Buy Now or Wait? 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
This generation of Toyota’s midsize body-on-frame SUV has been with us since 2009. Since its introduction, it has seen competitors like Chevy’s Trailblazer, Nissan’s Pathfinder and Xterra have all gone away (with the first two coming back as crossovers).
NEED TO KNOW
- The 4Runner TRD Pro is one of the most capable off-road SUVs available without modifications.
- Its platform has been largely unchanged since 2009 — a new generation was already rumored at time of writing.
- On-road dynamics suffer noticeably from the off-road-biased suspension tune.
- The writer’s headline question ‘buy now or wait?’ reflects genuine uncertainty given the aging platform.
- Fuel economy at 16/19/17 is among the worst in the mid-size SUV segment.
Riding on a shared platform with the well-loved Tacoma midsize pickup, the 4Runner has been a staple in the Toyota lineup. Its Tacoma roots mean this is quite a capable vehicle off-road. Just a few years in, Toyota added the TRD Pro trim for additional off-road prowess which includes skid plates, better shocks, and upgraded wheels and tires, among other goodies. Since the addition of the TRD Pro model, Toyota has sold over 100,000 units of the 4Runner each year, without fail. Clearly there is a market for highly capable, body-on-frame SUVs in the midsize segment.
For 2023, the 4Runner nameplate turns 40 and with new competition from an improved Jeep Wrangler and newcomer Ford Bronco, does this aging platform have what it takes to compete? Or, with the rumor of a new platform for 2024, should you wait a bit longer for a vehicle more modern?
We tested this one off-road and on and can say that while incredibly capable off-road, it left some to be desired in its on-road behavior.
2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Specs:
• 4.0L Naturally Aspirated V6 Engine • 270 Horsepower
• 278 lb-ft of Torque
• 5-speed Automatic Transmission
• Four-Wheel Drive with Manual 2-Speed Transfer Case
• Multi-Terrain Select & Crawl Control
• Locking Rear Differential
• Hill Start Assist
• 17-inch TRD Pro Flow-Form Alloy Wheels
• Nitto Terra Grappler Tires
• TRD-Tuned Fox Shocks and Springs
• TRD Stamped Aluminum Front Skid Plate
• Black Roof Basket
• Seating for 5
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
• 33 Degree Approach Angle
• 26 Degree Departure Angle
• 9.6 Inches of Ground Clearance
• 47.2 Cubic Feet of Storage Behind Second Row
• 89.7 Cubic Feet of Storage Behind Front Row • 8-inch Color Touchscreen Infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• JBL Premium Audio System with 15 Speakers and Subwoofer
• Proximity Key with Push Button Start
• EPA Fuel Economy 16/19/17 (city/hwy/combined)
• Starting MSRP $38,105 (SR5)
• Price as tested: $55,440
All images courtesy of Capturing the Machine .
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2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
PROS
- Incredibly capable off-road with TRD Fox shocks, front and rear skid plates, locking rear differential, and crawl control
- 9.6 inches of ground clearance lets it tackle serious terrain without modification
- JBL 15-speaker audio system is a premium feature that elevates the cabin experience
- Proven, reliable platform with a long track record since 2009 and loyal owner community
CONS
- On-road behavior 'left some to be desired' — the off-road tune makes it rough and less composed on pavement
- Platform dates back to 2009 — aging five-speed automatic, dated interior tech, and a new model rumored for 2024
- Fuel economy of 16 city / 19 highway / 17 combined is poor even by truck-based SUV standards