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Runner’s High: The New 4Runner is Finally Here

Although it wasn’t quite as long as our once and future wait between eclipses, we’ve been waiting 15 long years for a new model of the Toyota 4Runner. The fifth-generation 4Runner was revealed in 2009; since then, we’ve gone through three presidential elections, a global pandemic, and the entire Game of Thrones series. Even the Chicago Cubs won a World Series since the 4Runner's last major revision. 

Thankfully, now that we’ve seen the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, the wait appears to be well worth it. Much more than another cosmetic facelift, the new 4Runner introduces itself with a new engine, vastly updated interior, and more safety tech and features than ever before. 

A 4Runner For a New Era 

At first glance, the new sixth-generation 4Runner doesn’t appear to deviate much from its fifth-generation iteration. When it comes to exterior style, Toyota avoided making any dramatic alterations to the top-selling SUV’s proven formula; in other words, you won’t mistake it for anything other than a 4Runner. 

And yet the 2025 4Runner is no minor update – it's an all-new vehicle, inside and out. This is immediately clear under hood, where the outgoing 4.0-liter V-6 engine has been replaced by Toyota’s tried-and-true 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder, good for 278 hp and 317 lb.-ft. For the first time, higher trims (there are nine total, including the new Trailhunter and Platinum editions) of the 4Runner get an i-Force Max hybrid engine that boosts those numbers to 326 hp and 425 lb.-ft. If the word “hybridization” in relation to Toyota’s off-road champion gives you pause, rest assured there’s no mistaking the new 4Runner for the award-winning Prius; this hybrid engine is designed to optimize performance, rather than maximize fuel economy. 

In addition to the new powertrains, the new 4Runner has an upgraded frame. It shares its TGNA-F frame and suspension architecture with recent models of the Tacoma. Like the Tacoma, the 4Runner’s wheelbase has been lengthened at the front to accommodate larger tires. In the back, the 4Runner’s new styling jogs up past the rear doors; combined with the SUV’s expanded length, it gives it an altogether bulkier, more muscular appearance. Meanwhile, the rear side windows’ upper edges roll onto the roof, evoking memories of the 4Runner’s first- and second-generation ancestors. 

Change From the Inside 

If the new 4Runner’s exterior is a welcome but familiar sight, the interior is all about exceeding expectations. With more safety tech and features than ever before, the inside of the modernized 2025 4Runner practically overflows with ideas. 

The cabin area has been completely overhauled, and once again the 4Runner has borrowed heavily from the Tacoma; the instrument cluster, center stack, and various buttons, knobs, and switches are identical to what you’d find inside Toyota’s off-road pickup. Each trim comes with a 14.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The 2025 4Runner comes loaded with the latest in modern amenities. You’ll find the following when you peak inside:

  • Screen-Mounted USB Port 
  • Upright Wireless Charge Pad 
  • Roll-Down Rear Window Button 
  • Digital Rearview Mirror 
  • Rear Climate 
  • Cupholders for Optional Third-Row Seats 

Run With the Wind This Autumn 

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner hits our showroom floor this fall – practically no time at all, considering the 15-year hiatus between models that we've already endured. While we wait for its arrival, run over to Toyota of Abilene: your one-stop shop for all things Toyota. 

Schedule your test drive today and explore our loaded inventory of new and used Toyota vehicles. From the electrified 2024 Corolla Hybrid to the adventurous 2024 Land Cruiser, we’re sure to have the vehicle to match your lifestyle. And with our Service Center on standby to handle your brake repairs, tire rotation, oil change, and other maintenance concerns, you’ll have everything you need to keep your Toyota on the road until the seventh-generation 4Runner arrives... you know, in a decade or two. 

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Looking Forward: What Changes Are Coming to the Toyota RAV4 in 2025 and 2026?

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Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles and Toyota’s Quest for Zero-Emissions

