The 2027 Toyota 4Runner arrives as a light update to the sixth-generation SUV that was redesigned for 2025, and Toyota has confirmed exactly what changes: a new TRD Pro-exclusive paint color and standard red tow hooks on TRD Pro models. Everything else — the body-on-frame chassis, the nine-grade lineup and the two powertrains — carries over. This guide covers the confirmed changes, the hardware that makes the 4Runner a serious off-roader, and what buyers should expect.
What’s New for the 2027 Toyota 4Runner?
Toyota confirmed on July 28, 2026 that the 2027 4Runner TRD Pro gets a new exclusive color called Hot Honey, a golden yellow that replaces the 2026 model’s Wave Maker blue. The related Honeycomb shade is used on the Tundra, Tacoma and Sequoia, but the 4Runner gets its own tuning of the color. Toyota also made red tow hooks standard across the TRD Pro range. No powertrain or suspension changes were announced for 2027.
That makes the 2027 4Runner an honest carryover. Full grade-by-grade specifications and pricing are expected closer to production. For the broader sixth-generation changes that arrived for 2025, see the model’s Wikipedia summary.
2027 4Runner Powertrain and Specs
The sixth-generation 4Runner offers two engines. The base 2.4-liter turbocharged i-FORCE four makes 278 horsepower, while the i-FORCE MAX hybrid pairs that engine with an electric motor for 326 net combined horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Both use an eight-speed automatic. The hybrid is standard on Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter grades and available on TRD Off-Road and Limited trims.
- 2.4L turbo i-FORCE four: 278 hp
- 2.4L i-FORCE MAX hybrid: 326 hp, 465 lb-ft
- Eight-speed automatic; part-time or full-time 4WD depending on trim
- Nine grades: SR5 through Trailhunter, TRD Pro and Platinum
2027 4Runner Interior and Technology
The sixth-generation cabin carries over for 2027. Higher trims offer an available 14-speaker JBL premium audio system with a portable speaker, a large Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Multi-Terrain Monitor for off-road visibility. All 4Runner models come with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, pre-collision warning and lane-departure alert. Hybrid trims add a 2400W AC power supply in the cabin and cargo area for powering gear at camp.
What Carries Over From 2026
Everything except the TRD Pro color and tow hooks. The nine-grade structure (SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter) continues, as do both engines and the eight-speed automatic. The 2026 model was the sixth generation’s second year, and Toyota’s decision to leave it almost alone reflects how fresh the platform still is.
Off-Road Hardware on the 2027 4Runner
The 4Runner’s off-road credentials come from its body-on-frame construction and its relationship to the Land Cruiser Prado (J250) platform, which it shares with the Lexus GX. TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro and Trailhunter trims get an electronically locking rear differential. The TRD Pro adds TRD-tuned FOX QS3 adjustable shocks with rear remote reservoirs, a TRD performance air intake, and 33-inch Toyo tires on 18-inch black alloy wheels. A Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism (SDM), which increases suspension articulation at the push of a button, is standard on Trailhunter and TRD Pro.
2027 4Runner Trims and Pricing
Toyota has not yet published 2027 pricing. The 2026 lineup spanned nine grades, and the 2027 model is not expected to change that structure. Pricing for the new model year typically rises slightly over the previous year. The TRD Pro remains the most expensive off-road-focused trim.
Because the 4Runner shares its platform with the Land Cruiser Prado and Lexus GX, it benefits from the same robust suspension mounts and four-wheel-drive architecture as those more expensive models, a rarity in the mid-size SUV class, where most rivals are now car-based crossovers.
How the 2027 4Runner Compares
The 4Runner competes with the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler and Toyota’s own Tacoma pickup, which shares the TRD Pro color tradition. Its advantage is Toyota’s reputation for durability and resale value; its trade-off is a truck-like ride and lower fuel economy than crossover rivals. Shoppers cross-shopping older models can look back at our 2020 4Runner review and specs and our 2019 4Runner TRD Pro review to see how far the model has come.
The 4Runner has been in continuous production since 1984 and is now in its sixth generation, a run few SUVs can match. That longevity is part of the appeal: parts availability, dealer knowledge and resale value all benefit. Buyers puzzling over the various TRD grades can also revisit our 2019 4Runner TRD Pro release date and review.
Our take
A new paint color is thin gruel for a model-year update, but it is the right call. The sixth-gen 4Runner is only two years old, and Toyota does not need to meddle with a formula that works. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid transforms the driving experience without hurting capability, and Hot Honey will stand out on a trail. If you already own a 2025 or 2026, there is no reason to trade; if you are new to the model, the carryover changes nothing about why it is a top off-road pick.
FAQ
What is new on the 2027 Toyota 4Runner?
Toyota confirmed a new TRD Pro-exclusive color called Hot Honey and standard red tow hooks on TRD Pro models. Otherwise the 2027 4Runner carries over unchanged.
What is the 2027 4Runner’s horsepower?
The base 2.4-liter turbo makes 278 horsepower, while the i-FORCE MAX hybrid produces 326 net combined horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.
Does the 2027 4Runner have a hybrid option?
Yes. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid is available on TRD Off-Road and Limited trims and standard on Platinum, TRD Pro and Trailhunter.
When does the 2027 4Runner go on sale?
Toyota has confirmed the 2027 updates but not a precise on-sale date. Full specifications and pricing are expected closer to production.
