SUV Fun for the Whole Family With the Toyota 4Runner

The 4Runner has earned a reputation as one of the most off-road-ready SUVs on today’s market, packing a wide range of heavy-duty components, packages, and specialized trims like the TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and the new Trailhunter that allow drivers to explore tough conditions with confidence. While there’s no doubting the 4Runner’s off-road credentials, few realize that the midsize Toyota is also one of the most practical, family-friendly models in its class. Between its ample interior space, exceptional cargo room, and full suite of advanced comfort, convenience, and safety features, the 4Runner excels in those areas that families value the most. The SUV is only getting better with age, with the new, sixth-generation model offering a larger interior with improved cargo and passenger room and a comprehensive arsenal of fresh infotainment and connectivity features that make the 4Runner particularly well-suited for an itinerary full of carpools, errand runs, after-school activities, and little league practices. Let’s explore some of the highlights and learn why you should consider a Toyota 4Runner for sale near Atlanta for your busy family.

Cargo and Passenger Room

The 4Runner owes its new-and-improved footprint to the industry’s best-selling midsize pickup, the Toyota Tacoma. The body-on-frame SUV is built on the same platform as the fourth-generation Tacoma, which allows the 4Runner to retain its sporty off-road status while noticeably enhancing its profile from a utility and comfort perspective. The new 4Runner measures four inches longer than the outgoing model, features an extra two inches of wheelbase, and gains a few inches in width and height. These might seem like some modest numbers, but they make a big difference when you step into the cabin.

The first row sees a slight improvement in terms of shoulder room and headroom, but the second row is where the 4Runner really comes into its own. Backseat passengers receive two inches of additional legroom and some extra hiproom, which should have a big impact when it comes to accommodating adults and ensuring they arrive at Truist Park refreshed and ready to take in nine innings of America’s pastime. Then there’s the third row. While the “way back” seat has often been treated as an afterthought, Toyota has taken a decidedly different approach with the new sixth-generation 4Runner. The third row is roomier than ever, with an extra 2.5 inches of legroom when compared to the 2024 version. Throw in an extra inch of headroom, and the 4Runner can comfortably house up to seven passengers without asking third-row riders to perform any tricky contortions. In order to access this third row of seating, drivers will have to opt for the 4Runner’s SR5 or Limited trims and nix the hybrid i-Force Max engine in favor of the 278-hp i-Force offering.

The 4Runner’s new, larger dimensions also bring some unique advantages in terms of cargo room. The midsize SUV already offered plenty of space for everything from building materials and camping supplies to sports equipment and luggage, but the 2025 model ups the ante with a roomy interior that’ll allow you to bring along everything you might need on your next excursion. The 4Runner provides 90.2 cu.ft of cargo space behind the first row and 48.4 cu.ft when the second row is in use, which represents a one-foot improvement in both categories. Opting for the available third-row will reduce the SUV’s total cargo capacity to around 84 cu.ft, but it’s a small price to pay when you want to bring the whole family along.

Safety

Safety is an important part of the package when you set out to find your next go-to family vehicle. A new generation of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) has steadily improved confidence and security behind the wheel, but not all vehicles are created equal. While some offer cutting-edge ADAS features, others rely on aging technologies that lack the functionality and convenience of newer models. The 2025 4Runner sees a major improvement in its own arsenal of ADAS tech, with Toyota replacing the SUV’s Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ with its new Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) package.

The list of available features isn’t drastically different, but TSS 3.0 offers a little extra functionality that gives drivers the chance to experience the latest safety tech the industry has to offer. Take the 4Runner’s Lane Departure Alert feature, for example. The ADAS now adds an enhanced lane recognition feature designed to detect new boundary-defining objects like guardrails. The Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system follows a similar blueprint, gaining a full-speed range capability, a new following distance setting, and enhanced vehicle detection functionality that can monitor objects in adjacent lanes as you navigate the Downtown Connector at rush hour. The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection was already helpful when it came to spotting bicyclists and those on foot, but the new version has been engineered to keep an eye on those motorcycles that might pop into your blind spot without warning.

