New & Used 2026 Toyota 4Runner for Sale nearPalm Desert, CA

Is the 2026 Toyota 4Runner a good car?

Yes — the 2026 Toyota 4Runner earns a 5/5 user rating and a 6.7/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 8/10.

It is built for adventure rather than maximum everyday comfort, and that shows up in the way it prioritizes rugged capability over a softer ride. The 4Runner stands out as one of the better off-roaders on the market, and it can carry more passengers than the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco.

The trade-offs are clear: passenger comfort and interior space take a hit, and the ride is firm and jiggly. It also offers a hybrid, but the hybrid is not very efficient.

For shoppers who want a rugged SUV with a clear identity and real off-road ability, it makes sense. For buyers focused mainly on daily family duty, a crossover will usually be the more comfortable choice. Good and great deals account for 36.8% of listings.

Is the 2026 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is designed around durability-minded, adventure-first use, and its off-road hardware supports that mission. Its powertrain setup is straightforward, with a turbocharged four-cylinder and an available hybrid system, and the hybrid’s torque is described as useful for off-roading and low-range driving.

Toyota also includes maintenance and ownership-support features such as Service Connect, which sends maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. That kind of support can make routine ownership easier.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is not outright complexity so much as living with a vehicle that was built to be used hard, so condition and maintenance history matter a lot.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Toyota 4Runner?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 96.5% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are looking at an off-road-focused trim. Pay close attention to suspension wear, underbody condition, tire condition, and signs of hard trail use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup ranges from SR5 to TRD Pro, with off-road-focused trims adding more capability and equipment. Base-trim equipment is simpler, while higher trims add features such as synthetic leather, leather upholstery, and more off-road hardware.
• Powertrain: The base i-Force engine is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The i-Force Max hybrid increases output to 326 hp and 465 lb-ft, but the hybrid is not especially quick and is not very efficient.
• Safety package: Every 4Runner gets Safety Sense 3.0, which includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, road-sign recognition, and high-beam assist. Blind-spot monitors, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic-jam assist are also standard.
• Infotainment: Standard tech includes a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen. Higher trims get a 12.3-inch cluster, and Premium trims or higher get a 14-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and wireless phone charging is standard on all but the base model.
• Fuel efficiency: The hybrid is rated at 23 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Non-hybrid RWD models get 22 mpg combined, while other 4WD non-hybrid versions are rated at 21 mpg combined.

Which 2026 Toyota 4Runner trim should I buy?

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is offered in 9 trim levels: SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, Trailhunter, and TRD Pro.

Here's the short version:

• SR5: This is the entry point, but it is the simplest version of the 4Runner and lacks some of the richer tech and comfort upgrades found higher up the range.
• TRD Sport: This adds a step up in equipment over the SR5, but it is still aimed more at everyday use than the more serious off-road trims.
• TRD Sport Premium: This is the better-equipped Sport choice if you want more features without jumping all the way to the off-road-focused models.
• TRD Off-Road: This is the best-value trim for buyers who want the 4Runner’s core mission at the lowest price point among the more capable off-road versions. It adds a locking rear differential, Bilstein remote-reservoir dampers, all-terrain tires, skid plates, and the Multi-Terrain System.
• TRD Off-Road Premium: This is the smarter pick if you want the off-road hardware plus extra convenience, including the Multi-Terrain Monitor.
• Limited: This is the more street-friendly choice, with a full-time 4WD system and a lower ride height that should be easier to live with on pavement.
• Platinum: This is the upscale choice in the lineup, with the hybrid powertrain standard and a more comfort-oriented setup.
• Trailhunter: This is for buyers who want the most adventure-ready factory setup, with added ground clearance, disconnecting sway bars, a snorkel, rock rails, an onboard compressor, and more.
• TRD Pro: This is the most extreme factory off-road version, with Fox adjustable remote-reservoir shocks, extra underbody protection, and the most aggressive hardware in the lineup.

Toyota’s safety package is standard across the lineup, but crash-test results are mixed, so it is worth weighing that alongside the trim’s equipment.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Toyota 4Runner?

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you have room to shop carefully rather than rush.

• Deal availability: 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,495 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 96.5% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Toyota 4Runner safe?

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner earns four-star ratings in frontal crash and rollover, and five-star ratings in all other NHTSA tests. It also received a Marginal score in the IIHS moderate front overlap crash test.

It earns a 6/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota equips every 4Runner with Safety Sense 3.0, which includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, road-sign recognition, and high-beam assist. Blind-spot monitors, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic-jam assist are also standard.

The mixed crash-test results are the main caveat here, especially the Marginal IIHS result and the varying headlight ratings by trim.

Should I buy a 2026 Toyota 4Runner or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 96.5% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the 4Runner’s adventure-first identity while adding strong off-road capability and available hybrid power.

Consider the 2025 if:

• The redesign brought more capability, power, comfort, and technology.

The bottom line: If you want the current 4Runner’s rugged formula and can live with its comfort compromises, the 2026 is the better target. If you are more price-sensitive, the 2025 is worth a look because it introduced the modernized redesign and may offer a lower entry point.

How does the 2026 Toyota 4Runner compare to the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2026 Toyota 4Runner:

• Pros: Off-road master, Can carry the family, Available hybrid.
• Cons: Firm, jiggly ride, Poor second-row comfort, Hybrid isn’t very efficient.

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee:

• Pros: Stylish design, Small-but-mighty Hurricane 4 Turbo engine, It’s a towing and off-road champ.
• Cons: Middling fuel economy, Poor value for money.

Our experts score the 2026 Toyota 4Runner 6.7/10 and the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6.8/10. The 4Runner leans harder into rugged utility and passenger-carrying ability, while the Grand Cherokee brings a more stylish design and a stronger-sounding engine choice. The 4Runner’s weak points are ride comfort and hybrid efficiency, while the Grand Cherokee’s drawbacks are fuel economy and value.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.