What to Expect: 2017 Toyota 4Runner Adds New Trims, Other Changes?

In a not-so-surprising change, Toyota has announced the 2017 Toyota 4Runner will have two new grades – TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium. These trims replace the old Trail trim.

Not much has changed for the 2017 Toyota 4Runner.

Both new trim levels will share the tell-tale TRD characteristics of black-painted wheels, unique TRD Off-Road badge on the C-pillar, a TRD shift knob and floor mats with the TRD Off-Road designation. The premium adds TRD red lettering on the headrests for both the driver and front passenger seats.

Mechanically, both editions are pretty stout with a long-list of off-road goodies. Both models will feature Multi-Terrain Select, electronic-locking rear differential, CRAWL control and KDSS system. This collection of off-road tools makes getting stuck pretty difficult as we found out in the 2015 Toyota 4Runner Trail Premium.

“The 4Runner has a large and loyal following, with dependability being a key factor. Of all the 4Runners purchased in the last ten years, 90 percent are still on the road,” said John Myers, national manager, trucks and SUVs, Toyota Vehicle Marketing and Communications. “4Runner owners often take their SUVs off the beaten path, so these new TRD Off-Road grades will be a popular recognition of TRD’s history in the off-road arena.”

These grades join existing offerings and raise the total to 6 different options: SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited and TRD PRO. Pricing will be released at a later date.

While the press release doesn’t state anything different on the TRD Off-Road Premium beyond stitching on the head rests, we expect their to be other changes to like options, leather interior, etc…

Still ready for adventure, the 2017 Toyota 4Runner adds new trim levels.

The new trims made their debut at the 10th Annual FJ Summit in Ouray, Colorado last month.

Other 2017 Toyota 4Runner Changes?

Sadly, there are no other changes to the 2017 Toyota 4Runner. Mechanically, the 4.0L V6 is getting long in the tooth as is the 5-speed automatic transmission. One would expect a host of new changes coming soon for the current model which was unveiled on September 24, 2009 at the Texas State Fair. With Toyota’s move to Texas, one may think they would do a similar unveiling, yet we aren’t hearing anything.

Also, it isn’t exactly a high need for Toyota at the moment considering 4Runner sales have been climbing as of late even with the older powertrain. For example, here are the last 3 year’s sales results:

• 2013 – 51,625
• 2014 – 76,906
• 2015 – 97,034

I would expect this SUV to get over the 100k mark this year which would be the first time its done that since 2006. For the record, 1997 was its highest sales year with 128,496 units sold.