Key TakeawaysToyota 4Runner history kicks off in 1984 with a rugged, pickup-based compact SUV.Six Toyota 4Runner generations later, the lineup looks nothing like that first truck.The first generation ran a removable fiberglass top and a plain four-cylinder engine.The sixth generation switched to a turbocharged engine and, for the first time, a hybrid.Knowing this timeline actually helps if you're shopping used and want the right y...

Key TakeawaysToyota's solid-state battery tech is targeting up to 745 miles of range and under 10 minutes to charge.Toyota and Idemitsu Kosan just broke ground on a large-scale electrolyte plant, aiming to finish by late 2027.The first real-world launch is penciled in for 2027 or 2028, though it'll start small.Toyota sits on more solid-state battery patents than any other automaker out there.No liquid electrolyte means less fire risk and a gen...

Key TakeawaysHybrid cars pair a gas engine with an electric motor, which means better mileage and lower running costs.Hybrid sales hit a record 16% of new US vehicle sales in Q2 2026, right as EV demand cooled off.Regenerative braking is the piece of hybrid technology that sets it apart from a plain gas engine.Hybrid SUVs now outsell plenty of sedans, since families want space without a painful fuel bill.The future of hybrid cars looks solid, ...