Buy the 2026 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX in San Diego Today

Summary

• The 2026 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX delivers up to 326 net combined horsepower, 465 lb-ft of torque, and up to 23 combined MPG.
• The 4Runner hybrid is available on TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, and Limited trims, with Platinum, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter built on the same hybrid powertrain.
• You can buy the 2026 4Runner i-FORCE MAX in San Diego, CA, at Dalton Toyota National City, where lease specials and current Toyota incentives make upgrading easier.

Also Read: 2026 Toyota 4Runner Trim Levels: SR5 vs TRD in San Diego

Upgrading to the 2026 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX is worth it because you get more power, more torque, and better 4Runner fuel economy than the standard gas engine. The 4Runner i-FORCE MAX is a 2.4L turbocharged hybrid EV powertrain producing up to 326 net combined horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. This engine’s paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a 6,000-lb max Toyota 4Runner towing capacity. 

For drivers in San Diego, CA, that means quicker merges on the 5, easier climbs up to Mount Laguna, and fewer fuel stops in between. This guide will break down the features making the 2026 4Runner i-FORCE MAX worth the upgrade, and how you can schedule your test drive and buy the 4Runner hybrid today at Dalton Toyota National City. 

What Makes the 2026 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX Powertrain Special?

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.4L turbocharged engine with a hybrid EV system. The result is the strongest 4Runner powertrain ever, with up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Compare that to the standard i-FORCE 2.4L turbo engine, making 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, and the upgrade case becomes clear fast.

The 4Runner tow capacity reaches 6,000 lbs, making it capable of towing a boat to Mission Bay or a small camper bound for Anza-Borrego. An available Tow Technology Package adds a digital rearview mirror, Trailer Backup Guide, Trailer Reverse Assist, and Trailer Blind Spot Monitor to simplify hauling in San Diego.

4Runner i FORCE MAX MPG: What Fuel Economy Can San Diego Drivers Expect?

The 4Runner i FORCE MAX MPG figure is a projected EPA-estimated 23 city/24 hwy/23 combined rating that applies to the i-FORCE MAX 4WD versions of the TRD Off-Road, TRD Off Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter.

Those Toyota 4Runner hybrid MPG numbers matter in a region where commutes from National City to Sorrento Valley add up quickly. For context on Toyota 4Runner MPG city highway numbers across the lineup, the gas-powered SR5 RWD, TRD Sport RWD, and TRD Sport Premium RWD carry a projected 20 city/26 hwy/22 combined rating. 

Toyota 4Runner fuel economy on the hybrid grades stays consistent at 23 MPG combined, which is impressive given the extra power.

How Does the 2026 4Runner Compare to the 2025 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX?

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX launched the sixth generation of this legendary SUV, and the 2026 model carries that momentum forward. The 2025 4Runner hybrid introduced the same horsepower and torque values on the TNGA-F body-on-frame chassis. 

The 2026 model year gives you the refined version of the 2025 platform with the full trim lineup available. Drivers still in a fifth-generation 4Runner will feel the biggest jump of all, since the 2026 Toyota 4Runner hybrid powertrain delivers more torque and better efficiency than the old V6.

2026 Toyota 4Runner Trims with the i-FORCE MAX: Which One Fits Your San Diego Lifestyle?

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner lineup has 6 electrified trims that feature the i-FORCE MAX in their powertrain:

• TRD Off-Road i-FORCE MAX and 2026 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium i-FORCE MAX: The Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road i-FORCE MAX hybrid 4WD pairs the trail-ready hardware like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and an electronic locking rear differential with the full 326-hp hybrid punch and 23 combined MPG.
• Limited i-FORCE MAX: The Toyota 4Runner Limited i-FORCE MAX hybrid 4WD adds leather-trimmed seating, heated and ventilated front seats, and upscale cabin textures for drivers who split time between downtown and the desert.
• Platinum: The most refined 4Runner hybrid in the lineup, with premium leather-trimmed seats featuring custom perforation and stitching, 20-inch gloss-black painted alloy wheels, a dark chrome tri-bar grille, gloss-black accents, and color-keyed overfenders. 
• TRD Pro: Hardcore off-road performance with the new Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism, 1.5-inch widened overfenders, and 18-inch wheels with 33-inch Toyo Open Country A/T III tires.
• Trailhunter: The overlanding-equipped grade with steel underbody plating and fuel-tank protection, ideal for multi-day trips beyond Julian.

Every trim rides on the TNGA-F chassis with a boxed frame for rigidity and rust protection. You can also expect these features in the 2026 4Runner i-FORCE MAX lineup:

• Up to 10.1 inches of ground clearance
• Available part-time and full-time 4WD
• Seating for up to seven 
• Up to 90.2 cubic feet of cargo space when you fold all the seats down*

Note: Third-row seating is an available feature on all hybrid trims.

Technology and Safety Features in the 2026 4Runner i FORCE MAX San Diego Drivers Will Use Every Day

The 2026 4Runner is loaded with smart equipment. It offers an available 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen. It also supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

An available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster offers 12 display patterns. You can also get an available 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system. It includes a removable JBL FLEX portable Bluetooth speaker.

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 comes standard, which includes advanced driver-assist features like:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist
• Automatic High Beams, and 
• Proactive Driving Assist

The available Multi-Terrain Monitor shows the ground beneath you in real time, and the available Panoramic View Monitor makes parking in tight Gaslamp Quarter spots far less stressful. 

Every new 4Runner also includes ToyotaCare, a no-cost maintenance plan covering factory-scheduled service for 2 years or 25,000 miles plus 24-hour Roadside Assistance for 2 years.

How to Buy the 2026 4Runner i-FORCE MAX at Dalton Toyota National City 

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX is the smartest upgrade for San Diego drivers who want serious power, real off-road capability, and improved Toyota 4Runner fuel economy in one rugged package. With its powerful engine, towing capacity, and fuel efficiency rating, this vehicle can handle every type of drive possible.

To buy your 2026 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX at Dalton Toyota National City, you can browse our live new inventory online. Filter to the 4Runner hybrid trims you want, and request a quote in minutes! We also feature Toyota lease specials that you can pair with your upgrade to the best available program. 

Where to Buy the 2026 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX in San Diego, CA?

You can buy the 2026 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX in San Diego, CA, at Dalton Toyota National City. Though we are just minutes away from downtown San Diego, you can shop online and view our new and used or certified pre-owned 4Runner hybrid inventory at home. You can then schedule your test drive to feel the 4Runner powertrain yourself — even if you have to tag your dog along.

Read Next: What’s New in the 2026 Toyota 4Runner for San Diego Drivers?

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