Here's Why You SHOULD Buy A 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road! 

im with you Tommy. I've done the math and the value of the TRD Off-road is there all day long.

You're missing the point Tommy. If you're going to go out and lift your T4R and replace the wheels and tires and generally geek out on the offroad components, then get the cheapest T4R offroad you can and have fun. But if you're going to leave it stock at least until it's paid for, and you want the best offroad chops you can get at stock -AND- you love that TRD Pro aesthetic, then the Pro is for you. The lift and the bigger tires aren't worth the price differential on their own, but for some of us, the whole package is worth it. Apparently, lots of people agree as you can see from resale value of Pros.

Love that the 4Runner is still built in Japan.

Coming from someone who has a 2018 TRD Off Road Premium w/ KDSS I can tell you it’s definitely the one you want. You can get the black overlays for the badges and delete the chrome. Add a CAI and Exhaust, the list goes on and on. I am so pleased with my purchase and I love my TRD Off Road Premium! Keep these videos coming Tommy!!!!

These cars are amazing, the 4 runner is worth every penny.

It's fun to read all the comments. My 87 is still amazing and runs perfect. So I cant chime in on this conversation until my 87 dies.

Agreed. For the very same reason I got my Tacoma Off-Road with premium and tech package over Pro. I ended up saving me about $8K. $38,xxx vs $45,xxxx

I think the TRD Off Road is the best value. The Pro upgrade is outrageous here in Canada. 10k for the 4runner, 13k for the Tacomo Pro. Tires are easy to change. I don't think the badges and the Pro shocks are worth that much.

Just picked up a 2020 4Runner TRD off road..I am loving everything about it!

Agree with you 100%! Bought a TRD Off Road with XP Package, even looks like a Pro for $37,000. Go with Dobinson springs/shocks and viola!!

Love the video! Which is gonna have a better resale value the trd off road vs trd pro? (I am going to either keep it stock or might have some minor upgrades such as the wheels and suspension)

So the assumptions being made in this video... I'm going to replace the wheels anyway... I'm going to replace the shocks anyway... I'm going to add a roof rack anyway.... I'm going to add a new exhaust anyway.... ok as a married guy, I'd rather loop it all into a hidden from wife loan and start off that way. lol

Liked your video, very nice comparison. I bought the TRD Off Road Premium 3/19 in California. I was very torn to buy the Offroad Pro, but in California the difference at the time was $15,000 more for the Off-Road Pro. The Pro was very scare and demanded a $15,000 premium; which I couldn't see that it was worth the $15K. I called my buddy at Toyota and like a lot you said the wouldn't do it, with money saved you could do a lot of upgrades if you wanted. He felt that the Off-Road Premium was a very capable vehicle and with a few changes could essentially be an Off-Road Pro. Thank you for doing the comparison !

Just bought a 2020 TRD Off-Road Premium in Classic Silver two days ago. Love it so far! I drove a 2001 Tacoma prior to this for 17 years, so it was time.

Appreciate the video and pointing out the differences between the two models

This is the model I bought and lifted, put 275 ko2 and blacked things out. Kdss is good too. Save a lot of money! Good work with the videos tfl crew.

I like them all, but now that I'm retired in New England, I bought the 2016 Trail Premium new, (Same thing as the TRD Off Road), and immediately put BFGoodrich KO2s on her, as my snow shoveling days are over. I agree with your thoughts on the wheels. They look the best! Very happy with this 4Runner!

Hell yeah. Awesome truck and great review.

Just bought a 2020 TRD Off Road Premium and love it! Very nice on road with the KDSS and very good off road as well.

