The Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is cool — maybe too cool: review

With more buyers keen to ditch their phones and disappear into the woods over the long weekend, carmakers have taken notice. These days, you can’t walk through a dealership without laying eyes on some lifted equipment with chunky tires and plastic cladding (or at least a crossover that makes a halfway decent impression). Toyota is no exception.

the TRD Pro This line has long represented Toyota’s most capable off-road models, and is offered across the entire truck lineup – from the Tacoma pickup truck to the three-row Sequoia. (By the way, we’re still waiting for the TRD Pro version of the Sienna.) Now, with 2025 4 runner finally In the market, Toyota has introduced the new and improved TRD Pro model.

As with its predecessors, the new 4Runner TRD Pro can handle just about anything. It comes with larger off-road tires, a taller ride height, roof racks, mud flaps – the whole package. Powering the 4Runner is a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine (more on that in a bit), and it features a host of off-road tech, including terrain select and customizable traction control systems.

But before you spend $68,900 on Toyota’s more powerful 4Runner — yes, this is actual Starting price – It’s worth exploring the rest of the range and Toyota’s still excellent but affordable options. While the TRD Pro is undoubtedly the most extreme version, other models may suit your needs just as well, or even better, depending on how you plan to use them.

Pros of Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

• Insanely capable off-road
• Still comfortable on the road
• Punch drive
• Looks great

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what makes the TRD Pro so capable. It all starts with the suspension: At each corner, you’ll find manually adjustable 2.5-inch Fox Racing QS3 internal shocks. It’s paired with a modest ride height, slightly wider track, and 33-inch Toyo Open Country A/T III tires.

Like its biggest competitor, the Ford Bronco Raptor, the TRD Pro feels like it can drive next to anything. Although we didn’t take it to Moab, the 4Runner handled Florida’s pine forest trails—including ruts, potholes, and mud puddles—without breaking a sweat.

Under the hood, the traditional V-6 is gone, replaced by a smooth and powerful four-cylinder hybrid engine. It’s paired with a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. This new setup delivers 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque — an additional 56 horsepower and a massive 187 pound-feet of torque compared to the previous generation.

With that instant electric assistance, the TRD Pro puts its power to the ground instantly. Whether you’re crawling over obstacles or traversing difficult trails, it feels confident and calm. On the road, it’s even more impressive, offering quick acceleration from a stop and plenty of punch at highway speeds.

The 33-inch tires generate some road noise, but overall, the 4Runner TRD Pro is remarkably comfortable. The suspension is soft enough to absorb broken pavement with ease, yet maintains body roll through corners – as much as you can expect from a dedicated off-road vehicle.

More than anything else, the 4Runner TRD Pro just looks the part. With its powerful upside-down headlights, bold front grille, and those chunky off-road tires, it leans hard into the boxy, modern SUV aesthetic. It’s available in some stunning colors – like the aptly named Mudbath paint on our test car – which makes it stand out even more.

Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Cons

• Almost too capable
• Feels huge
• Very expensive

As cool and capable as the 4Runner TRD Pro is, here’s one thing to consider: Do you really need all that off-road hardware? With the majority of buyers spending more time on pavement than on driveways, the TRD Pro model has some drawbacks that may make some of Toyota’s other 4Runner models more attractive.

First off, this thing is huge. At 194.9 inches long, the 4Runner is significantly longer than a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, about an inch longer than a standard Jeep Grand Cherokee, and three inches longer than a Bronco Raptor — even though the Bronco is wider and longer.

This size, combined with chunky tires, a raised ride height, and extra off-road gear, makes driving the TRD Pro daily a chore. Squeezing into tight parking spaces or maneuvering through compact garages requires patience. There are plenty of cameras to help, but despite this, visibility remains a challenge.

Then there is the price. While the previous 4Runner TRD Pro started at around $55,000, the new model jumps to a steep $68,850 before options. Add a few dealer accessories and off-road upgrades, and this particular tester comes to $73,388. That’s right, over $70,000 for a 4Runner. Considering that you can get a 4Runner TRD Off-Road for around $50,000, it becomes very difficult to justify the TRD Pro premium.

Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Verdict

The Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is an undeniably badass rig. There are no two ways about it. But does it justify its nearly $70,000 price tag? For the average buyer, probably not — especially when the 4Runner TRD Off-Road is nearly as capable and costs about $20,000 less.

However, if you live deep in the woods, in the desert, or up a mountain and need something that can handle just about anything, the TRD Pro is hard to beat. Just be prepared for huge monthly payments.