Anyone else have issues accelerating?

[Husker4Life83]

So I have had it happen a few times in my 2026 ORP Hybrid. I have let off the throttle and then quickly gotten back on but I get very little to no power. Most instances are when I get cut off in traffic and I let off but don't need to brake and then need to get back on the gas. The first time I thought it was something I did but it seems to happen pretty often.

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[4funner]

Yes, I noticed this behavior often with my hybrid. Mostly noticed it in the highway when unexpectedly mashing the pedal to get out of someone's way or merge. It didnt seem to happen with smooth throttle inputs. I assume it is trying to manage torque to protect the clutches.

 

[RunnerRocks]

Non-hybrid ORP. Unless I'm cruising at mostly steady speed without large hills, I use Tow-Haul Mode for a more responsive shift strategy.

 

[Vincenzo]

I just returned from Europe and drove a Corolla hybrid. I will never, I repeat, I will never buy a hybrid

 

[Nodak]

its worse if you are in eco mode. put it into one of the sport modes.

 

[BadTrainDriver]

I just returned from Europe and drove a Corolla hybrid. I will never, I repeat, I will never buy a hybrid

Not an apples to apples comparison between the Corolla and the 4Runner hybrid systems.

 

[get.outside.75]

I just returned from Europe and drove a Corolla hybrid. I will never, I repeat, I will never buy a hybrid

Are you really going to use a 138HP Corolla hybrid with 105lb/ft of torque as your basis for how a hybrid drives? I have two hybrids, my 4Runner and 2024 Accord Hybrid. My 4Runner has much more get up and go than the Accord (not likely faster because of the weight but it pulls harder). I get 18mpg, the Accord gets 40-45. Two very different hybrid setups....

 

[4funner]

Yea I have a 2013 prius and I think it is awesome. Great mpg , super reliable. It's not a race car but serves its purpose well. Whereas I didnt like my hybrid 4runner, I sold it and got a non hybrid. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Vincenzo]

I am not talking about HP or torque. I was not happy about the driving characteristics. Felt like it was always fighting between gas and electric. Constantly felt a surging thing. When in electric, let your foot off the gas, and it abruptly slows down.

 

[Nodak]

the hybrid system in the BoF vehicles doesnt always goes into regen mode when off the gas

the hybrid unibody systems are built to regen every time they can

so your experience in the corolla is 180 from the taco, 4R, tundra, sequoia, lc250

 

[127.0.0.1]

I am not talking about HP or torque. I was not happy about the driving characteristics. Felt like it was always fighting between gas and electric. Constantly felt a surging thing. When in electric, let your foot off the gas, and it abruptly slows down.

I don't know man...I have a 2022rav4 hybrid (mg1,mg2,mgr) and from every angle it is the most superior 'driving in all conditions' vehicle I have ever owned. quick, sporty enough, great on gas, stomps when you need it, and butter smooth transitions between ice on/off. yes I can feel ice on/off on occasion but it is not jarring or anything really noticeable. but just 'press gas and go', it's amazing.

 

[bakutheleo]

I have not noticed any hesitation problem as you describe, although perhaps it just feels normal to me. I have generally driven non-performance vehicles--my ORP hybrid has more power/responsiveness of any vehicle I have ever had.

 

[HotWheels4]

Non-hybrid ORP. Unless I'm cruising at mostly steady speed without large hills, I use Tow-Haul Mode for a more responsive shift strategy.

why not simply twist the dial to sport mode when you need quicker throttle response higher rpm needs.

 

[RunnerRocks]

why not simply twist the dial to sport mode when you need quicker throttle response higher rpm needs.

How does Sport Mode differ from Tow-Haul Mode ?

 

[127.0.0.1]

How does Sport Mode differ from Tow-Haul Mode ?

Mode Comparison Chart

Feature	ECO	NORMAL	SPORT	TOW/HAUL
Throttle Response	Dulled / Lazy	Balanced	Sharp / Aggressive	Enhanced for load
Upshift Points	Early (low RPM)	Standard	Late (high RPM)	Elevated under load
Downshift Logic	Reluctant	Standard	Eager / aggressive	More aggressive, grade-aware
Gear Holding	Minimal — shifts up ASAP	Moderate	Holds gears longer	Holds lower gears under load
Transmission Hunting	Low	Low	Low	Actively suppressed
Engine Braking	Minimal	Standard	Moderate	Enhanced on descents
Fuel Economy Impact	Best (~22–23 mpg)	Average (~21–22 mpg)	Worst (~16–18 mpg)	Reduced (load-dependent)
HVAC Adjustment	Yes (reduced output)	Standard	Standard	Standard
Best Used For	City/stop-and-go, fuel savings	Daily all-around driving	Spirited driving, passing, winding roads	Towing, hauling, steep grades

🟢 ECO Mode

• Throttle input is intentionally dampened — the pedal feels "soft"
• Transmission upshifts as early as possible to keep RPMs low
• The turbo is kept out of its aggressive boost range
• HVAC output is reduced to lower engine load
• Noticeably sluggish off the line — not ideal in traffic that requires quick reactions
• Best for flat, slow, stop-and-go driving where fuel economy is the priority

NORMAL Mode

• The baseline behavior of the vehicle
• Throttle mapping is linear and predictable
• Shift points are calibrated for a balance of efficiency and response
• Most practical for everyday driving — commuting, highway cruising, errands

SPORT Mode

• Throttle mapping becomes much more sensitive — small pedal inputs produce big responses
• The 8-speed transmission holds gears longer before upshifting, keeping the 2.4T in its power band
• Downshifts happen more eagerly and earlier when decelerating or when more power is requested
• Shifts feel firmer and more deliberate
• The turbo stays spooled up longer, making highway passing and acceleration feel more confident
• Fuel economy takes a noticeable hit

🟠 TOW/HAUL Mode

• Upshift RPM thresholds are raised so the engine doesn't upshift prematurely under load
• Gear hunting is actively suppressed — the transmission avoids unnecessary up/down shifts when pulling weight
• On downhill grades, the transmission holds a lower gear for engine braking, reducing brake fade
• Downshifts are more aggressive and predictive when climbing grades
• Throttle response is tuned for smooth, controlled power delivery rather than snappy response
• Optimized for loads up to the 4Runner's 6,000 lb tow rating

1. Toyota does NOT publish exact RPM shift points for any mode. The ECT-i transmission's shift logic is dynamic — it adjusts based on throttle position, vehicle speed, load, and even transmission temperature. There is no static "shifts at X RPM" figure.
2. Non-hybrid vs. hybrid: The shift differences between modes are more pronounced in the i-FORCE MAX hybrid version because the electric motor fills in throttle response gaps instantly. On the non-hybrid SR5, the differences are still clearly noticeable but slightly less dramatic.
3. Owner's Manual Reference: The Drive Mode Select section in the 4Runner owner's manual covers this on approximately pages 414–417 if you want to cross-reference Toyota's official (though general) language.

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