TRD Pro - Not So Pro Ride Quality!!!

[ModernDay4Runner]

I can understand your position and opinion on my criticality. It's just a very common specification each OEM works to tune to through development. Having a lot of experience in newer vehicles from several OEM's - this is unfortunately a failure from my perspective, and if this were a Ford or GM it would never have made it through the development stages at this level of poor NVH.
No I didn't drive it. Sold my 5th Gen and found this after some searching. Every TRD Pro is typically pre-sold and those that aren't most dealers are reluctant to let folks go for rides. Nonetheless it's something I can bring up to the dealer and if enough people make similar complaints they may find a fix or some way to mask the issue. Maybe put out a TSB.

You mentioned your 5th Gen had much better ride quality. Do you think Toyota just did not emphasize ride quality on this redesign or just got lucky with the 5th gen results? Could it be that you are just focusing too much on this or maybe expecting something out of an SUV that an SUV is just not made for? I too purchased mine without test driving and I have zero regrets. I am pretty much always listening to good music and enjoying the ride. Maybe trade in your 4Runner and get a Cadillac Escalade, one of those new electric versions. They look nice and probably have a better ride than the 4Runner.

Sponsored

 

[Joey_Midnight]

I do find the compression on my orp (red piggyback bilstiens) to be far too stiff the rebound is good and has great control when towing. Ive found its fast bump over large potholes and speed bumps to be exceptional but the low speed small common bumps to be extremely stiff. I test drove a land cruiser that comes with the standard toyota shocks to be much smoother of a ride.

 

[ExploreMore]

You mentioned your 5th Gen had much better ride quality. Do you think Toyota just did not emphasize ride quality on this redesign or just got lucky with the 5th gen results? Could it be that you are just focusing too much on this or maybe expecting something out of an SUV that an SUV is just not made for? I too purchased mine without test driving and I have zero regrets. I am pretty much always listening to good music and enjoying the ride. Maybe trade in your 4Runner and get a Cadillac Escalade, one of those new electric versions. They look nice and probably have a better ride than the 4Runner.

Please don’t take offense, it’s not that I’m expecting too much it’s simply an engineering observation and Toyota didn’t do a critical analysis at the tune of this aspect. This doesn’t mean that the overall function, and capability of the suspension is bad, by no means - isolation is a different variable, and on that point it’s not good at all.

Clearly there are at least 50% of the people on here replying that they are in agreement. I didn’t start the conversation to decide whether or not to keep my $72K purchase. Thanks for your input on selling it to buy a $120K Escalade…

I hope you understand that I’m not trying to offend all of us owners and I know many are very passionate about this storied vehicle, as am I, that doesn’t take away from engineering principles and modern design - which have great NVH characteristics.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

my TRD ORP hybrid ride is better than my old 2009 F-150 and my wife's 2012 2wd Ford Escape.

Coming from a similarly aged Ford Escape as well and I also don’t see any problem with the ride quality. Could it be better? I’m sure there is some metric where it could be improved. But to me it drives like something you’d expect from a truck and as it did during all the test drives.

I get that these things are not cheap, but it feels like at times people use that as the jumping off point to nitpick a little more than they would if it were something cheaper. I think too that it’s ok for people to give it some time and then come to the conclusion that it’s just not for them and move on to something else. The beauty of the 4Runner is that it holds its value better than most other vehicles on the market, so if you do ultimately come to that conclusion you won’t lose your shirt as much as in other cases if you choose to make a move.

 

[6GenChad]

I feel everything in my 6gen. That's how my 5th gen was as well. I didn't let it bother me because I knew it was a rugged off-roader, so I would expect that. The TRD Pro being a "desert racer" trim, I would expect to feel everything.

 

[6thGen1419]

I feel everything in my 6gen. That's how my 5th gen was as well. I didn't let it bother me because I knew it was a rugged off-roader, so I would expect that. The TRD Pro being a "desert racer" trim, I would expect to feel everything.

Paid attention on my last couple of drives after reading this thread and I must say
that I love the way my ORP drives and feels, especially compared to my previous Fords.

