Best value trim models for 2025 4Runner 6th gen (by use case)

[Gastan]

I'm curious what everyone thinks is the best value trim for each of the following use cases:

On-Road Use Only

- for me: TRD Sport​

Mix of On-road & Off-road Use

- for me: TRD Off-Road​

​

Heavy Off-Road / Overlanding Rig Use

- for me: Trailhunter​

 

[MJE]

My use case is primarily on road. Off-road for me would be unmaintained roads you could take a Subaru down. I can agree with either of your choices in on/off road.

The TRD Sport seems to give you most of what you’d need & the 360 cameras are available on the premium version. What I can’t recall though is which trims have the 3rd row & which are hybrid. That to me might be the ultimate deciding factor. No 3rd row & hybrid for me.

But then I’m probably also shopping closer to LC levels (& will compare the two) so I’m probably between Limited/Platinum. Both of which might be the best choice for me, but probably aren’t at the top of the list when it comes to ‘value’ trims.

 

[DustyLens]

I would consider only the hybrid. If you don't want the hybrid, then stick with a 5th generation. Why get a gas-only 6th generation, at least before they've been out a few years?

I mostly commute in my 4Runner (and it's a very short commute), but I like the ability to do some fairly serious off-roading here in Arizona and SoCal.

So I'm looking into a hybrid TRD Off-Road Premium, in green, with moonroof.

 

[AlanA]

I would consider only the hybrid. If you don't want the hybrid, then stick with a 5th generation. Why get a gas-only 6th generation, at least before they've been out a few years?

I mostly commute in my 4Runner (and it's a very short commute), but I like the ability to do some fairly serious off-roading here in Arizona and SoCal.

So I'm looking into a hybrid TRD Off-Road Premium, in green, with moonroof.

What about the regular gas version?

 

[Old Spice]

This might provide some more perspectives -- Car and Driver editors spec out the different trims

How We'd Spec It: 2025 Toyota 4Runner from the Bottom to the Top

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a63158599/2025-toyota-4runner-build-spec-price/

 

[retirementOwl]

I'd like a TRD Pro,but I won't spend $70k and I don't like losing cargo space to the battery, so....

TRD Off-Road - Problem is 2 options I want are not available

1) Sway Bar disconnect - Crazy you can't get this on a vehicle they call "Off-Road"
2) Third Row Seat- Should be available on all non-hybrids

I really want to love the new 4Runner more than I do, but without these options I'm having a hard time spending the money to trade out of my Bronco Sasquatch V6.

 

[andim]

Trailhunter for light off roading and light overlanding. I could go with a TRD off road and build it up a bit. But then the price difference to the trailhunter is only ~5-7k . And since I'm not the do it yourself car mechanic type I think it's in the long run much cheaper to have the Trailhunter with all mods already done and under warranty.

I know it's a bit lame but I think there will be three types that buy a Trailhunter: People with money who just love the looks. People like me who do light off-roading and don't have the time, space, tools and skill to build up a TRD off-road. And people who plan on more serious offloading/overlanding and build up the trailhunter.

 

[qtb007]

I'd like a TRD Pro,but I won't spend $70k and I don't like losing cargo space to the battery, so....

TRD Off-Road - Problem is 2 options I want are not available

1) Sway Bar disconnect - Crazy you can't get this on a vehicle they call "Off-Road"
2) Third Row Seat- Should be available on all non-hybrids

I really want to love the new 4Runner more than I do, but without these options I'm having a hard time spending the money to trade out of my Bronco Sasquatch V6.

While the SDM not being available on the TRD OR is surprising, a VAST majority of 4Runners don't have KDSS. I bet it is on the order of 1 in 20 or less. When I bought my '16 trail edition, I had to search far and wide to find one with KDSS. It wasn't a game changer, IMO. It drove nice on the roads but it was a heavy system and limited armor options because it hung down lower than the standard suspension.

IMO, the Sasquatch is going to be a completely different animal than a 4Runner. It is a true off road bruiser. That said, the 4Runner is pretty darn capable for what most people are doing with them and is a significantly better daily driver. If I were you, I'd jump on a Limited with 3rd row and toss an aftermarket suspension under it with some 33" all terrains and have a real jack of all trades vehicle on your hands. It won't be as good off road as the Bronco, but it will be a much better vehicle 95% of the time with a great full time 4WD system and excellent technology. And it will probably get 20% better fuel efficiency than the Bronco.

Regarding the OP's original question, I'm currently between 4Runners. I've had 3 different 5th gens ('10 SR5, '16 Trail, '23 Pro) and around 130k miles between the 3 of them. The last one was a company car, so it went back since the 2 year lease was up. I'm trying out the 4Runner-less life for the time being but watching intently to see how things play out. If I had to buy one today, I'd probably go with a TRD Off Road Premium, non-hybrid because I don't need the extra power and the extra 6 cu ft would be nice. The Pro isn't exactly in the same strata as the Pro that I had. It's moved up market considerably. I think that the 6th gen TRD OR will be a hair more capable than the 5th gen Pro while having a ton of tech that the 5th gen doesn't. After driving a bright orange 4Runner around for 2 years, I think I'm ok blending in a little bit, too.