Toyota Introduces 2017 4Runner TRD Off-Road Trims
CARS.COM — Toyota is doubling down on off-roading with the 2017 4Runner’s new trim packages, aligning its throwback old-school SUV more closely with the Tacoma midsize pickup truck’s lineup. Slotting below the Limited and above the SR5 Premium are the new TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium trim levels, featuring some of the off-road four-wheel-drive technologies found on the trim-topping TRD Pro model and a bunch of showy TRD badges. These trims will replace the Trail trim levels for 2017.
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Silver wheels with black painted inserts and a unique badge on the C-pillar will distinguish the TRD Off-Road models. Inside, they will feature special carbon-fiber-look trim on the center console and some unique badging in the floormats, while the Premium models will get red lettering stitched into the head restraints.
Under the hood, however, the TRD Off-Road models don’t really get anything unique. The Multi-Terrain Select four-wheel-drive system is standard on the new off-road trims, as is Toyota’s outstanding Crawl Control system and an electronic locking rear differential. These systems allow the driver to select the terrain setting appropriate to their environment, a speed at which they want to traverse it, and then remove their feet from the pedals as the truck almost magically crawls up or down some challenging terrain. Optional is the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, an electronic active suspension that both helps with off-road wheel articulation and on-road body control, that isn’t available on the TRD Pro or SR5.
Drivers seeking a more capable off-road machine will want to still opt for the more expensive TRD Pro, which features Bilstein shock absorbers and TRD-tuned springs, for better off-road performance.
