When you pop the hood on a build, airflow is often where the performance conversation starts. For more than 50 years, K&N Engineering has been in that conversation—known as much for its washable filters as for its no-nonsense horsepower claims. Now, the company is rolling out its most aggressive evolution to date: the NextGen Air Intake System.

This isn’t just a refresh. The NextGen series marks a shift toward hybrid performance—closed-box protection paired with high-flow power delivery. Think OEM+ design meets trail-ready torque bump. Whether you’re wrenching on a daily-driven Tacoma, a lifted F-150, or a Bronco headed for slickrock, these new intakes aim to hit a sweet spot that previous systems haven’t.

What Makes It “NextGen”?

At its core, the NextGen system is designed to deliver maximum horsepower gains without touching the factory tune. K&N says average improvements hover around 21 horsepower and 23 pound-feet of torque, with some applications netting up to 41 HP and 67 lb.-ft. These aren’t bench-racing numbers either—every intake comes with application-specific dyno data, a standard K&N’s competitors still don’t consistently match.

The system’s performance boost comes from a redesigned airflow path. A large-diameter intake tube feeds into a high-capacity filter with a newly engineered radius entry. That assembly mates to a hybrid open-top enclosure designed to draw cooler air through an enlarged OEM-style inlet, reducing heat soak and smoothing the delivery curve.

Installation is intended to be straightforward—quick-lock tech secures the filter into the airbox without extra hardware, meaning no fiddling with clamps or brackets. And unlike some aftermarket options that look like they were cobbled together in a garage, the NextGen system carries an OEM aesthetic. Silicone hoses lay flush, and a set of subtle race stripes on the filter element give a nod to K&N’s motorsports lineage.

Who’s It For?

The NextGen line is aimed squarely at truck, Jeep, and SUV owners who want more power but aren’t ready to start chasing custom tunes or reprogramming ECUs. For off-roaders, that means plug-and-play improvements without tripping sensors or raising emissions flags. K&N is launching the system for Chevy, Ford, RAM, Jeep and Toyota platforms, with more fitments expected this spring.

With a starting MSRP of $399.99, it’s priced to compete with other closed-box intakes on the market, but delivers more airflow and a longer service interval thanks to the brand’s oversized washable filter design.

Bottom Line

K&N’s NextGen Air Intake Systems bridge the gap between off-road function and street-legal form. For builders looking for dyno-backed gains without complicating their rig’s emissions profile—or voiding a warranty—this system delivers. It’s not a revolution, but it’s a smart evolution of what a performance intake can be in 2025.

Expect to see more of these on the trails (and in parking lots) soon.