TRD Pro - Not So Pro Ride Quality!!!

[elecfuyu]

I have taken my time to read over this whole thread, here's my 2 cent.

Initially I run straight to the conclusion that OP is talking rubbish.

However, I took my time, drove the vehicle and put myself in his shoes and feel what he is feeling.
And I get it. The little engine vibrations and road noise and the harshness of suspension could better be isolated from the driver's steering wheel, seat and cabin.

But, there is always a but, I personally does not think it mean it's a failure as OP decribed.
It just simply did not meet his own standard.
To say the whole vehicle is a modern engineer failure because it didn't meet OP standard? That's a big shoe to fill my friend.

Everyone has differenct standards, and this can be further more proven in this whole thread.
Some people feel the same way and think it's terrible, some thinks its awsome.

So how do we define failure?
Is not meeting 30% of the people's standard a failure? How about 50? 60?
There's not a definite answer to that.
Can a car meet everyone's standard or close to it, I am sure there is, but definetly not in this price range.

In the end, can Toyota have done better? YES
But the main question would be, how much more MSRP are customers willing to pay for a car company to improve NVH to meet everyone's standards?

That being said, I am sure the same platform Lexus GX550 has better NVH than our 6G 4Runner.
And that may be the answer to the quesion, are you willing to pay the difference?
If the answer is yes, then I think, you, my friend have chosen the wrong vehicle.

Just my 2 cent.

EDIT: GX550 not GS550

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[JackG23]

My 2017 ORP is way smoother on the road than my 25 OR. Power and steering are way better in the 6th gen but that new frame is so stiff it absolutely kills the ride quality.

 

[ExploreMore]

I have taken my time to read over this whole thread, here's my 2 cent.

Initially I run straight to the conclusion that OP is talking rubbish.

However, I took my time, drove the vehicle and put myself in his shoes and feel what he is feeling.
And I get it. The little engine vibrations and road noise and the harshness of suspension could better be isolated from the driver's steering wheel, seat and cabin.

But, there is always a but, I personally does not think it mean it's a failure as OP decribed.
It just simply did not meet his own standard.
To say the whole vehicle is a modern engineer failure because it didn't meet OP standard? That's a big shoe to fill my friend.

Everyone has differenct standards, and this can be further more proven in this whole thread.
Some people feel the same way and think it's terrible, some thinks its awsome.

So how do we define failure?
Is not meeting 30% of the people's standard a failure? How about 50? 60?
There's not a definite answer to that.
Can a car meet everyone's standard or close to it, I am sure there is, but definetly not in this price range.

In the end, can Toyota have done better? YES
But the main question would be, how much more MSRP are customers willing to pay for a car company to improve NVH to meet everyone's standards?

That being said, I am sure the same platform Lexus GX550 has better NVH than our 6G 4Runner.
And that may be the answer to the quesion, are you willing to pay the difference?
If the answer is yes, then I think, you, my friend have chosen the wrong vehicle.

Just my 2 cent.

EDIT: GX550 not GS550

I thank you for your feedback.
At the end of the day it’s a position based on industry experience. Do I think it’s bad, without any doubt. Could it have been prevented, most likely. To be very transparent I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it’s not addressed in a future model year.

BTW this isn’t a cost thing by any means, it’s an acceptance criteria through the development cycle. You want to know what is appropriate for a similar vehicle, albeit a truck, take a test ride in a Chevy Colorado ZR2 on your worst road and I can assure you that you’re feedback will have you questioning our 4Runner.

is the 4Runner not for me? It’s fine, I think some of you think I’m loosing my shit over this - I’m not. Just pointing out a shortcoming and wanted to gain others perspective. I’m not looking to start a coup, just verification.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

I have taken my time to read over this whole thread, here's my 2 cent.

Initially I run straight to the conclusion that OP is talking rubbish.

However, I took my time, drove the vehicle and put myself in his shoes and feel what he is feeling.
And I get it. The little engine vibrations and road noise and the harshness of suspension could better be isolated from the driver's steering wheel, seat and cabin.

But, there is always a but, I personally does not think it mean it's a failure as OP decribed.
It just simply did not meet his own standard.
To say the whole vehicle is a modern engineer failure because it didn't meet OP standard? That's a big shoe to fill my friend.

Everyone has differenct standards, and this can be further more proven in this whole thread.
Some people feel the same way and think it's terrible, some thinks its awsome.

So how do we define failure?
Is not meeting 30% of the people's standard a failure? How about 50? 60?
There's not a definite answer to that.
Can a car meet everyone's standard or close to it, I am sure there is, but definetly not in this price range.

In the end, can Toyota have done better? YES
But the main question would be, how much more MSRP are customers willing to pay for a car company to improve NVH to meet everyone's standards?

That being said, I am sure the same platform Lexus GX550 has better NVH than our 6G 4Runner.
And that may be the answer to the quesion, are you willing to pay the difference?
If the answer is yes, then I think, you, my friend have chosen the wrong vehicle.

Just my 2 cent.

