There is no shortage of good SUVs out there. If you need your SUV to tackle any off-road obstacle coming your way, the Ford Bronco is hard to beat. Or, if you prefer luxury and prestige, you will not want to pass up on the Cadillac Escalade or the Lexus LX. But what if you want something that covers it all? We are talking about a vehicle that has good off-road capabilities yet has on-road refinement and even some luxurious features sprinkled around. And it must be darn near bullet-proof. Well, that, my friends is what the Toyota 4Runner is all about.
Since 1983, the Toyota 4Runner has been a staple in the Toyota lineup, known for its durability, reliability and presence. Through its nearly 45-year career, the 4Runner has only gone through 5 revisions, the last being in 2025. Today's sixth-generation 4Runner conforms to the same basic recipe as the first 4Runner in that it is a midsize truck-based SUV that lives up to its rugged looks and style. This week we look at the 2026 Toyota 4Runner.
Based on Toyota's global truck platform that's also shared with the Toyota Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Tacoma, and Tundra, the 4Runner uses an extremely durable boxed ladder steel frame. The exterior of the 4Runner is inspired by all the Toyota models listed above, especially the Tacoma, featuring a bold, rugged design. Its flared fenders and sleek greenhouse make it one of the best-looking SUVs on the road.
Heading inside, the 4Runner's cabin also shares much of its styling with the Tacoma pickup truck. The leather and soft-touch materials on the door panels and dash take the 4Runner to a more modern level that flirts with luxury, and Toyota s 14-inch multimedia screen is relatively easy to use. There are storage bins strategically placed throughout the interior, and all the controls are within easy reach for the driver. The front seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustments. As a passenger, be sure to call shotgun as the back seat legroom is on the tight side. The 4Runner's optional third-row seat is a squeeze for adult riders but should come in handy for kids or an occasional tag-along passenger. When not in use, it can fold flat into the floor. A favorite among 4Runners owners is the power-operated rear window.
Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine, the same one that is also found in the Tacoma. Packing 278-horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, it adds a newfound wallop and energy when accelerating, reaching 60 mph in just 7.5 seconds. An eight-speed automatic transmission is the sole unit used. This is the standard drivetrain for the SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited trim levels.
The 4Runner's higher trim levels, the Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter, get the more powerful i-Force Max engine. Basically, the same turbocharged 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine as above, it adds in a hybrid system that increases power output to 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, needing just 7 seconds to hit 60 mph. Along with the more powerful engine, four-wheel drive is standard on these trim levels, however, the third row is not offered.
The tester arrived as a TRD Pro. It carries an MSRP of $74,679. Pricing for the base SR5 starts just under $44,000.
The 4Runner feels just as big and bold as it looks. It doesn't hide that it is built from a truck platform, and its occupants will be reminded of it when driving in it. Ride quality and handling are not its strong points, and you will feel every bump in the road. It really feels like it wants to go off-road and tackle just about anything you throw at it, and with its sophisticated four-wheel drive abilities, it nearly can.
When equipped with four-wheel drive, the 4Runner is fitted with a two-speed transfer case with high and low range. All terrain-conquering equipment is offered, including optional disconnecting stabilizer bars, a locking rear differential, and an off-road cruise control system. 4Runners with the i-Force Max engine get even more off-road goodies like manually adjustable dampers.
And for in-town use, the 4Runner can knock out any job tossed its way - from picking up the kids from school and football practice, to making grocery store runs, cross-country trips or battling storms, the 4Runner seems to absorb anything and everything it encounters.
4Runners with the base engine have about 48.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seat, while hybrids have about 42.5 cubic feet (the hybrid battery sits beneath the rear cargo floor, raising the floor by about 5 inches). Either way, there is plenty of room for gear, groceries and goodies back there. If you need to tow, the 4Runner has a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.
Over the years, the 4Runner has come a long way, adapting to the ever changing SUV market. Heck, in its early days, it didn't even have rear doors, yet today it presents itself as a modern, high-tech, do-it-all vehicle. Unfortunately, the days of the rough-and-tough body-on-frame SUVs are looking to be numbered making SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner a dying breed. But with its strong cult following, the 4Runner continues marching on.