I bought a base SR5 4X4 that came from the dealer with Katzkin leather seats, TRD black out kit, cheap leveling kit, Toyo ATIII 33" tires on a set of method race wheels with a set of N-Fab steps. I have since changed out the suspension to Fox 2.5/2.0 coil overs with camburg uniball UCA, added the TRD skid plate, switched out the ATIII for Toyo MT tires. Added Westcott Designs full roof rack with basket, step ladder and 20 degree sliders. Baja Designs amber fogs and 40" roof light bar. C4 low wench front bumper with bull bar and Extreme 30" light bar followed by a switch pro to control all the lighting. My 4 runner is super silver but has been wrapped in 3M matte military green with bronze method wheels. I can tell you this. I took my base SR5 up to Northern Arizona on some hardcore trails and it hung with all the big boys. Crawl and locking Diff aren't really necessary for overlanding and moderate to slightly difficult trails with just ATRAC in 4 low on the SR5. Most people change out a lot of the stock parts even on the Pros so, if you plan on modding you 4 runner why spend the extra $10K-$20K for what you will just replace anyway?

TRD PRO have that unique factor and way way better resale value. I seen people trying to justify their other model purchases but I haven't seen any body who got PRO wish they have bought other models.

I bought a sr5 premium 4x4 xp. Has leather heated seats. Trd pro bumper and grille, Trd skid plate, trd wheels, same running boards as trd pro and blacked out badges. On 32 duratracs. For 37k so I mounted fox 2.5 coilovers in front and fox 2.5s with progressive springs on the rear. With 4 people it will boogie across some rough stuff. I've only had it about 18" in the air at 40mph but the landing was smooth with no bottoming.

One thing the offroad can have that's amazing is the KDSS. I called a Toyota rep to check and ask if I could get a Pro with KDSS and the answer was no. To be honest, I mostly wanted the Pro because I love the grill badging simply spelling out Toyota over the fancy Toyota T. In my personal, unprofessional opinion the Pro is tuned as a desert runner; higher speeds absorbing smaller rock bumps. The off roads do everything just as well, if not better, for trails. In the end the wifey agreed to let me get another FJ (we sold our first because they are really tough to deal with car seats after we had our first baby). So I got the FJ with all the bells and whistles and my front grill says Toyota. And I've since been a happy boy. :D

Totally agree ... Planning on getting a TRD Offroad in 18 months or so when our lease is up. I'll be throwing K02s on it immediately and likely do a 2-3" lift right away so to me the savings is well worth it.

I agree with the premise, but like the TRD wheels. The thing about about modifying vehicles....it's hard to stop once you start!

I own the TRD PRO and the Limmited series. THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT MACHINES ON ROAD AND OFF. THEY HAVE DIFFERENT, SUSPENSION, AIR INTAKE, EXHAUST HEIGHT AND FEATURES. BOTH ARE BE USED OFF ROAD, BOTH OFFER UNDERCARRIAGE PROTECTION. You need state facts okay. educate people that Toyota has the AWD which is all wheel drive all the time and you can't turn it off, that comes with a center lock diff and LSD for front and rear. The 4x4 which is every other model including the TRD PRO are all wheel 2 wheel drive and on demand 4x4 with rear locking diff and no, you can't drive with it on all the time. As per Toyota instructions manual. You can can activate it 4x4 at speeds 40 and less and on slippery terrain. So if you live in a cityi that sees alot of snow and your thinking that I'm just going to get me the TRD PRO thinking it's going to have AWD. Wrong. EDUCATE YOUR SELF ON THE SUSPENSION TYPE, AND FEATURES. For example the Toyota Limited features the XREAS suspension and it's basically a "sport " suspension. The ride is very stiff and the truck self levels using hydraulics ( no electronics, google it for detials) It nearly all but eliminates body roll. YES IT ELIMINATES BODY ROLL AND IS SHOCKINGLY STABLE. This channels loves reviewing TRD pro as though Toyota 4runner offers no other model with different features. The TRD PRO is a boat on turns. Flat out. It also sinks. the XREAS doesn't sink when towing.

TRD OFF ROAD with the standard package for 2018 rolled through Hells Reveng Utah no problem at all. Stock all the way down to tires and loaded with everything to cross the country. The least amount of options the less to go wrong. I'll be keeping this for my daughters when they drive in a decade.

@TFLoffroad I will be on roads fairly similar to the ones in the video. Forest service roads in the Pacific Northwest. Do you think it is necessary to lift the suspension?

I have been torn between the TRD and TRD Pro.. This helped !

