2026 Toyota 4Runner: Bristol Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2026 4Runner at a Glance
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner comes in nine trims, starting at $42,270 MSRP for the SR5 and topping out at $68,600 for the TRD Pro, with a $1,595 destination charge added to every one. Two engines share the same 8-speed automatic: the i-FORCE turbo four-cylinder (278 hp, 317 lb-ft) and the i-FORCE MAX hybrid (up to 326 hp, 465 lb-ft), which is optional on TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium and Limited and standard on Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter. SR5, TRD Sport and Limited start out rear-wheel drive with 4WD available for $2,000 more; every trim built for the trail comes with 4WD from the factory. Toyota of Bristol shows the lineup at 1069 Farmington Avenue in Bristol, Connecticut.
Same truck underneath, a few real changes on top
Most of what people notice about the current 4Runner arrived with the 2025 model, when Toyota dropped the old V6 and moved the SUV onto the TNGA-F truck platform it shares with the Tacoma and the Land Cruiser. The 2026 model year is a refinement pass on that design, so a shopper comparing it to a 2025 will mostly be comparing equipment, not styling. Two items are new: a Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism that can now be ordered on the hybrid TRD Off-Road Premium (it lets the stabilizer bars disconnect for more wheel travel on uneven ground), and an expanded Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 package that adds Proactive Driving Assist and better detection of motorcycles, guardrails and several vehicles ahead.
That body-on-frame construction matters in Hartford County more than the spec sheet suggests. Roads here get salted from the first freeze, the hills around Bristol punish soft suspensions, and a nor'easter can turn a Tuesday commute into a ground-clearance test. A 4Runner shrugs at all of that, and if you tow a camper or a boat to a lake in the Litchfield Hills, the 6,000-pound rating on most trims (5,800 on Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter) gives you real headroom.
Picking the engine, and what each trim lets you pick
The engine choice is really a trim choice, because Toyota hands it out unevenly. SR5, TRD Sport and TRD Sport Premium only come with the standard i-FORCE four-cylinder, which is rated at 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft and EPA-estimated at up to 20 mpg city, 26 highway and 22 combined in rear-drive form. The hybrid appears as a paid option on TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium and Limited, where it adds $2,800 over the comparable 4WD non-hybrid, and it becomes the only engine on Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter. Toyota's published hybrid rating is up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft (323 hp on Trailhunter), with an EPA estimate of 22 city, 24 highway and 23 combined on the 4WD hybrid. Both engines are designed for regular unleaded.
Drivetrain follows its own pattern. Rear-wheel drive is the default on SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium and Limited, and 4WD is a $2,000 step up on each. The two Off-Road trims, Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter skip the question entirely because 4WD is built in. On the practical side, five seats are standard everywhere, and a third row (up to seven seats) can be added on the SR5 and the Limited only.
Choose a 2026 4Runner
4Runner SR5
from $42,270 MSRP
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay and an optional third row at the entry price.
4Runner TRD Sport
from $48,750 MSRP
20-inch wheels and a sport-tuned suspension, plus a Premium version from $54,110.
4Runner TRD Off-Road
from $50,690 MSRP
Standard 4WD, a locking rear differential and a hybrid option from $53,490.
4Runner Limited
from $56,900 MSRP
Heated and ventilated leather, JBL audio and adaptive suspension, with a hybrid option.
4Runner Platinum
from $64,360 MSRP
Hybrid power and full-time 4WD on every one, with the most refined cabin in the lineup.
4Runner TRD Pro
from $68,600 MSRP
FOX shocks, 33-inch Toyo tires and a Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism as standard hardware.
4Runner Trailhunter
from $68,400 MSRP
ARB roof rack, onboard air compressor and Old Man Emu suspension for overlanding.
