What Convinced You to Go with the 6th Gen?

[PawsAndPRs]

What dealer did you find one at?

I’ll DM you!

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[TrdProGirl84]

What convinced me why the body style change. I also had decided if I got a new vehicle this year. I’d be going into a SUV.

 

[Everybodyduck]

Hey everyone,

I’m currently driving a 4th gen and have been eyeing the new 6th gen 4Runner since its release. I’m about 90% sold on it, but would like to hear what pushed you to make the leap.

Appreciate any thoughts as I’m trying to figure out what I want to do!

Buying the 6th Gen was a no-brainer for me. I had a 2020 Limited Nightshade that was locked into skinny tires, had sluggish handling, and had no BSM. (That was used as a trade-in on my new Platinum). I still have my 4th Gen, 2004 V/8, that my daughter uses as a daily driver and is a member of the 300K club. Having owned multiple 4Runners since 1988, I personally find the 2025 to be the best 4Runner ever made. Everything about it is improved. The pop with the I-Force Max is noticeable. Drive one, and you will have no doubt.

 

[ibu66]

Did you see this review posted today?

https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/car-care-nut-mechanic-reviews-2025-4runner-6th-gen.3633/

He lays out how the 6th gen is better than the 5th gen, so all the 6th gen advantages should be even more pronounced when comparing to the 4th gen.

That was the reason for my final decision! We have a 5Th gen at home, so I spent quite a bIt of time reviewing it. His review was the last one that had me convinced. No regrets!

 

[TrdProGirl84]

I personally knew I wanted a TRD Pro when I moved away from driving a car. I liked the look of the 5th Gen’s but I was really hoping they change it! And when they did I knew I had to get a TRD Pro model which I did. Im in a 25 mudbath.

 

[Tytlynz]

I traded in a cherokee ( not grand) and knew I wanted to replace the snow and mild off road Capability. I had been a Ford Explorer fan with 4 to my credit until they made it a large edge instead of a smaller expedition. Historically I did not fit in a taco or 4runner. The seat lay out and headroom was insufficient for my 6'7" frame. I was able to sit in a trd or and the headroom and sightings were much improved. I had wanted a 4runner to replace my 1982 Trooper but Toyota didn't want me. Until this gen. Love the ride and sight lines.

 

[coloradomarmot]

Had a 2022 (bought in 21), and had been planning on getting a 2026 or 2027 after the kinks were worked out. But with tariffs, and seeing the 25 was the one with the mud bath option, I started looking…and when one popped up available that wasn’t allocated, I snapped it up. Absolutely no regrets.

 

[Tarekith]

Currently driving a 22 Tacoma ORP, but didn't expect it would be my daily driver when I bought it. I love it off-road, but highway and day to day driving it's a wallowy pig and I'm not a fan at all. Was going to upgrade to the 24+ Tacoma when they came out, but decided I really don't need the bed and a shorter but still off-road capable 4Runner would work better. Test drive at the dealer sealed the deal, the new gen drives and handles SOOO much better than the previous one. It'll be nice finally having modern electronics too.

 

[gmarcucio]

My 6th Gen Pro is the first 4 Runner I ever had. Love it so far. I had it since November 2025. I got the 6th Gen because I wanted to buy new and that's all that was available when I started looking at them. The 5th Gen was history at that time.

 

[dpg123]

We had a 5th gen 2018 and took the 6th for a test drive. The power was undeniable. Made me admit the 5th gen was a pig

 

[Papa Smurf]

Always wanted a 4runner or Tacoma but the gutless powertrain and trans always kept me away. New powertrain is better but could still use more so tune may happen down the road,

 

[RunnerRocks]

Our Santa Fe is our daily driver and great for road trips, but we can't get far off the pavement. Our 2020 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 SuperCab delivered us to all desired places off-road, but it wasn't convenient for road trip travel & packing. Digging around in the high bed under a tonneau cover gets old quick.

We went looking for something that can more conveniently do both. We were looking for body-on-frame. Bronco and Jeep were not an option. Don't need all of the removable doors, panels, etc.

Had never considered a 4Runner before and the 6th Gen design didn't really appeal to me at first. But there is nothing else like it, so we visited several dealer for info and test drives. The more we looked, the more I liked it.

Traded our Ranger in for a new 2026 Toyota 4Runner Off-Road Premium (non-hybrid). In only one week, our dealer located our desired color and options. They trucked it in from an out-of-state dealer nearly 250 miles away, for free. Had 7 miles on the odometer. We took delivery two days before Christmas.

Best Christmas present EVER !!

 

[a_double]

FI+Hybrid+AWD

 

[NB-4Runner]

it’s the only mid-size SUV that can tow 6000 lbs and I can’t wait 2 years for the Xterra. Need something now. Not interested in a XUV.

 

[aerofly]

The engine has port injection and direct injection which means the valves will not get dirty, also 8 speed aisin transmission.

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