2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro: One serious off-roader

In a way it felt like Deja Vue; the last time I got some serious seat time in the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, was when Toyota’s TRD models debuted for 2015. These models included, besides the 4Runner SUV, the full-size Tundra and mid-size Tacoma pickups. At that time, all came in white or orange. I had the orange one. For 2020 the 4Runner TRD Pro is getting new colors. Our favorite (just like in the Tacoma) is the TRD Pro exclusive Army Green. The 4Runner TRD is also offered in Super White, Magnetic Gray Metallic, and Midnight Black Metallic.

Today, the TRD lineup has been expanded to include the Rav4 and Sequoia, as well as the Camry and Avalon. TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development, and even though its Prime Directive is off-roading capability, such as Jeep’s Trail Rated models, Toyota’s passenger cars are more about performance appearance, much like Lexus’ F Sport models.

This year, as well as preceding years, there has been more, as well as less, color selections. Case in point, the orange has been discontinued. Besides a Sandstone color added to the spectrum, my 2020 tester came in a military-like “Army Green”. There is also a red hue that’s been added to the mix.

The current-generation 4Runner isn't new by no stretch, yet this body-on-frame SUV has sold in more numbers year over year since the latest generation debuted for 2011. The 4Runner has added a few updates since its launch (now nearly a decade ago), but the factors helping it build the momentum (which are low gas prices as well as stellar reliability. For the 2020 model year, the 4Runner has received updates which should help maintain its sales push. In the past, I’ve taken the 4runner TRD Pro out on the trails, during our fall Texas Truck Rodeo. Needless to say, it performed like a trooper (No, not a Isuzu Trooper, but…

…..that’s what helps explain the 4Runner’s presence. The Isuzu Trooper is no longer sold in North America (nor Isuzus in general); nor is there anything in the US that can challenge it, other than a Jeep Wrangler. Even the Nissan Xterra is no longer sold in this market. As much as I miss the Toyota FJ Cruiser, I get why the 4Runner TRD Pro exists, it even makes a strong statement why there’s even a Toyota Land Cruiser, which, as we well know, costs a King’s Ransom.

Perhaps the most important update is a new multimedia system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. This is a big upgrade over the previous 6.1-inch screen, which was small and frankly outdated. The new display is standard across the board - from the SR5 to the TRD Pro - which help makes the 4Runner a bit more modern.

Today’s enhancements include a new instrument panel, with a 4.2-inch screen, that’s standard across the full model line. The whole cluster has been redesigned, so the speedometer and tach look fresher; and the new screen provides better graphics and a cleaner color. The rest of the interior, from the climate control, to the shift level and trims, continues with no changes. However, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road Premium, and TRD Pro trims get a welcomed push-button start, and all 4Runners now have two USB ports for rear-seat passengers.

There are some upgrades as part of all 2020 4Runners, such as the newly standard Toyota Safety Sense-P system, which includes pre-collision alert with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, a sway warning system, automatic high beams and high-speed dynamic radar cruise control. All new 4Runners also get an updated 8-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa capability, as well as an updated central gauge cluster.

Also, standard is Toyota’s Safety Sense P (TTS-P), the suite of safety technologies that Toyota promised to bring to all of its models. On the 2020 4Runner, TTS-P includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, automatic high-beams, and adaptive cruise control. The buttons for lane departure alert and the pre-collision system are oddly located on the steering wheel, as there's a lack of space to the left of the steering column.

What remains untouched is everything underneath the sheetmetal. The 4.0-liter V-6 engine produces the same 270-hp and 278 lb.-ft. of torque as before, and the somewhat dated five-speed automatic sends all that power to the rear or all four wheels. Given that last year's 4Runner TRD Pro got the same Fox shocks as the Tacoma TRD Pro, Toyota didn't make any significant changes to the suspension for 2020, including the very viable stainless stamped skid plate. However, all 4Runner TRD Pros come with a new TRD cat back exhaust that sounds much beefier than last year'model.

In terms of driving and handling, the 4Runner TRD Pro behaves pretty much the same as before. During my time with this beast, the 4Runner showed good wheel articulation and traction. Crawl Control took away some of the stress of driving on a steep downhill: All the driver has to do is control the steering and select one of the five available speeds. The system controls engine speed and braking, making it easier to go over some difficult obstacles. Ground clearance is an impressive 10-inches. Even in this pandemic situation the World is facing, I took the 4Runner out to Lake Ridge, (Joe Pool Lake) in Dallas County. With the purpose of doing some mild off-roading, I took the muddy back route, which normally is hard-packed dirt trail.

