Sometimes life is just better when you take a commanding view from above a hood scoop. And so it was during my week with the 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. The 4Runner is a hugely popular truck-based SUV with a cult following for good reason. It’s a fun SUV to be behind the wheel of no matter what the terrain. You can head to YouTube and find videos galore showcasing its off-roading capability, but I’m proof that you don’t have to take it on the trail to enjoy this old-school SUV.
For 2022, the 5th-generation 4Runner adds more standard driver assist and safety features along with some other trim-specific upgrades. For the TRD Pro that includes a new standard multi-terrain monitor and my test model’s new TRD Pro-exclusive Lime Rush color.
My test vehicle’s look-at-me green hue is offset by black accents from bumper to bumper.That includes its large black grille with Toyota emblazoned across the front and black 17-inch TRD Pro Flow-Form alloy wheels fitted around Nitto Terra Grappler tires. It also features a black accented hood scoop, a TRD Pro black roof rack and optional trail running boards.
2022 4Runners are now all equipped with LED high beams in addition to LED low beams and fog lamps. The TRD Pro is equipped with high performance Rigid Industries LED fog lights. Other TRD PRO equipment highlights under the skin include a TRD Pro stamped aluminum skid plate along with TRD-tuned Fox shocks and springs.
There are no updates to the 2022 4Runner’s powertrain. A 4.0-liter V6 continues to deliver 270-horsepower and 278 lb.-ft. of torque. You’ll definitely hear the growl of the V6 thanks to TRD-branded cat-back exhaust. The engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission (which could use an update to improve fuel efficiency). Fuel economy is unchanged from 2021 remaining at 17 mpg combined. The TRD Pro is equipped with a part-time 4WD system with Active Traction Control, an electronic-locking rear differential and Toyota’s Crawl Control (CRAWL).
The roomy, well-designed, two-row cabin offers just the right amount of ruggedness with its black interior, silver trim and leather-trimmed steering wheel. SofTex-trimmed seats feature red TRD Pro logos on the headrests. The 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat leans to the firmer side with fairly flat seat cushions. Above the steering wheel you find a multi-information driver display flanked by large analog dials. The parking brake is via foot pedal.
An 8-inch multimedia system with a backup and panoramic view monitor sends audio to a premium 15-speaker JBL sound system. Connectivity includes Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, four charge ports.
The more old-school than fancy center stack is home to dual zone climate control with easy to grip large dials and other climate control buttons. On the carbon-fiber patterned console area you find a leather-wrapped and silver-trimmed TRD logo shift knob and heated seat controls. You’ll find the Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control on the above center console area.
Second-row passengers get their own drop down center console with cupholders and A/C vents. The stadium style fold-flat reclining rear seats offer plenty of legroom, but head-room could be limited for someone on the tall side.
Optional cabin TRD Pro weather floor mats would be a must-have for me.
There is no power liftgate, so prepare to flex some muscle there, but there is a power-sliding liftgate window. Cargo room is 46.3 cubic-feet of space when equipped with an available sliding rear cargo pull-out “deck” with an under-storage area.
The cargo area easily fit a bale of straw. You’ll find a standard 120V outlet and a 12-volt back there. An optional cargo mat and cargo cover upgrade the whole look.
The 4Runner rides and drives great in the city but even better on the highway. It’s a heavy vehicle, so its acceleration can’t exactly be called quick off the line, but power confidently matches the V6. I enjoyed its truck-like body-on-frame ride and the suspension, which provides a comfortable ride. The 4Runner’s 9.6-inches of ground clearance provide great visibility, but beware it could be an issue for someone on the shorter side getting into the cabin. While the 4Runner’s size is manageable, I admittedly spent more time looking for a parking space than usual.
Great news on the safety front. This year the TRD Pro adds standard Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. (It’s also now standard on the SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited and part of an available package on TRD Sport).The entire 4Runner lineup also adds standard Rear Occupancy Alert.
Standard Toyota Safety Sense P system includes pre-collision with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert and automatic high beams.
My test vehicle’s list of options include a sliding rear cargo deck ($350), cargo mat ($100), dashcam ($499), cargo cover ($499), cargo divider ($149) and trail running boards ($599).
The Toyota 4RUNNER is as alluring as ever. Price-wise, the mid-$50’s is right in line with what you’d expect though looking back at my 2021 review, the TRD Pro base price jumped a couple grand over last year. The other consideration is fuel economy. If pump prices concern you at all, the 4Runner may not be the vehicle for you.