There’s no question that the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road is well-suited to off-road adventuring. It’s in the name, after all. With impressive off-road specs and a torque-rich engine, this 4Runner is more geared for wilderness runs than grocery ones.

A good off-road vehicle is a ticket to adventure and a gateway to the road less traveled. Lots of vehicles may look off-road ready, but which ones are really up to the task when things get down and dirty—and which ones are just playing dress-up?

In this article, we'll take a look at the specs of the 2020

Toyota 4Runner

TRD Off Road. From the little details to the big picture, we’ll dig into what makes the 4Runner ideal for off-road adventures. Let's get started.

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Can the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road go off road?

The answer to this is a resounding yes. Not only can the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road go off-road, but it also should—this is an SUV that is most suited to outdoor adventuring and simply begs to explore the wilderness.

Starting at $36,795 when it was new, this 4Runner TRD Off Road is a niche vehicle when you get down to it. Although rated a 4/5 by Car and Driver, reading the review makes it clear why—this vehicle is simply not meant for paved roads and day-to-day driving comfort.

If you’re looking for an SUV for domestic city life, this isn’t the one for you. But if you crave the muddy route, then Car and Driver declared the 4Runner TRD “your winch line to a better life.”

So let’s leave the roads behind and delve into the details of what makes the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road a great off-road vehicle.

Ground clearance

Ground clearance is a critical spec when it comes to off-roading vehicles. This is the distance between the lowest part of a vehicle chassis and the ground. Most experts advise that any off-road vehicle should have a minimum of 8.5 inches of ground clearance.

With a ground clearance of 9.6 inches, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road will give you plenty of room to maneuver over a wide variety of uneven terrains without having to worry about damaging your undercarriage.

Torque

Horsepower gets thrown around a lot when gearheads talk about cars, but true off-road aficionados know that

torque

is where the money is when it comes to trail driving. While more ponies mean more speed, more torque means more strength.

The best off-road vehicles have a healthy dose of low-end torque—that’s high amounts of torque at lower rpm. Because slow and steady power matters more than speed when you’re off-road, low-end torque is key to successfully navigating rough terrain versus spinning your wheels and getting nowhere fast.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road’s 4.0-liter V6 engine gets a maximum torque of 278 ft-lb @ 4400 RPM. That's a good amount of power, and it’s available on the lower side of the rpm scale.

Tires

Now, let’s talk about shoes—the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road came equipped with a set of PS265/70SR17 tires. What does that salad of letters and numbers mean? Essentially, these are some stellar off-road tires.

They offer excellent traction in poor conditions, and their design is maximized for off-road driving capability. These are frequently seen on heavier-duty SUVs and trucks, and won't last as long as tires that are meant for more urban environments. For off-roading action, though, they’re just what you want.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain is another key component of an off-road vehicle, and the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road came with selectable, part-time four-wheel drive. Add in a real locking rear differential, crawl control, and an adjustable terrain-specific traction control system, and you’ve got all you need for off-road control.

Angles

Time for a quick geometry break! Let’s talk about angles. They’re really important when evaluating an off-road vehicle, and there are two that you should care about: the approach angle and the departure angle. Here’s what they mean:

Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference

Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference

Think about when you’ve attempted to drive up a too-steep ramp (we’ve all done it) and scraped the front of your car—that’s because your car didn’t have high enough approach angle measurements. The 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road has an approach angle of 33 degrees and a departure angle of 26 degrees, which means that it’s capable of some rock-crawling action.

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Off-road rating: Trail Boss

We’ve rated the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road using Jerry’s super-technical DIRT rating system, broken down in the table below:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road earns a T rating. True to its name, this is an SUV that can tackle rough terrain like a champ. It might not be the best choice if you’re looking for a comfy domestic-duty SUV, but if you want to go off-road, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road wants to go too!

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

The best off-road alternatives to the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road

As we’ve mentioned, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road isn’t the SUV for everyone. If you’re looking for a more city-friendly SUV or a more luxurious off-roading experience, there are certainly options to consider.

Here are the best alternatives to the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road that should suit a wide range of priorities:

Alternative	Model	Price	Description
Best urban alternative	Nissan Pathfinder	$33,410	If you’re looking for an SUV that’s best for city errand running and child-toting in comfort, then the Pathfinder is the better option.
Best of both worlds	Subaru Ascent	$32,295	The Ascent can’t handle as many kinds of terrain as the 4Runner, but it can still get the job done in a lot of scenarios. Plus, it has more comfort and safety features.
Best for luxury off-roading	Land Rover Defender	$47,700	If you want the capabilities of the 4Runner but crave more power, style, and posh comfort, check out the V8 Defender. The extras come with a higher price tag, but if you want both mud and luxury, this is the one.

MORE: Cheap off-road trucks

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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

One big concern with owning an off-road capable vehicle is that they’re frequently more expensive—both to buy and to insure. Off-roading poses a higher risk to your vehicle, so insurance companies will charge you a higher rate to cover the increased possibility of having to pay out a claim.

But you can have your off-road cake and eat it too with

Jerry

—the

trustworthy insurance super app

. Just like your 4Runner will deftly navigate the backwoods terrain, Jerry will guide you through the

car insurance

shopping process with ease.

Jerry quickly compares rates from more than 50 top insurance providers to find you the best quotes for your needs—and you won’t even have to get your hands muddy to score savings. The average Jerry shopper saves over $800 a year on their car insurance costs, which will certainly come in handy for your next adventure.

“I thought my previous insurance rate was the best I could get, since I have a luxury SUV. After
Jerry
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