TRD Pro - Not So Pro Ride Quality!!!

[porkyfly]

Agreed - the ride quality is absolutely unacceptable in my OR.

It’s the suspension, not the tires or frame. There is barely any give when pressing down the rear bumper of my OR, yet pressing down on the back of a ‘24 (or really any other car) makes it move like 4-5 times more. The 2025's suspension are as stiff as a board for the first few inches of travel. I encourage yall to test this yourself.

Perhaps the shocks on these are somehow digressive vs linear/progressive, which imo is an insane choice for a stock vehicle by toyota. https://accutuneoffroad.com/article...sLb5RELJd6r1EnQgvP9ukT-yS9jbBjHbJbzi7v2b1Etri

Digressive shocks struggle with both small bumps and large hits, but excel at handling and g-outs. Progressive shocks, on the other hand, are great for small bumps and big hits but fall short in handling and g-outs. Linear shocks offer the best all-around performance.

This is in-line with my experience - the suspension seems to perform fine over large speed bumps and whoops. It's the small potholes and imperfections which cause the jitter and harshness.

Telling people to “live with the issue” is ridiculous, I paid over 50k for my car and have every right to insist on ride quality standards. At the very least there should not be a significant regression in ride quality from the previous gen.

I really just see 3 ways of fixing this problem:
1. Complain to dealer, have them replace shocks with LandCruiser 250 shocks or something (I believe 4runner/LC250 shocks are interchangeable). Hopefully have dealer cover at least part of it. (I feel like this would have a low chance of success)
2. Spend $3k + and buy https://accutuneoffroad.com/product/kit-2024-land-cruiser-250-king-2-5-shocks/, then pay for the install ($500). Can anyone find a cheaper kit which would fix the ride quality?
3. Trade the car for a 5th gen 4runner and move on, eat the depreciation + taxes + fees lost

This is all very very strange to me, bilstein is a reputable brand, no idea why ride quality is DOA. Issue is confirmed by Motortrend and multiple other reviewers:
- https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2025-toyota-4runner-trd-pro-long-term-update.html
-

Sponsored

 

[visually oriented]

Took the Runner for a day trip to Williams AZ and still can't wrap my head around how awful this vehicle rides. I'm really hoping it's the adjustable shocks they put on the Limited. Won't know till try some Bilsteins when they come out. It would be interesting to take a ride in an SR5 or TRD as a comparison. This is unacceptable but there is not much I can do without taking a huge financial hit. God forbid I hit a pot hole or even worse, the dreaded rail road tracks, yikes.

This guy says a Limited with the suspension in comfort has the best ride of any 6G 4Runner. Seems unlikely some Bilsteins... or any other regular shock is going to ride better. I would switch to 18" wheels if you haven't. The pertinent part starts at 29:32

 

[JR_Ontario]

Agreed - the ride quality is absolutely unacceptable in my OR.

It’s the suspension, not the tires or frame. There is barely any give when pressing down the rear bumper of my OR, yet pressing down on the back of a ‘24 (or really any other car) makes it move like 4-5 times more. The 2025's suspension are as stiff as a board for the first few inches of travel. I encourage yall to test this yourself.

Perhaps the shocks on these are somehow digressive vs linear/progressive, which imo is an insane choice for a stock vehicle by toyota. https://accutuneoffroad.com/article...sLb5RELJd6r1EnQgvP9ukT-yS9jbBjHbJbzi7v2b1Etri



This is in-line with my experience - the suspension seems to perform fine over large speed bumps and whoops. It's the small potholes and imperfections which cause the jitter and harshness.

Telling people to “live with the issue” is ridiculous, I paid over 50k for my car and have every right to insist on ride quality standards. At the very least there should not be a significant regression in ride quality from the previous gen.

