Owner Review: 2025 4Runner SR5 4x4 w/ 3rd Row Seats - Impressions, Photos, MPG Figures

[mars001]

I didn’t reserve or preallocate on this. They had someone drop out of purchasing this so I was able to snag it. I don’t think they’re a “no markup or add on” dealer but my sales guys were able to get them removed without much fuss.

Thanks! Appreciate the info!

 

[Nodak]

those look exactly like our 23 tundra platinum oem wheels that i removed and replaced with fuel wheels.

looking good for a replacement for my platinum 4R gloss black wheels

 

[ItsmeAlex]

Plan is for this to be the sole vehicle that me and my wife will drive. We both WFH for the most part so this will do beautifully when we want to go outdoors with our dogs. I plan on taking this camping regularly with a Thule roof box.

I'm planning to install a roof box too. Which Thule cargo roof box are you installing?

 

[4WheelBugout]

Nice review, pics are very helpful. And congrats! The SR5 with 4WD and third row looks like a really good deal. Some missing features like heated seats are too bad, but you can’t have everything and I might actually prefer the simpler and smaller instrument and infotainment screens.

What many of us don’t know is how the major components compare to the 5th Gen SR5. In that SR5 you could make an off road beast by just putting big tires and maybe a lift on it. Maybe also more skid plates. Is the new SR5 like that, or is it using weaker drivetrain and suspension components?

The rumblings are that the axles, transfer case and suspension components such as knuckles and mounts aren’t as tough as they used to be? Has anyone investigated that?

I’m sure this is more than tough enough for road duty, and we have good reason to believe that the new frame is more corrosion resistant. But what about the rest? Is this ready for hardcore off roading with a few easy mods?

While I don't know for sure, I highly doubt the new SR5 has dumbed down components, it would probably cost Toyota more logistically to do that. Also, seeing that many of the early mods have been done on the SR5 has me thinking this is pretty much identical to the top trims just without all the bells and whistles. The SR5 seems to be the best value pick, especially if you have future mods in mind.

 

[LLL1990]

While I don't know for sure, I highly doubt the new SR5 has dumbed down components, it would probably cost Toyota more logistically to do that. Also, seeing that many of the early mods have been done on the SR5 has me thinking this is pretty much identical to the top trims just without all the bells and whistles. The SR5 seems to be the best value pick, especially if you have future mods in mind.

I agree. They changed the shocks depending on trim level but I’m sure most other suspension components like bushings, links, springs etc are the same. Same with the stuff you don’t see like wiring harnesses switches etc.

 

[Kokorone]

I'm planning to install a roof box too. Which Thule cargo roof box are you installing?

I have a Motion XT XL sitting on my wall. Hoping to take some pics with it today to post

 

[docboy]

Congratz on the purchase! I'm curious to know:

1) How's the steering feel? Is it tool light as some reviewers have mentioned? Any feel of the road? I suspect steering feel on the SR5 may differ than those trims offering Sport and Sport+ modes.

2) How's the front seats and seating position? Are the seats comfy? Does the center console bother and bump into your right leg and knee? I'm 5'11" and a lot of vehicles now have a very annoying and wide center console that makes it feel very cramped.

3) How's the ride quality? Does it feel more refined and planted than the 5th gen 4R? When braking, do you feel nose diving?

 

[kekecarioca]

Awesome share @Kokorone . We appreciate it here (photo dump and all)!

 

[kekecarioca]

Congratz on the purchase! I'm curious to know:

1) How's the steering feel? Is it tool light as some reviewers have mentioned? Any feel of the road? I suspect steering feel on the SR5 may differ than those trims offering Sport and Sport+ modes.

2) How's the front seats and seating position? Are the seats comfy? Does the center console bother and bump into your right leg and knee? I'm 5'11" and a lot of vehicles now have a very annoying and wide center console that makes it feel very cramped.

3) How's the ride quality? Does it feel more refined and planted than the 5th gen 4R? When braking, do you feel nose diving?

On the drive Videos many seem too accentuate how much better the braking "nose dive" is compare to 5th gen .

 

[Henry]

Ace owners review writeup and answers / updates @Kokorone and it shows. Seems this thread has over 10k views already in much less than 24 hours.

 

[Kokorone]

Can you please post your door tag label stickers with the GVWR and Payload numbers?

Thanks for all the info so far we've all been waiting for in depth 6th gen owner reviews.