TSS 3.0 is also bringing some old favorites back into the mix, like automatic high-beam headlights, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a Road Sign Assist feature that’ll automatically detect relevant signage like speed limit signs, stop signs, and yield signs and display them on the dashboard for easy reference. The 4Runner’s most advanced ADAS would probably have to be Proactive Driving Assist (PDA), which uses the front-facing camera and wide-angle sensors to head off accidents before they can occur. The SUV has plenty of other pre-collision systems that can quickly intervene in an emergency, but PDA takes a more subtle approach, gradually steering the vehicle or engaging the brakes to maintain a safe distance from pedestrians, bicycles, and other motorists. PDA also has the ability to detect upcoming curves in the road and apply the brakes for smooth cornering. The 4Runner’s PDA might not be a full self-driving system, but it offers many of the same benefits while giving drivers a little extra control.

Technology

The 4Runner’s portfolio of cutting-edge ADAS is sure to improve confidence when you’re behind the wheel with the whole family in tow, but it’s just one part of the SUV’s tech arsenal. After nearly 15 years on the market, the fifth-generation 4Runner wasn’t the most tech-forward model in the midsize segment. The sixth-generation model makes some major strides with all the modern amenities drivers have come to expect, and then some.

The dashboard is highlighted by an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment display that can be upgraded to a huge 14-inch model if you want extra real estate. The story is much the same for the seven-inch digital instrument cluster, which can be expanded to 12.3 inches on some higher trims and packages. The infotainment display serves as a one-stop shop for the SUV’s long list of entertainment and connectivity features, giving drivers and passengers the opportunity to stream their favorite media directly from their smartphone, thanks to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and enjoy a high-fidelity listening experience thanks to the available 14-speaker JBL audio system.

The 4Runner also offers a voice control feature that can seamlessly adjust most of the SUV’s infotainment settings while your hands stay firmly planted on the wheel, but it’s the standard Wi-Fi hotspot that has the most potential in terms of ensuring family harmony. With the ability to connect five devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and mobile gaming systems, the Wi-Fi hotspot is sure to keep the kids occupied while the included USB-C ports and two 120-volt power outlets ensure no charging-related tantrums.

Keeping everyone entertained is just one part of the battle. Comfort features can also significantly impact the driving experience. The 4Runner doesn’t disappoint with leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The 4Runner’s Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) helps to smooth out any bumps and enhances the 4Runner’s off-road ability, while the power tilt and slide moonroof gives the interior an open, airy appearance. Convenience highlights range from an auto-dimming rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, and a hands-free power liftgate that retains the 4Runner’s iconic power rear window to a digital key system that allows drivers to lock, unlock, and start the SUV from the comfort of the kitchen table. This feature will come in especially helpful when Hotlanta starts to live up to its name, giving drivers the opportunity to blast the AC and enjoy a cool ride from the moment they get behind the wheel.

Boasting a new, larger interior, a contemporary ADAS package, and endless comfort and convenience upgrades, the new sixth-generation 4Runner is hard to ignore when you’re on the hunt for your next family vehicle. The 4Runner’s hardy body-on-frame construction might not be as relevant in terms of everyday driving, but it gives the SUV the ability to confidently tread where many of its competitors wouldn’t dare. The robust four-wheel drive system will make it a little easier to reach that campsite or lakeside cabin and come in handy when facing adverse weather, including snow, ice, and other conditions that can make for a stressful ride. Add in the 4Runner’s 278-horsepower i-Force engine and 6,000 lbs of towing capacity, and the midsize model might just be one of the most well-rounded SUVs on the market. Whether you’re heading into the woods for a weekend full of off-the-grid family fun, running laps around town, or setting out on a cross-country road trip, the Toyota 4Runner makes a worthy addition to any family.