With this info... knowing how long Toyota takes to update a vehicle. Which year and trim would you buy used knowing your going to build it to overland or 4x4 in (i.e. suspension, wheel/tires, armor, roofrack etc). Don't really care about tech as far as infotainment, sensors/lane keep, and memory seats? Great video.

6 years ago I bought a 2013 trail of the 3 available (sr5, limited, trail ) it was the least expensive and had the best off road goodies. A 3 in Toytec boss lift and total chaos UCAs. And boom you have a TRD pro slayer. I guess you could argue warranty and stuff but in the 100k on it so far it's needed nothing... it is a yota after all

Or like instead of spending 2k on suspension work 500 on a diff drop and 1.25k on nice tires, just get the trd pro. It makes sense

I’ve had a trd ORP , then a Trd Pro and today just ordered a a 23 Trd off road premium. AND my wife has a trail edition 16 4r with kdss. So…… I guess you could say I’m familiar with them. Lol. Thanks for the vid ✌🏻

I'm going to buy my TRD by next week. I did my test drive today. I love it. It's my perfect vehicle for my work. Thank you for the video.

@TFLoffroad What are your thoughts on 4runner TRD Pro Fox Shocks set up vs TRD OffRoad KDSS? Which set up is better? TIA

The nice thing about these is you can buy an 8 year old 2014 4Runner trail premium(same as trd off road premium) and for a couple grand you can put shocks and a trd pro roof rack and be on your way with 10’s of thousands still in your retirement account collecting interest.

I totally agree with Tommy. Also you can get optional KDSS which Tommy did not mention.

My wife's 2016 Trail Premium is the bee's knees. Hands down one of the best vehicles ever made.

Just like to know if you still recommend trd off road 2020 over trd pro

The best bang for the buck is always gonna be the trd off-road especially if you plan to modify your 4runner.

Not a fan of the chrome strip in the grille but I'd swap it for a TRD grill anyway. Definitely go with a TRD off-road if you plan to modify. I have a 16 Trail premium and I have the TRD grille, all LED headlights, a full aftermarket skid package, sliders, larger tires, and a full LED interior swap all for less than what a TRD pro would have cost me. I still have locker, crawl control, and multi-terrain select and eventually will lift it.

I bought my third 4Run back in Nov. I really wanted the Pro but couldn't justify the additional cost in the 2019 line up between the OR and the Pro. For the difference I can fully customize the wheels, tires, suspension and other goodies and still have money for lunch. I just wish auto manufacturers start thinking a bit like Tesla and continue to upgrade the dashboard and infotainment areas. It stinks knowing my '19 TRD OR has less informational features than the '18 Tacoma. Doesn't make sense, and it isn't like I can get a remote over the air update to provide me with those features. Same with the infotainment center. I don't need a huge update but keep up with stuff. Allowing for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto would be nice, or even push an update to add Spotify to my list of apps.

Some TRD off roads come with Toyota's KDSS. Did the one tested come with it?

Good to hear....I purchased the TRD off road premium about 5 weeks ago, worth every penny !

Better yet, buy an SR5 and learn how to drive off-road. The locker is really the only thing anybody uses on the TRD models, but A-Trac on the SR5 will get you through most of those situations. I don’t know anyone who uses crawl control. Hill descent - yes. But not crawl control.

Completely agree with this video opinion. We have no plans to lift our TRD Offroad. Opted for KDSS for better onroad and offroad handling. Also skipped the sunroof for increased headroom.

Plus KDSS... Which adds articulation. Especially when paired with an OME or Icon lift.

I'm glad the 2020 4Runners finally have Android Auto and Apple Carplay and Toyota Safety Sense. Now Toyota needs to do a full exterior redesign and give the engine a little more power and/or better fuel economy.

The TRD Off Road wheels are better off road wheels than the Pro wheels. They are wider and they provide protection for the valve stem, the Pro wheels do not.

Wait a minute. Are we getting side exhaust on the 2020 models.