What shoppers say about Toyota of Bristol
Toyota of Bristol calls itself Connecticut's newest Toyota destination, and its Google profile currently averages 4.9 stars across 95 reviews. Because the store is new, the reviews are mostly about the visit rather than about a specific model, and they keep landing on the same few themes. Din K. told readers, "If you’re heading to the dealership, definitely ask for Dominic. He may be young, but his professionalism, product knowledge, and customer service are top-notch." Matthew B., shopping for something with a bed or a tow hitch, wrote, "They have a great selection of trucks and I am extremely pleased with the service and hospitality, especially George, Jaden, and Andie."
The pressure question comes up more than any other, and so does the price question. Benjamin S. put it this way: "Everyone I dealt with was professional, straightforward, and, most importantly, not pushy." That's the tone to expect when you walk in to compare a 4Runner trim against the Tacoma or the Grand Highlander parked beside it.
Two more things worth sorting out
Trim and powertrain settle what you drive. Money and upkeep settle whether you enjoy owning it. The 4Runner pricing and leasing guide covers Connecticut sales tax, including the higher 7.75 percent rate that applies once a vehicle's price passes $50,000, which most of this lineup does. The 4Runner service and repair guide explains how ToyotaCare works on a 2026 model, what the oil-change rhythm looks like, and what a few New England winters do to underbody hardware.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2026 Toyota 4Runner any good?
For the kind of buyer it was designed for, yes: the platform it rides on is shared with the Tacoma and the Land Cruiser, it offers real towing and off-road hardware that crossover-based SUVs don't, and the 4Runner name carries one of the stronger resale reputations in the segment. The honest caveat is age. This generation only arrived for 2025, so the long-term ownership record is still being written, and buyers who want a ten-year track record on the new engines will have to take some of it on trust.
Does the 2026 4Runner have issues?
Any vehicle that is only a couple of model years into a new generation can pick up recalls or technical service bulletins, and the 4Runner is no exception to that general rule. The reliable way to check a specific truck is the free VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and Toyota of Bristol's service team can run the same check on any 4Runner in stock, new or pre-owned, before you sign anything.
Will there be a 2026 Toyota 4Runner?
There already is one. The 2026 4Runner is the model year Toyota is selling right now, in the same nine trims that launched for 2025, and Toyota's own site still lists the 2026 as the current 4Runner. Inventory moves, so the current-stock page at Toyota of Bristol is the place to see which trims and colors are physically on the lot.
Does the 2026 4Runner require premium gas?
No. Toyota specifies regular unleaded for the standard i-FORCE engine and for the i-FORCE MAX hybrid, so the more powerful hybrid trims don't carry a premium-fuel penalty at the pump.
What is the most common problem with the Toyota 4Runner?
Across the nameplate's long history, owner complaints have mostly been about age-related wear, such as batteries, suspension bushings and infotainment glitches, rather than one recurring structural fault. The 2026 is too new to have a pattern of its own yet, which is one reason the 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage are worth understanding before you buy.
What SUV is better than a 4Runner?
That depends on where you drive. A crossover like the RAV4 or Grand Highlander rides more softly and sips less fuel on pavement, while the 4Runner gives up some of that comfort in exchange for a ladder frame, serious 4WD hardware on the trail trims, and the towing numbers described above. If your week is mostly commuting on Route 6 and the highway, one of those crossovers may suit you better; if your weekends involve gravel, snow or a trailer, the 4Runner earns its price.
See it in person
Nine trims and two engines are a lot to absorb on a screen, and a short drive makes the differences obvious fast. Browse current 4Runner inventory, check the 4Runner showroom page, or come by 1069 Farmington Avenue in Bristol. The showroom is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you can reach sales at 860-584-7333.
MSRP figures are Toyota's published starting prices for the 2026 4Runner as of October 2026 and exclude the $1,595 destination charge, taxes, title, registration and dealer fees; the dealer sets the final selling price, and the window sticker is the authority on a specific vehicle. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates and real-world results will vary. Equipment, colors and availability can change with production, so confirm current specifications and stock with Toyota of Bristol. Warranty terms are per Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Toyota of Bristol.
