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Summary

  • The Toyota 4Runner has remained relatively unchanged for 15 years, with a new generation set for a major reveal soon.
  • The upcoming 4Runner is expected to blend features from the Tacoma and Land Cruiser, slotting in between them with some overlap.
  • Anticipate the new 4Runner to adopt iFORCE technology, potentially offering a turbocharged 2.4L four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed transmission.



Toyota is a brand known for its reliability, and with that a reluctance to change. In terms of the 4Runner, the current fifth generation of the SUV came about 15 years ago! That’s quite the run these days for any vehicle.

Backing up, the first generation was more like a truck, with a rear bench in the bed and a removable top. The second-gen was also like the Tacoma of the time, but with an all-steel body. By the third-gen things changed a bit, but still, drivetrains were shared. Finally, the fourth and fifth iterations brought about different engines, interiors, and sizes from the Taco. Notably, a V-8 was available in the fourth-gen, while the fifth-gen featured the 4.0 liter V-6 for its entire 15-year run.

Fast-forward to today, and we find the next-gen 4Runner in our sights, primed for a big reveal. So far, we’ve only been teased with sneak peeks and hints at what the next 4Runner will bring to the trails.


In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Toyota, and other authoritative sources, including Car and Driver, and MotorTrend.

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Expectations Of Capabilities & Features

We know that the Toyota 4Runner will be a rugged SUV to handle family road trips, as well as the trails that come along the way. In the past, it has shared a lot of its basis with the mid-size Tacoma truck. So to continue that trend would not be a surprise.


Along with that, there is another newcomer to the fold, or rather an old friend so to speak. It would be fitting that this vehicle would also influence the 4Runner’s make-up, and that is none other than the all-new Land Cruiser. Expect the forthcoming 4Runner to feature items from both the Tacoma and Land Cruiser, as well as slot in between them, with perhaps some overlap.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma

There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the new 2024 Toyota Tacoma. As of now, one can only build six of the eight trims, as the top TRD Pro and all-new Trailhunter are not yet available. Still, all the models have been revealed, and a lot is known about them now.

The next Taco will ride on the TNGA-F platform, one that is shared across other current Toyota vehicles. The TRD Pro will feature trim exclusive ISO Performance front seats, with a FOX suspension. Meanwhile, the Trailhunter sports an Old Man Emu setup. Both feature the new JBL premium audio system, one complete with the FLEX portable speaker, which is both dustproof and waterproof. Both truck variants will also use ARB products from the factory. Also featuring skid plating and rear differential lockers, expect the 4Runner to adopt some or all of these features.


The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

This is a world where the 4Runner and Land Cruiser will co-exist. After all, both will ride on the same platform, sharing the Taco’s TNGA-F setup. It’s looking like the 4Runner will have more bare-bones options, and be more of a rocky off-road rig, while the Land Cruiser will occupy a more luxurious space. The latter may even be more of an overland choice, which is what the Tacoma Trailhunter will be, but of course, a 4Runner could also be utilized in such a way. Look for the Land Cruiser to pick up where the 4Runner leaves off, in terms of pricing, and its place in the lineup.

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The iFORCE Technology

2024 Toyota Tacoma engine bay displayed.
Motormouth via Youtube


Now that we’ve established that the 4Runner is traditionally based on the Tacoma, and that it will still be very closely linked to the truck, this SUV is anticipated to use the same available drivetrains or powertrains. This means a new turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing the outgoing V-6. Also, expect an eight-speed transmission, and perhaps even a six-speed manual!

The iFORCE Drivetrain

As stated, the standard mill for the new Tacoma is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, and it’s boosted. This provides a total power output of 228 horsepower, along with 243 pound-feet of torque. Note that these figures are for the base SR trim, as the other trims feature increased outputs of 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Peak values are available at 6,000 and 1,600/1,7000 RPM respectively. For the Tacoma, a manual transmission is available on several of the trims that utilize this engine.


The iFORCE MAX Powertrain

Taking the standard engine and stuffing an electric motor between it and the transmission, results in the most powerful Tacoma ever! This would be none other than what is known as the iFORCE Max, or hybrid setup. The iFORCE Max generates 365 net combined horsepower, along with 465 pound-feet of torque, all of which is available at only 1,700 RPM! Of note, only the eight-speed automatic is available here, so forget about a manual option.

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Projected Trims & Price

A white 2024 Toyota 4Runner and classic red 4Runner parked on rocks
Image Credit: Toyota

Like the Tacoma TRD Pro and Trailhunter, the new 4Runner is not yet available. As such, pricing is not readily accessible either. However, we do know that the cheapest 2024 Tacoma starts at $31,500, while the Limited trim starts at $52,100. Therefore, we could reasonably infer that the 4Runner will start somewhere in between these numbers.


Tacoma Pricing & Trims

The eight trims for the Tacoma, along with the starting MSRP, are as follows:

  1. SR; $31,500
  2. SR5; $36,200
  3. TRD PreRunner; $38,100
  4. TRD Sport; $39,400
  5. TRD Off-Road; $41,800
  6. Limited; $52,100
  7. TRD Pro; TBA
  8. Trailhunter; TBA

Given the above trim ranges and prices, this helps to deduce what might be available for the 2024 4Runner, seeing how the SUV and Tacoma truck are so linked.

Projected Price & Trims

According to Car and Driver, there are possibly five trims to round out the 4Runner selection, along with an estimated price range between $43,000 to $59,000. The vehicle would be a full redesign, with a slight increase from the outgoing gen, and with late availability this year. Of course, because Toyota has yet to officially reveal anything, these are all inferences about the 4Runner from what we know about the current gen and the new Tacoma.


Trim

Price

SR5

$43,000

TRD Sport

$46,000

TRD Off-Road

$49,000

Limited

$54,000

TRD Pro

$59,000

(Source: Car and Driver)

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Assumed Availability

Given that we just got our latest teaser of the 4Runner, and that the vehicle was recently spied on, we should expect an official reveal very soon. In fact, this will be as early as next week!


An April 9 Reveal!

The latest 4Runner preview shows us some features, as well as an official reveal date. The vehicle will keep the signature Toyota option of the rear window completely retracting into the tailgate, something that the Tundra is known for as well in terms of the cab. From what can be seen inside the cabin, it looks like there are similar designs and technology which are available on the Tacoma.

Toyota’s Instagram Hints

It seemed like there was a possibility that the 4Runner would just be a Land Cruiser with the former’s badge, but that doesn’t seem to be exactly the case. At least the taillights appear to be different. There definitely may be some overlap, but it wouldn’t make sense for the Land Cruiser and 4Runner to be totally the same, or for the Land Cruiser to replace the 4Runner entirely. There’s still plenty of room for both SUVs, especially if the 4Runner is a smaller and cheaper version of essentially the same basic structure.


All in all, we’ll have to wait for next week’s reveal to know the full scope of what the new 2024 Toyota 4Runner will bring to the table. Time will tell how it will differ and compare to the Tacoma and Land Cruiser. Once the reveal comes, the debut should be later this year, and the new 4Runner should definitely be available by early next year if not sooner.

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