Which trim to actually off road with?

Just started looking into getting a 4Runner. I’m spoiled. I have a 22 Acura MDX with all of the bells and whistles but it’s not much of an off-roading vehicle. I live on 122 acres in NC and have a 1/2 mile long gravel drive. I have a lake and 2 creeks on property. Never know if I’m going to run across a tree down or flash flooding. Will I actually be able to off road in a Limited or should I be looking at the TRD off road premium? I have lots of back issues so need a comfortable ride. I’m looking at a 2022 model most likely.

 

Any of the trims will be fine as long as their 4WD. Of course the ORP has all the additional features such as rear locker, crawl control, multi terrain, etc. The SR5P would be fine with 4WD and ATRAC. Welcome to the forum and show us some photos post purchase!

 

The Limited will still be a good upgrade in off-pavement capability over the MDX, but you may want to also consider the Lexus GX460 for an even more upmarket offering with similar underpinnings.

Both have full-time 4WD and you’ll likely appreciate it on slippery pavement coming from Honda’s excellent AWD system whereas other 4Runners are 2WD primarily and 4WD is for loose/slippery surfaces only - so getting an SR5 or TRD trim means no more pulling through U-turns with minimal wheel-spin like in the MDX.

Those have lower body cladding compared to most other 4Runner trims but they’re still quite capable and are likely still a step up over the MDX.

 

welcome

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

An OR Premium can climb a tree if asked, but would be a big step back in bells & whistles, if that’s a major consideration for you. I wouldn’t consider a stock Limited for anything beyond very light off-road, unless you have a buddy with a Jeep on call to recover you.

Shame they cost so much, but a Land Cruiser, in “Land Cruiser” spec has more bells & whistles, AWD, plus credible off-road chops.
Good luck!

 

Welcome!

 

4Runner Limited is still more capable with 9.6in ground clearance and skid plates including full gas tank skid. The advantage is its fulltime 4WD and super comfy XREAS suspension.

If you need a hard working 4Runner I would pick a SR5 / TRD ORP / TRD PRO versions. Standard 17in wheels and tires are perfect for hard use by just swapping the tires to your needs and cost less than Limited with 20s. Sure you can swap 20s to 17s without any issues, I have done personally.

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If 4runners are too tall a Lexus GX460 is really good option. Its low to the ground as a Highlander. But little be careful as it does not have standard full gas skids like 4Runners. But with its 4wd system its more capable than a Highlander / MDX.

Also a minor thing while 4Runner engine is rated as top engines from Toyota and GX460 engine is not, but a honorable mention. So its not bad by any means. By far more reliable than MDX as they dont have any BS like cylinder deactivation and they are not direct injection only that gives injector failures in MDX / Pilots. If GX460 got KDSS issues its covered by extended warranty as Lexus identify the problem and known.
Also minor GX460 having same size fuel tank as a 4Runner the fuel range would be less with its 4.6 V8 vs 4L v6 fuel range.

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To buy new GX460 is no more available. GX550 is available buy having the same problematic engine as 2022+ Tundra & LX600, I would stay clear.
Since I already see lot of problems in 2024+ Land cruiser me personally would stay clear from them as well.

 

Welcome. If you want your Acura level luxury go for the lexus variants. Any 4wd trim will take care of the property obstacles. The limited might be the ride experience you're looking for. Of course we all just have opinions. When you are ready to pull the trigger, test drives will make your decision. Preferably at a carmax.

 

I had a SR5-P before my current Limited. Also had a 2013 and 2020 Wrangler Rubicon. You’re not giving up much of anything in terms of capability with the Limited. Plus, you get FT 4WD, real leather, a decent sound system and the same center differential as you’ll find in the 200 series Land Cruiser. Having had lockers and almost never using them, unless you’re rock crawling, A Trac in the Limited will get you through anything IMO. I’ve had my Limited all over our hunting fields and it’s great. Only thing I changed was the tires - put a set of Toyo Open Country on. Good luck!

 

Welcome.