EDIT: GX550 not GS550

Are you saying you didn't notice any of these nuances until you drove the vehicle with a hyper focus on that stuff? If so, it kind of reinforces my earlier suggestion of the OP being over critical of those things because of his profession. He is obviously entitled to his perspective as we all are but for those that are expecting this SUV to be perfect in every aspect, the panacea they were searching for, well those people may always be a bit dissatisfied. My suggestion is 1) turn up the music, 2) put the windows down and 3) smile and be happy you are driving a 4Runner.

 

[brumey]

I agree with the original posters opinions. In my case I have the less costly SR5 and I "put up with it". If I paid for a higher trim with the same issue, I'd be pissed off. As for driving before buying, I did not. The dealer only had Tacoma's. I got the first or second on the lot.

I too wonder if the Lexus version is far better in these areas of concern? I have not had the chance to drive one. I was originally interested in the Sequoia but the reality was that $90 would be better spend elsewhere.

If the Lexus trims are really that much better, I might look at them in the future. However, for $44k, I will accept what I have as normal. I will probably change the tires to something a little wider but still safe on the OEM rims. My hope is to soften the ride and compliance across potholes and road imperfections. I know, it's a 4R and not intended to be smooth. I had a Jeep and my other vehicle is an F350 FX4. Not smooth but I will say, the F350 is smoother over bumps than the 4R.

My $0.02.

 

[ExploreMore]

I really think over time this will become a TSB and get improved. I’m not certain about the Steering Rack and if it’s hydraulically assisted but there are ways to dampen forces to the steering wheel through adjustments there. Tires do make a big difference but only to an extent. It’s comes down to tuning suspension impacts and how they translate to the chassis/cabin/steering wheel. I clearly don’t see any changes happening to spring rates or shock tuning, but the steering rack, that’s a possibility.

 

[Scrappopatamus]

I had an '18 4Runner TRD Pro and we Purchased a '24 4Runner TRDORP. Very similar vehicles, yet the '18 drove and felt different. I loved the Pro and Julie liked her ORP. We traded Julie's '24 for a new '25 TRDORP-Max and she prefers it over the ''24. She likes the performance, outward visibility and the power assisted rear hatch. I purchased a '25 TRD Pro and have been very happy with it. Steep departure from the '18 considering performance, handling and visibility, plus seating comfort, sound system and technology that the '18 lacked. I recently purchased a '25 Land Cruiser LCLC Premium and am really enjoying it. The '25 4Runner TRD Pro is perceived to be the ultimate 4Runner, yet the Limited or Platinum are going to be the Ultimate 4Runner for someone looking for an Escalade type 4Runner. Anyone thinking Toyota will re-engineer the TRD Pro to be like a Escalade is delusional. The OP should have performed more research to have made a more informed purchase. I've previously owned various Land Rover and Mercedes G Wagon products Metric vehicles are always going to ride firmer and yield more road feedback than a domestic. Purchasing a TRD Pro as a lawn ornament or to make an impression at the club would be a poor choice considering you were looking for a posh ride. The TRD Pro is a purpose built vehicle with a cult following and obviously doesn't fit everyone's purpose. BTW, when I traded the '18 for the Land Cruiser, I received original sticker price along with a discount on the Land Cruiser. Several days afterwards, my trade sold at a profit, yet another reason for purchasing a 4Runner TRD Pro.

 

[elecfuyu]

I really think over time this will become a TSB and get improved. I’m not certain about the Steering Rack and if it’s hydraulically assisted but there are ways to dampen forces to the steering wheel through adjustments there. Tires do make a big difference but only to an extent. It’s comes down to tuning suspension impacts and how they translate to the chassis/cabin/steering wheel. I clearly don’t see any changes happening to spring rates or shock tuning, but the steering rack, that’s a possibility.

There is a notch at dead centre for the steering rack.
Same with the 4g Tacoma, and the Land Cruiser.
This can be felt when going over bump.
Not enough to annoy me, but it's there.
This might get refined for next face lift, who knows.
Toyota is always doing small changes in places people can not see, and they do not market those stuff.

Are you saying you didn't notice any of these nuances until you drove the vehicle with a hyper focus on that stuff? If so, it kind of reinforces my earlier suggestion of the OP being over critical of those things because of his profession. He is obviously entitled to his perspective as we all are but for those that are expecting this SUV to be perfect in every aspect, the panacea they were searching for, well those people may always be a bit dissatisfied. My suggestion is 1) turn up the music, 2) put the windows down and 3) smile and be happy you are driving a 4Runner.

I am saying those things has always been there but not enough to annoy me with a fact that it needed to be a forum post. It's just everyone's standard is different, and I can see why it impacts it enoguh for OP to have a post for it in regards to his expertise.
Being in the trade long enough gave me the mindset to put myself in other's shoes first.

I worked for few different brands, Infiniti, BMW now in a even higher luxury German brand (which I would rather not disclose). I have owned serveral brand vehicles from Mitsubishi, Toyota, Honda, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Acura, Tesla. This NVH thing is not servere enough for me to think it's an actual issue with the vehicle engineering. It's just different car, different chassis, different characteristic.

