2026 Toyota 4Runner SR5: Green Brook Buyers Guide

The honest starting point

SR5 isn't the stripped-down trim it sounds like on paper. Every 2026 4Runner, SR5 included, gets Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 standard — the same driver-assist suite that's on the $68,000 TRD Pro, with 2026's added Proactive Driving Assist and wider detection for motorcyclists and guardrails. You also get Smart Key with push-button start, a power rear window (a 4Runner signature going back generations), Blind Spot Monitor, and an 8-inch touchscreen. What you don't get is the off-road hardware on the TRD trims or the leather and JBL sound on Limited and above. For a buyer cross-shopping a RAV4 or Highlander who actually wants the higher seating position and the towing capability a body-on-frame SUV gives you, SR5 is the trim that gets there without the TRD markup.

The engine question is simple here because there's only one answer: SR5 runs the i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbo four, up to 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft, through an 8-speed automatic. No hybrid exists on SR5 at all — if the i-FORCE MAX matters to you, that conversation starts two trims up on TRD Off-Road. What SR5 does offer is the widest EPA spread in the lineup: 22 mpg combined on the RWD version, which is the best fuel economy anywhere in the 2026 4Runner range, non-hybrid or hybrid.

RWD or 4WD: the real decision on this trim

SR5 ships rear-wheel drive by default, with 4WD available as an option — Toyota hadn't published the exact upcharge as of this writing, so that's a number to confirm at Empire Toyota of Green Brook rather than assume. For a lot of Middlesex and Somerset County buyers who mostly drive Route 22, I-287, and local streets, RWD SR5 is a perfectly reasonable choice; it's the lightest, most efficient configuration in the whole lineup. The math changes if winter commutes take you onto anything unsalted, or if weekend trips head toward the Delaware Water Gap or the Poconos — the 4WD option earns its keep there, and it's worth test-driving both back to back before deciding.

What buyers say

4Runner reviews at this store lean heavily toward first-time or repeat Toyota buyers who came in for something else and left with an SR5 or a trim near it. One recent buyer, after her previous SUV was totaled: "with the amazing customer service he provided us that day, we came out [Empire Toyota of Green Brook] with a brand-new car! Kevin made the whole experience super smooth. He was professional, full of energy and did not miss a detail with our new 4Runner." Another: "Bernardo was very polite and helpful to us for getting our new 4runner!" — echoed in the dealer's own reply confirming Bernardo by name, which is the kind of detail that's easy to fake in ad copy and hard to fake in a review thread.

Frequently asked questions

Does the SR5 come with 4WD?

RWD is standard; 4WD is available as an option on SR5. Both use the same non-hybrid i-FORCE engine — there's no hybrid available on this trim regardless of drivetrain choice.

What safety features are standard on the SR5?

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which for 2026 adds Proactive Driving Assist and expanded detection for motorcyclists, guardrails, and multiple preceding vehicles, plus Blind Spot Monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. This is the same core safety suite across every 2026 4Runner trim, SR5 through TRD Pro.

Is SR5 the cheapest way into a 4Runner?

Yes — at $41,570 MSRP before destination, it's the lowest starting price in the 2026 lineup, roughly $6,800 under the next trim up (TRD Sport).

Can I get the hybrid on an SR5?

No. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid isn't available on SR5, TRD Sport, or TRD Sport Premium at all — it becomes optional starting on TRD Off-Road.

How does SR5 compare to TRD Sport?

Both run the same non-hybrid engine and offer RWD standard with 4WD optional. TRD Sport adds a sport-tuned suspension, TRD badging, and unique wheels for about $6,800 more; SR5 is the more budget-focused choice for buyers who don't care about the styling package.

See it on Route 22

SR5 moves through Empire Toyota of Green Brook's new inventory regularly given its price point — the fastest way to know what's on the lot today is a call to the sales line before making the trip out. For the full trim lineup, back up to the 2026 4Runner overview.