Do You Have to Be an Off-Roader to Daily a 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro? My Thoughts After Reviewing It

Do You Have to Be an Off-Roader to Daily a 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro? My Thoughts After Reviewing It originally appeared on Autoblog.

What does it take to tame the 4Runner?

Off-road-ready SUVs are becoming increasingly popular, especially after the revival of the Ford Bronco, Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Defender, and the Scout Harvester or Traveler. Nissan quietly revealed it’s developing a new XTerra and Toyota’s reportedly bringing back the FJ Cruiser, only adding more fire to the off-road blaze. The Bronco, Land Cruiser, original 4Runner, and Land Rover were designed as part-time 4WD passenger cars with a comfy ride, acceptable fuel economy, and cargo space–so if you didn’t take them strictly off-road, they’d still be suitable to drive every day.

Then, Toyota made the 4Runner hybrid-only for 2026, packed with the company’s i-FORCE MAX “performance” hybrid setup, made to enhance a vehicle’s ability to tow or handle off-road. It does this by enhancing torque in the low end to give it an extra edge when more power is needed. The TRD Pro trim level, which is a step below the Trailhunter (but oddly the same price), is designed for desert running, rock crawling, and pretty much anything you can throw at it.

Before I dive too deeply, I need to preface this by saying that I’ve been an avid off-roader for a very long time, before I even got my driver’s license. If it wasn’t dirt bikes, it was ATVs, and if it wasn’t ATVs, it was going for long drives with my dad in his old 4x4s. My husband and I each have our own dedicated off-roader, so it’s very much a part of my identity. I became comfortable with the 4Runner’s ride quality, features, and off-road prowess pretty quickly. However, not everyone buys a 4Runner for its rock-crawling capabilities. Others buy it for its reliability, cargo space, and 4WD system for just-in-case reasons. So, what if you bought it for looks? Could you drive it every day comfortably, without ever shifting the transfer case? Let’s dig in.

The interior is off-road-centric, but not in an intimidating way

With a name like the 4Runner TRD Pro, you’d think opening the driver door would lead to a militaristic, bare-bones SUV. But that’s not the case at all. Historically, I’d critiqued Toyota interiors for their cheap-feeling all-black plastic layouts that didn’t seem to change unless you bought the top-of-the-line, but this one was different. There were contrasting colors, camo-patterned leather seats, plenty of textured grab handles, a plethora of buttons and switches, and a gorgeous 10-inch infotainment screen. Stepping into the 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro almost felt luxurious, which was such a welcome change from the previous generation.

The user interface was easy to decipher, settings were just as simple to locate and customize, and the digital gauges were just like those in other Toyotas I’ve tested–nothing confusing, complicated, or difficult to access. I did encounter the typical connectivity issues that come with new Toyotas and Android Auto, but I believe those can be fixed with an update. Otherwise, the JBL sound system—mine had a dedicated subwoofer—was crisp and adaptable. No matter what I was listening to, it was a great overall sound. For a body-on-frame SUV with all-terrain tires and stiffer TRD-tuned suspension, the ride in the cabin was quiet enough for my toddlers to sleep peacefully. The sunroof was small compared to other SUVs of its size, but it was big enough to let in some natural light to open everything up a bit.

My favorite part was the driver’s seat. It was way more comfortable than you’d assume at first glance. There was always a place to put my elbow, and thankfully, the armrest on the center console was soft and a great size, not firm and small like other off-roaders. The steering wheel was large, but my husband had issues with the ridges around the “TRD” logo, since it cut into his hands (which are admittedly sensitive) while he was driving it off-road for me to photograph. The passenger seat was just as comfortable, and I really appreciated the large windows, high seating position, and legroom. I scooted my seat far enough for my toddler not to be able to kick the back of it, without cutting into my overall legroom.

Based on the interior quality, seat comfort, visibility, creature comforts, and design, I could easily see myself making grocery runs in this instead of trail trekking.

Mileage isn’t great, but it’s better than most

As I mentioned before, the i-FORCE MAX hybrid system isn’t going to get you stellar MPG ratings. It’s meant to increase performance in the lower range of the power band, particularly when towing or going off-road. It helps get better mileage around town, but the only time the engine wasn’t used during my test drive was when I was stopped or slowing to a stop. Otherwise, it seemed like the engine was always on.

