2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport

The Toyota 4Runner has long been a go-to for adventurers and families alike, known for its rugged capability and enduring reliability. But what if you love the 4Runner's iconic look and tough build, yet spend most of your time on paved roads? Enter the 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport – a trim designed to bridge the gap between legendary off-road prowess and everyday on-road comfort.

Are you looking for an SUV that stands out with sporty styling but still offers the practicality and dependability of a 4Runner? Perhaps you're curious about how the TRD Sport differs from its more off-road-oriented siblings. This comprehensive guide will dive deep into the 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport, exploring its unique features, performance, and why it might be the perfect fit for your lifestyle.

What Defines the 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport?

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport is a distinct trim level within the venerable 4Runner lineup, positioned to offer a sportier aesthetic and enhanced on-road driving dynamics without sacrificing the core utility the 4Runner is known for. While other TRD (Toyota Racing Development) trims like the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro are built for extreme trails, the TRD Sport focuses on a more refined daily driving experience.

Think of it as the 4Runner's athletic cousin, ready for urban adventures and highway cruising with a touch of aggressive styling. It blends the robust, body-on-frame construction that gives the 4Runner its legendary durability with features tailored for those who appreciate a firmer, more controlled ride on asphalt.

Key Features and Design Highlights

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport sets itself apart with a combination of unique design elements and functional enhancements.

Exterior Styling: Sporty and Commanding

From the moment you see it, the 2024 4Runner TRD Sport makes a statement. It boasts a commanding front grille and a distinctive hood scoop that immediately catch the eye. Color-keyed body details and TRD Sport badging further emphasize its athletic character. Unlike other trims that might feature smaller wheels for off-road articulation, the TRD Sport rolls on striking 20-inch split six-spoke alloy wheels, giving it a more aggressive stance and refined on-road presence. Standard LED headlights and fog lamps ensure clear visibility and add to its modern appeal.

Interior Comfort and Technology: A Refined Cabin

Step inside the 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport, and you'll find an interior designed for comfort and convenience. The seats are upholstered in SofTex synthetic leather, offering a premium feel and easy maintenance. Heated front seats are standard, providing comfort in cooler weather.

Technology-wise, the TRD Sport comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration for navigation, music, and communication. Dual-zone automatic climate control allows both the driver and front passenger to set their preferred temperatures, enhancing comfort for all occupants. Other convenient features include push-button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and numerous beverage holders. An optional power tilt/slide moonroof is also available for those who enjoy open-air driving.

Performance: Proven Power with an On-Road Focus

Under the hood, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport, like all 4Runner trims, is powered by a robust 4.0-liter V6 engine. This engine delivers 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, paired with a reliable 5-speed automatic transmission. While this powertrain is considered "old-school" by some, its proven reliability and straightforward nature are a significant draw for many.

Fuel economy for the 4Runner TRD Sport is rated at an EPA-estimated 16 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway, for a combined 17 MPG. The TRD Sport also maintains the 4Runner's impressive 5,000-pound towing capacity, making it capable of hauling trailers, boats, or other adventure gear.

What truly sets the TRD Sport's performance apart is its X-REAS Sport Enhancement Suspension. This hydraulic system is specifically tuned for firmer handling and improved stability on pavement, reducing body roll during cornering. This makes the TRD Sport a more enjoyable and confident ride for daily commutes and highway travel compared to its off-road counterparts, which prioritize wheel articulation over flat cornering.

Who is the 2024 4Runner TRD Sport For?

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport is ideally suited for a specific type of buyer. If you're drawn to the 4Runner's legendary reputation for durability, reliability, and spacious interior but find yourself driving primarily on paved roads, this trim is designed for you.

• Urban and Suburban Drivers: Its sport-tuned suspension and 20-inch wheels provide a more comfortable and responsive ride for city streets and highways than the more rugged off-road trims.
• Style-Conscious Buyers: The unique exterior styling, including the hood scoop and color-keyed accents, offers a distinct, sporty look that stands out from the crowd.
• Those Prioritizing On-Road Comfort: While all 4Runners are capable, the TRD Sport's X-REAS suspension is specifically engineered to enhance on-road stability and handling, making it a smoother experience for everyday driving.
• Adventurers with Lighter Off-Road Needs: While not as extreme as the TRD Off-Road or TRD Pro, the TRD Sport still retains the fundamental 4Runner capability, including available 4WD, making it suitable for light trails, gravel roads, or adverse weather conditions.

