The Trailhunter Is the Ultimate Overlanding 2025 Toyota 4Runner

Mention the overlanding space, and someone is sure to bring up the Toyota 4Runner. The stalwart Japanese off-roader is a fan favorite for its capability, its rugged dependability, and the massive aftermarket that supports it.

Toyota has taken notice of the way its products are increasingly used, not to mention the chunky margins of that supportive aftermarket. Enter the 4Runner Trailhunter, a new, range-topping grade for the all-new, sixth-generation SUV that should offer the ultimate canvas upon which to paint your overlanding adventures. (For a full rundown of the new 4Runner, click here.)

As with the Tacoma Trailhunter, imagine the 4Runner Trailhunter as a nice “stage one” setup for common overlanding modifications. Toyota proudly touted its collaboration with several popular aftermarket companies in the development of the Trailhunter. Let’s dive into what makes this thing so exciting.

Tires and suspension are often the first things budding overlanders will turn their attention to when building a rig. The 4Runner Trailhunter has already seen to that; 2.5-inch forged shocks from Old Man Emu, a subsidiary of overlanding company ARB, replace the more modest units found in lesser 4Runners. The shocks feature external piggyback reservoirs in the rear to better manage the rigors of off-road adventuring.

Tire-wise, this beast will offer 33-inch Toyo Open Country A/Ts, likely the same rubber found on the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail. (Toyota and Lexus co-developed the tires with Toyo for the GX 550; we’d expect part of that mission brief was also a nod to the upcoming 4Runner Trailhunter.) With the tires and shocks, the 4Runner Trailhunter features extra ground clearance front and rear.

Underbody and rocker protection are a common next step for rig builders, and here again, the Trailhunter delivers. As seen on the teaser image released yesterday, the 4Runner Trailhunter will get rock sliders to protect the rocker panels in between the front and rear wheels. It also scores a bunch of high-strength steel underbody armor to prevent rocks from punching where they’re not wanted while out on the trail.

All 4Runner Trailhunters will be powered by the hybridized version of the 2.4-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder. That powertrain pairs a 48-hp electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission with the gas burner and a 1.87-kWh nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery to combine for a total system output of 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. To ensure the engine is breathing cleaner air, the 4Runner Trailhunter will be fitted with a low-profile snorkel-style air intake as standard.

Up front, the Trailhunter will get a more heritage-minded grille with bronze T O Y O T A lettering and an integrated 20-inch LED lightbar, as well as color-selectable LED fog lamps from Rigid Industries, a long-time partner of Toyota. (Previous-gen Tacomas and 4Runners also offered Rigid fog lamps.) There’s also a roof rack co-developed with ARB to strap down your extra adventuring tools such as shovels, saws, or even a rooftop tent or awning.

Inside, a 2400-watt AC inverter will provide power to two areas in the cabin as well as the cargo compartment out back. In what we think is a brilliant touch, Toyota engineers also included three auxiliary switches that are prewired to different areas of the vehicle, so that installing whatever gadgets you decide on next—solar panels, extra lighting, an air compressor to air up/down your tires at the trailhead—will be less of a hassle. (Ford’s Bronco offers a similar option, although in the Bronco you can get up to six pre-wired switches.)

While this much capability and content won’t come cheap, the 4Runner Trailhunter looks like a remarkably solid platform right out of the box, which is the whole point. Sure, die-hards and more budget-conscious, intentional builders still may opt for a lower-grade model like the TRD Off Road or TRD Pro upon which to develop their rig, but there are likely a lot of buyers who will welcome something this well-equipped from the get-go, MSRP notwithstanding.

What’s important here is choice. Remember, the 2025 4Runner will offer nine different grades. Toyota seems very intentional about trying to meet would-be buyers at all sorts of price points. It may not be for you, but the 4Runner Trailhunter is probably going to be a hot-ticket item, especially if these current trends surrounding off-roading and adventuring/overlanding continue. (Spoiler alert, they will.)

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