2024 Toyota 4Runner: What We Know So Far

The Ford Bronco may have stolen the off-road limelight in the midsize off-road SUV segment, but there are thousands of off-road enthusiasts holding out for one SUV: the 2024 Toyota 4Runner.

Not much is known about the 2024 4Runner yet, but it's an inevitability at this point, with Toyota now deep into the teaser campaign for a new 2024 Tacoma. Once the Tacoma is revealed, we know it's just a matter of time before we see the Toyota 4Runner redesign for the 2024 model year.

Before the new 4Runner arrives, we've taken a look at what to expect from the new off-roader.

As with the new Tacoma, Toyota is expected to use the modular TNGA-F platform for the 4Runner. This platform is shared with the Land Cruiser, Tundra, and Sequoia, meaning we could see an abundance of technology on board. We know this platform can accommodate wheelbases as short as 112 inches, and with the current 4Runner's 109.8-inch wheelbase expected to grow for the next generation, TNGA-F is the perfect evolution.

As for what will power the new 2024 4Runner, we're expecting two engine options. The base one is expected to be a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the facelifted Highlander SUV. In this incarnation, it produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, making it 5 hp down on the current 4Runner's V6 but 32 lb-ft stronger on the torque front. Instead of the old five-speed automatic, a new eight-speed auto is expected.

But the big addition to the lineup will be a hybrid variant dubbed the 4Runner i-Force Max. This will utilize the same 2.4-liter displacement, aided by electrification, to generate upwards of 340 hp and 400 lb-ft, pairing this with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Naturally, a selectable four-wheel-drive system will be included.

For the new 2024 Toyota 4Runner, we're expecting the Japanese automaker to introduce some new trims to the lineup. In addition to traditional models like the SR5 and Limited, we're expecting a 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro to be available at launch, along with a more road-biased TRD Sport derivative.

We already know what to expect from the TRD Pro, as it will inherit the Fox QS3 internal bypass shocks from the Tacoma TRD Pro, as recently teased. This will make the 4Runner TRD Pro more capable than ever but don't expect it to rival the Bronco Raptor for desert-running capabilities. There is a chance that the TRD Pro may only be offered with the hybrid i-Force Max powertrain if it mimics the Tacoma model of the same name.

But in addition to the standard on- and off-road biased models, Toyota is expected to reveal a Trailhunter variant of the 4Runner. The Trailhunter lineup was teased at SEMA, and Toyota has confirmed that the Tacoma will get this model.

The 4Runner Trailhunter will be off-road focused but in a different way to the TRD Pro. Trailhunter derivatives will be overlanders built for exploring the great outdoors and will feature enhancements like steel bumpers and recovery hooks from off-road experts ARB.

The new 4Runner's design is a complete secret at this stage, but we expect it to build upon the mini-Tundra design used for the 2024 Tacoma. However, we know it won't be as hardcore as some fans hoped, and it won't have removable doors and roof panels like the Bronco and Wrangler. Toyota does not view the 4Runner as a direct rival to those models.

"They're competitors, but they're not competitors. They are body-on-frame vehicles, but it's a different customer," Mike Sweers, Executive Chief Engineer for the Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, Tacoma, and 4Runner vehicle programs at Toyota Motor North America, told CarBuzz previously. "There is a balance between on-road capability and off-road capability. Those vehicles are more purpose-built than a 4Runner, and because of that, they are more raw."

Instead, the new 4Runner will be more customizable than ever. We expect various customization options, including sticker packs, off-road accessories, overland options like tents and roof boxes, and much more.

The change to the TNGA-F platform will bring the 4Runner into the modern era in many ways. Its modular platform will enable a diverse range of powertrains, including hybrid options, and give the 4Runner a slew of new technologies.

First, it will get new infotainment systems like those in the Land Cruiser, Tundra, and Sequoia. We don't expect the gargantuan 14-inch touchscreen of the Sequoia and Tundra, but in a smaller cabin, a 10-inch touchscreen may be in the cards on top models - similar to what we've seen in the Lexus RX - while an eight-inch screen should feature in lower trims.

The full system will have wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and over-the-air updates to keep the system and the car running smoothly. The Audio Multimedia Platform enables mobile-connected services, remote start, individual driver profiles, and more connectivity via mobile and Wi-Fi hotspots. A voice assistant is also expected, responding to the "Hey, Toyota!" prompt.

Additionally, the TNGA-F architecture opens up next-gen safety and assistance systems, including contemporary highway driving assistance and more.

So when can you buy the new 4Runner, and how much will it cost?

The precise Toyota 4Runner 2024 release date hasn't yet been set, but we don't see it being too far behind the reveal of the new Tacoma. That reveal is imminent; we expect a couple of months between Taco and 4Runner reveals at most. Whatever the reveal timeline, the new 4Runner will likely arrive at dealerships before the end of 2023.

Pricing is also unknown, but it will be more expensive than the outgoing model ($39,555-$54,020). The TRD Pro will likely retain its spot as the most expensive but will launch at around $57,000. We're expecting the 4Runner Trailhunter to be priced similarly.