If your weekend adventures involve more camping than rock crawling, or more beach trips than backcountry expeditions, the TRD Sport offers the perfect blend of rugged appeal and daily usability.

Driving Experience: Blending Ruggedness with Refinement

Driving the 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport offers a unique blend of old-school SUV charm and modern on-road manners. The body-on-frame construction, while contributing to its legendary toughness, means it won't handle like a car-based crossover. However, the TRD Sport's X-REAS Sport Enhancement Suspension significantly improves its composure on pavement. This system helps to diagonally link shock absorbers, effectively reducing body roll and enhancing stability during cornering and over uneven surfaces.

While the 4.0L V6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission are not the most technologically advanced, they offer proven reliability and a consistent, linear power delivery that's well-suited for daily driving and highway cruising. Don't expect blistering acceleration, but do expect a dependable and capable powertrain. The steering is lightly weighted, which is beneficial for maneuvering in parking lots and navigating trails, even if it doesn't provide sports-car-like precision.

For those concerned about safety, the 2024 4Runner TRD Sport comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense P, a suite of advanced driver-assist features. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking. Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is also a standard convenience feature, aiding in safer lane changes and parking maneuvers.

Value Proposition: Durability, Resale, and Standard Features

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport presents a compelling value proposition, especially for those who prioritize long-term ownership and proven reliability. Toyota 4Runners are renowned for their exceptional resale value and ability to rack up hundreds of thousands of miles, a testament to their robust engineering and build quality.

With a starting MSRP around $44,460, the TRD Sport sits as a mid-range option, offering a balance of desirable features without the higher price tag of the more extreme off-road or luxury trims. Standard features like the X-REAS suspension, 20-inch wheels, SofTex upholstery, heated front seats, and the full suite of Toyota Safety Sense P add significant value. Its 5-year cost-to-own is estimated at around $63,892, reflecting its strong residual value and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses compared to competitors.

While the 2024 model year marks the likely farewell of this generation of the 4Runner before a potential redesign in 2025, it means you're investing in a well-established, thoroughly tested, and highly dependable vehicle. For many, the "old-school" charm and proven mechanics are a feature, not a bug, offering peace of mind that newer, more complex vehicles might not.

Conclusion: Your Sporty, Capable Companion

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of a rugged SUV, refined for the realities of daily life. It offers the iconic presence and legendary reliability of the 4Runner, enhanced with sporty styling and a suspension tuned for a more engaging on-road experience. If you're seeking an SUV that confidently straddles the line between adventurous spirit and everyday practicality, with a dash of distinctive style, the TRD Sport is certainly worth a closer look.

Ready to experience the unique blend of power, style, and comfort the 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport offers? We invite you to explore this capable SUV further and see if it aligns with your driving needs and lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between the 4Runner TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road?

The primary difference lies in their intended use. The 4Runner TRD Sport is designed for enhanced on-road handling with its X-REAS Sport Enhancement Suspension and 20-inch wheels, offering a sportier aesthetic. The TRD Off-Road, conversely, is built for serious off-roading, featuring a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and often smaller wheels with all-terrain tires for better articulation and traction on challenging terrain.

Does the 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport come with 4WD?

Yes, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport is available with a part-time 4WD system, in addition to a 2WD option. This provides versatility for varying road conditions and light off-road adventures.

What kind of fuel economy does the 2024 4Runner TRD Sport get?

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 16 MPG in the city, 19 MPG on the highway, and 17 MPG combined.

Is the 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport a good daily driver?

Yes, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport is considered a good daily driver, especially for those who appreciate a rugged, truck-based SUV. Its X-REAS Sport Enhancement Suspension provides a more comfortable and stable ride on paved roads compared to other 4Runner trims, making it well-suited for commutes and everyday use. It also offers ample cargo space and a suite of safety features.