Multi-Terrain Select system, which carries over, is also helpful for off-roading. It adjusts the wheel slip depending on the mode you select: Mud, Sand, Rock, or Mogul. Although the 4Runner is becoming more than long in the tooth, it proved to be plenty capable on the trail. I spent some of the time blazing a trail through some muddy ruts, yet the 4Runner hung in there, like a champ.

The Fox suspension helps keeps the cabin calm, providing good cushioning on bumps, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System gives the 4Runner more suspension travel. I was particularly surprised to see the good articulation that the 4Runner had on the trail; the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro models both got through the same obstacles that other jacked-up Jeeps and Lexus GXs rode through. The V-6 engine has a good growl, but the five-speed transmission makes the 4Runner lurch forward when you shift from park to drive. We also noticed a couple of clumsy shifts when driving on pavement.

As my wife absolutely despised the 4Runner, I get it; although I’m not the typical demographical buyer. I found the TRD Pro model to be a little crude (in a good way), as well as a little sluggish, more so than my neighbor’s Limited model. But for the right Gen-x’er or Millennial male, it’s all about the testosterone factor. It’s too bad I don’t live in the Rockies, because I could be all over this.

The roof basket on my Venture Edition 4Runner looked like it was ready to take on the Dakar.

Hitting the freeway, the 4Runner is loud, very loud. Add to that wind noise from the rack and tire noise from the 17-inch knobbies, and I had to turn the radio up too deaden the sound. For all its racket, the V6 isn’t exactly punchy, either. Off the line it jumps, but then it falls flat. To get more momentum once in motion, you’ll need to either flatten the right pedal or slap the gear selector into the “S” mode, where it downshifts to fourth gear. However, having it in “S” mode, makes it have a little more oomph in highway driving.

The 4Runner's five-speed automatic transmission is years behind the times yet felt perfectly fine.

The 4Runner's cabin is plain, but that’s okay, even preferred for this type of vehicle. The gray/black two-tone leather seats were supportive and supple. The controls are large, chunky, plastic knobs, which is also fine, and there’s a ton of space for car seats without the kids being able to kick the front seats. Speaking of, the rear cargo area in the 4Runner is amble, at best. There’s also a bunch of hard plastic and rubber mats to keep wet and dirty things from seeping into the fabric.

This is where the 4Runner shined (figuratively - literally it got a little muddy). The big honking 17-inch knobbies with TRD black rims blew through the ruts with aplomb, sending muddy water into the woods beside the road. There was a lot of bouncing around, both us and the 4Runner, but I didn’t hear any rattles. On the other hand, as I mentioned it’s loud in there, so maybe they were covered up. On the third hand, if a rattle rattles and no one can hear it, is it really a rattle? Food for thought.

I found the brakes to be solid as well as dependable, even on slush, even when I had to slam on them when two turkeys (flew?) flapped across the road. Also, when passing an oncoming vehicle, the 4Runner can just go into the dirt gutter without missing a beat. I was really looking for a construction site to slide this thing around, but I was on a time crunch. If I lived off the beaten path, this Toyota SUV would be high on my list of maybes.

As mentioned, my 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro had a base MRSP of $49,755. The only option on our ‘Runner was a Dash Cam ($499). Add $1,095 for designation charges gets you to $51,419. The less expensive Venture package, which includes dark-color (gray) TRD wheels, the roof basket, all-weather floor mats and black accents can be had for a few dollars less, but why?

At $45,405, the optional Venture Edition will set one back $1,815, more than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium, but less than the TRD Pro. Cosmetically, it gets similar blacked-out trim. However, gone is the TRD Off-Road badging on the C-pillar, and all the badging on the front, rear and tailgate are black. Additional black accents adorn the mirrors, door handles and rear spoiler. The wheels are the tried and true TRD 17-inchers painted in gunmetal gray, but the biggest, most obvious change for the Venture Edition is the standard Yakima Megawarrior roof rack with crossbars up top. The rack is made of heavy-duty steel and meant to carry equipment and cargo externally on the roof, in a deep, spacious tray.

Inside, the interior is straight-up TRD, including SofTex-trimmed seats front and rear, with the fronts receiving power and heat, as well as TRD lettering on the front head restraints. The Venture Edition adds standard all-weather rubber floormats front and back, as well as a rubber cargo-area protector. A sliding cargo tray is available as an option.

The Lexus GX 460 (the 4Runner’s luxury twin) starts at $53,000 for the base model, which will get you 301 horsepower from a 4.6-liter V8. However, it doesn’t get you cool look as cool as the 4Runner, and it doesn’t have that cheap-ish, utilitarian vibe, either. My suggestion is get the military grade TRD package, beat the hell out of it, and keep it until the wheel’s literally fall off.