Five Reasons the Toyota 4Runner Is an Amazing Off-Road SUV

As a stylish midsize SUV with impressive performance, there is a lot to like about the Toyota 4Runner, especially when you consider its good looks and impressive engineering. Although this SUV works beautifully as a daily driver to help you get the most from your commute, it’s especially sought after by off-roading fans looking for an SUV they can use to tear up the trail. Whether you are already looking for a Toyota 4Runner for sale near Atlanta to use as an off-road machine or you are still exploring different options, we are here to help you with everything you need. It does not matter if you have years of off-roading experience or if this is your first time looking for an SUV to use on the trail. The 2025 4Runner is the perfect choice, with great features and options for your next outdoor adventure.

Two Fantastic Engines with Big Performance

You have a number of factors to consider as you shop for your next SUV, but no matter what you are looking for, the engine is always important. If you want a great vehicle for leaving Atlanta streets behind and heading off-road, your powertrain is even more vital. Toyota clearly understands this and offers two different engines available for the 4Runner, giving you the right power for whatever you want to do. The standard option is an i-FORCE 2.4L turbocharged I-4 engine with 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty of power for an SUV like this.

If you want to take things further and have all the power you need to go anywhere the trail leads, then you want to check out the available i-FORCE MAX engine. This beauty is tuned to deliver 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque thanks to a hybrid powertrain that enhances the 4Runner’s performance beyond what you will find on many other midsize SUVs out there. This engine is available on the TRD Off-Road Premium i-FORCE MAX trim and above.

Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing a smooth driving experience around the city and on the trail. The 4Runner can even tow up to 6,000 lbs, making it perfect for hauling a boat or camper behind you.

Available Part-Time and Full-Time 4WD Systems

As you likely know, there is a lot more to a great off-road vehicle than its engine. Other systems are just as important when it comes to a vehicle that is ready to let you conquer the trail. Toyota understands this well. Rear-wheel drive with an automatic limited-slip differential is standard for the 4Runner, which is great for driving around Atlanta but not what you need for the trail. Fortunately, Toyota offers two different four-wheel drive (4WD) systems designed to provide you with superior traction when heading off-road.

Part-time 4WD is one of the most popular options for an off-road SUV since it lets you choose the type of performance you need in different conditions. Toyota offers part-time 4WD on the 4Runner with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case, giving you high and low ranges, plus Active Traction Control for better performance on the trail. Select models come with full-time 4WD instead, with a Torsen limited-slip center differential with a locking feature. You’ll generally find the part-time 4WD system with an electronically controlled locking rear differential on the off-road trims for the 4Runner, including the TRD Pro and Trailhunter.

Numerous Off-Road Trims

Speaking of those off-road trims, this is one of our favorite things about the 4Runner in general and a great reason to choose this as your next off-road SUV. In total, there are 12 different trims available for the 4Runner, six with each of the two engines, so keeping track of them is quite simple. If you want something with light off-road capabilities and gorgeous details inside and out, then an option like the TRD Sport or TRD Off-Road could be perfect for you. These both have Premium versions available that give you enhanced features to enjoy, though even the simple TRD Off-Road model features Bilstein monotube shocks and 33-inch all-terrain tires.

Our two favorite options for a serious off-road machine are the ones we mentioned a moment ago: the TRD Pro and the Trailhunter. Both of these models come with the more powerful i-FORCE MAX engine, part-time 4WD, and more terrific features. The TRD Pro has FOX QS3 2.5-inch adjustable monotube shock absorbers with internal bypass and rear piggyback reservoirs for incredible performance and ride comfort in the roughest conditions. With the Trailhunter, you get unique Old Man Emu 2.5-inch forged monotube shocks and a number of distinct features. Both models come with 33-inch all-terrain tires.

Enhanced Off-Road Engineering

We have already mentioned a number of impressive features in the 4Runner’s engineering that help make it such a terrific off-road machine, but we’re not done yet. For starters, Toyota builds the 2025 4Runner using an all-new chassis that is strong and rugged, with body-on-frame construction like a truck, something that’s become increasingly uncommon for SUVs these days. The TRD Pro and Trailhunter models offer a new Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism that lets you enhance the wheel articulation for the front suspension at the touch of a button, perfect for when the trail gets particularly rough. Just as impressive is the underbody protection found on the Trailhunter, a trim designed distinctly with overlanding in mind. This includes steel plating to protect the fuel tank and other components, ensuring you can keep going strong no matter what the trail throws at you.

Advanced Off-Road Tech for Conquering the Trail

The impressive engineering that has gone into making the 4Runner is not the only reason it’s such a fantastic off-road machine. There is plenty of remarkable technology to support it. For example, the available Multi-Terrain Select system lets you easily adjust different aspects of performance to adjust to various types of terrain or situations you encounter. The available Crawl Control (CRAWL) system also makes it easier to navigate the roughest situations by handling throttle and braking for you so you can focus on maneuvering. Think of it like cruise control on the trail. Toyota also offers an available 3D Multi-Terrain Monitor to give you an enhanced view around the 4Runner, making it easier to spot obstacles while maneuvering at low speeds, plus an available 14-inch display that makes it easier to use these systems. All this and more combine beautifully to create a comprehensive experience with innovative tech designed to enhance your time behind the wheel.

The 4Runner Is Perfect for Atlanta Drivers

As you can see, Toyota provides an incredible selection of features and options for the 4Runner that make it an impeccable off-road machine. Whether you want a TRD Sport or TRD Off-Road model to get you to your favorite campsite or a rugged TRD Pro or Trailhunter trim designed to leave civilization far behind, we can help you find what you’re looking for. The beauty of the 4Runner is that it has something for just about anyone looking for a great midsize SUV, with these stunning off-road features representing only a part of what’s available. With so much to choose from, it can be difficult to navigate it all, plus you don’t want to overlook something that would improve your drive each day. That’s why we’re here at Marietta Toyota to help you explore everything the 4Runner has to offer and find the perfect combination of features to meet your needs. This makes it easier to get on the road (and off it again) in a vehicle that you will love driving every day.