I really just see 3 ways of fixing this problem:
1. Complain to dealer, have them replace shocks with LandCruiser 250 shocks or something (I believe 4runner/LC250 shocks are interchangeable). Hopefully have dealer cover at least part of it. (I feel like this would have a low chance of success)
2. Spend $3k + and buy https://accutuneoffroad.com/product/kit-2024-land-cruiser-250-king-2-5-shocks/, then pay for the install ($500). Can anyone find a cheaper kit which would fix the ride quality?
3. Trade the car for a 5th gen 4runner and move on, eat the depreciation + taxes + fees lost

This is all very very strange to me, bilstein is a reputable brand, no idea why ride quality is DOA. Issue is confirmed by Motortrend and multiple other reviewers:
- https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2025-toyota-4runner-trd-pro-long-term-update.html
-

Hi Porkyfly,

I agree with your observations and descriptions.

I have not purchased my 4runner yet, still on the fence. I have had (very brief) test drives of:

1) SR5
2) Non Hybrid OR Premium
3) Hybrid OR Premium
4) TRD Pro
5) Platinum

Unfortunately these were at 5 different dealerships, so I was unable to pick the same route for each.

I found both ORP's to be the harshest of the bunch, and actually thought the SR5 was the best on the small bumps.

Have your tried an SR5 for comparison? Those shocks might be quite affordable replacements.

By the way, I am assuming that all models use the same coil spring part number, so the only variable are the shocks. Can anyone in the group confirm this? I struck out looking up part numbers online.

JI

 

[Chicane]

Hi Porkyfly,

I agree with your observations and descriptions.

I have not purchased my 4runner yet, still on the fence. I have had (very brief) test drives of:

1) SR5
2) Non Hybrid OR Premium
3) Hybrid OR Premium
4) TRD Pro
5) Platinum

Unfortunately these were at 5 different dealerships, so I was unable to pick the same route for each.

I found both ORP's to be the harshest of the bunch, and actually thought the SR5 was the best on the small bumps.

Have your tried an SR5 for comparison? Those shocks might be quite affordable replacements.

By the way, I am assuming that all models use the same coil spring part number, so the only variable are the shocks. Can anyone in the group confirm this? I struck out looking up part numbers online.

JI

I can confirm that the Sport and OR have the same colored painted dots on the springs. Red and Orange.

 

[Chicane]

Agreed - the ride quality is absolutely unacceptable in my OR.

It’s the suspension, not the tires or frame. There is barely any give when pressing down the rear bumper of my OR, yet pressing down on the back of a ‘24 (or really any other car) makes it move like 4-5 times more. The 2025's suspension are as stiff as a board for the first few inches of travel. I encourage yall to test this yourself.

Perhaps the shocks on these are somehow digressive vs linear/progressive, which imo is an insane choice for a stock vehicle by toyota. https://accutuneoffroad.com/article...sLb5RELJd6r1EnQgvP9ukT-yS9jbBjHbJbzi7v2b1Etri



This is in-line with my experience - the suspension seems to perform fine over large speed bumps and whoops. It's the small potholes and imperfections which cause the jitter and harshness.

Telling people to “live with the issue” is ridiculous, I paid over 50k for my car and have every right to insist on ride quality standards. At the very least there should not be a significant regression in ride quality from the previous gen.

I really just see 3 ways of fixing this problem:
1. Complain to dealer, have them replace shocks with LandCruiser 250 shocks or something (I believe 4runner/LC250 shocks are interchangeable). Hopefully have dealer cover at least part of it. (I feel like this would have a low chance of success)
2. Spend $3k + and buy https://accutuneoffroad.com/product/kit-2024-land-cruiser-250-king-2-5-shocks/, then pay for the install ($500). Can anyone find a cheaper kit which would fix the ride quality?
3. Trade the car for a 5th gen 4runner and move on, eat the depreciation + taxes + fees lost

This is all very very strange to me, bilstein is a reputable brand, no idea why ride quality is DOA. Issue is confirmed by Motortrend and multiple other reviewers:
- https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2025-toyota-4runner-trd-pro-long-term-update.html
-

Finally a post mentioning a solution, rather than pointing the finger in either direction. For me spending an additional $3500 for better small bump compliance is reasonable, but I’m not sure this King kit will fit our 4R. Without know much about suspension, I was wondering if the rear coil spring was too stiff causing the harsh ride on small bumps vs the shocks. I was thinking of ditching my AT tires and going with more road oriented Michelins that come stock on the OR non hybrid, but I don’t want to waist more money without any better results. I guess I need to visit some OR shops.

