Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
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The 4Runner is one of the greatest off-road machines Toyota ever created, holding tile as a capable and rugged 4×4 beast alongside the original Land Cruiser. Introduced in 1985, the 4Runner eschewed the comeuppance of the unibody SUV and instead used the classic frame-on-body construction, like a proper truck. This would lay the foundation for a nimble, comfort-driven, rugged wheeler that is only getting better with each generation.
Of all those improvements and available trims the 4Runner optioned over the years, it is a patent truth that the TRD Pro, a trim heavily inspired by Baja racing and high-speed wheeling, is perhaps the 4Runner’s great rendition. The TRD Pro is one of few off-road vehicles that truly does roll off the factory floor with everything you’ll ever need to hit the trails – onboard air and 120V outlet included. But that’s just the start of why the TRD Pro is one of Toyota’s best.
Of course, this 4Runner comes with all the essentials that qualify it as a crawler: Electronically locking rear Torsen differential, skid plates, and a classic lever-type transfer case – no electronic mess necessary. But there are certainly some unique accouterments that make the TRD Pro a uniquely capable and valuable 4×4 machine.
We particularly like the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, a damping system developed and tested in the outback of Australia. This nifty system mitigates the need to immediately take your new vehicle and throw a lift on it. The KDSS optimally adjusts the TRD Pro’s front and rear stabilizers using interconnected hydraulic cylinders.
This mechanical function can also completely disengage the stabilizer bars, improving articulation on rocky terrain. Sure, there are other vehicles designed for 4×4 aficionados that feature electronically disconnecting bars, but that’s too simple. The TRD Pro was, after all, designed to be just as capable as any Land Cruiser or Jeep, while still affording above-average comfort. Effectively, KDSS lets TRD Pro 4Runners traverse rocky terrain without jarring its inhabitants.
The TRD Pro is all about taking care of those 4×4 tasks which are normally analog, so it also comes equipped with a highly advanced crawl mode. Simply employ the system on the dash with the touch of a button, and the TRD Pro will lazily crawl over any obstacles on the trail ahead, applying brake and throttle (and applying that throttle to each wheel) independently and simultaneously, without gaining or losing any speed. The thing practically drives itself, all you must do is control the wheel.
In addition to these off-road luxuries, the TRD Pro comes equipped with heated seats and lumbar support, an advanced infotainment system, Hill Start Assist, Downhill Assist Control (which works similarly to crawl mode), and some nice grains and leathers that gently hug you while you traipse along the mud and snow. Quite an automated genius 4×4 wheeler, indeed, with a ton of pedigree that earns it a spot on our list.
