Which Toyotas have 4 wheel drive?
Core answer: Toyota’s true four-wheel-drive (4WD) lineup today centers on its pickups and traditional body-on-frame SUVs—primarily the 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser. Many other Toyotas offer all-wheel drive (AWD) rather than 4WD, especially in crossovers like the RAV4 and Highlander.
To understand this topic, it’s important to distinguish 4WD from AWD. 4WD typically uses a transfer case with low-range gearing for off-road capability, while AWD is designed mainly for on-road traction in varied weather. Toyota uses both systems across its global lineup, with 4WD most common on trucks and rugged SUVs and AWD more common on crossovers. The sections below outline current production offerings and regional variations, including some historic 4WD models.
Current 4WD models in the U.S. market
Below is a concise list of Toyota models sold in the United States that offer 4WD as an option or as standard equipment on at least some trims.
- Toyota 4Runner — a mid-size SUV with traditional 4WD and a two-speed transfer case; available in multiple trims, with 4WD typically required for off-road capability.
- Toyota Tacoma — midsize pickup with 4x4 options; offered across several trims with a transfer-case-based 4WD system.
- Toyota Tundra — full-size pickup; 4x4 configurations are common, including TRD and other off-road-focused trims.
- Toyota Sequoia — full-size SUV sharing a platform with the Tundra; equipped with 4WD and off-road capabilities on higher trims.
- Toyota Land Cruiser — flagship SUV with robust 4WD hardware and advanced traction systems; traditionally a benchmark for off-road capability in its class.
Note: In the U.S., many Toyota crossovers (such as RAV4, Highlander, and Camry) are offered with all-wheel drive (AWD) rather than true 4WD. Those AWD systems are designed for weather and on-road stability rather than rugged off-road use.
Global 4WD options beyond the U.S. market
Outside North America, Toyota’s 4WD family expands into pickups and SUVs tailored for off-road, heavy-duty, or regional markets, including models not sold in the U.S.
- Toyota Hilux — a workhorse pickup widely sold with 4x4 variants in many regions around the world.
- Toyota Fortuner — a mid-size SUV built on the Hilux platform, commonly offered with 4x4 on higher trims in several markets.
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado — a mid-size, multi-terrain SUV with 4x4 capability in most international markets.
- Toyota Land Cruiser (global variants) — in many regions, larger Land Cruiser versions are equipped with 4WD as standard or widely available.
- Historic or regional 4x4s — models such as the FJ Cruiser (discontinued) and various 4x4 variants of commercial vans in select markets.
As with many automakers, some global Toyota crossovers emphasize AWD for everyday on-road use, while 4WD remains the go-to option for off-road and heavy-duty applications in other markets.
Summary
In short, if you’re seeking a Toyota with genuine four-wheel drive, your best bets are the 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser—these are the core 4WD models in production today. Globally, Toyota also offers 4WD variants of Hilux, Fortuner, and Prado, among others. For most buyers who don’t need off-road capability, AWD-equipped crossovers like the RAV4 and Highlander provide improved traction without venturing into traditional 4WD territory.
