2025 Toyota 4Runner vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner, in its sixth generation, maintained a design evolution rather than a complete overhaul. It retained the horseshoe-shaped grilles from the previous generation, now with a more robust and industrial look. The side body panels featured deep beveled creases that seamlessly integrated with the flared wheel arches, giving the 4Runner a broad-shouldered stance suitable for an off-road SUV. Paying homage to its predecessors, the new 4Runner included design elements like the slanted rearmost window from the first generation, while the sliding rear window facilitated easier cargo access. Inside, the 4Runner mirrored the Toyota Tacoma's design, with beveled styling throughout the cabin. It offered a balance of comfort and ruggedness, with hard plastics for durability and light cushioning for comfort. The materials were superior to those in a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco but not as refined as those in a Land Rover Defender.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized a sportier aesthetic within the Range Rover family. It stood tall with a shorter wheelbase and chopped top, giving it an athletic appearance. Large front air intakes and fake vents added to its sporty look, though it appeared somewhat tall and narrow from certain angles. The Range Rover Sport lineup included SE, Dynamic SE, Autobiography, and SV Edition Two trims, with a Stealth appearance package available for the Dynamic SE. The SV Edition 2, the highest-performance model, featured carbon-fiber elements and a minimalist interior with red leather upholstery and illuminated accents. The interior maintained a cockpit-like feel with high console and door panels, offering a luxurious yet slightly cramped experience. Material quality was high, though the use of reflective piano black plastic was excessive.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner offered two engine options. The base models came with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 317 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup improved acceleration and fuel economy compared to the previous generation. Rear-wheel drive was standard on some trims, with four-wheel drive available. The more powerful i-Force Max Hybrid powertrain combined the four-cylinder engine with a 1.87-kWh battery and an electric motor, delivering 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This hybrid variant provided stronger power at lower speeds, beneficial for off-roading. The 4Runner demonstrated improved on-road composure, with reduced nosedive and body roll, while maintaining its off-road capabilities. The TRD Pro and Trailhunter models were particularly adept off-road, with varying approach and departure angles and ground clearance depending on the trim.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrains, all with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base SE model featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Dynamic SE offered a higher output of 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet, along with a plug-in hybrid option rated at 454 horsepower and 487 pound-feet. The Autobiography trim increased the hybrid's output to 543 horsepower and 590 pound-feet, with an optional BMW-sourced twin-turbo V8 producing 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet. The SV Edition Two pushed the V8's output to 626 horsepower, making it the most powerful Range Rover model. It achieved 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph. The Range Rover Sport excelled in handling with sport-tuned air suspension, four-wheel steering, and brake-based torque vectoring, while maintaining off-road capabilities with the Terrain Response system and adjustable air suspension.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner grew five inches longer, with a 2.4-inch increase in wheelbase, though passenger space gains were minimal. The front seats accommodated taller passengers, but the middle row offered only adequate legroom. Third-row seating was available on non-hybrid models but was cramped and lacked thigh support. The cockpit was well-organized, with oversized climate control knobs and grouped off-road controls for ease of use. Storage included door pockets, a dashboard tray, and a center armrest bin, with cargo capacity at 44.8 cubic feet, reduced to 42.6 cubic feet in hybrid models. A sturdy roof rack compensated for cargo deficits, supporting up to 800 pounds.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered a two-row, five-seater configuration. Front-seat headroom was comparable to other midsize luxury SUVs, while rear-seat headroom was slightly less than competitors. The Range Rover Sport provided 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 53 cubic feet with seats folded. It lacked a split tailgate but featured power operation and an "access height" setting for easier loading. The towing capacity was 7,716 pounds for turbo-six and V8 models, with plug-in hybrids rated at 6,614 pounds.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 14-inch option available. Both screens offered logical menus and quick responses, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Hybrid models included a digital instrument panel, with external camera views for off-road navigation. A 14-speaker JBL audio system was available, along with a portable Bluetooth speaker. Remote monitoring, a digital key function, and various off-road menus enhanced the 4Runner's tech offerings.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport shared its screen setup with the larger Range Rover, featuring a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The minimalist design limited physical controls, relying on the touchscreen for climate and drive mode adjustments. Steering-wheel controls offered limited alternatives, but the Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition 2 included "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers for a unique audio experience, though it felt somewhat gimmicky.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the Tacoma, on which it was based, was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The 4Runner included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with features like frontal collision warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts was optional.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, though parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.