didn’t want to look back and regret not being able to get ahold of a 5th Gen with a known to me provenance.

Also, while I was myself only considering a First Edition LC or the top trim levels of 6th Gen 4Runner, the LC250 in 1958 trim and the 5th Gen TRD Pro are the closest in price. Dual power front seats, TRD Pro Fox suspension, better AT tires, much better JBL stereo, more cargo space while still having tidier exterior dimensions… those all are in favor of the 5th Gen 4Runner. Most stunningly, so is acceleration. Also, having to use premium fuel in the LC250 vs regular in the 4Runner means just to be at parity, the Landcruiser needs to get at least 21-30% better mileage at the pump. My last tank of gas on the 4Runner I hand calculated 21.2 MPGs with a 30/70 split between city and highway. I mean I could go on and on.