2026 4Runner MPG: The Most Efficient Trims

The Toyota 4Runner has always been a formidable off-roader. It is so good for off-road use, in fact, that it won our inaugural Best Off-road Warrior for 2026. However, it was never known for being the most fuel efficient. That took a turn for the better in 2025, with the sixth generation of the model, and the 4Runner mpg saw a significant rise.

The introduction of the i-FORCE MAX Hybrid powertrain for the car has made the 4Runner into a potential great buy for people looking for its off-road capability, but who do not want to break the bank at every fuel stop. So what are the most efficient 2026 Toyota 4Runner trims currently on offer? We rank the combined mpg of the Toyota 4Runner in all its trims, and also show you how the last 10 years of 4Runner mileage has evolved.

5

Toyota 4Runner SR5 (i-FORCE 4WD)

21 MPG Combined

Key Features At A Glance

• Part-time four-wheel drive
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Eight-inch touchscreen with wireless phone connectivity
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
• Smart Key system

The base non-hybrid engine of the 4Runner is not as efficient as the hybrid, to nobody’s surprise. However, it is not as far behind as you would think. Although four-wheel drive does mean you sacrifice a few mpgs when compared to the 2WD trim, it still gets you almost to the 400-mile mark on a full tank. This is still the best entry trim level for the 4Runner if you value off-roading and are satisfied with average economy. You pay $2,000 more for the part-time 4WD system, and still have an option for an extra third row.

Other trims that get similar efficiency include the AWD Sport, Sport Premium, Off-road, and Off-road Premium trims.

4

Toyota 4Runner Limited Trim (i-FORCE 4WD)

21 MPG Combined

Key Features At A Glance

• 20-inch machined-finish alloy wheels
• Leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats
• Chrome exterior accents and body colored overfenders
• Panoramic-view monitor
• 14-speaker JBL audio system

The Limited trim of the 4Runner is a car that wants to tackle dirt paths while wearing a tuxedo. It is definitely not the most capable off-road, being better suited for urban, concrete jungles. With premium creature comforts such as heated and ventilated seats, and body-colored fenders, this 4Runner is great if off-roading is not your main concern, and you are drawn more to its looks and features. The 4WD is always a bonus with an SUV such as the 4Runner. However, it does mean it is not as efficient as its 2WD twin.

3

Toyota 4Runner Limited Trim (i-FORCE 2WD)

22 MPG Combined

Key Features At A Glance

• 20-inch machined-finish alloy wheels
• Leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats
• Chrome exterior accents and body colored overfenders
• Panoramic-view monitor
• 14-speaker JBL audio system

The 2WD Limited 4Runner is near identical to the aforementioned 4Runner, except being $2,000 cheaper due to its lack of all-wheel drive. As there are fewer wheels that the engine has to send power to, it uses less fuel when compared to 4WD trims. Thinner sidewalls and larger rims also help this trim get better fuel efficiency on the road. This model is a solid option for people who are drawn to the looks of the new 4Runner, and like the interior amenities offered by the Limited. For off-road enthusiasts, better trims are available with even better Toyota 4Runner mpg.

2

Toyota 4Runner SR5 (i-FORCE 2WD)

22 MPG Combined

Key Features At A Glance

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Eight-inch touchscreen with wireless phone connectivity
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
• Smart Key system
• Power rear window

Cheapest does not always mean the worst, and that is definitely the case in terms of the 2WD trims of the base 4Runner. With standard safety features including radar cruise control and pre-collision warning systems, this is the perfect entry into the 4Runner family with the best highway mpg the sixth generation of the model has to offer. However, you do not get many off-road accessories such as plastic fenders and chunkier tires that are on offer for the higher trim levels, so it may not be the most capable 4Runner in the range.

The Sport and Sport Premium get the same sort of efficiency with 2WD.

1

Toyota 4Runner Off-Road (i-Force Max 4WD)

23 MPG Combined

Key Features At A Glance

• Multi-Terrain Monitor with selectable front, side or rear views (TRD Off-Road Premium trim)
• Adaptive Variable Suspension (Limited trim)
• Power tilt/slide moonroof (Platinum trim)
• Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism (Trailhunter trim)
• FOX 2.5-inch Internal Bypass QS3 shocks with rear piggyback-style remote reservoirs (TRD Pro trim)

Any trim of the 4Runner with the i-FORCE MAX Hybrid powertrain gets you the best mpg this generation has to offer (including Off-Road Premium, Limited, Trailhunter, Platinum, and TRD Pro). Of course, which trim is actually best will depend on your use case. TRD Off-road, Trailhunter and TRD Pro are the most capable 4Runners off-road, with FOX shocks and multiple terrain modes. The Limited and Platinum trims, meanwhile, are the best in terms of features that users demand on the road, such as a powered moon roof, a heads-up display and automatic rain sensing wipers. The 2026 Toyota 4Runner’s Hybrid mpg has the best city and combined EPA estimated rating, making it the most fuel efficient 4Runner ever.

We drove this latest generation of the 4Runner last year, and were pleasantly surprised by the improvements in the car when compared to its last generation. With the latest generation of the 4Runner, there is a trim for everybody, and now more than ever, you do not have to sacrifice mileage if you want one of the best off-roaders Toyota currently has on sale.

To show you how far 4Runners have come in terms of fuel economy, we made a list of the best Toyota 4Runner mpg by year all the way back to 2017.

Sources: EPA, Toyota