There are SUVs that want you to think they can go off-road, but they’re really best not challenged with more than a grassy field at the local state fair.
There are also SUVs that demand you take them off-road this very minute. The Toyota 4Runner 4×4 TRD Pro V6 falls into the later category with rugged styling and serious off-road capability.
The Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro 4×4 V6 is the off-road beast in the 4Runner lineup. That’s really saying something, because even in it’s most docile form, the 4Runner is not a wimp.
The 4Runner is an old-school SUV with the body-on-frame construction that was the norm before SUVs became the cushy, family-haulers they are today. The 4Runner looks and drives more like a truck than a sedan, and that’s a large part of its appeal.
You could buy this 4Runner and never take it off-road, but that would be a shame. It comes with a locking rear differential, multi-terrain select, crawl control, hill start assist, and front and rear stabilizer bars.
The TRD Pro adds 17-inch matte-black TRD alloy wheels, TRD Billstein shocks, a TRD stamped aluminum front skid plate, hood scoop, and TRD badges inside and out. Go find some mud and have some fun.
Just because it’s at home in the dirt doesn’t mean that it’s not equally at home on a paved road. Lots of folks will never do serious off-roading with TRD Pro and will instead use it take the kids to school and on family road trips.
It’s spacious and comfortable and you can bet the family that owns this SUV is not going to be deterred by snowy roads. Snowbanks don’t stand a chance against the 4Runner TRD Pro.
It’s powered by a 4.0-liter V6 with 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. This V6 is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission and can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
It’s a powerful engine that is responsive and moves the 4Runner’s bulk along quite nicely. Shifts are smooth and well-timed and won’t leave you feeling like you’re driving a beast that can’t get out of its own way.
Handling and ride are not what you’d get in unibody SUV, like the Ford Explorer. This means the 4Runner has more bounce and feels stiffer. There’s also a noticeable amount of road and wind noise.
This 4Runner was still well-controlled and pleasant to ride in, but it would never fool you into thinking it’s a sedan.
It’s truck-like in its demeanor, which is something hard to find in an SUV today. Some may not like it, but those with a more traditionalist attitude toward the segment will love having a capable SUV that drives like one rather than like a piece of marshmallow fluff.
Inside, you’ll find a comfortable interior with room for five passengers. There is seven-passenger availability, but only in the SR5 and Limited trims.
The SofTex-trimmed front seats are heated and 8-way power adjustable with lumbar for the driver while the front passenger gets a 4-way power adjustable seat.
Seating all around is roomy with plenty of headroom and legroom. Three adult passengers can easily sit in the rear seats without hating each other 10 minutes into the drive.
The second row splits 40/20/40 and folds flat to make loading cargo easier. The load floor is high due to the ample ground clearance for off-roading, which can make putting heavy cargo into the 4Runner more of a challenge. There is plenty of cargo capacity, with 46.3 cubic feet behind the second row, or 88.8 cubic feet when you fold that row flat.
Entertainment comes from Toyota’s Entune Premium Audio with Navigation and App Suite. This includes a 6.1-inch high-resolution touch-screen, AM/FM/CD/HD Radio, with eight speakers and Bluetooth connectivity. The system is easy to use and can be controlled with either dials on the dashboard or through steering wheel controls.
The dials are chunky enough to manage with gloves, and they have a rubber edge to them that makes them easier to grip and perfectly suits the TRD Pro’s off-road nature.
Pricing on the Toyota 4Runner 4×4 TRD Pro V6 is $41,550 making it a not inexpensive vehicle, but it’s still well-priced. You’re getting room for five passengers, a spacious interior, and genuine off-road capability in a stylish SUV that will get you anywhere. Breaking that $40K price point isn’t such a big deal when you see how much you get for your dollar.
2016 Toyota 4Runner 4×4 TRD Pro V6
Base Price: $41,550
Price As Tested: $41,550 (not including destination charge)
Likes
- Off-Road Capability
- Responsive Engine
- Roomy Interior
Dislikes
- High Load Floor
- High Noise Levels
