New & Used 2026 Toyota 4Runner for Sale nearSanta Maria, 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 over crossover polish. The 4Runner stands out as one of the better off-roaders on the market, and it can still carry the family while offering an available hybrid powertrain.

The trade-offs are clear: it makes compromises in passenger comfort and interior space, and its ride is firm and jiggly. The hybrid also isn’t very efficient.

For shoppers who want a rugged SUV with a strong identity, that mix makes sense. For buyers who want a more comfortable daily driver, the 4Runner’s focus may feel too specialized.

Good and great deals account for 35.8% of listings, which gives you 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 strategy lean into durability-minded, adventure-first use rather than luxury or softness. Its body-on-frame setup and off-road hardware support that mission, and the expert assessment also points to a vehicle that’s meant to be used hard in the real world.

Toyota’s performance notes also emphasize useful off-road capability from the powertrain, including strong torque for climbing and crawling in low-range use. On the ownership side, the cost-effectiveness notes mention a first scheduled maintenance visit that is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term 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 96.9% — 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 especially on suspension condition, tire wear, and signs that the vehicle was used hard off pavement. You should also pay close attention to cabin condition and rear-seat comfort, since those are among the 4Runner’s weaker points.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add more comfort and convenience equipment. The off-road-focused trims bring the most capability, but the cabin remains utilitarian even as you move up the range.
• Powertrain: You can choose between a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder and an i-Force Max hybrid setup. The hybrid adds more output and torque, but it still isn’t especially quick or efficient for the class.
• 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: The standard setup includes an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Higher trims expand to a 12.3-inch cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, and Premium trims or higher get the larger screen.
• Fuel efficiency: The hybrid is rated at 23 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The non-hybrid RWD model gets 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, so it makes sense if you want the 4Runner’s core rugged character at the lowest price. It’s the trim to start with if you care more about the SUV’s basic mission than extra equipment.
• TRD Sport: This adds a step up in equipment over the SR5 while staying on the more street-oriented side of the lineup. It suits buyers who want the 4Runner look and capability without jumping straight into the more specialized off-road trims.
• TRD Sport Premium: This is the better-value choice if you want more comfort and tech than the TRD Sport without going all the way to the off-road-focused models. It’s the trim most likely to make sense for shoppers who want a balanced daily driver.
• TRD Off-Road: This is the first trim that really leans into the 4Runner’s adventure mission, with serious off-road hardware and the strongest value for buyers who plan to use that capability. It’s the best-value trim for shoppers who want the 4Runner to do what it was built to do.
• TRD Off-Road Premium: This adds the off-road equipment of the TRD Off-Road plus the Multi-Terrain Monitor, which helps when you want more visibility on rough terrain. It’s the pick if you want trail capability with a little more convenience.
• 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. It suits buyers who want a 4Runner but spend more time on-road than off it.
• Platinum: This is the upscale choice in the lineup, with the hybrid powertrain standard and a more premium equipment set. It’s the trim to consider if you want the most comfort-oriented 4Runner.
• Trailhunter: This is one of the most serious off-road models, with extra ground clearance, disconnecting sway bars, a snorkel, rock rails, an onboard compressor, and more. It’s for buyers who want a heavily equipped overlanding-style SUV.
• TRD Pro: This is the most extreme factory off-road version, with Fox adjustable remote-reservoir shocks, underbody protection, and the same high-clearance, trail-ready hardware as the Trailhunter. It’s the right choice if you want maximum off-road capability from the factory.

Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 suite is standard across the lineup, along with blind-spot monitors, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic-jam assist.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find decent opportunities.

• Deal availability: 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,295 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 96.9% 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 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 four-star NHTSA frontal and rollover ratings.

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:

• 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 96.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It emphasizes adventure-first capability with available hybrid power and serious off-road hardware.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It brought a long-awaited redesign with more capability, comfort, technology, and a more efficient hybrid option.

The bottom line: If you want the newest 4Runner with strong off-road identity and a healthy share of good deals, the 2026 is the better default choice. If you’re more price-sensitive and want the redesigned formula at a potentially lower entry point, the 2025 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.