TRD Pro - Not So Pro Ride Quality!!!

[Sonog]

I have about 2500 miles on my Pro. I came from a Tacoma Off-Road. The 4R Pro ride seems pretty reasonable to me for an off-road capable SUV. In fact, I find it pretty comfortable. Just my experience and expectations.

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[MLB]

I have the same impressions about my Limited as the OP. My 4R rides like a brick. Every imperfection in the road translate through the whole vehicle. Set the shocks to soft and put in compfort mode with no improvement. Changed out the stock Yokohamas with slightly taller 275/60 BFG Trail Terrains which gave some improvement but not much.

Took it for a trail run here in Central Arizona and felt like I needed a kidney belt. In the ruts the vehicle bounced around so much I could feel the rear end slide around and loose traction.

For reference, in 2000 I bought a new SR5 which I owned for 10 years and it drove much better. Put on Bilstein 5100's and handled even better. In 2012 bought a new Jeep Grand Cherokee which also sat on 20 inch rims and handled amazing. I get it, the Jeep has fully independent suspension and is unibody.

I think Toyota dropped the ball here. How can a 25 year old 3rd gen ride better than a brand new 6th gen. Hopefully Bilstein will come up with solution.

 

[Chicane]

It's a truck. It drives like a truck.
Toyota did me a solid by making a truck drive like..... a truck.

Except it doesn’t drive like my 2014 Tacoma TRD Sport and that‘s the point. Image that.

I have different tires on my 4Runner and that could be part of the issue, but still trying to sort this out. I don’t think upgrading to a $3500 suspension should be the answer, but that’s my opinion.

 

[Chicane]

I have the same impressions about my Limited as the OP. My 4R rides like a brick. Every imperfection in the road translate through the whole vehicle. Set the shocks to soft and put in compfort mode with no improvement. Changed out the stock Yokohamas with slightly taller 275/60 BFG Trail Terrains which gave some improvement but not much.

Took it for a trail run here in Central Arizona and felt like I needed a kidney belt. In the ruts the vehicle bounced around so much I could feel the rear end slide around and loose traction.

For reference, in 2000 I bought a new SR5 which I owned for 10 years and it drove much better. Put on Bilstein 5100's and handled even better. In 2012 bought a new Jeep Grand Cherokee which also sat on 20 inch rims and handled amazing. I get it, the Jeep has fully independent suspension and is unibody.

I think Toyota dropped the ball here. How can a 25 year old 3rd gen ride better than a brand new 6th gen. Hopefully Bilstein will come up with solution.

Who knew that a mouth piece would be needed to protect your teeth.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

Interesting thread and comments. I have a completely different experience. I bought a TRD Sport Premium in July with stock 20” wheels and Yoko Overlanders. Coming from a RR Sport HSE with 20” Michelin Sports, the ride was not as sporty but very acceptable in N. Va roads. Compared to my daughter’s 2019 TRD Off Road, the 2025 rides and steers like a dream. Her 5th gen has 60k miles but it’s been well maintained. The steering is not as precise in hers and the braking is not as smooth - she has new brakes/rotors and fluid flush. More body roll in her vehichle too which I noticed over the last several years so it’s not worn shocks/suspension.

I too have a TRD Sport Premium that rides nicely. Some people by the off-road trim and are not happy with the ride quality. I hope those people get some off-roading in since they have to suffer through the discomfort they feel while driving on paved roads.

 

[ExploreMore]

I have about 2500 miles on my Pro. I came from a Tacoma Off-Road. The 4R Pro ride seems pretty reasonable to me for an off-road capable SUV. In fact, I find it pretty comfortable. Just my experience and expectations.

That’s good to hear. If you don’t notice it then maybe there is an anomaly that some of us are experiencing.

 

[ExploreMore]

I have the same impressions about my Limited as the OP. My 4R rides like a brick. Every imperfection in the road translate through the whole vehicle. Set the shocks to soft and put in compfort mode with no improvement. Changed out the stock Yokohamas with slightly taller 275/60 BFG Trail Terrains which gave some improvement but not much.

Took it for a trail run here in Central Arizona and felt like I needed a kidney belt. In the ruts the vehicle bounced around so much I could feel the rear end slide around and loose traction.

For reference, in 2000 I bought a new SR5 which I owned for 10 years and it drove much better. Put on Bilstein 5100's and handled even better. In 2012 bought a new Jeep Grand Cherokee which also sat on 20 inch rims and handled amazing. I get it, the Jeep has fully independent suspension and is unibody.