 

I find XREAS on my 4Runner offers harsher ride than any comparable truck with a regular suspension. XREAS offers decent handling, cornering, and highway ride comfort, but on a slow bad roads you feel jarred (unless you downsize rims to 17 for more sidewall rubber).

 

I second Lexus GX460 recommendation, if I could look at that grill without needing to vomit, I would have picked that over 4Runner.

 

If you have a lot of back issues, I don't think you should look at a body on frame with solid rear axle. I think you should look for a car-based SUV with front and rear independent suspension.

If you're willing to ride in discomfort, the 4Runner is a decent off road vehicle. It has a solid rear axle, have a low-range transfer case, and comes with relatively large tires (31"+). That, in and of itself, puts it ahead of most other SUV off road. Traction is king off road. A good tire, chosen for the type of terrain you'll be driving in, will put you far ahead of most other "off road" features or options. A Limited with decent tires will take you through all of the terrain you describe, as well as anything else. If you're purposely off roading, the additional traction a locker or limited slip can provide will make quite a difference, and that's where something like the TRD OR(P) moves the needle even further toward an "off road" vehicle.

Whether you get a ORP, Limited, SR5, or any other trim, it will still ride like a truck and be uncomfortable compared to a unibody/IFS/IRS vehicle.

 

I did the exact same thing. Moved from a MDX to a 4R. I got the SR5 and then modified it to my liking. Just got back from Moab and put it through the test off roading and it performed perfectly. I personally wanted the SR5 because I knew I wanted it lifted with Eibach and bigger tires. I then added the roof rack and rock rails I wanted.

 

@morfdq just wondering why the lift and tires wouldn't have worked with other trims, "I personally wanted the SR5 because I knew I wanted it lifted with Eibach and bigger tires"?

 

I have 41 acres of property in upstate Pennsylvania. Lots of trails, hiils, washout crossings, etc. and my 2011 SR5 and 2022 trail special edition handles it perfectly.

 

uncomfortable? Both of my 4rnrs ride like dreams on the highway and even just a smooth off-road.

 

That's incredible that your vehicle rides as smooth on road and off road. Since the OP has lots of back problems they should be aware that not all 4Runners do.

 

I think perceptions are bound to vary. I expected the 4runner would have less refined ride and be less comfortable than a unibody sedan or SUV. But when I drove my 4runner (non-kdss) off the lot, I was quite surprised that the complete opposite was true.

With the regular suspension it frankly felt like I was riding on clouds of kittens, coddled by the richest of Corinthian fabrics. Seriously! I could only compare the ride to that of a 90s Lincoln Continental. Which it basically is, in terms of the rear solid axle and all the soft squishy bushings between you, the suspension and the road. The 4runner ride with the base suspension is more comfortable than anything else I’ve ever owned.

The *handling* is horrible though…borderline scary…if you don’t treat it like the a truck it actually is. The stock suspension is set up for comfort on straight bumpy roads, but it’s not that great with handling due to the higher center of gravity, and the fact it has plain jane shocks that are only good for comfort.

I’ve got an 2018 Higlander XLE. Unibody and independent suspension. While the handling is much better compared to the 4runner, the ride is harsh and annoying by comparison. On choppy roads, it feels way more “busy” and “snap crackle pop” than the 4runner.

The worst/least comfortable vehicles I’ve ever bought (new) were a 2001 Civic, and a 2011 Optima. Both sucked because they were built with rear shocks that had almost no rebound damping.

 

https://youtu.be/Eoj26UlNMxQ?si=vI4j9uFSu5pmmxGM

 

Run what ya brung! Being diverse is not just a frame of mind... it's a lifestyle! We go exploring on our 500 acres with our ORP, why? Because that's what we have. Our situation wasn't always that great, so we have "off-roaded" in pickups, both 2 and 4wd, Ford Escorts, Oldsmobile car (1967 vintage) etc. I would not be afraid to go 1/2 mile on gravel with a limited. We are surrounded by gravel roads, and live next to a creek that floods once in a while. You know what to do in a flash flood right? DON"T drive through the water, I mean if its a couple of inches deep maybe, but not 3 ft. Improvise, adapt, overcome! You'll be fine.