For 2022, the 4Runner receives a road-biased TRD Sport trim.

The Takeaway: The underpinnings of Toyota’s 4Runner (and Tacoma) haven’t changed for quite some time. However, for 2022, the lineup gains a TRD Sport trim, which is more road-oriented than the other off-road-centric models in the lineup. Toyota says the new sixth trim level adds style, flair, and some road-worthy upgrades. And after my time behind the wheel, I agree with them.

Maybe Toyota had finally seen too many TRD Pro 4Runners that never ventured onto dirt. The new TRD Sport trim level receives myriad upgrades to improve its roadworthiness. In gaining on-road comfort and performance, it receives bigger wheels, a TRD-style hood scoop, and color-keyed accents, but there’s much more going on under the skin.

This involves the addition of Toyota’s cross-linked relative absorber system, which can adjust the damping forces of the suspension to counteract body roll during cornering. While the technology works really well, it’s been around for quite some time, originally introduced in the early 2000s. In fact, the same can be said for the 4Runner itself, which saw its last major update in 2009.

While I never had the chance to properly take it off-road, the selectable four-wheel-drive system worked really well over some unplowed stretches near Camelback Mountain in Tannersville, Pennsylvania—most of which were covered in ice with a thin layer of snow over the top of it. With our tester fitted with all-season tires, I was thoroughly impressed with the traction and control I had at low speeds in 4WD Low-Range. In a perfect world, I’d love to see automatic 4WD engagement instead of a selectable system.

The 4Runner really hasn’t changed all that much following its pre-2010 refresh. Like it or not, the interior is no exception.

Inside the cockpit, there’s no shortage of black plastic, grey fabric, and faux leather. While these materials aren’t inherently bad per se, they just feel cheap for a brand new vehicle. Having said that, I’m happy to report that the seats were actually pretty comfortable during long drives. On my day trip through the roads near Camelback Mountain, I didn’t experience any aches or pains.

Toyota brought the infotainment system up to date with compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, it’s still sent through an 8-inch touchscreen that dates the vehicle quite easily. The same can be said for the user interface when CarPlay/Android Auto is disabled. The icons all appear to be hand-me-downs from Windows XP—not to mention that the system itself isn’t the most responsive.

Along with its added ability on the road, the 4Runner TRD Sport gets several aesthetic improvements. Some of them are merely for visual purposes, but others had a profound effect on driving dynamics.

Start with the hood scoop. While it does feel nice to see a bit of hood scoop in your line of sight as you’re driving, this one isn’t real and is merely for visual purposes.

The TRD Sport now rides on 20-inch wheels, which some may think are sacrilegious on a vehicle with a low-range gearbox. Regardless, bigger wheels necessitate the use of thinner-profile tires, which leads to improved body control on the road. However, less air volume in your tires definitely limits the ability to air down in off-road situations without risking a puncture—a critical trade-off if you’re looking to hit the trails at all.

One of the 4Runner’s long-time party pieces included on all trim levels is its power rear window. Sure, it’s been around for a while, but wow, is it useful. It works great as a pseudo-split tailgate along with getting fresh air through the cabin without blasting all of your passengers with the rest of the windows down.

Despite its shortcomings in modernity, Toyota would have very little reason to change anything about such a capable SUV. Sure, its interior feels a bit out of date, but you still get radar cruise control and connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get off-road cameras at all four corners that can even show you where your front wheels are pointed. It’s just a great vehicle that can do nearly anything you ask of it without breaking a sweat.

Matt Crisara is a native Austinite who has an unbridled passion for cars and motorsports, both foreign and domestic, and as the Autos Editor for Popular Mechanics, he writes the majority of automotive coverage across digital and print. He was previously a contributing writer for Motor1 following internships at Circuit Of The Americas F1 Track and Speed City, an Austin radio broadcaster focused on the world of motor racing. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona School of Journalism, where he raced mountain bikes with the University Club Team. When he isn’t working, he enjoys sim-racing, FPV drones, and the great outdoors. 

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