I bought a 2022 TRD off-road. Put a 2.5 inch Old Man Emu lift. Upper Control Arms. And Toyo 285/70/17 AT3 tires. It’s way better then a TRD Pro now. To get those tires on a TRD pro you have to remove the expensive shocks or add spaces. The TRD pro is an appearance and tire package. They are the same trucks.

Just picked up a new 2019 TRD off-road. I cost me 2k to make it into a PRO in every aspect except the suspension, which I prefer the KDSS. I blacked out all the emblems, changed the front and rear ugly silver bumper valances to the black PRO ones, I even bought the PRO roof rack (at a stinging 700 bucks lol, but I fell in love with the look of it). I basically built a pro with KDSS for 5k less than the price tag on the pro. Also, for some reason my Off Road came with the pro shifter, red stitching and all.... very weird.

I bought an SR-5 and made it better.....My way, and still have 40K Total with wheels and 285's, 2.5'' lift, UCA's and Bilstiens, full aluminum skids, Baja fogs, sliders and more! TRD Pro is a rip off unless YOU don't intend to do anything yourself........

I bought a late 2018 TRD off road premium and saved a ton over the Pro. The kdss is a joy on the road. You can add shocks and a better front skid for way less than the cost of the Pro.

Get the trd off road and use the extra 6k to buy some remote resivoir icons with upper and lower control arms

I get the savings argument but the TRD Pro is V

The TRD Off-road can be equipped with KDSS, which is unavailable on the TRD Pro. Unless you want the Pro colors, buy a TRD OR and build it up yourself and save some cash

3:36: Is that Kurt Williams spotting in the background?

If youre gonna get any truck for serious offroading it has to be a late 80's hilux. We've lifted ours 8 inches and bashed it to pulp, there isnt a single untouched panel. Its been flipped and rolled countless times and it still runs like a dream.

I agree to a point, best value when you buy it new sure. Buuuuuuut the Pro will hold its value much better. So the pro in the long run is really a smarter option if you aren’t planning on going crazy modifying it.

Does the trd offroad cone with the 8 inch infotainment center and subwoofer as well?

Man why did they discontinue the VooDoo blue? Tacoma and Tundra both have it on the lower models now but it's completely gone in the 4Runner.

I wish you could get a TRD Pro-like grille for the 4th gen 4Runner...

I bought TRD ORP. Added nitto ridge grappler 33's, c4 sliders, and King suspension. Better than a PRO. Less money spent. (Did all the work myself which saves a lot)........

"Toyota flew me out" , "Here is why this one is my favorite" bias. Thanks for the review anyway. I love Toyoyas. :)

Not to mention if you're planning to build it. The TRD Off road is a much better choice..

Plus a sun roof option in the off road version.

What’s better the trail or the TRD off road?

i got my 4R trd off road non premium/non kdss back in 18' for $33k+tax tag title. i got 33' bfg's, sliders/armor, dobinsons lift i installed myself. thats all it needed. $3k total in mods is all i wanted to spend anyways. for me personally, i couldnt justify spending the extra $10k-$15k for the pro. i don't care about "resale value" or a limited edition model. i plan on getting a boat in a few years so if needed i can put it back to stock and sell the mods in order to sell/trade it in for a tundra.

My 2019 RAV4 XLE will wipe the floor with all these 4Runners! ....in a parking lot. But I do wonder just how capable my rav4 would be on those trails

Can it with 3’ lift and big tires pull a 4000lbs off road trailer conqueror 440 around trails without loosing lots of power ? Thanks