Therefore, I was averaging around 17 mpg around town, which isn’t the worst for a 5,455 lbs SUV with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as the gas engine. But it’s also not the greatest. I fear many will fall for the “hybrid” label and then be shocked when it doesn’t perform as well as their dad’s RAV4 hybrid. So, just don’t go into buying one thinking the mileage is going to be stellar. For the sake of comparison, my sister’s 2023 4Runner TRD Sport with the 4.0-liter V6 gets the same MPG. Take that as you may.

When we compare it to the SUVs it competes against, though, it’s right on par. The Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco get notably worse mileage. My Jeep is from 2006, so we don’t talk about how horrible my mileage is. It’s our household’s Fight Club.

Cargo space was perfect for everyday needs

If you aren’t packing the trunk, backseats, or stock roof basket full of camping gear, there’s plenty of space for other items. I had no problem packing it full of my camera gear, children’s toys, a stroller, and a diaper bag. When I had my husband in the car and he carried his filming gear, we both appreciated how large the center console is and how many different options both the driver and passenger had to store items. Every door–even the rear doors–had dedicated water bottle holders and storage pockets. Everyone had a charging port, too. It was easy to see that the 4Runner was made to be comfortable, on tarmac or otherwise.

The only thing I had a mild gripe with was the added height the hybrid battery added to the trunk. It eats up a few inches of vertical space, and loading things required a little more effort because the trunk’s floor was higher up. During my loan, my husband wanted me to swap his winter tires for his summer tires and asked me to bring them to the shop where he works. All four tires fit just fine; I didn’t even have to use the factory tubular roof rack. However, those few extra inches I had to clear to get them in the trunk were a tad annoying. That said, this would definitely be something I’d get used to over time.

The integrated compressor that my husband loved so much was built into the right wall beautifully, taking up no space, and the hose for it was hidden under the carpet towards the tailgate. Off-roaders and overlanders would benefit the most from that feature, but it can come in handy any time.

If you’re not an off-roader, the TRD Pro trim is an expensive choice

The Toyota 4Runner is expensive, no matter how you slice it, unless you start with the base trim. The base SR5 trim starts at $41,270, and while it still comes with the things that make the TRD Pro a nice truck, like a 9-inch touch screen and 4WD, it doesn’t come with leather seats or a fancy sound system. You’d essentially be getting a sugar-free version of the 4Runner, which still isn’t a bad choice. The TRD Pro and the Trailhunter are both $67,400, which is quite a bit more expensive because they’re purpose-built instead of generally built like the SR5. So, if you buy it specifically for the way it looks and don’t intend on taking it off-road, that’s an expensive choice. Especially when you can modify an SR5 to have similar looks to the TRD Pro for a lot less.

If you want something rugged but fancy, consider the Limited or Platinum trims, because they still have off-road features, but the interior styling is geared towards those who appreciate the finer things in life. The Limited leans on a silver or chrome theme, with a silver grille, silver wheels, and silver badging, while the Platinum plays into the dark theme. Blacked-out grilles, black wheels, and black badging accentuate everything beautifully. Though, since I am an avid off-roader, the trim I’d pick is the Trailhunter, largely for those handsome model-specific bronze baja-inspired wheels.

Final thoughts

You can’t go wrong with any trim level of the 4Runner. My little sister’s 2023 4Runner TRD hasn’t been off-road much, but it’s come in handy for her many times, especially when she lived in the mountains. She loves the daily drivability and the choice she has to go off-road if the opportunity presents itself. Aside from people like my husband and me, a lot of buyers are like her, who want the option to go off-road but don’t necessarily seek it out. I feel like it’s a similar mindset to those who buy Subarus or any other AWD or 4WD car.

To answer the original question: no, you don’t need to be an off-roader to benefit from the features on the TRD Pro. But you would benefit the most as an off-roader. It’s an expensive SUV to let rot in a parking lot or garage instead of using it as it was intended: to blaze trails, reach remote campsites, cross creeks, and rock crawl on the way back to the highway. The TRD Pro was my first 4Runner, and it was a great way to be introduced to the famed moniker.

Do You Have to Be an Off-Roader to Daily a 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro? My Thoughts After Reviewing It first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 14, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.