2026 Toyota 4Runner SR5: Bristol Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2026 4Runner SR5
The SR5 is the entry point to the 2026 4Runner lineup at $42,270 MSRP plus $1,595 destination, and it's the one trim that can seat seven. It uses the standard 278-horsepower i-FORCE turbo four-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic (there is no hybrid SR5), starts as a rear-wheel-drive truck, and adds part-time 4WD for $2,000 more. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and a 6,000-pound tow rating. Toyota of Bristol stocks 4Runners at 1069 Farmington Avenue in Bristol, Connecticut.
What the base price actually includes
People tend to assume the cheapest 4Runner is a stripped-down fleet truck, and the SR5 isn't that. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard, which bundles adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and pre-collision braking, and the 2026 version adds Proactive Driving Assist. Inside, the 8-inch screen pairs wirelessly with both major phone platforms, the Smart Key System handles entry and push-button start, and the rear window drops with a power switch, a small convenience that a lot of owners end up using daily. A tow hitch receiver is on the truck from the factory as well.
What's missing is mostly tuning and trim. The SR5 skips the sport-tuned suspension of the TRD Sport and the Bilstein shocks and 33-inch tires of the TRD Off-Road, and the cabin is simpler than the heated-and-ventilated-leather layout upstairs. If the goal is a dependable family SUV with a truck chassis, none of that is a compromise.
Rear-wheel drive or 4WD for a Connecticut winter
The SR5 leaves the factory as a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, and part-time 4WD is a $2,000 option (that takes the MSRP to $44,270). Part-time means the system is meant to be switched on when the surface is slippery and switched off again on dry pavement, which is the classic truck-style arrangement. For a driver who lives near Farmington Avenue and rarely leaves paved roads, rear-drive plus good winter tires can be enough, but anyone with a steep driveway, an unplowed side street or a habit of heading into the Litchfield Hills in January should treat the $2,000 as the most useful upgrade on the order form. EPA estimates run 20 mpg city, 26 highway and 22 combined for the rear-drive SR5 and 19, 25 and 21 for 4WD.
The third-row option nobody else in the lineup has
Most 4Runner trims seat five. The SR5 and the Limited are the only two where a third row can be added, stretching the capacity to seven. A third row in a vehicle this size is a compact space, so it suits kids and shorter trips better than adults on a long haul, but for a family that needs the occasional extra two seats and doesn't want to step up to a Grand Highlander or Sequoia, it's a genuine selling point that gets overlooked because it only shows up when you read the trim details carefully.
What buyers say about the experience
The SR5 is where a lot of first-time buyers start, so it helps to know how the buying process goes. Abigail M., who had never bought from a dealership before, wrote, "This was my first time buying a car at a dealership, and I’d highly recommend Toyota of Bristol to anyone, not just first-time buyers." If you want to put a name to that kind of welcome, the dealership publishes its sales team on the meet our staff page.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2026 4Runner SR5 come with 4WD?
It comes as rear-wheel drive and offers part-time 4WD as a $2,000 option. It's a part-time system you engage when the road gets slick, which is a different animal from the always-on all-wheel drive in most crossovers.
Is there a hybrid version of the SR5?
No. The SR5 only comes with the i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbo, rated at 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid starts higher in the lineup: it's optional on TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium and Limited and standard on Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter.
How many people does the SR5 seat?
Five as standard and up to seven if the available third-row seating is added. The Limited is the only other 4Runner trim that offers that option.
How much can the SR5 tow?
Toyota rates it at 6,000 pounds when properly equipped, and a tow hitch receiver is part of the standard equipment. Exact capacity depends on how the individual truck is loaded and optioned, so confirm the figure for the specific vehicle before hooking up a heavy trailer.
What does the SR5 cost with taxes in Connecticut?
At the $42,270 MSRP plus the $1,595 destination charge, the subtotal is $43,865, which stays under the $50,000 line, so the standard 6.35 percent sales tax applies. That works out to roughly $2,785 in tax before title, registration and any dealer fees, and the pricing and leasing guide walks through the math for every trim.
Take a look in person
Seeing the SR5 beside a TRD Sport or an Off-Road model makes the differences clear in a few minutes. Check current 4Runner inventory or visit 1069 Farmington Avenue in Bristol, where sales can be reached at 860-584-7333.
MSRP excludes the $1,595 destination charge, taxes, title, registration and dealer fees; the dealer sets the final selling price. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates and real-world results will vary. Equipment and availability can change with production, so confirm current specifications and stock with Toyota of Bristol. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Toyota of Bristol.
