2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium Review Modern Tech Meets Old School Grit

Driving the 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium.

When it comes to some of their trucks and SUVs, Toyota waits quite a long time for a full redesign. Take the 4Runner. Its previous generation spanned from around 2010 to 2024. That’s quite a long time for a vehicle to be on sale, but for good reason. The previous generation was extremely reliable, with a 4.0-liter V6 engine and tech suitable for someone with an iPhone 4. After all that time, Toyota finally updated the 4Runner TRD with much more tech, safety, turbocharged inline-four engines with or without hybrid power, and an updated transmission. Pricing has also come into modern times. In 2024, a 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium cost around $48,000. For 2026, this trim level is around $56,000. Still, the updates to the 4Runner bring it up to speed with rivals from Ford and Jeep.

Still recognizable as a 4Runner, updated sheet metal and Tacoma-like LED headlights combine heritage and modern design elements. All but the luxury-focused 4Runners get a black grille, mirror caps, door handles, and fenders. Off-Road Premium and other trim levels come with a 360-degree camera with various sensors dotted around the exterior. This trim level also comes with 18-inch matte-black alloys with TRD center caps. Heritage Blue complemented the various black styling elements and copper badging, while the rear window is another homage to previous-generation 4Runners. Rear-LED lights look modern, and 4Runner is written out in black font. Finally, the 4Runner TRD comes with a powered tailgate, which is quite useful. As a modern interpretation of a 4Runner, Toyota did an excellent job. 

Inside the 4Runner TRD Off-Road

Hop inside, and the Off-Road Premium dons its black softex interior. Front seats are heated and ventilated with a good amount of support. Being an off-road focused vehicle, there is quite a few hard plastics throughout the cabin. In front of the driver is a thick power-operated heated steering wheel with controls for adaptive cruise control, media, and scrolling through the 12.3-inch digital display. This display has a good amount of customization. Next to this is the 14-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s an easy-to-use system with quick access features on the left. The climate control is simple to use and separate from the infotainment system, but this version comes with single-zone climate control, and the heating, especially on sub-zero days, was not as strong as I would have preferred it. Below this is a wireless charging pad, buttons for the auto-hold and parking brake, two USB-C ports, and a TRD-branded shifter. Since this is an off-road vehicle, drivers can choose between off and on-road driving modes along with locking the differential and putting the 4Runner in 4WD High, 4WD Low, and 2WD High. Drive modes include eco, sport, and normal. Off-road modes include snow, dirt, and mud.  There’s a decent-sized center console and an optional sunroof. A JBL sound system offers crisp sound. The second row has cupholders integrated into the doors. There’s not a lot of legroom, so taller passengers might hit their legs on the front-row seats. Thankfully, the seats can recline, which helps with the headspace. Two more USB-C ports are available for the second row. Although the option for a third-row is limited to the SR5 and Limited trims, Toyota retains the cupholders and third-row storage. Material quality isn’t the highest for a vehicle at this price-point but is on par with a Jeep Wrangler.

4Runner TRD Off-Road Power and Performance

Under the hood is a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. With part-time four wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the 4Runner accelerates from 0-60 MPH in 7.5 seconds. Acceleration is acceptable, and the sound of the engine isn’t bad, but when the 4Runner is put in sport mode, a fake engine noise is pumped in the cabin. As a body-on-frame SUV, there are some unjulations you feel in the cabi,n and the steering is a little slow. It’s not a sporty-feeling SUV, but on the move, the new turbocharged inline-four felt stronger than the older V6. Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 comes with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, cross-traffic alert, and collision mitigation. Fuel economy was between 18 and 20 MPG. Although I didn’t take this 4Runner off-road, we did have a good amount of snow where I live, and the 4Runner didn’t break a sweat. Off-Road versions of the 4Runner come with Bilstein monotube shock absorbers, while higher trims come with more sophisticated suspension. 

Base prices for an SR5 is around $42,000, but jumps massively to to $48,000 for a TRD Sport. This TRD Off-Road Premium comes in at around $58,000. If you need to take your SUV off-road, the recommended trim is the 4Runner TRD Off-Road, which doesn’t get the 360-degree camera or heated steering wheel for around $50,000. I’d also recommend against the hybrid models since they cost between $3,000 to $4,000 more than the non-hybrids. Toyota did an excellent job updating the 4Runner to the modern century and competes well against both the Wrangler and the Bronco.

TrailHunter Shown

Quick Facts: 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium

• Vehicle: 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium
• Theme: Modern tech added to a still old school, body on frame 4Runner
• Engine: 2.4L turbo inline four
• Output: 278 hp, 317 lb ft
• Transmission: 8 speed automatic
• Drivetrain: Part time 4WD with 2WD High, 4WD High, 4WD Low
• 0 to 60 mph: About 7.5 seconds
• Observed fuel economy: 18 to 20 mpg
• Notable exterior tech: 360 degree camera, sensors around the vehicle
• Wheels: 18 inch matte black alloys with TRD center caps
• Interior highlights: SofTex, heated and ventilated front seats, heated power steering wheel
• Screens: 12.3 inch digital cluster, 14 inch infotainment
• Phone integration: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Safety suite: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with adaptive cruise, lane assist, cross traffic alert, collision mitigation
• Drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport plus off road modes (snow, dirt, mud)
• Off road hardware mentioned: Locking differential controls and Bilstein monotube shocks on Off Road trims
• Pricing mentioned: SR5 around $42,000, TRD Sport around $48,000, TRD Off Road Premium around $58,000, TRD Off Road around $50,000
• Color noted: Heritage Blue with black accents and copper badging

FAQ

What engine is in the 2026 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium?
A 2.4 liter turbocharged inline four with 278 horsepower and 317 pound feet of torque.

Is the 2026 4Runner TRD still body on frame?
Yes. It drives like a body on frame SUV, with some road movement felt in the cabin and slower steering compared with a crossover.

How does it compare to the old V6 4Runner?
The turbo four feels stronger than the older 4.0 V6 in normal driving, but the new truck adds much more tech and safety systems than the previous generation.

What off road and drivetrain controls does it have?
It offers part time 4WD with 2WD High, 4WD High, and 4WD Low, plus differential lock controls and selectable on road and off road modes.

Does the 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium have a 360 degree camera?
Yes, this trim includes a 360 degree camera system.

What are the key tech features inside?
A 12.3 inch digital cluster, 14 inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging pad, and available JBL audio.

What is the real world fuel economy?
The review observed about 18 to 20 mpg.

Is there a third row on the 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium?
No. The third row is described as limited to SR5 and Limited trims.

Is the hybrid worth it?
The review recommends skipping the hybrid because it costs about $3,000 to $4,000 more than the non hybrid.

Photos Courtesy of Toyota