 

[porkyfly]

Finally a post mentioning a solution, rather than pointing the finger in either direction. For me spending an additional $3500 for better small bump compliance is reasonable, but I’m not sure this King kit will fit our 4R. Without know much about suspension, I was wondering if the rear coil spring was too stiff causing the harsh ride on small bumps vs the shocks. I was thinking of ditching my AT tires and going with more road oriented Michelins that come stock on the OR non hybrid, but I don’t want to waist more money without any better results. I guess I need to visit some OR shops.

A less expensive solution (Fox 2.0 shocks) is discussed here: https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...-improve-ride-quality-trd-orp.4525/post-88528

 

[shine]

Watching The Car Care Nut's youtube video review of the 4Runner, he describes the lack of a smooth suspension very well. I don't have my new 4Runner yet, but I was surprised at how harsh it felt when I drove a TRD Off Road model.

"The previous 4Runner basically handled like a giant boat. ... It was not a good handling car, folks. ... This handles a lot better. ... But at the same time, the 5th generation 4Runner ... was a lot smoother. This [6th gen] ... is very jarring, very rough. "

Towards the end of the video, he also questions why anyone would buy a higher trim 4Runner when they for the same price could have a "... Land Cruiser, which is more comfortable, nicer, a lot smoother..."



Still didn't hold me back from ordering a new 4Runner though. I will take a harsher everyday ride for a more capable off roader.

 

[ExploreMore]

—Update — Very sad with the final outcome!
In summary, I ended up selling the 4R…

Took it to the dealer they found that it was within alignment, the tires were out of balance with high road force 73lbs and 36lbs (they were both in the rear). How these tires even passed sorting to find their way to an OEM specification is crazy to me, this is exactly why GM has a TPC Spec on every vehicle. So they got the tires sorted to the best of their ability. They drive the unit, and then came back with my same position, “it rides quite rough”. They checked the suspension, the adjustments on the shocks. Called me up and said I’m sorry but there is nothing wrong with the 4Runner, it is what it is.

I contemplated it for the past couple weeks, and decided to get out while I still can. Ended up losing $3K, which TBH I was elated that my loss was that contained. Ended up trading it on a new full size truck. I’m sure this will get better as a model year change, or two, comes along; so no fun off-road trips for me for the unforeseen future. At the end of the day I’m unwilling to compromise on road comfortability that doesn’t meet my expectations at all. Yes there will be many of you who will poke fun and tell me I should have driven it, I will not argue that. My 5th gen drove just fine, I would not expect anything other than that for the new one. Not to mention there is zero dealers who, first of all have the TRD Pro in stock, and second those who did would not allow a test drive - which is total BS if you ask me.

The dealer checked that the steering rack was functioning as per design with a slight change in steering dampening while in Sport Mode - I told them that it is, they verified regardless. They came back with a position that it could be either shock tuning or the body mounts. Clearly Toyota developed it as such, I’m just surprised and disappointed as I wanted to love this thing but in the end it wasn’t for me. Sincerely aggravated!

 

[Bernie]

Well okay… if that means this string comes to an end after discovering that for all your expertise you didn’t even check tire inflation (on the dash!). My TRD Pro rides great. No worries!

 

[127.0.0.1]

I just don't get the complaints. "I spent $$$$$ and I am unhappy about what it will cost to get me out of this."

If the money is a factor at all, and you are a 'princess and the pea' type
...doing more research and test driving might save some aggravation... perhaps ?

My 4runner is a truck and it drives like a truck....which is what I bought...a truck.

and No I don't want to compare 'Well GM does this and Chevy does that" yeah well all those non-Toyota's are hot garbage in reliability.