After Honda announced their hydrogen fuel cell project, competitors are racing to improve on designs using the new fuel type in what can be called the auto industry’s next revolution. This week, Toyota announced their hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle is built and being tested in the UK in their quest for zero-emissions. The Hilux Project – Toyota’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell Project Hilux has finally entered the demonstration phase with 10 prototypes, using Toyota’s fuel cell electric technology. Despite still undergoing evaluation, five vehicles have been sent out for field testing, with the other five being used for demonstrations – including at the incoming 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic games. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are the next frontier in the auto industry’s push for clean fuels and fossil fuel replacements despite the undeveloped tech being around since 1966. With Toyota’s Beyond Zero Vision, the company is pushing to reach their vision of being beyond carbon neutrality with their products for a better world – something Toyota is proud of as the automaker that offers the most low and zero-emission vehicles than any other company currently in the market. Toyota Mirai Initially introduced at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Toyota Mirai officially debuted in 2022 with its 2023 model year, selling 21,475 units as the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. While the tech wasn’t there yet for mass production a decade ago, the moment is ripe for electric and hydrogen cell vehicles. The 2024 Toyota Mirai offers some impressive features including affordable prices for the new tech and a 402-mile range – far more than most if any Electric Vehicles currently on the global market. While the 2024 Toyota Mirai sales aren’t currently high, this can largely be attributed to the lack of infrastructure in the United States and globally. Electric Vehicles are having their moment in the sun, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles need a lot more infrastructure to grow. This next step in auto fuel will likely become popular in the US after government-sponsored changes to EVs gain more traction and consumers can think of transitioning from gas to EVs and eventually to FHEVs. For now, much of the market lies in Asia and Europe. When will we see the Mirai popularized in the US? Only time will tell. Help Save The World with Toyota Join the eco-conscious revolution with any of Toyota’s great lineup of hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, and Electric Vehicle cars currently available. Hydrogen fuel cells may be cutting edge in the United States now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help save the world by going electric! At Toyota of Abilene, we offer a variety of great electrified models such as the 2025 Toyota Crown, the 2024 Toyota bZ4X, and the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime. Join the brand with the most eco-friendly fleet of quality vehicles currently available! Visit our dealership and test drive any of these models today and help the environment as we work towards a carbon-neutral future!

