The previous 4Runner had a loyal following and a 15-year-old design — charming, but thirsty and dated inside. The new one rides on the same tough platform as the Tacoma, brings modern power and tech, and still goes anywhere. That combination is why people will wait for a specific one.
What the redesign changed
The old V6 is gone, replaced by a turbocharged four-cylinder — and, for the first time, a hybrid version. You also get a thoroughly modern interior and tech, on a body-on-frame chassis shared with the Tacoma. It’s still a real off-roader; it’s just no longer a relic to live with day to day.
i-FORCE vs i-FORCE MAX
The base i-FORCE turbo-four is the value engine and fine for most buyers. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid adds an electric motor for 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque — a big jump in low-end grunt that’s genuinely useful for towing (up to ~5,800 lbs) and trail crawling. It runs around 23 MPG.
i-FORCE MAX is optional on TRD Off-Road and Limited and standard on Platinum, Trailhunter, and TRD Pro. If you tow or wheel, it’s worth the upcharge; if you don’t, the standard turbo is plenty.
Trailhunter vs TRD Pro
These are the two halo trims and they’re built for different jobs. TRD Pro is the high-speed, do-it-all performance off-roader — FOX internal-bypass shocks, a front stabilizer disconnect, and a rear locker. Trailhunter is the overlanding build — Old Man Emu shocks with remote reservoirs, an ARB roof rack, an onboard air compressor, and a tow package, set up for loaded long-distance backcountry travel.
Short version: TRD Pro if you want to drive fast and rough, Trailhunter if you want to load it up and disappear into the woods for a week.
Picking a trim
- SR5 / TRD Sport — the value end and the on-road-oriented pick.
- TRD Off-Road — the sweet spot for most buyers who actually go off pavement; available with i-FORCE MAX.
- Limited / Platinum — the comfortable, loaded daily-driver 4Runners.
- Trailhunter / TRD Pro — the specialized, hardest-to-get builds.
Availability
New-generation demand plus a loyal following means the desirable trims — especially Trailhunter and TRD Pro — are reserve-ahead vehicles. See hard-to-find Toyotas for how to get matched to one.
Chasing a specific 4Runner? Text me at 937-830-7925 and I’ll tell you what’s allocating.