Which Should You Buy? 2025 Land Cruiser vs. 2025 4Runner TRD Off-Road -- Verdict: 4Runner is Clear Winner

[Jack]

For this author, the 4Runner is the clear winner for him when considering the 2025 4Runner TRD Off-Road vs. the Land Cruiser.

Which Should You Buy? 2025 Land Cruiser vs. 2025 4Runner TRD Off-Road

While the Land Cruiser has always been the top-dog SUV at Toyota, can the latest version on offer in North America beat out the newly redesigned 4Runner?

Full article - https://gearjunkie.com/motors/2025-land-cruiser-versus-2025-4runner

Verdict:

To wrap this all up, the 4Runner is a clear winner to me. This is especially true when you consider value for money, as it’s nearly $5K less.​

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Yes, I wish you could option the front sway bar disconnect, have a better approach angle, and have the fancy fog lights of the Land Cruiser, but all of those things are easily fixed in the aftermarket if you so wish. The improved head, shoulder, and leg room, three-zone climate control, and better steering on offer with Land Cruiser are considerations, however.​

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The 4Runner truly shines when you consider it offers better ground clearance, more range, more cargo size and weight capacity, a better front passenger seat, more rear passenger legroom, a much bigger infotainment screen, and cool bonuses like the power rear window and built-in portable speaker.​

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While styling is subjective, I think the 4Runner wins here as well, if for no other reason than it doesn’t have the wart-like tow hitch receiver cover and weird front bumper winglet things. I’m also much more of a fan of the interior styling of the 4Runner, especially the dash and center console.​

 

[MJE]

I’ve also read opinions strongly the other way in favor of the LC. I think the take home message is both are worth considering. But there’s not half as much overlap as it seems many people think. An individual buyer may or may not consider both, but with everything from looks to price to packaging, the 2 are so differentiated that it seems a smart move to capture more buyers by having 2 entries built off the same platform.

 

[tomter]

I’ve also read opinions strongly the other way in favor of the LC. I think the take home message is both are worth considering. But there’s not half as much overlap as it seems many people think. An individual buyer may or may not consider both, but with everything from looks to price to packaging, the 2 are so differentiated that it seems a smart move to capture more buyers by having 2 entries built off the same platform.

This is a good analysis as I've been decided between the two for a while now. My biggest question right now is would I be satisfied with the non-hybrid 4runner with the 19 gallon tank vs the hybrid LC with the 17.9 gallon tank balancing performance and range. The hybrid version of the 4runner is out of my budget range for the model I would want plus I can't wait that long for it to be produced. Thoughts?

 

[Jack]

This is a good analysis as I've been decided between the two for a while now. My biggest question right now is would I be satisfied with the non-hybrid 4runner with the 19 gallon tank vs the hybrid LC with the 17.9 gallon tank balancing performance and range.

The gas engine Tacoma seems to be getting accurate real world range -- up to about 23mpg which is the factory quoted MPG. And owners have been happy with the performance of the gas engine too. This is the real world MPG numbers report thread that I pop into at Tacoma4g - https://www.tacoma4g.com/forum/threads/real-life-mpg-thread-share-your-2024-tacoma-4th-gens-gas-mileage-.2072/)

The hybrid version of the 4runner is out of my budget range for the model I would want plus I can't wait that long for it to be produced. Thoughts?

The hybrid 4Runner model starts production in February - just 2 months after the gas models. So it's production isn't that far away?

 

[MJE]

This is a good analysis as I've been decided between the two for a while now. My biggest question right now is would I be satisfied with the non-hybrid 4runner with the 19 gallon tank vs the hybrid LC with the 17.9 gallon tank balancing performance and range. The hybrid version of the 4runner is out of my budget range for the model I would want plus I can't wait that long for it to be produced. Thoughts?

I suspect with initial early adopter demand that you may not be able to get into a non-hybrid 4R any quicker than the hybrid ones if initial allocations are sold out in your area. Budget though, if your’e limited to a non-hybrid 4R I assume you’re looking at a 1958 LC? There may be some deals to be had on those as they seem more plentiful on the ground. I don’t think you could go wrong either way, but I think it’s smart to wait to compare the two before making a purchase decision.

 

[tomter]

I suspect with initial early adopter demand that you may not be able to get into a non-hybrid 4R any quicker than the hybrid ones if initial allocations are sold out in your area. Budget though, if your’e limited to a non-hybrid 4R I assume you’re looking at a 1958 LC? There may be some deals to be had on those as they seem more plentiful on the ground. I don’t think you could go wrong either way, but I think it’s smart to wait to compare the two before making a purchase decision.

Correct. The 1958 LC. Dealers are at 8% off MSRP right now on that model before any negotiating. As you suggested, I might just see what the first 4r non-hybrid units are like and perhaps LC pricing will come down even further by then since the gap between 4r model years will start to be filled. Thanks!!!