Should You Take the 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Off Road?

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road has the off-road chops to hit the open trail, but it’s not quite ready to blaze any new ones.
Written by Tiffany Leung
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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The 2022
Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road
takes Toyota’s best SUV and outfits it for the trail. It fits the bill for casual off-road adventurers, but anyone looking for a serious trail warrior should look elsewhere
Every great off-road adventure is accompanied by a capable off-road vehicle—after all, navigating through rough terrain is the main part of the thrill. However, not every “off-road” vehicle has the same abilities so it’s essential that you find one that suits your needs.
We're is here to break down the off-road specs of the 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road. You’ll learn which factors are key to making an off-road vehicle and which alternatives are similar to this mid-size crossover.
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Can the 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road go off road?

Yes—the 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road lives up to its name and can go off-road. Not only does the 4Runner handle off-roading, but it also comes with an abundance of standard active-safety features. Although it’s not as capable as the TRD Pro trim, the significantly lower price tag makes the TRD Off-Road trim a better value.
Starting at $41,935, the 2022 4Runner TRD Off-Road is outfitted with features that let you handle even the toughest roads off the beaten path.
If you want to know what features make the 4Runner TRD Off-Road a good off-roader, here are some of the key specs that are noteworthy. 

Ground clearance

One of the first things you need to look at to determine a vehicle’s off-roading abilities is its ground clearance. The 2022 4Runner TRD Off-Road’s minimum ground clearance is 9 inches, which is commendable and in the optimal range for an off-road vehicle. 
Generally, you want a vehicle that has a ground clearance between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. A higher minimum clearance means less worry of damaging your vehicle’s undercarriage when you conquer bumpy terrains. Compared to its competition, the 2022
Nissan Pathfinder
,
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK
, and
Ford Explorer
all have a minimum clearance of 8.6 inches or lower

Torque

The vehicle’s turning power will be more important than its speed when it comes to off-roading. The power is essential for overcoming uneven terrain so you don’t get stuck. The ideal off-roading vehicle will have a large amount of low-end torque (torque at lower rpm) for better control in unpredictable environments. 
The 2022 4Runner TRD Off-Road’s 3.5-liter V6 engine produces a maximum torque of 278 lb-ft @ 4,400 RPM. The 4Runner will have access to enough power at lower RMPs to handle a majority of terrains. 

Tires

The 2022 4Runner TRD Off-Road comes with a set of stock Firestone Winterforce 2 UV or the Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 265/70R17 tires
All-terrain tires
, or A/T tires, can accommodate vehicles off-roading on rough terrains and driving on paved city roads. The aggressive tread pattern isn’t just for looks either—it offers better traction and control to the vehicle. The only downside is that these tires won’t last as long as all-season tires, which pushes up the 4Runner TRD Off-Road’s cost of ownership. 

Drivetrain

Four-wheel drive in an off-road vehicle is ideal, which comes standard with the 2022 4Runner TRD Off-Road. This allows the driver to toggle 4WD on and off to optimize the traction in slippery or muddy conditions.
When 4WD is on, the drivetrain simultaneously provides torque to all the wheels to optimize the power when you go on your off-road adventure.

Angles

The approach angle and departure angle are two numbers you also need to look at to see how the vehicle handles steep surfaces: 
  • Approach angle: this is the maximum angle that the vehicle can climb without being interfered with
  • Departure angle: this is the maximum angle that the vehicle can descend without being interfered with
The 2022 4Runner TRD Off-Road has decent approach and departure angles of 30 and 26 degrees respectively. If you plan to tackle steeper ground, you can improve the angles by installing a lift kit and upsizing the wheels.
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Off-road rating: Rough and ready

We’ve rated the 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road using
Jerry’s
DIRT rating system, which stands for: 
Rating
Meaning
Description
D
Don’t Try It
Vehicle is better for staying on highway conditions
I
In a Pinch
Vehicle can handle off-road conditions under dire circumstances
R
Rough and Ready
Vehicle can handle casual off-roading
T
Trail Boss
True off-road vehicle that can tackle a variety of terrain and road conditions
The 2022 4Runner TRD Off-Road earns an R rating: the off-road edition of the 4Runner is trail-ready for a casual adventure. 

The best off-road alternatives to the 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road

The 2022 4Runner TRD Off-Road fits the bill when it comes to casual off-roading. However, if this crossover doesn’t suit your style, some alternatives perform just as well.
Here are the best alternatives to the 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road:  
Alternative
Model
Price
Description
Best affordable alternative
2022 Ford Explorer
$33,745
The Ford Explorer is a three-row SUV with room for six or seven people. It is available with rear- or four-wheel drive. The base engine is a 300-horsepower, turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, or a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that generates 365 or 400 hp.
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

Getting an off-roading vehicle not only increases your opportunities for adventure but also the overall cost of ownership compared to a regular car. Insurance providers will charge higher premiums since off-roading puts your vehicle at a greater risk of damage. 
However, you can shop with
Jerry
for the lowest rates! As
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