Just took some door sticker pics for ya.

Payload: 1160 lbs / 525 kg (reduced 61 lbs / 28kg by modifications - per yellow sticker)

GVWR: 6075 lbs

 

[Parker516]

Just took some door sticker pics for ya.

Payload: 1160 lbs / 525 kg (reduced 61 lbs / 28kg by modifications - per yellow sticker)

GVWR: 6075 lbs

Thanks!

Looks like your SR5 has higher payload and lower GVWR than @jerrycaparros' TRD Sport which makes sense.

His stickers show:

Payload of 895 lbs
GVWR of 6395 lbs

 

[Kokorone]

Congratz on the purchase! I'm curious to know:

1) How's the steering feel? Is it tool light as some reviewers have mentioned? Any feel of the road? I suspect steering feel on the SR5 may differ than those trims offering Sport and Sport+ modes.

2) How's the front seats and seating position? Are the seats comfy? Does the center console bother and bump into your right leg and knee? I'm 5'11" and a lot of vehicles now have a very annoying and wide center console that makes it feel very cramped.

3) How's the ride quality? Does it feel more refined and planted than the 5th gen 4R? When braking, do you feel nose diving?

Hi sorry answering these now

1. The steering is extremely light overall, I can turn it easily with just one finger hooked into the edge of the wheel. The road feel is there but minimal. I'd say that you probably feel the lane keep assist more than anything else. Nothing bad, but of note.

2. The seating position is perfect imo. I don't mind manual chairs since me and my wife share the same car and its significantly faster to adjust when you're not waiting for slow seat motors. Seats are extremely comfortable and feel durable even though they are cloth. I am 6 foot 2 inches tall and I don't have any issues with the seat box, but I'd say its somewhat narrow compared to other vehicles of this size. The center console does not "bulge out" in any way.

3. Ride quality is excellent and its much more agile feeling without the top sway that the last gen had. Coming to a rapid stop does still have the nose dive feel though, but I'd imagine that's improvable with a better suspension. SR5 has the worst suspension setup of any of the trims.

 

[docboy]

Hi sorry answering these now

1. The steering is extremely light overall, I can turn it easily with just one finger hooked into the edge of the wheel. The road feel is there but minimal. I'd say that you probably feel the lane keep assist more than anything else. Nothing bad, but of note.

2. The seating position is perfect imo. I don't mind manual chairs since me and my wife share the same car and its significantly faster to adjust when you're not waiting for slow seat motors. Seats are extremely comfortable and feel durable even though they are cloth. I am 6 foot 2 inches tall and I don't have any issues with the seat box, but I'd say its somewhat narrow compared to other vehicles of this size. The center console does not "bulge out" in any way.

3. Ride quality is excellent and its much more agile feeling without the top sway that the last gen had. Coming to a rapid stop does still have the nose dive feel though, but I'd imagine that's improvable with a better suspension. SR5 has the worst suspension setup of any of the trims.

Thanks for the quick response and honest takes.

I'm guessing the light steering feel is typical of recent Toyota design. I recall the Grand Highlander as having a very light steering as well.

Nice to hear about the comfy seats and seating position, and very happy to hear the center console is not intrusive. Makes a huge difference in seat comfort so one doesn't suffer from a sore right leg and hip after each drive. IMHO a deal breaker.

Also nice to hear the excellent ride quality. I remember when test driving the 5G 4Runner, the ride felt very bouncy and wobbly when weaving in and out of traffic, a little unsettling IMHO.

 

[FWTBT]

I’ve got a 5th Gen Limited and it’s XREAS (hydraulic cross linked) suspension does a fantastic job of minimizing body roll and brake dive. It is however prone to leaking at some point and prohibitively expensive to replace. Which means you end up with Bilsteins or wtvr instead.

What will be interesting to see is whether Toyota managed to improve the on-road behavior without sacrificing off road ability and durability. If so they’ve really accomplished something good with the 6th Gen.

So it’s great to hear that the 6th Gen is doing a better job on this front without the expensive XREAS. In general, the reviews have really praised the on-road demeanor of this new generation, which has certainly been an issue for the old one. It suffers from wandering at highway speeds and is very sensitive to wheel balance. Lots of owners get intermittent steering wheel shakes above 55mph or so, and only very careful RoadForce balancing seems capable of fixing it.