New & Used 2026 Toyota 4Runner for Sale nearSanta Barbara, CA

Is the 2026 Toyota 4Runner a good car?

Yes — the 2026 Toyota 4Runner earns a 5/5 user rating and a 6.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 8/10.

It’s built around adventure, and that shows up in the way it prioritizes trail ability and family hauling over crossover polish. The 4Runner’s off-road focus is a major part of its appeal, and the available hybrid powertrain broadens the lineup for shoppers who want capability with some added efficiency.

The trade-offs are just as clear: the ride is firm and jiggly, passenger comfort takes a hit, and the hybrid still isn’t especially efficient. For buyers who want a rugged SUV that can handle passengers and rough terrain better than a typical crossover, that’s a workable compromise.

Good and great deals account for 35.3% of listings, which suggests there’s at least some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

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

The 4Runner’s design and powertrain lineup are aimed at durability-minded buyers, with a body-on-frame setup and a straightforward, utility-first approach. Its performance notes also point to hardware that’s meant to handle demanding use, especially off-road, where the low-range system and crawl control help it work through tough terrain.

Toyota also includes a multi-year subscription to Service Connect, which sends maintenance updates and vehicle health reports, and that’s a useful ownership perk for staying on top of routine care.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the same rugged setup that helps off-road can also mean more compromise in everyday comfort and efficiency.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

Even with a strong clean-inventory rate, you should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection. Focus on how the truck has been used, because the 4Runner’s off-road hardware and firm ride mean condition and maintenance matter a lot in real-world ownership.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base cabin is simple and utilitarian, with cloth upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims add synthetic leather or leather, a larger 14-inch screen, and more upscale equipment. The off-road-focused trims also bring more aggressive exterior and hardware changes, so check whether you actually need those features or would be better served by a more street-friendly trim.
• Powertrain: You can choose between a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, or the hybrid setup with 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. The hybrid adds stronger output, but it still isn’t especially quick and doesn’t deliver standout fuel economy in real-world driving.
• 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, with a 12.3-inch cluster on all but the base trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on Premium trims and higher. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and wireless phone charging is included on all but the base model.
• Fuel efficiency: The hybrid TRD Off-Road is rated at 23 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Non-hybrid RWD models are rated at 22 mpg combined, while other non-hybrid 4WD 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, and it makes sense if you want the 4Runner’s core rugged identity without paying for extra equipment. It’s the least expensive path into the lineup, but it also has the most basic cabin and tech setup.
• TRD Sport: This is the step-up choice if you want a little more equipment than the SR5 without jumping into the more specialized off-road trims.
• TRD Sport Premium: This is the best-value trim if you want the larger touchscreen and a more complete feature set without moving all the way into the hardcore off-road models.
• TRD Off-Road: This is the one to buy if you want the 4Runner’s off-road hardware at the most accessible price. It adds serious trail equipment and is the most affordable way into the hybrid powertrain.
• TRD Off-Road Premium: This is the sweet spot for buyers who want the off-road capability of the TRD Off-Road plus the added convenience of the Multi-Terrain Monitor.
• Limited: This is the more street-friendly choice, with a lower ride height and full-time 4WD that make it easier to live with on pavement.
• Platinum: This is the upscale pick in the lineup, with the hybrid powertrain standard and a more premium equipment mix.
• Trailhunter: This is for buyers who want the most adventure-ready setup, with extra ground clearance, a snorkel, rock rails, an onboard compressor, and other trail-focused hardware.
• TRD Pro: This is the most extreme version, with Fox adjustable remote-reservoir shocks, underbody protection, and the most aggressive off-road hardware in the lineup.

Toyota’s safety suite is standard across the lineup, but crash-test results are mixed, so it’s worth paying close attention to trim-specific headlight ratings and overall condition.

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

This looks like a moderate market for selective buyers, so it’s a reasonable time to shop if you’re patient and comparison-shop carefully.

• Deal availability: 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,333 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 97.0% 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 mixed IIHS results, including a Marginal score in the moderate front overlap crash test.

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

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard, and it 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 main caveat is that crash-test performance is uneven, and headlight performance varies by trim level. That means you should pay close attention to the specific trim and equipment package you’re considering.

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:

• 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 97% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It leans hard into off-road capability while still offering an available hybrid powertrain.

Consider the 2025 if:

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

The bottom line: If you want the current 4Runner’s rugged identity and can live with its comfort and efficiency compromises, the 2026 is the better path. If you’re mainly shopping for value and want a newer-generation 4Runner with the same basic formula, the 2025 is worth a look for price-sensitive buyers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.