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Out on Utah’s West Desert at Frank Hunt Field with the Utah Rocket Club where Craig and his Sister Marci, shown here with the all-new 2025 Toyota 4Runner, were at their base of operations on a beautiful spring day for flying model rockets.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

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2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium.

Photo supplied

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The all-new 2025 Toyota 4Runner loaded with all the rockets and gear we needed for the spring launch of the Utah Rocket Club at Frank Hunt Field in Utah’s West Desert.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

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2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium.

Photo supplied

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2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium.

Photo supplied

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It’s always a fantastic week when we get some extended time in a new SUV, and that was certainly the case as we drove around in the all-new 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium. On top of that, it could not have been a better week in Utah to get into this great SUV.

From running errands around town, taking the grandkids to school or heading out west for some wide-open fun at the Utah Rocket Club’s Spring model rocket launch, the 4Runner delivered a blend of rugged capability, updated tech and classic SUV charm that has made it a fan favorite for decades.

A new generation of an icon

The 2025 4Runner represents the long-awaited complete redesign of a nameplate that’s been around for 40 years, so it was imperative that Toyota get it right. They kept its body-on-frame construction — now built on the TNGA-F platform shared with the Tacoma and Sequoia — and gave it thoroughly modern touches.

Under the hood of the TRD Off-Road Premium was the new i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, producing 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The TRD Off-Road model added an electronic locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control and the new Stabilizer Bar Disconnect Mechanism for better articulation on rough terrain.

There will also be a more powerful powertrain set to hit the street soon featuring Toyota’s i-FORCE MAX hybrid set up coming in TRD Pro and above trim levels. This setup will produce 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.

A week of daily adventures

Throughout the week, we used the 4Runner as our daily driver around Utah Valley. Grocery store runs, errands to the hardware store and even hauling the grandkids and their backpacks — it all felt smooth and easy as we incorporated the SUV into our daily routine.

Despite the rugged looks, the ride was surprisingly comfortable and composed. The newly redesigned cabin was a treat, with SofTex-trimmed seats, red stitching and a large 14-inch touchscreen display that made navigation and wirelessly using our phones easy to accomplish.

Even with its dominating off-road prowess, the 4Runner was easy to maneuver in city traffic and parking lots thanks to its tight turning radius and the suite of cameras and parking sensors that were included.

Saturday in Utah’s West Desert

The highlight of our time with the 4Runner was the beautiful spring Saturday trip out west to Frank Hunt Field, home of the Utah Rocket Club’s (UROC.org) spring model rocket launch site in Utah’s West Desert. Located about 20 miles beyond Fairfield and Eagle Mountain, Frank Hunt Field offers a wide, open expanse of desert ideal for watching many types of rockets soar high into the sky.

We loaded the cargo area full of model rockets — large, small and every size in between — along with toolboxes, launch pads, snacks and extra chairs.

There was plenty of room for everything, and the cargo floor is now lower and flatter than previous generations, which made loading and unloading a breeze. The power rear glass window that slid up and down — still a signature 4Runner feature — came in handy for quick access to gear without having to open the entire hatch.

The drive out to the West Desert included a few miles of unpaved, rutted road, surrounded by rolling hills and endless sagebrush. This is where the TRD Off-Road trim really shined. We never once felt a slip or hesitation, and the ride remained impressively smooth even as the trail got rough and the ruts got deeper.

Rockets, sunshine and family

At the launch site, the 4Runner quickly became home base. We set up a table next to it, unloaded all the rockets and got to work prepping for launch. Craig’s sister, Marci Harris, joined us for the day and helped track some of the high-flying rockets. She also brought out a couple of her ATV’s to help recover rockets in the expansive launch site.

Under the beautiful blue sky and early spring sunshine, surrounded by mountain peaks in the far distance and dozens of rocketeers, the club launched rocket after rocket, some soaring thousands of feet before deploying their parachutes and floating gently back to earth. The 4Runner’s shade and comfort features — like the heated seats and multiple USB-C ports — helped us relax in between launches. It proved to be the perfect adventure vehicle.

Back in town

After the Saturday launch, we of course had to return to our regular schedule. The 4Runner continued to impress with its convenience and comfort. Toyota’s latest Safety Sense 3.0 suite came standard, with adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It all worked flawlessly and made freeway driving much easier, especially in the daily commute.

Fuel economy came in around 20 mpg combined — not bad at all for a body-on-frame SUV with real off-road capability and a turbo engine. It’s also a step up from the previous generation that averaged around 17 mpg. Furthermore, it runs on regular unleaded fuel, which would help keep fueling costs down.

Tech and features

Inside, Toyota has definitely brought the 4Runner firmly into the modern age. The 14-inch touch screen is bright and responsive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. Our TRD Off-Road Premium tester also came with a fully digital gauge cluster and premium audio system from JBL.

Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and dual-zone climate control made things comfortable no matter the weather. The back seat had plenty of room for passengers, and we appreciated the extra air vents and USB ports back there for the grandkids.

At the end of the week

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium strikes a rare balance: It’s as comfortable in town as it is tackling dirt trails in the desert. The new turbocharged engine feels powerful and refined, the updated interior is spacious and tech-savvy and the legendary Toyota 4Runner toughness remains intact.

Whether you’re a longtime 4Runner fan or someone considering a switch from a crossover to something more capable, this latest generation is worth a serious look. With its impressive standard features, off-road technology and rugged good looks, the 2025 4Runner is ready for any adventure you can dream up.

Base price: $54,970

Price as driven (preproduction vehicle): $56,220