Toyota has an incredible knack of keeping products fresh with trims and packages – even if they haven’t received a redesign in, say, 12 years. So, the 4Runner, which was all new for the 2009 model year and got its last facelift in 2014, gets a freshening for 2022 with the addition of the TRD Sport model.
Rather than focusing on off-road prowess, this new sport trim adds appearance features as well as performance upgrades.
Here is the tl;dr version of what you need to know about this vehicle.
Based on the SR5 package
Even though the SR5 trim is the base model, this is just a jumping off point, and the 4Runner TRD Sport will have some more up-level accents and features. Standard features include Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a full-size spare tire, an 8-inch infotainment screen and LED headlights, fog lights and high beams. Toyota safety and driver assist features are also standard.
Sporty styling accents
In addition to the TRD Sport badging throughout the vehicle, you’ll see styling upgrades such as color-keyed accents on the grille, rocker panels and body molding. Other unique exterior accents include a TRD-style hood scoop, front spoiler, black roof rails and 20-inch wheels with dark gray accents. Interior upgrades include leatherette seats, heated front seats, TRD-stitched logos and a TRD shift knob.
Towing package standard
The towing package is standard on the 4Runner TRD Sport, and it includes an integrated tow-hitch receiver as well as a wiring harness. The tow rating maxes out at 5,000 pounds, with a maximum 500-pound tongue rating.
Standard V-6 powertrain
Though “sport” is a part of the trim name, don’t expect a special powertrain. The TRD Sport has the same 4.0-liter V-6, which delivers 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, that all 4Runners have. It’s mated to a 5-speed ECT i-automatic transmission. The 2WD system is standard and includes automatic limited slip differential, and the available 4WD system has active traction control.
Upgraded suspension
Since the focus of the 4Runner TRD Sport is on-road driving dynamics, one of the big upgrades is to the suspension. It gets the same X-REAS system found on the top-tier Limited trim, and it automatically adjusts the damping when driving over rough-hewn surfaces.
The bottom line on the 4Runner TRD Sport
At the time of publishing this story, Toyota hadn’t released pricing or availability information, so look for that information to come later this summer. But if we had to venture a guess, we’d put pricing in the $41k-range, which would be on par with the TRD Off-Road version. We expect it to hit dealers this fall.
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