Should they spend time fixing it? It's not a fault why fix it.
Can they refine it? They definitely can. Should they? That's a marketing team problem.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

There is a notch at dead centre for the steering rack.
Same with the 4g Tacoma, and the Land Cruiser.
This can be felt when going over bump.
Not enough to annoy me, but it's there.
This might get refined for next face lift, who knows.
Toyota is always doing small changes in places people can not see, and they do not market those stuff.



I am saying those things has always been there but not enough to annoy me with a fact that it needed to be a forum post. It's just everyone's standard is different, and I can see why it impacts it enoguh for OP to have a post for it in regards to his expertise.
Being in the trade long enough gave me the mindset to put myself in other's shoes first.

I worked for few different brands, Infiniti, BMW now in a even higher luxury German brand (which I would rather not disclose). I have owned serveral brand vehicles from Mitsubishi, Toyota, Honda, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Acura, Tesla. This NVH thing is not servere enough for me to think it's an actual issue with the vehicle engineering. It's just different car, different chassis, different characteristic.

Should they spend time fixing it? It's not a fault why fix it.
Can they refine it? They definitely can. Should they? That's a marketing team problem.

Well said!

 

[127.0.0.1]

anyone wondering about Lexus ?
yes they are that luxury thing

 

[TrdProGirl84]

So the ride on mine is smooth. I have my setting at 1 which is what it came like from factory. Something must be going on with yours.

 

[Imp]

I offer up my Sport Prem to test drive. Even with new Falken AT4s, road ride is very smooth. Only time i get NVH is when lane assist isn't turned off. Feedback from expansion joints is noticeable but not regular tarmac.

I travel for work 2-3 times month for last 6 years. Rent many light trucks, SUVs, etc. Hyundai, Genesis, Lexus, BMW X7s do drive better. I agree those are isolated better. Jeep products, Subaru, US Suvs not so much IMHO. My RR Sport was smooth and several of the 6gens I tested compared much better to 5th gen Taco and 4 Runners I tested. YMMV.

Yeah, no. But thank you for your input.

I had a 6G SportPrem. For 2 months. The harshness at 33psi (and a whole different set of tires than as delivered) was a distant 2nd to the overwhelming non-identified vibration/oscillation. The Sport Prem NVH from combined oscillation and road imperfections was so bad that I could not drive it to SC and back as it was. Absolutely horrible vibration.

I traded it in on a new '25 Subaru Outback XT Turbo (still looking at SUVs, but was in a personally created time crunch - vacation) and I can personally attest how incorrect you are on your assertion that Subarus are not isolated compared to the 6G. You're comparing oranges to doorknobs. The only NVH comes from the CVT in the transmission in the subaru... NOT the suspension nor the whole car shaking because you hit multiple small bumps. You don't feel them in the Outback.

Now, if you wish to say "when compared to a WRX/BRZ", I'll give you that. But Ascents, Outbacks, Foresters, Imprezas? You're not even out in left field, you're in the grandstands BEHIND left field.

 

[Chicane]

Yeah, no. But thank you for your input.

I had a 6G SportPrem. For 2 months. The harshness at 33psi (and a whole different set of tires than as delivered) was a distant 2nd to the overwhelming non-identified vibration/oscillation. The Sport Prem NVH from combined oscillation and road imperfections was so bad that I could not drive it to SC and back as it was. Absolutely horrible vibration.

I traded it in on a new '25 Subaru Outback XT Turbo (still looking at SUVs, but was in a personally created time crunch - vacation) and I can personally attest how incorrect you are on your assertion that Subarus are not isolated compared to the 6G. You're comparing oranges to doorknobs. The only NVH comes from the CVT in the transmission in the subaru... NOT the suspension nor the whole car shaking because you hit multiple small bumps. You don't feel them in the Outback.

Now, if you wish to say "when compared to a WRX/BRZ", I'll give you that. But Ascents, Outbacks, Foresters, Imprezas? You're not even out in left field, you're in the grandstands BEHIND left field.

Just curious what you lost from what you payed pre tax and all fees? Say, if MSRP payed was $57,000.

 

[MaximumBob]

I thank you for your feedback.
At the end of the day it’s a position based on industry experience. Do I think it’s bad, without any doubt. Could it have been prevented, most likely. To be very transparent I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it’s not addressed in a future model year.

BTW this isn’t a cost thing by any means, it’s an acceptance criteria through the development cycle. You want to know what is appropriate for a similar vehicle, albeit a truck, take a test ride in a Chevy Colorado ZR2 on your worst road and I can assure you that you’re feedback will have you questioning our 4Runner.

is the 4Runner not for me? It’s fine, I think some of you think I’m loosing my shit over this - I’m not. Just pointing out a shortcoming and wanted to gain others perspective. I’m not looking to start a coup, just verification.

It's odd that people are so hostile to this. Your posts, to me, seem like a model of informed discussion. I know nothing about NVH tuning and had not heard about it before as an independent aspect of engineering. Now I'm curious about it. Seems like an excellent thing to have someone chiming in with expert industry experience.

I would like to know more about what are the specific kinds of engineering modifications that are made to improve NVH. What do you think Toyota might do in the future to improve the isolation?

 

[MLB]

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.

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