If the rumors are true, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner will be offered as a hybrid. The transition to hybrid and electric cars in the automotive industry is a trend that isn’t going away, and the 4Runner is due for a refresh. It is assumed by many that Toyota will take the opportunity to offer a hybrid version.

This has raised some concerns for 4Runner enthusiasts who value the no-nonsense styling and durability of the 4Runner. Let’s look at the potential benefits or drawbacks of offering a hybrid 4Runner and how it might affect the 4Runner’s reliability.

The appeal of the Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner has gained a following due to its straightforward, no-nonsense approach to SUV design. It is renowned for its dependability and off-road capability.

The 4Runner captures the spirit of a conventional SUV without a slew of tech-heavy features and flashy gadgets. The SUV’s robust design and track record have made it popular among off-road enthusiasts and anyone looking for a dependable, adventure-ready vehicle.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner has a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. The 2024 4Runner could offer improved performance with a hybridized powertrain (per GearPatrol).

The 2024 version is rumored to be based on the TNGA-F architecture currently used in the 2023 Sequoia. Therefore, there’s a chance that it will feature a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine with Toyota’s latest i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, which is capable of generating 437 horses and 583 lb-ft of torque.

The rise of hybrid and electric vehicles

Due to the rising demand for environmentally-friendly vehicles, Toyota, recognized as a pioneer in the hybrid industry thanks to the Prius, has plenty of experience with hybrids. Toyota has said that by 2025, their entire lineup would have at least one hybrid option. Offering a hybrid 4Runner may be viewed as a sensible step for Toyota to live up to that promise.

The 5th generation 4Runner was introduced in 2009, so the 4Runner is in dire need of a design & interior overhaul. However, introducing a hybrid 4Runner might seem contradictory to the very appeal that has made the SUV so popular.

By introducing hybrid technology to the 4Runner, Toyota could risk diluting the simplicity and no-nonsense nature that consumer have come to expect from the 4Runner. The addition of an electric motor, batteries, and other components could compromise the tried and true formula of the 4Runner.

Could a hybrid version impact the 2024 Toyota 4Runner’s reliability?

Another important consideration for 4Runner aficionados is reliability. The current model’s reputation for reliability has been the main selling point of the 4Runner. As the old saying goes, don’t fix it if it ain’t broken. While hybrid cars have been shown to be dependable over time, the inclusion of new technology has historically proven to be a sticking point for consumers, leaving some to wait until all the kinks are ironed out.

However, Toyota has managed to keep the 4Runner relevant in a market filled with crossovers because of its great off-road performance, toughness, and reliability. Toyota has a tendency for refreshing its inventory with positive changes, as seen by the recent refresh of the full-size Tundra and Sequoia after a decade.

If the pricing is right, the 2024 4Runner could solve some of the shortcomings of the previous model, including handling, performance, safety, comfort, and connectivity.

Toyota still hasn’t confirmed nor denied the possibility of a hybrid 4Runner, leaving enthusiasts and prospective buyers in the dark about the update. Toyota will need to weigh the pros and cons of a hybrid 4Runner, such as greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions, with the danger of ruining its reputation as a tough off-road champion.

Reports of a hybrid 4Runner entering the market in 2024 have created some concern among fans of the 4Runner. While the push toward hybrid and electric vehicles is gaining momentum, introducing hybrid technology to the 4Runner could potentially disrupt the features that have made it popular.

The simplicity, ruggedness, and reliability of the 4Runner have endeared it to many, and any changes should be carefully considered to preserve these qualities. Until Toyota provides official specs and detials, it remains to be seen how a hybrid 4Runner would impact the SUV’s appeal and reliability.