Offroading: Where do you think new 4runner sits compared to its rivals?

chasergoeswheeling

TRD Off-Road
New member
First Name
Chaser
Joined
Jan 28, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
1
Reaction score
1
Location
Utah
Vehicle(s)
5th gen TRD off road, 18 jl rubicon
I'm talking about pure off road capability. For reference, I own both a 5th gen trd off road, and a JLU Rubicon. The jeep is hands down better than the Toyota off road, it fits 37s with a small lift, goes 80 on the freeway, has tons of flex, front and rear lockers, etc.

In my head, the 5th gen was significantly lower than the Jeep and the Bronco as far as pure off road capability goes. Do you think the 6th gen has improved that? The bronco was a nice in between (My dad drives one) and it fits 35s stock, front and rear lockers, swaybar disco, way better approach and departure angles than the 4runner, etc.

Has the 6th gen done enough to be equal or surpass it's rivals in off road situations? I
2025 Toyota 4runner Offroading: Where do you think new 4runner sits compared to its rivals? B6666F1E-CB1A-4A86-BC58-3D33AD682ADC_1_105_c
2025 Toyota 4runner Offroading: Where do you think new 4runner sits compared to its rivals? 0BDCD36E-C273-4FF5-9474-B9396F204BDC_1_105_c
 
Joined
Jan 24, 2025
Threads
0
Messages
6
Reaction score
4
Location
Michigan
Vehicle(s)
2021 Jeep Wrangler Willy's
Based on the reviews that I'm seeing, I think some of the higher trims may be comparable or maybe even better. I'm not an off roader (yet) but I have a JLU (Willy's) and it is exceptional but it falls short on road for me and that's why I'm looking into the 6th Gen.
 

Dead Horse

TRD Pro
Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2024
Threads
0
Messages
11
Reaction score
18
Location
Oklahoma
Vehicle(s)
Tundra
It sits in the same place as it did.

It will never truly compete in hard core off-roading. But it's better in pretty much every other measurable metric. Carries more, tows better, more space, quieter, more comfortable, more reliable (only time will tell here, but they all have track records)...
 

Jeff_DML

SR5
Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2025
Threads
0
Messages
7
Reaction score
4
Location
San Diego
Vehicle(s)
2018 4runner SR5 Premium
It sits in the same place as it did.

It will never truly compete in hard core off-roading. But it's better in pretty much every other measurable metric. Carries more, tows better, more space, quieter, more comfortable, more reliable (only time will tell here, but they all have track records)...
yeah it seems pretty similar to 5th gen to me too.

Higher trims now have dis-connectable front sway bar but no KDSS anymore. Still no front locker. Looks like 6th gen can now fit 35" with minimal trimming which is upgrade from 33" of 5th gen but I think approach/departure are worse.

Anyways, I think it ends up being similar to the 5th gen. Bronco in-between it and the jeep again.
 

Gastan

TRD Pro
Well-known member
Joined
Apr 9, 2024
Threads
28
Messages
104
Reaction score
128
Location
Seattle burbs
Vehicle(s)
Tacoma TRD Pro
Based on the reviews that I'm seeing, I think some of the higher trims may be comparable or maybe even better. I'm not an off roader (yet) but I have a JLU (Willy's) and it is exceptional but it falls short on road for me and that's why I'm looking into the 6th Gen.
Agreed, especially the Trailhunter which hasn't existed in previous generations. It comes out of the box better equipped to rock crawl / overland than any other 4Runner model ever, which helps close the gap in off-roading compared to the Bronco and Jeep Wrangler.
 

qtb007

Well-known member
First Name
Quentin
Joined
Apr 17, 2024
Threads
0
Messages
62
Reaction score
58
Location
Hurricane, WV
Vehicle(s)
23 GR Corolla
IMO, the TNGA-F platform is a step up over the 150 series from the 5th gen. More tire clearance in general from the wheel well openings, more wheel offset should allow for less rub while stuffed and at full lock. More torque at lower engine speeds should mean better control. While I don't think that the 4Runner will jump over the Bronco in the hierarchy, I think they did a good job of improving the platform to be better on and off road. The big question, IMO, is going to be how much the lack of SDM impacts the flex of something like a TRD OR trim. KDSS does a good job of letting the 5th gen flex out, but that wasn't available on the 5th gen Pro. eKDSS seems less effective on the GX based on pure ramp numbers. The LC with SDM seems to really flex out well.
 

rcarpen22

Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2023
Threads
0
Messages
5
Reaction score
4
Location
MD
Vehicle(s)
1967 Jeep CJ5, 2021 Ford Bronco, 2022 Toyota Rav4
Does anyone know why the Tacoma Offroad trim offers SDM, but the 4Runner doesn't? That makes no sense to me. it's as baffling as not offering SDM on the 1958 LC. People who want to wheel don't want to spend $72k on a luxury vehicle. And people who want all the fancy luxury crap aren't going offroad (for the most part). So frustrating.
 

Jeff_DML

SR5
Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2025
Threads
0
Messages
7
Reaction score
4
Location
San Diego
Vehicle(s)
2018 4runner SR5 Premium
Does anyone know why the Tacoma Offroad trim offers SDM, but the 4Runner doesn't? That makes no sense to me. it's as baffling as not offering SDM on the 1958 LC. People who want to wheel don't want to spend $72k on a luxury vehicle. And people who want all the fancy luxury crap aren't going offroad (for the most part). So frustrating.
yes, I agree very frustrating. I am hoping Toyota addresses in the next few model years. Not sure why but maybe a ploy to get the initial adopters to upgrade trims.
 

rcarpen22

Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2023
Threads
0
Messages
5
Reaction score
4
Location
MD
Vehicle(s)
1967 Jeep CJ5, 2021 Ford Bronco, 2022 Toyota Rav4
yes, I agree very frustrating. I am hoping Toyota addresses in the next few model years. Not sure why but maybe a ploy to get the initial adopters to upgrade trims.
Right. I can see how maybe they can justify it as a business decision, but it's a very profit over customer satisfaction kind of move. It's certainly not burdensome for them to offer SDM as an option. Otherwise, they wouldn't have done it for the Tacoma.
 
 
Top