So this is an interesting debate. We recently bought at 4Runner TRD Off Road with KDSS instead of a TRD PRO. We quickly learned the KDSS can cause some extra complications with lifting and skid plate replacement which you will pay a premium for the extra labor involved. Another point to note with the KDSS models, Toyota will not do the factory PRO skid and suspension upgrade on KDSS models meaning everything has to be done in the aftermarket. Now with all that out of the way..... We have basically have mimicked the TRD PRO suspension setup through the aftermarket on our TRD Off Road and it performs as well as a PRO off road and even better than a PRO in terms of front axle articulation with the KDSS. The 17" black/red TRD Rims area huge bonus from the factory because of the offset and back spacing. You can fit a much larger tire on them without rubbing or major lifting. These will run $215 a wheel and dont forget the spare. A suspension setup with a 2.5 front shock, taller front springs and a rear 2.0 reservoir shock will run you $1000+ not including installation. As for upper control arms and front differential positioning, the Off Road and PRO are identical. The PRO comes with larger 265/70r17 A/T tires as well, however these are Nitto Terragraplers which are a pretty mild A/T tire by off road standards. We went with a 265/70r17 KO2 which has had no problem keeping up with the M/T tires on my Power Wagon. A set of 5 will run you $1100 to $1200 not including mount/balance but that can vary heavily on your choice of tire. The TRD Skid plate will run you about $350 and you will have to cut the sides of it to fit it in with the KDSS sway bar. It is a much thicker and better skid than the factory Off Road one. All in all, if you can get a PRO for a really good deal the suspension, wheels, tires and skid plate is worth it. The TRD Off Road without KDSS is easier to modify than with KDSS. Honestly, with Toyota's really advanced and solid crawl control system the extra front articulation gained from KDSS is really not needed. The KDSS will give you a better ride while cornering. If you are a person who wants your modifications done by Toyota under their warranty, a TRD Off Road without KDSS for a really good deal is a good choice because you can take it to a Toyota dealer and pay them to put the full PRO package on it.

Forgot to mention TRD Off Road comes with KDSS and the Pro doesn't.

I agree with your video.

So the biggest hardware difference is the Fox shocks? Amazon lists the factory Fox shocks with the reservoir for $2,050 with free shipping. Add some after market wheel/tires and appearance items and you could have something personal and just as good as the factory TRD PRO. Or am I missing something?

Is a front camera offered in the 4runner like the one offered in the Tacoma?

Where i live major trails will kill you cause of the steepness so im just lifting my sr5 and ATRAC does wonders w.o. a diff lock

Why you didn’t mention Sr5 premium. Is it not as good as trd off road?

If I can get it with the 4.0 and a manual 6 speed, I'm in ! If a 2019-20 is slushbox only, I'll buy a used one with the manual transmission.

I have a 2019 and I love it

What’s the logo on your hat?

Change suspension system, upgrade better/bigger tires, replace the badges and grills, buy a Yakima roofrake. All set.

If I’m going that steep in price I’ll just get the red pro plus the black front and lights are badass

We love our TRD OFF ROAD. It's the perfect combination for us. In the summer we're running the OEM rubber and in the winter we switch out to steel rims and a good set of winter rubber. Haven't had any issue so far, fingers crossed.

Not to mention dealers want to add several thousand over MSRP on Pro models. But on resale the Pros still cmand this extra mark up.

How about the limited? Does it have the same features for off road?

You’re so right about the two powertrains, the 3.5 VS 4.0. The 4 liter is much better. I have a 2018 Tacoma MT TRD OR and my wife has a 2012 FJC auto. I’ve said the same thing too, that I wish that my truck had her engine and trans in it. This is my second 3rd Gen Tacoma, the first was a ‘16 with the auto. After two years of the auto I had enough. I like the MT, it is definitely an improvement, just not as nice as the 4.0. I may bight the bullet and go to a Tundra...

Would this opinion apply to the 2020 Tacoma Off Road vs Pro?

All about holding its value in what u get imo

The TRD off road is available with kdss suspension which allows better articulation off road so technically in stock form, I would say the TRD OR with kdss is better off road.

what model do i have

Best attribute of the TRD Off-road is available KDSS, which isn’t an option on a TRD Pro.

Can't believe 2020 was 4 years ago.

I did buy one, two weeks ago. Barcelona Red.

The tires on both should be switched with BFGs immediately, so that point was moot.

For that kind of savings you could drop in a custom life and tires.

Save on the mark up price for the TRD pro by buying your own shocks and wheels and better off-road tires with the TRD off-road

Scotty Kilmer be drooling every time you say “Toyota”

Could you do the control slip test on the 2020 Kia Tellurride? It's one of the most popular selling SUV right. Ow.

Kdss???