I think Toyota dropped the ball here. How can a 25 year old 3rd gen ride better than a brand new 6th gen. Hopefully Bilstein will come up with solution.

Damn you notice that in a Limited!
I’m sorry to hear that, I would have never expected it.

 

[ExploreMore]

I too have a TRD Sport Premium that rides nicely. Some people by the off-road trim and are not happy with the ride quality. I hope those people get some off-roading in since they have to suffer through the discomfort they feel while driving on paved roads.

Haaaaaa. I’m sure it will shine off-road. I didn’t buy it as a garage queen, I will use the extent of what it’s built to do.

 

[ExploreMore]

Clearly I angered some folks with my post regarding the Pro ride quality, more specifically the lack of addressing NVH deficiencies.

I apologize to those of you who are upset, or don’t agree. I wanted to garner feedback to derive a plan of attack with my local dealer. Because believe it or not, things like this can find there a way back to Toyota Engineering, a year may pass, but there maybe a possibility to address it.

I too am passionate about the vehicle, I owned a 5th Gen, and I was totally geeked to be able to get into this 6th gen. I’ve had a lot of fun in my 5th gen from trails in MI to Moab, UT. I plan to do the same with this one.

I’m not being critical for the sake of doing so, I have much better things to do with my life - my criticism is derived from the competitive set; who knows maybe it could actually help us in the long run.

 

[get.outside.75]

Damn you notice that in a Limited!
I’m sorry to hear that, I would have never expected it.

I have a Limited Hybrid, came from a Platinum Murano and Limited Highlander before that, and think the Limited rides great and better than my Murano did (and I am still just at 1100miles) on both city and highway roads. I think people just like to complain and then justify spending $$ on an upgrade.

 

[127.0.0.1]

Except it doesn’t drive like my 2014 Tacoma TRD Sport and that‘s the point. Image that.

I have different tires on my 4Runner and that could be part of the issue, but still trying to sort this out. I don’t think upgrading to a $3500 suspension should be the answer, but that’s my opinion.

My 2013 Tacoma TRD Offroad drives like a marshmallow if I throw 800lbs in the back.
empty, it drives like a truck. it drive so much better with a load and also brakes amazingly well with a fat load. It wants to be loaded.

Maybe OP needs to load up the 25 4runner with a 1/2 cord

 

[bakutheleo]

I have an ORP and have found its ride very good. Mind you, I am probably not picky--I have never had vehicles that I should have expected an excellent ride. I have been in other people's cars and never really had the thought of "Wow, this is really smooth/comfortable." My own vehicles have been a couple SUVs (1998 Ford Explorer, 1997 Chevy Tahoe), 1984 Honda Civic (yeah, I even took that off road quite a bit, albeit not too rough terrain!), 2020 Toyota RAV4, 2000 Toyota Sienna. I have been fine with the ride on each, so maybe I just don't notice!

That said, passengers I have had in my 2025 ORP have commented that they thought the ride was very good. so it must not be too bad.

 

[Chicane]

My 2013 Tacoma TRD Offroad drives like a marshmallow if I throw 800lbs in the back.
empty, it drives like a truck. it drive so much better with a load and also brakes amazingly well with a fat load. It wants to be loaded.

Maybe OP needs to load up the 25 4runner with a 1/2 cord

TRD John has stated that the hybrid rides better than the non hybrid, because of the extra battery weight. This could also be why the non hybrid is over sprung and rides stiffer with the less weight.

 

[coloradomarmot]

Thank you for your feedback! That leads me to believe It certainly is the design then. Where as GM and Ford do a far better job of isolating the cabin and steering wheel than Toyota. It comes down to body mount dampers and isolators. It would never pass those organizations NVH (noise vibration and harshness) specifications. Unfortunately it gives you a feeling of a uneasiness. It's unfortunate because it could be so much better!

Are you comparing the 4Runner to unibody vehicles, or body on frame trucks?

My pro rides better than my 2021 ORP, but I've driven 4Runners for years (with a slight detour to a Tacoma). They drive like trucks, and I'm ok with that.

 

[AdFour]

I've said this before elsewhere, but coming from a sport sedan (stock), the ride on the 4runner is softer so an upgrade for me. Depend on where you're coming from.

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