Ground clearance for the 2022 Toyota 4Runner ranges from 9.0 inches on all front-wheel-drive models to 9.6 inches when equipped with all-wheel drive.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner has a ground clearance of 9 inches on most trims.
The TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium trims have a 9.6-inch clearance.
Earlier model years and trim levels have slightly different ground clearance specs.
Opt for TRD trims only for serious off-roading as they provide extremely stiff suspension.

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Car insurance for the Toyota 4Runner

2022 Toyota 4Runner ground clearance

Coming in fun colors like Lunar Rock, Barcelona Red Metallic, and Lime Rush, driving this mid-size SUV will always feel like an adventure. But before you take your pick, it’s important to know the magic number for ground clearance on these trims.

The ground clearance of this rugged off-road machine varies between trims, although it starts at 9 inches.

If you opt for the TRD trims, you’ll have an even mightier height of 9.6 inches—nearly a whole inch higher! Keep in mind that FWD models have a slightly lower ground clearance of 9.0 inches, but upgrading to AWD—which you’ll want for off-roading—increases the ground clearance to 9.6 inches.

Here’s the breakdown by each trim level for the 4Runner:

SR5: 9 inches

TRD Sport: 9.6 inches

Trail Special Edition: 9 inches

SR5 Premium: 9.6 inches

TRD Off-Road: 9.6 inches

TRD Off-Road Premium: 9.6 inches

Limited: 9 inches

TRD Pro: 9.6 inches

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Toyota 4Runner ground clearance over the years

Toyota has always given a generous range of ground clearance on their 4Runner since its debut in 1984. If you’re behind the wheel of an older 4Runner, the ground clearance ranges quite a bit depending on trim level and drivetrain.

Older models tend to have lower clearance specs, but the ground clearance for the 4Runner hasn’t increased substantially from previous generations.

Here’s the evolution of the 4Runner’s ground clearance over its five generations:

1st generation (1984-1989): 8.3 to 10.6 inches

2nd generation (1990-1995): 8.3 to 9.1 inches

3rd generation (1996-2002): 8.5 to 11.1 inches

4th generation (2003-2009): 8.7 to 9.1 inches

5th generation (2010-present): 9.0 to 9.6 inches

Remember that ground clearance on the 4Runner varies between model years and drivetrain. For example, the 2008 Toyota 4Runner Sport FWD has a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, while the 4WD Limited upgrades the clearance to 9.1 inches.

On newer models, the AWD vs FWD has been further lifted to 9.6 inches and 9.0 inches, respectively.

Take these ranges as a guideline to start or continue your off-roading journey.

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What is ground clearance—and why does it matter?

If you’re planning to take your vehicle off paved roads, you’ll want to know the ground clearance.

Ground clearance (also known as ride height) is the distance between the lower part of your car’s body and the ground. Depending on what you’re driving, this may be your bumper, exhaust system, chassis brace, or another element.

Having a higher ground clearance means your vehicle can easily handle rugged terrain without risking damage to the undercarriage. The higher the ground clearance, the better protected your car’s exterior is from debris, rocks, and general objects.

Depending on the terrain you’re planning to tackle, you’ll usually need at least 8.8 inches of ground clearance to go off-road. So, if you’re planning to take the road less traveled in your 4Runner, make sure you choose all-wheel-drive models!

There are some trade-offs you need to consider.

The lower the ground clearance, the more stable and grounded your vehicle is when it comes to abrupt turns and fast speeds. At the same time, when your ride sits lower, the more prone it is to scratches and damage from the elements.

However, a higher ground clearance also comes at the expense of your vehicle’s center of gravity. This can mean a higher likelihood of tipping over during fast turns.

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Is the Toyota 4Runner a good off-road vehicle?

Yes! The 4Runner is a superb choice for an off-road vehicle. It offers plenty of height to slosh through muddy roads and clear rough terrain.

As an SUV designed for off-road with 9.6 inches of ground clearance, a 26-degree departure angle, and a 33-degree approach angle, this bad boy is more than a fun run to the grocery store—it’s built for work.

To help you gain footing on the toughest landscapes, it’s equipped with a load of features like:

Locking Rear Differential to provide both rear wheels with equal acceleration when tackling uneven ground

Crawl Control to help you climb the steepest of inclines using five low-speed settings

Flexible wheel maneuverability with the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System

Multi-Terrain Select gives you a better grip on terrain to avoid wheelspins

With Multi-Terrain Select, you can choose from four modes that regulate wheelspin and brake pressure to maximize traction in all road conditions.

The optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) and Crawl Control (CRAWL) provide improve stability during low-speed technical maneuvers on the trails.

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