 

[visually oriented]

Interesting thread-


It shows the wide range of expectations among buyers. Many find the ride of the 6g just fine while others find the ride unsatisfactory. I suspect those who are happy with the ride are more likely to have come from other body-on-frame vehicles with even harsher rides.


Personally, I planned to buy a 6g 4Runner but haven’t pulled the trigger because most every balanced review I’ve seen or read has described the ride quality with terms like harsh, jittery, nervous, etc. For example, at 5:42 of this review:



Note: One reviewer who has driven most of the 6g models says the Limited in “comfort” mode has the most comfortable ride.


Some on here have said the OP is just being overly critical; that a harsh ride is just part of the price of driving a 4X4. Reminds me of the Wrangler forums and guys saying, “It’s a Jeep thing.” The thing is that in 2025 there are many real 4X4 that don’t have a harsh ride.


I think the take-away is that each prospective buyer needs to do a thorough test-drive and carefully judge for themselves whether the 6g 4Runner’s ride-quality is acceptable.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

Please don’t take offense, it’s not that I’m expecting too much it’s simply an engineering observation and Toyota didn’t do a critical analysis at the tune of this aspect. This doesn’t mean that the overall function, and capability of the suspension is bad, by no means - isolation is a different variable, and on that point it’s not good at all.

Clearly there are at least 50% of the people on here replying that they are in agreement. I didn’t start the conversation to decide whether or not to keep my $72K purchase. Thanks for your input on selling it to buy a $120K Escalade…

I hope you understand that I’m not trying to offend all of us owners and I know many are very passionate about this storied vehicle, as am I, that doesn’t take away from engineering principles and modern design - which have great NVH characteristics.

All good. I am not offended. Do you think Toyota didn't the critical analysis you mentioned by accident or instead, on purpose. Is it possible that they did do the analysis, but they don't have the same standards that you are expecting? Is there another option (1- forget, 2 -no analysis needed, 3- did analysis and it met their standards)?

I do agree you are not the only person with very high expectations. I get that.

I think a petroleum engineer (if that is a profession) may have better ideas for the exact proper octane this engine is made to consume, better ideas than Toyota. A sound engineer is probably not going to be impressed with the sound system in this beloved SUV of ours. A rubber engineer would probably object to the tire choices Toyota went with. Plastics, especially on the top of the door, not the arm rest but the top of the interior door panel near the window, that plastic sure could be softer, he/she may say. And the glass, come on what was Toyota thinking, a glass engineer might say, "is this plastic or glass? What were they thinking?"

I am just being silly, obviously, please don't you be offended. I do think if you are going to spend $72k and have such high expectations, a test drive would have been a good move.

 

[Chicane]

You mentioned your 5th Gen had much better ride quality. Do you think Toyota just did not emphasize ride quality on this redesign or just got lucky with the 5th gen results? Could it be that you are just focusing too much on this or maybe expecting something out of an SUV that an SUV is just not made for? I too purchased mine without test driving and I have zero regrets. I am pretty much always listening to good music and enjoying the ride. Maybe trade in your 4Runner and get a Cadillac Escalade, one of those new electric versions. They look nice and probably have a better ride than the 4Runner.

Really? It's not about a standard and not not about what I was or wasn't expecting. No high expectations, just looking for a normal ride. I thought the 20's were going to be rough vs the 18" wheels, but I didn't keep them on my 4Runner long enough, because they were ugly and never should have been specked on the Sport.

I had my 2014 TRD Tacoma Sport for 11 year before getting the 4Runner. I obviously drive all the same roads and know every bump on my 12 mile freeway/ road to work and know exactly where the teeth chattering ripple are. 98% of the ride is good and as I would expect. I previously had a Tundra for 3 years and a Silverado prior, this 4Runner stiff ride is NOT normal and Toyota missed the mark on the spring rate. When I hit 25-40' of ripples it vibrates like NO other vehicle on the road(teeth chattering type of feeling), but harsh hits are as expected, as I've always owned a truck, for the past 34 years. My wife has a 06 4Runner and it rides as expected, but NO teeth chattering effect, because it has the correct spring rate.

