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The All-New Toyota 4Runner Takes Aim at the Bronco and Wrangler

The sixth-generation Toyota 4Runner marks the first genuinely new version of the nameplate since the George W. Bush administration, and it's built to take on the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler head-on. Here's what changed, and how it fits into Toyota's broader truck and SUV strategy.A Fresh Start After 15 YearsThe outgoing fifth-generation 4Runner ran for an unusually long 15 years before finally being replaced - meaning the sixth-generation model represents the first genuinely new 4Runner in a decade and a half, a significant event for the platform's loyal following.Shared Platform With the Tacoma, Tundra, and Land CruiserBuilt on Toyota's TNGA-F platform, the new 4Runner shares its underpinnings with the redesigned Tacoma, Tundra, Land Cruiser, and Lexus GX - allowing Toyota to leverage shared engineering investment across its body-on-frame truck and SUV lineup while keeping each model's character distinct.Ditching the V6 for Turbo PowerThe new 4Runner drops its longtime V6 engine in favor of two new turbocharged four-cylinder options: the base i-Force and the hybrid i-Force MAX, both promising more power than the outgoing V6 while improving efficiency.Bigger in Every DimensionThe redesigned 4Runner has grown to 194.9 inches in length, 77.8 inches in width, with a 112.2-inch wheelbase - a meaningful size increase over its predecessor that brings added interior space and a more substantial road presence.New Trailhunter and Platinum TrimsAlongside its off-road-focused upgrades - including improved crawl control and a locking rear differential on select trims - the new 4Runner introduces two new trim levels: Trailhunter, aimed at serious overlanding buyers, and Platinum, positioned as the range-topping luxury trim.A Direct Third-Row AdvantageUnlike the Land Cruiser, which remains two-row-only, the new 4Runner offers an available third row of seats - giving Toyota's own lineup a clearer distinction between the two nameplates, and a genuine differentiator against the Land Cruiser for buyers who need extra seating capacity.Looking AheadWith its aggressive new styling, turbocharged powertrains, and genuine off-road upgrades, the sixth-generation 4Runner is positioned as a direct challenger to the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler - a segment Toyota has arguably been absent from in recent years, making this redesign one of the most significant moves in the brand's off-road SUV strategy.