Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Toyota's biggest SUV sales win of 2026 isn't the RAV4Toyota released its sales results for the first half of 2026 earlier this week, and the most noteworthy takeaways include hybrids outselling gas cars and the fact that the RAV4 is still impacted by lengthy waiting lists. But another model jumped out at us when we analyzed the automaker's U.S. sales data: the 4Runner SUV is having an incredible year. Its growth is outpacing almost everything else in the Toyota range and it's very close to toppling the Grand Highlander as the brand's second-best-selling SUV. Here's a look at the numbers and the possible reasons behind the 4Runner's rise.Toyota 4Runner Soars in 20262026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-RoadCole AttishaThrough the first half of 2026, Toyota has sold 72,320 4Runners, a 141% year-over-year increase. Here's a look at where it fits in among the brand's best-selling SUVs for the year so far:AdvertisementAdvertisementToyota RAV4: 153,955Toyota Grand Highlander: 75,521Toyota 4Runner: 72,320Toyota Corolla Cross: 61,541Toyota Highlander: 32,059A year ago, the 4Runner was only the fifth-best-selling Toyota SUV, but it's now on the verge of passing the Grand Highlander. 4Runner Hybrid sales have grown even faster, with 17,142 units sold in 2026, up by 211%.Toyota introduced the sixth generation of the 4Runner late in 2024 for the 2025 model year, and customers are responding strongly to the changes made to this tough SUV. Related: I Drove the 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Around Los Angeles: Here's My Honest Review of Toyota's Rugged SUVWhy The 4Runner Is Performing So Well2026 Toyota 4RunnerToyotaThe latest Toyota 4Runner has lost none of its ruggedness in transitioning to the sixth generation, but it's much more refined and efficient than before. Sharing a platform with the Tacoma pickup, the 4Runner features a new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that gets up to 23 mpg combined. A powerful 326-horsepower hybrid model is also available with similar efficiency. The older V6 model could do no better than 17 mpg combined, so this is one of the major improvements.AdvertisementAdvertisementStarting at $42,070, the 4Runner is Toyota's most affordable SUV with a sturdy body-on-frame design. Everything else in the Toyota SUV lineup at this price point is a crossover, so the 4Runner buys you superior capability for far less money than a Land Cruiser. There are a number of TRD-badged variants offering gradually increasing levels of off-roading prowess, culminating in the tough TRD Pro.But the new 4Runner is also a much better daily driver. No, it's not as comfortable as a Grand Highlander, but it can get you around town without being exhausting to drive. For shorter journeys, it's also available with a third seating row. The dashboard, interior materials, and infotainment tech are all much better than in the 4Runner's predecessor.What It Means2026 Toyota 4RunnerToyotaThe sales success of the 4Runner shows that there's still demand for true SUVs with decent towing and off-road capabilities. The rise in 4Runner sales also gives Toyota yet another SUV hit at precisely the time when RAV4 sales are struggling due to supply constraints. Even taking into account the RAV4's much lower numbers this year, Toyota has been able to limit SUV sales to a 4% loss. Finally, the numbers point to the 4Runner's redesign being a resounding success; Toyota made the changes it needed to without compromising the model's position as its most affordable off-roader. By the time the year wraps up, the 4Runner may very well have surpassed the Grand Highlander.Related: I Drove a 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium 950+ Miles to Moab, Utah. Then I Took it Off-Road. Here's How it Went.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.