On a positive note, it handles 70mph curves almost the same as my 14 Tacoma with minimal to no roll and this is clearly because of the stiff spring rate. I test drove a couple 23-24 4Runners prior to buying my Sport and they drove like a pig and felt top heavy like they wanted to roll over. Not so much on this 4Runner as it drives more like a sporty light truck, vs the previous gen. Also NO complaints how this truck soaks up the bigger bumps and dips in the road, as it eats them up like what bump. Funny how it's achilles heal for me is the 1/4" ripples.

I'm also not looking for answers or pointing the finger at Toyota, I'm just curious what the next steps I can do to get the 2% better ride quality that I'm missing and I'm not the only one.

 

[ExploreMore]

All good. I am not offended. Do you think Toyota didn't the critical analysis you mentioned by accident or instead, on purpose. Is it possible that they did do the analysis, but they don't have the same standards that you are expecting? Is there another option (1- forget, 2 -no analysis needed, 3- did analysis and it met their standards)?

I do agree you are not the only person with very high expectations. I get that.

I think a petroleum engineer (if that is a profession) may have better ideas for the exact proper octane this engine is made to consume, better ideas than Toyota. A sound engineer is probably not going to be impressed with the sound system in this beloved SUV of ours. A rubber engineer would probably object to the tire choices Toyota went with. Plastics, especially on the top of the door, not the arm rest but the top of the interior door panel near the window, that plastic sure could be softer, he/she may say. And the glass, come on what was Toyota thinking, a glass engineer might say, "is this plastic or glass? What were they thinking?"

I am just being silly, obviously, please don't you be offended. I do think if you are going to spend $72k and have such high expectations, a test drive would have been a good move.

Let me summarize this for you. This ride quality, regardless of it's category of capability is not acceptable. You can get in a Ford Raptor (mid of full size), or a ZR2 (mid or full size) and the NVH is far superior - it's not an opinion it's fact and its engineering design. They did a bad job of isolation and their competition doesn't. At the end of the day I'm simply very surprised. Yes I should have gone for a drive, that said in a modern vehicle these things are expectations not wants and hope for!


Stop taking my opinion on the subject, and see what professional reviewers think:

si=OFlUqhyUwT4JFEQq

 

[Archer]

Maybe if you threw another 20K+ into a vehicle you'd get a better ride, ..... imagine that...


.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

Let me summarize this for you. This ride quality, regardless of it's category of capability is not acceptable. You can get in a Ford Raptor (mid of full size), or a ZR2 (mid or full size) and the NVH is far superior - it's not an opinion it's fact and its engineering design. They did a bad job of isolation and their competition doesn't. At the end of the day I'm simply very surprised. Yes I should have gone for a drive, that said in a modern vehicle these things are expectations not wants and hope for!


Stop taking my opinion on the subject, and see what professional reviewers think:

si=OFlUqhyUwT4JFEQq

Thanks for the summarization. Please allow me to do the same:

- I don't put much weight into what a professional reviewer says. They get paid to say things, that's what makes them a professional. Everyone knows that people can be paid to say whatever..
- That said, I did click on the link and within the first 30 seconds the paid reviewer mentioned he would be reviewing two big beefy SUVs on an off-road adventure adventure, so I stopped watching. Hmmm, is this really the most relevant review you could fine for your complaints with the vehicle?
- You really did not opine on why you think Toyota failed in this aspect of automaking, did they simply forget to do the analysis, did they do the analysis and it met their standards, did they decide the analysis was not warranted?
- Maybe you should have purchased a more refined trim package. My TRD Sport Premium rides just fine for me (but I am not an engineer with the same expectations as you and others).
- Are you going to be miserable every time you drive this vehicle? I hope not.

Please don't take anything I said personally. I enjoy a good debate and I am fascinating when I hear some of the things people expect out of their vehicle. It's your money, spend it how you choose and maintain whatever expectations you have, of course, that is your prerogative. I just find some of the complaints fascinating. That's all.

