The Toyota 4-Runner does 18.1 mpg combined (16.6 city, 20.4 highway), which works out to about $2,122 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid does 23 mpg while 4.7L 8-cyl does 16.4 — a difference of $671 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.8 mpg.
Every Toyota 4-Runner engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid | 23 / 24 | 2025–2026 | $1,670 | |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 17.9 / 22 | 1996–2011 | $1,990 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 17.6 / 21.1 | 1984–2026 | $2,032 | |
| 4L 6-cyl | 16.5 / 20.8 | 2003–2024 | $2,122 | |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 15.7 / 19 | 1996–2002 | $2,272 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 15 / 18.6 | 1988–1995 | $2,313 | |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 15 / 18.4 | 2003–2009 | $2,341 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.177 |
| Fuel per year | $2,122 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,610 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$183 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,472 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 16.6 mpg | $2,313 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 20.4 mpg | $1,882 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.8 mpg (23%) | Typical for its type |
How the 4-Runner changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2025 | 21.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2024 | 16 / 19 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2023 | 16 / 19 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2022 | 16 / 19 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2021 | 16 / 19 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2020 | 16 / 19 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2019 | 17 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2018 | 17 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2017 | 17 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2016 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2015 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2014 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2013 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2012 | 17 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2011 | 17.5 / 22 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2010 | 17.5 / 23 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2009 | 15.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 2008 | 15.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 2007 | 15.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 2006 | 15.5 / 19 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 2005 | 15.5 / 19 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 2004 | 15.5 / 19 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 2003 | 15.5 / 19 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 2002 | 15 / 18 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2001 | 16 / 19 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2000 | 16.5 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 1999 | 17 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 1998 | 17 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 1997 | 16.5 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Toyota 4-Runner get?
18.1 mpg combined on average — 16.6 in the city and 20.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2026.
How much does a Toyota 4-Runner cost in fuel per year?
About $2,122 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,610 over five years, or 0.177 dollars a mile.
Which 4-Runner engine is the most economical?
The 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid at 23 mpg, against 16.4 for the 4.7L 8-cyl — a difference of about $671 a year.
Is the 4-Runner good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.8 mpg, computed across 6170 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.