If you’re looking for your next midsize SUV, the 4Runner is a likely option. With plenty of interior space for passengers and cargo, off-road chops, and reliability, it’s a staple in the market. Still, there are a few reasons it might be worth waiting for the next model year. While nothing, in particular, is amiss with the 2023 model, here are a few reasons why it’s worth the wait.
1. Welcome the next generation of 4Runner
According to , the next-gen could arrive as a 2024 model year. The current version of the popular SUV has been on sale since 2009 without significant changes. Before that, previous generations never lasted more than seven years. Luckily, the interior and exterior have been refreshed several times in recent years, so the 4Runner doesn’t feel as outdated as it really is. Plus, the special edition releases also helped keep the 4Runner fresh.
may get the same upgrades as Tundra and Sequoia. Both models have just upgraded to next generation models. Additionally, the two sit on a TNGA-F platform and feature a never-before-seen hybrid powertrain. All of this and more will likely be the same for the 4Runner as it enters its sixth generation.
The two models also received exterior design changes, making them look sturdier and better overall. The large, expansive hexagonal grille gives the vehicles a unique look to distinguish themselves from rivals and older models. Since the 4Runner’s appearance is more than a decade old, customers have taken notice. It’s also not as appealing to buyers as modern SUVs are, which is a problem for the automaker. Copying the front end, platform and other design updates from the Sequoia and Tundra will make the 4Runner a popular SUV again.
3. 2024 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid Powertrain
Finally, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner will likely have a hybrid powertrain available. Again sharing with the Tundra and Sequoia, it could be the hybrid drive. It combines a 3.4-liter V6 engine with an electric motor, good for 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque for the Tundra pickup. While the hybrid drive doesn’t make these models particularly fuel-efficient, it does improve performance over alternative powertrains. As a result, we’d expect the 4Runner to beat the Ford Bronco Raptor R and Jeep Wrangler 4xe, as suggested by HC.
The publication calls the idea of a hybrid 4Runner “an unbeatable midsize SUV.” It’s hard to disagree with everything the midsize SUV has to offer. These models are known for lasting hundreds of thousands of miles, and adding a hybrid powertrain is never a bad thing.
Is the 2024 Toyota 4Runner worth waiting for?
Bottom line, the 2024 Toyota is worth the wait. Some reasons are that it will enter the sixth generation, which means that many things will be changed and updated, it will receive the exterior design changes of Tundra and Sequoia and a hybrid powertrain. Together, all these updates make the 4Runner a much more modern SUV. As a result, we think it’s worth the wait if you’re considering making a purchase.
