Is The 4Runner TRD Pro Worth it?

The Toyota 4Runner is one of the most popular 4WD vehicles of all time. It is also one of the most capable vehicles ranking alongside the well-known Jeeps for amazing offroad driving. The 4Runner comes in several different packages, with the TRD Pro being the most expensive package, so is the TRD Pro worth the cost?

While you are researching 4Runners, be sure to bookmark the Toyota 4Runner category page and save these popular articles for future reading: What Are The Best and Worst Years for The Toyota 4Runner?, Should You Lift a Toyota 4Runner? A Comprehensive Guide, and Ford Bronco vs. Toyota 4Runner: What’s the Difference?

The TRD Pro is not worth it. The TRD Pro will not be worth the additional cost for most people. The main additions you get with the TRD Pro are cosmetic features, the front skid plate, and the FoxShocks. These features are nice, but only serious off-roaders will benefit from the TRD Pro.

We’ll compare the TRD Pro with the lower models the TRD Off-Road Premium and the SR5 Premium. We won’t spend much time on the base model SR5 since most people considering the TRD Pro will still prefer some of the upgraded features you can get in the midrange models. Keep reading to find out if the TRD Pro is worth it to you!

Price Difference

MSRP for the TRD Pro is $52,920 and currently, in the 2022 market, TRD Pros are in very high demand. Even used models are selling for close to MSRP and above.

This is the following MSRP for Toyota 4Runner Models:

• SR5 – $38,105
• TRD Sport – $40,950
• Trail Special Edition – $40,075
• SR5 Premium – $41,515
• TRD Off Road – $41,935
• TRD Off Road Premium – $44,880
• Limited – $47,690
• TRD PRO – $52,920

The three models that we’ll take the closest look at are the SR5 Premium, the TRD Off Road Premium, and the TRD Pro. As you can see above the TRD Pro is $8,040 more than the Off-Road Premium and almost $12,000 more than the SR5 Premium.

Off Road Ability

Off-Roading is really where the 4Runner has always shined. The 4Runner is not the most economical vehicle with only about 19 MPG on the highway. The 4Runner is an excellent off-roader though and has consistently stayed that way throughout the years.

The Three models we’re considering all have some of the same features. All three of the models we’re considering have 9.6 inches of clearance as well as the same approach and departure angles 33/26. All three models also have Hill Start Assist Control and Active Traction Control.

The TRD Pro and the TRD Off Road Premium both have Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. Both of these options also have a locking rear wheel differential. The locking differential is important for serious off-roading as well as driving in bad conditions such as snow and ice. This forces both wheels in the back to move at the same speed regardless of if one wheel loses traction. This is worth the upgrade.

Where the TRD Pro stands out above the TRD Off Road Premium and the SR5 premium is the upgraded fox suspension and the front skid plate. The other 4Runner models have good suspension for most situations, but the Fox Suspension performs better than the lower models. The skid plate is nice and has the TRD logo on it, but you can also find plates for far less than the cost of upgrading.

Interior

The Interiors of the different models are essentially the same with a few exceptions. The TRD Pro and the TRD Off Road Premium both have different levels of TRD branding on the inside of the vehicle. This is almost entirely cosmetic, but looks are important too.

The TRD Pro does have dual-zone climate control allowing you to control the front and rear climate of the car separately.

The TRD Pro also has upgraded JBL speakers.

Exterior

The exterior of the 4Runner does change some between the different models. The TRD Pro has the most changes with unique Toyota and TRD branding on it. The front skid plate also changes the vehicle’s profile to make it look more capable. The TRD Pro also comes in a unique lime color.

The TRD Pro also has a unique roof rack. Both of the other models have fairly standard setups for an SUV with side rails and cross bars that you can add a number of different accessories and racks too. The TRD Pro has a unique setup that is shaped similarly to a basket on the back and sides to help you strap down your gear. Based on online forums some people love it, but a lot of others end up replacing it.

Customization Option

The 4Runner has been around for decades and is a popular vehicle to upgrade. The vehicle has a large amount of aftermarket support.

You might want to consider purchasing the SR5 Premium or the Off-Road Premium and then upgrading the features you wish you had from the TRD Pro. If you love your music then upgrading speakers is a fairly simple upgrade to make to any vehicle.

If you are an Off-Roader and want the improved suspension you can purchase a better suspension than the TRD Pro and replace it for less than upgrading to the TRD Pro. There are also aftermarket skid plates that you could easily install for around $1000 or less.

Who is the 4Runner TRD Pro for?

While I’d say that the TRD Pro is not worth the upgrade for most people, It does have its place. The TRD Pro is ideal for someone who wants to do serious off-roading and rock crawling without having to make any alterations to the vehicle. The TRD Pro does have the smoothest suspension out of the stock models and will edge out the Off-Road Premium slightly in performance.

The other person this is for is someone who has enough money and likes having a fully loaded vehicle with all of the bells and whistles. The TRD Pro is the top of the line and if that’s important to you then it might be the right choice.

Hobbyists and tinkerers who are willing to change parts and work on their vehicles would be better off getting the Off-Road and upgrading from there.

Someone who wants a more capable vehicle for weekend camping trips on some dirt roads or just to be their daily driver will likely be very happy with one of the lower models and saving some money.