 

[ExploreMore]

Thanks for the summarization. Please allow me to do the same:

- I don't put much weight into what a professional reviewer says. They get paid to say things, that's what makes them a professional. Everyone knows that people can be paid to say whatever..
- That said, I did click on the link and within the first 30 seconds the paid reviewer mentioned he would be reviewing two big beefy SUVs on an off-road adventure adventure, so I stopped watching. Hmmm, is this really the most relevant review you could fine for your complaints with the vehicle?
- You really did not opine on why you think Toyota failed in this aspect of automaking, did they simply forget to do the analysis, did they do the analysis and it met their standards, did they decide the analysis was not warranted?
- Maybe you should have purchased a more refined trim package. My TRD Sport Premium rides just fine for me (but I am not an engineer with the same expectations as you and others).
- Are you going to be miserable every time you drive this vehicle? I hope not.

Please don't take anything I said personally. I enjoy a good debate and I am fascinating when I hear some of the things people expect out of their vehicle. It's your money, spend it how you choose and maintain whatever expectations you have, of course, that is your prerogative. I just find some of the complaints fascinating. That's all.

You for some reason want to make this a debate. It’s not a debate, that’s my point it’s just development engineering.

I have zero idea as to why Toyota has done what they did, they yes think it’s acceptable clearly. In a modern vehicle program it’s subpar that’s all.

As far as reviewers, Edmunds is highly respected and isn’t paid to review vehicles, which is why you get an unbiased honest review. Your failure to watch the video is unfortunate as it would have enlightened you on this subject

As far as your fascination with my position… What you’re implying is because I make a technical observation that doesn’t align with your perspective I must certainly be overly critical. You’re wrong in making that statement - I’ve been involved and have driven nearly every competing product from GM and Ford and unfortunately the 4Runner (specifically TRD Pro) is clearly a negative departure from its competitors. If a new Covette Z06 can isolate better than my 4Runner than the Toyota could have put in the time Ava effort to accomplish the same NVH standards.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

You for some reason want to make this a debate. It’s not a debate, that’s my point it’s just development engineering.

I have zero idea as to why Toyota has done what they did, they yes think it’s acceptable clearly. In a modern vehicle program it’s subpar that’s all.

As far as reviewers, Edmunds is highly respected and isn’t paid to review vehicles, which is why you get an unbiased honest review. Your failure to watch the video is unfortunate as it would have enlightened you on this subject

As far as your fascination with my position… What you’re implying is because I make a technical observation that doesn’t align with your perspective I must certainly be overly critical. You’re wrong in making that statement - I’ve been involved and have driven nearly every competing product from GM and Ford and unfortunately the 4Runner (specifically TRD Pro) is clearly a negative departure from its competitors. If a new Covette Z06 can isolate better than my 4Runner than the Toyota could have put in the time Ava effort to accomplish the same NVH standards.

Ok but please don't be miserable ever time you drive your newly purchased $72k vehicle. Sell that POS and get out while you can.

 

[127.0.0.1]

You for some reason want to make this a debate. It’s not a debate, that’s my point it’s just development engineering.

I have zero idea as to why Toyota has done what they did, they yes think it’s acceptable clearly. In a modern vehicle program it’s subpar that’s all.

As far as reviewers, Edmunds is highly respected and isn’t paid to review vehicles, which is why you get an unbiased honest review. Your failure to watch the video is unfortunate as it would have enlightened you on this subject

As far as your fascination with my position… What you’re implying is because I make a technical observation that doesn’t align with your perspective I must certainly be overly critical. You’re wrong in making that statement - I’ve been involved and have driven nearly every competing product from GM and Ford and unfortunately the 4Runner (specifically TRD Pro) is clearly a negative departure from its competitors. If a new Covette Z06 can isolate better than my 4Runner than the Toyota could have put in the time Ava effort to accomplish the same NVH standards.

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

GM, Furd, Chevy with it's Corvette has ZERO to do with a 4runner....so why even
bring it up ?

IMHO
dump your 4runner and go get a GM/Ferd/Chevell-o-queen if you want marshmallows
...or a Grand Highlander, they drive pretty soft

I love both my 4runners, they are my woods buggies and daily drivers.

Sponsored