The 2017 Toyota 4Runner will be getting two new trim levels to augment its impressive resume, the TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium. The new trim levels were revealed at the famous FJ Summit in Ouray, Colorado.

Replacing the bygone Trail model in the 4Runner stable, TRD Off-Road gets suspension upgrades and styling changes that would befit the little brother of the TRD Pro. Foremost among those upgrades are new Bilstein monotube shock absorbers that provide improved wheel control over bumps. Additionally, an available Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System allows extended wheel travel and articulation under certain circumstances.

As on the TRD Pro, the TRD Off-Road gets Toyota’s well-regarded Crawl Control. Crawl Control provides consistent speed modulation at low speeds, which the company says enhances vehicle control when driving over rocks in difficult off-road scenarios. With five different speed settings (all at or around walking pace), Crawl Control allows the driver to focus on wheel placement without needing to feather the throttle or left-foot brake. The system only works in 4-Low, as it should.

The 4Runner TRD Off-Road gets Multi-Terrain Select as well, a system also found on the Tacoma TRD Off-Road . The system has settings for mud/sand/dirt, rocks, and hilly terrain, adjusting the throttle response, shift points, and traction control intervention for each respective operating mode. We hope the traction control will allow significant wheelspin in sandy and snowy conditions, as we had trouble maintaining forward momentum in that scenario in our 2016 Pickup Truck of the Year competitor Tacoma TRD Off-Road.

Cosmetically, changes include black-painted wheels (which we love) and a unique TRD Off-Road badge on the C-pillar. Inside, a carbon-fiber motif appears on the center console, while floor mats include the trim level’s name on the embroidery. Premium models also get “TRD” lettering in red on the front-seat headrests.

We really respect the 4Runner for its nimble size and adventurous personality. All models of the SUV have impressive capability, but the TRD Off-Road and Off-Road Premium will only improve what is already a great recipe for four-wheeled fun. Pricing has not been released as of yet, but expect a premium over the comparable Tacoma and aforementioned 4Runner Trail. Still, for overland enthusiasts, weekend adventurers, and outdoorsmen, it will be hard to beat the Off-Road, at least without upgrading to Toyota’s even more fun-ready TRD Pro

Source: Toyota