 

[zgreen]

—Update — Very sad with the final outcome!
In summary, I ended up selling the 4R…

Took it to the dealer they found that it was within alignment, the tires were out of balance with high road force 73lbs and 36lbs (they were both in the rear). How these tires even passed sorting to find their way to an OEM specification is crazy to me, this is exactly why GM has a TPC Spec on every vehicle. So they got the tires sorted to the best of their ability. They drive the unit, and then came back with my same position, “it rides quite rough”. They checked the suspension, the adjustments on the shocks. Called me up and said I’m sorry but there is nothing wrong with the 4Runner, it is what it is.

I contemplated it for the past couple weeks, and decided to get out while I still can. Ended up losing $3K, which TBH I was elated that my loss was that contained. Ended up trading it on a new full size truck. I’m sure this will get better as a model year change, or two, comes along; so no fun off-road trips for me for the unforeseen future. At the end of the day I’m unwilling to compromise on road comfortability that doesn’t meet my expectations at all. Yes there will be many of you who will poke fun and tell me I should have driven it, I will not argue that. My 5th gen drove just fine, I would not expect anything other than that for the new one. Not to mention there is zero dealers who, first of all have the TRD Pro in stock, and second those who did would not allow a test drive - which is total BS if you ask me.

The dealer checked that the steering rack was functioning as per design with a slight change in steering dampening while in Sport Mode - I told them that it is, they verified regardless. They came back with a position that it could be either shock tuning or the body mounts. Clearly Toyota developed it as such, I’m just surprised and disappointed as I wanted to love this thing but in the end it wasn’t for me. Sincerely aggravated!

Thanks for the update and I'm sorry your Pro didn't work out. I hope you are just ignoring the noise here on the forum. Lot's of keyboard warriors...

I have one of the first Pro's off the boat and really haven't had any issues with the ride. Had other issues with the terrible paint quality, but not the ride. Best of luck with the new rig!

 

[ExploreMore]

Well okay… if that means this string comes to an end after discovering that for all your expertise you didn’t even check tire inflation (on the dash!). My TRD Pro rides great. No worries!

Are you serious?
Did I state tire pressure, or did I say “Road Force”.
Maybe you should reserve your reply until you understand what you’re referring to. Thanks for your input it was insightful.

 

[ExploreMore]

Thanks for the update and I'm sorry your Pro didn't work out. I hope you are just ignoring the noise here on the forum. Lot's of keyboard warriors...

I have one of the first Pro's off the boat and really haven't had any issues with the ride. Had other issues with the terrible paint quality, but not the ride. Best of luck with the new rig!

Much appreciated. If they are different then it very well could be shock tuning. It’s all good, I will buy one in a couple years - I’m sure it will improve over time for sure.

That said It’s clear to me based on the number of posts that this isn’t an individual perspective. Unfortunately what I wanted to accomplish - gain insight on a potential fix didn’t come to fruition.

 

[Chicane]

I just don't get the complaints. "I spent $$$$$ and I am unhappy about what it will cost to get me out of this."

If the money is a factor at all, and you are a 'princess and the pea' type
...doing more research and test driving might save some aggravation... perhaps ?

My 4runner is a truck and it drives like a truck....which is what I bought...a truck.

and No I don't want to compare 'Well GM does this and Chevy does that" yeah well all those non-Toyota's are hot garbage in reliability.

I’ve been driving a truck since 1991 and I test drove 3 different models + both engine types. Test drives only tell you so much and a lot is based on how shitty of road sections that you drove on. I took one OR on a loop and it drove smooth, but when I thought about it later on, I realized that that rode section I drove on(including a FWY) were smooth as glass, so it told me nothing about the ride quality. 99% of the time, my 4R drives like a truck, but when I hit certain rode conditions it drives nothing like my 14 Tacoma did. It drives as if I locked out my shock on my mountain bike.

 

[Scrappopatamus]

I responded early on and felt the OP had to be a troll. Very common these days. Funny how so many took the bait.

Sponsored