2026 Toyota 4RUNNER Hybrid TRD Pro is built for Colorado
Some vehicles simply get you from one place to another. Others make you enjoy the journey. The Toyota 4Runner Hybrid 4-wheel drive TRD Pro is one of those vehicles. I recently spent time behind the wheel of this Toyota, and I came away thoroughly impressed. It is powerful, comfor
The Villager ·
Some vehicles simply get you from one place to another. Others make you enjoy the journey. The Toyota 4Runner Hybrid 4-wheel drive TRD Pro is one of those vehicles.
I recently spent time behind the wheel of this Toyota, and I came away thoroughly impressed. It is powerful, comfortable and exceptionally sure-footed. Driving Colorado’s highways and mountain roads, I felt a firm sense of control that you don’t experience in every automobile.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price was $68,400, with additional equipment bringing the total to $74,424. That’s a substantial investment, but this SUV offers an impressive combination of power, comfort and capability.
A blue beauty
The Wave Maker blue exterior is beautiful, matching the color of the Colorado sky. With its rugged styling, 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and distinctive TRD Pro details, this is one handsome SUV.
I wasn’t the only one who thought so. A motorist pulled alongside me and gave the vehicle a thumbs-up. That doesn’t happen every day.
Power for the mountains
Under the hood is Toyota’s 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain. It produces 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The hybrid system combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor to provide additional power and torque without requiring the vehicle to be plugged in.
The four-wheel-drive system, TRD-tuned FOX shocks and locking rear differential add capability for rough terrain. For Colorado drivers who travel mountain passes, encounter changing weather or head off pavement for outdoor adventures, those features make sense.
Tech that makes sense
One of my favorite features was the voice-controlled entertainment system.
I’ve found that automobile radios have become unnecessarily complicated. Too often, changing a station or adjusting a setting requires navigating a maze of touchscreen menus.
Toyota’s system was a refreshing change. I pressed the voice-control button, asked for Fox News, and the radio took me there. I could request other entertainment without fumbling through menus.
It was quick, convenient and remarkably easy to use. Technology should make driving easier, not more complicated, and this system gets that right.
The large touchscreen and premium audio system, complete with a subwoofer, provide plenty of sound. The comfortable interior also includes heated and ventilated front seats, lumbar support, a heated leather-trimmed steering wheel, a leather-trimmed shift knob and a power moonroof.
One unusual extra was an onboard cargo-area air compressor, priced at $1,475. I can’t recall encountering that equipment on another vehicle I’ve reviewed. For drivers who venture off-road, an onboard compressor can be useful when adjusting tire pressure for different terrain.
Fuel economy and price
I averaged about 23 miles per gallon overall, with approximately 24 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in the city. On some mountain drives, I thought my mileage exceeded 30 mpg, although actual results will vary with terrain and driving conditions.
Toyota introduced the 4Runner in 1984, and the model has earned a loyal following over more than four decades. Its rugged reputation and practical capability have made it especially popular throughout the American West. The hybrid powertrain brings modern technology to a nameplate with a long history of outdoor adventure.
I really liked this Toyota 4Runner Hybrid TRD Pro. It is strong, comfortable and easy to control, with a reassuring feel on the road that makes you appreciate the engineering behind it.
At $74,424 as equipped, it isn’t inexpensive. But for Colorado drivers looking for a capable SUV that can handle daily travel and mountain adventures, the 4Runner deserves serious consideration.
My verdict: This is a handsome, well-equipped and thoroughly enjoyable SUV. I felt confident behind the wheel, and I can understand why the Toyota 4Runner remains such a popular vehicle throughout the West.
Source: villagerpublishing.com. Print edition: The Villager, Vol. 44 No. 47, Oct. 15, 2026. Issuu edition.