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It is possible that the Toyota 4Runner sport utility vehicle may have improved gas mileage in future models, but it will depend on a few factors. The 2023 Toyota 4Runner does not get better fuel economy than the 2022 version, but the SUV excels in other areas that make up for it.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner does not have better gas mileage

Edmunds reviewed the 2023 Toyota 4Runner like it did the 2022 version and comprehensively reviewed each version. In the area of fuel economy, Toyota didn’t improve the 4Runner SUV for 2023 very much. The 4.0L V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission get 16 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway, which works out to 17 mpg combined.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner received the same 4.0L V6 engine and five-speed transmission, getting the same 17 mpg combined. Similar crossover SUVs with all-wheel drive typically get around 21 mpg combined. In other words, Toyota doesn’t seem too concerned with fuel economy because the 4Runner has plenty of fans anyway.

It isn’t all bad news, either. iSeeCars says the Toyota 4Runner has the potential to last 244,665 miles or more. It was in the top 20 of more than two million used vehicles for sale last year. Even if the 2023 Toyota 4Runner doesn’t have better fuel economy, it offers value in other ways.

How long will the 2023 Toyota 4Runner last?

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner parked in front of the ocean
A 2023 Toyota 4Runner | Toyota

Looking at the same iSeeCars study, the Toyota 4Runner has the potential to last a long time. That means it has a high resale value, even if buyers tend to hold onto the 4Runner for longer. It was the number one most reliable vehicle in iSeeCars midsize SUV category, coming in at 8.8. Around 4.1% of Toyota 4Runners on the road have 200,000 miles or more, far higher than the segment average of 0.9%.

With proper maintenance and upkeep, the 4Runner can last for many years. Even if the 2023 Toyota 4Runner doesn’t have improved fuel economy numbers for 2023, there are still plenty of things to like. If Toyota elects to make the 4Runner more fuel-efficient for next year, one of these pre-redesign models might only increase in value.

Is Toyota coming out with a new version?

Rumors are continuously circulating that Toyota is coming out with a new 4Runner. There are rumors that a 2024 Toyota 4Runner could be a hybrid, which would certainly help with the fuel economy issue. While buyers love the 4Runner for its capability and durability, much of the Toyota lineup is getting (or already has) a hybrid variant.

From the Sequoia and Highlander SUVs to the Tundra and Tacoma pickup trucks, Toyota obviously realizes the need for more fuel economy. The automaker has had luck with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain in the new Tundra, which gets 437 hp.

For now, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner doesn’t get any better fuel economy than it did last year. If you were holding out for a hybrid this year, here’s to 2024.

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Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.