The Complete Guide to Toyota Hybrids

Toyota builds more hybrid vehicles than almost any other automaker on the road today, and the lineup now stretches from the budget-friendly Corolla Hybrid all the way to the 437-horsepower Tundra i-FORCE MAX. That's a lot of ground to cover, and no two of these hybrids are built for the same driver. At Toyota of Abilene, we get asked constantly which hybrid actually makes sense for a given lifestyle, so we put together this guide to break down every hybrid Toyota currently sells, organized by body style, along with which model wins in categories like price, size, range, and towing. more Sedans Toyota Corolla Hybrid The Corolla Hybrid is Toyota's smallest and most affordable hybrid sedan, with pricing starting at approximately $25,000. It returns an EPA-estimated 53 mpg city and 46 mpg highway on front-wheel-drive models, making it one of the most efficient and least expensive ways into a new Toyota. Toyota Camry Every 2026 Camry is a hybrid, available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with up to 232 net combined horsepower. Pricing starts at roughly $29,600, and the front-wheel-drive LE is EPA-estimated at up to 51 mpg combined, the highest cited figure of any conventional hybrid Toyota currently sells. Toyota Crown The Crown is a raised, premium sedan sold with two very different personalities. XLE, Limited, and Nightshade grades use the standard hybrid system with 2.5-liter power, standard all-wheel drive, and an EPA-estimated 41 mpg combined. The Platinum grade swaps in Hybrid MAX, a turbocharged setup good for 340 net combined horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, at the cost of dropping to roughly 30 mpg combined. Pricing starts around $42,300. Toyota Mirai The Mirai isn't technically a hybrid, it's a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle, but it's worth mentioning here since Toyota groups it with its other electrified sedans. It produces zero tailpipe emissions and is rated around 76/71 MPGe city/highway, with pricing starting near $51,800. Fuel cell vehicles are best suited to areas with hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Hatchbacks Toyota Prius The Prius remains Toyota's efficiency flagship. The base front-wheel-drive grade is EPA-estimated at an outstanding 57 mpg combined, the best fuel economy figure of any model in this guide. Pricing starts in the neighborhood of $28,500 to $29,700 depending on the source and trim. Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Formerly known as Prius Prime, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid adds a larger battery and a charging port. The SE grade is EPA-estimated at 52 mpg combined with roughly 44 miles of all-electric range and 127 MPGe combined when running on battery power. Pricing starts around $33,800 to $35,000. This is the right pick for anyone who can charge at home or work and wants to run errands on electricity while keeping full gas-engine range for road trips. Compact Crossovers and SUVs Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Sitting between the Corolla Hybrid sedan and the RAV4, the Corolla Cross Hybrid offers a higher seating position, standard Electronic On-Demand all-wheel drive, and 196 net combined horsepower. It returns a manufacturer-estimated 42 mpg combined, with pricing starting around $29,600. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Toyota's best-selling model is now hybrid-only. The redesigned RAV4 produces 226 horsepower in front-wheel drive or 236 horsepower with all-wheel drive, is the first Toyota to get the newest Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 suite, and starts at roughly $31,900. It's the standard-bearer for compact SUV buyers who want cargo space and higher ground clearance without giving up strong fuel economy. Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid The plug-in version of the RAV4 uses a larger battery than the outgoing model for extended electric range, with DC fast charging available on certain grades. Pricing runs well above the standard RAV4 Hybrid, with the top XSE plug-in grade starting near $48,700. This is the pick for someone who wants SUV utility with the option to commute on electricity alone. Toyota Crown Signia The Crown Signia is a hybrid-only crossover with wagon-like proportions, aimed at buyers who want a raised seating position and upscale styling without stepping into a truck-based SUV. Pricing starts around $44,500. Three-Row and Larger SUVs Toyota Highlander Hybrid Highlander Hybrid comes in XLE, Limited, and Platinum grades, all with standard Electronic On-Demand all-wheel drive. It seats up to seven standard, or eight with the optional second-row bench, and is rated at a manufacturer-estimated 35 mpg combined. Pricing starts around $48,000. Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid The Grand Highlander is the larger, roomier alternative to the Highlander, with up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space and seating for seven or eight. The standard 2.5-liter hybrid is rated at a manufacturer-estimated 34 mpg combined and starts around $45,200. Buyers who want more performance can step up to Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX, which jumps to 362 horsepower and a 5,000-pound tow rating, though combined fuel economy drops to roughly 27 mpg. Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX The redesigned 4Runner's i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain produces 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, and comes standard on TRD Pro, Trailhunter, and Platinum grades. Pricing for the hybrid starts around $44,700. This is a capability-first hybrid built for trail driving, not a fuel-economy competitor to RAV4 or Prius. Toyota Land Cruiser Every 2026 Land Cruiser sold in the U.S. is a hybrid, using the same 326-horsepower, 465 lb-ft i-FORCE MAX system as the 4Runner, paired with full-time four-wheel drive, locking differentials, and Multi-Terrain Select. It's EPA-estimated at 23 mpg combined and starts around $57,900. Land Cruiser prioritizes durable off-road hardware over fuel economy. Toyota Sequoia Every 2026 Sequoia uses Toyota's twin-turbo V6 i-FORCE MAX hybrid system, producing 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, with towing capacity up to 9,520 pounds. Pricing starts around $65,000. Sequoia is the biggest, most powerful, and most capable SUV in Toyota's hybrid lineup. Minivan Toyota Sienna Every 2026 Sienna is a hybrid, and it's the only hybrid-exclusive minivan in its class. It produces 245 net combined horsepower, seats seven or eight depending on configuration, and is EPA-estimated at up to 36 mpg combined on front-wheel-drive models, good for an estimated range of roughly 648 miles per tank. All-wheel drive is available, and every properly equipped Sienna can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Pricing starts around $42,400. Trucks Toyota Tacoma i-FORCE MAX Tacoma's i-FORCE MAX hybrid produces 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, is standard on TRD Pro and Trailhunter and available on TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and Limited, and includes a standard 2,400-watt AC power supply in the cabin and bed for camping or job-site use. It's EPA-estimated at 23 mpg combined, and pricing starts around $47,000. Toyota Tundra i-FORCE MAX Tundra's i-FORCE MAX pairs a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor for 437 net combined horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, the same output as Sequoia. Toyota lists a maximum towing capacity of up to 12,000 pounds for the Tundra lineup, the highest of any Toyota hybrid. Hybrid Tundra pricing runs well above the base gas truck; exact starting price depends heavily on cab, bed, and trim, so it's worth speaking with our sales team for a specific configuration. Which Toyota Hybrid Is the Best? It Depends on What You Need Best fuel economy: The Prius leads the entire lineup at an EPA-estimated 57 mpg combined. If maximum miles per gallon is the only priority, this is the answer. Best for long-distance and road-trip driving: The Camry offers nearly Prius-level efficiency (up to 51 mpg combined) with a roomier cabin, a bigger trunk, and a more comfortable ride for hours behind the wheel. For families who need three rows on a long trip, the Sienna's estimated 648-mile range per tank is hard to beat. Cheapest: The Corolla Hybrid, starting at around $25,000, undercuts every other hybrid Toyota sells, including the Prius, by a meaningful margin. Biggest and most spacious: Among SUVs, the Sequoia is the largest and most capable, with three rows and serious towing muscle. Among cars, the Crown and Camry offer the most interior room in the sedan lineup. Best towing capacity: The Tundra i-FORCE MAX tops the lineup at up to 12,000 pounds, ahead of the Sequoia's 9,520 pounds. Most horsepower: Tundra and Sequoia i-FORCE MAX are tied at 437 net combined horsepower, the highest output of any Toyota hybrid. Best off-road capability: Land Cruiser, with full-time four-wheel drive and locking differentials, edges out the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX for dedicated trail use, though both share the same 326-horsepower system. Best for charging at home: The Prius Plug-in Hybrid and RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid are the only two models that let you drive on electricity alone for daily errands while keeping full gasoline range for longer trips. Best for families needing three rows: Grand Highlander Hybrid offers the most cargo and passenger flexibility among midsize SUVs, while the Sienna remains the most fuel-efficient way to move seven or eight people. Find Your Match at Toyota of Abilene With this many hybrids to choose from, the right one really does come down to how you drive. Whether that's a daily commute that rewards every extra mile per gallon, a family that needs three rows and real towing capacity, or a truck that has to work as hard as you do, we have a hybrid built for it. Stop by Toyota of Abilene or contact our sales team to test drive any of the models above and get current pricing for the trim that fits your budget.

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