TRD PRO Vs. TRD ORP Hybrid 4Runner - Owners Review & Comparison

[Trail4R]

What should you buy? TRD Pro or TRD Off-Road Premium?​

Here is what I've learned after driving and testing both vehicles back to back...

I've owned a TRD Off-Road Premium (ORP) for about six months and really appreciate everything about it: the big 14" touchscreen, rear e-locker, softtex seats, and larger 9-inch rear end. The ORP is one of the nicest Toyotas I've ever owned.

I recently had the opportunity to borrow Stellar Builts (https://stellarbuilt.com/) brand new TRD Pro in Mud Bath color, and there are some major noticeable differences between the two. I wanted to call out the major differences in the PRO vs. ORP at first glance. Upon initially driving the TRD Pro, I wasn't super impressed compared to the ORP, but the more I drove it, the more I realized there are a ton of little details everywhere that really make the TRD Pro stand out.

Interior​

The interior has a few features that really give it the PRO name, but it's all cosmetic: TRD Pro steering wheel, TRD Pro badges on the door cards, TRD Pro floor mats, TRD Pro stripe on the shifter, and TOYOTA badging over the glovebox. The seat headrests don't get PRO badging??? The odassity Toyota!!

Creature Comforts​

As for creature comforts, the PRO gets dual climate control, and my ORP only has single climate control (not sure if dual climate control is offered on ORP with higher premium trims). Also, the functionality is really odd on the TRD Pro dual climate control. On the ORP, you control the temperature on the driver side dial and the fan speed on the passenger side dial. On the PRO, you control both the temperature and fan speed on each dial... and you can control the fan speed using the rocker switch in the middle of the switch cluster... however, it's not very intuitive.

Looks​

When we go to the outside of the vehicle, the PRO has TRD Pro badging on the upgraded hood with the gloss black hood scoop... which is absolutely stunning. But I did notice quite a bit of hood shake, which is a known issue on the TRD Pro hoods. It didn't bother me that much though, and I would actually prefer to have a Pro hood on my ORP. If anyone wants to trade hoods, let me know.

The PRO gets wider gloss black fenders over the basic matte black fenders found on the ORP. On the front-end, the PRO gets a handful of core upgrades: Individual TRD and PRO badged headlights with amber DRLs, TOYOTA badging instead of the Toyota "T" logo, TRD lightbar, and two Rigid Industries fog lights. And last but not least, you get 18" TRD Pro wheels wrapped in Toyo Open Country AT 2s..

Drivetrain and Shocks​

In terms of core drivetrain, the only thing that the PRO has over the ORP is the electronic sway bar disconnect, which isn't that big of a deal to me because I plan on swapping my ORP suspension and eventually deleting sway bars in the front permanently.

A huge selling point of the Pro is the suspension. TRD Pro gets a very dialed Fox suspension and billet TRD UCAs... with noticeably better performance off-road at speed over the ORP. The TRD Pro QS3 Fox shocks are fairly stiff on-road, but soak up bigger hits off-road much better than the ORP Bilstein shocks. I was very surprised at how much of a difference I felt in the shocks alone. I tested both 4Runners on the same dirt road at around the same speeds (40-50mph), and the PRO shocks handle g-outs, ruts, dips, and cornering much better than the ORP Bilstiens.

These are just a few of the major differences I noticed in the PRO Vs. the ORP after a few days of driving. If I missed any features, feel free to comment on the thread and let me know what I missed so we can better help others understand the real differences between the two.

Price...​

As for price, Stellar Built paid about $10K more than I did for the PRO. I believe I was somewhere around $68k OTD for the ORP and Stellar Built was around $78K OTD for the PRO.

At the end of the day, the ORP has everything you need... all the essential off-road + tech features and some. The TRD Pro just adds refined aesthetics, better suspension performance, and a few functionality upgrades like the Pro headlights, swaybar disconnect, lightbar, and better fog lights.

I think the PRO is absolutely stunning, but if you opt for an ORP, you can take the $10k savings and buy an upgraded suspension, better fog lights, and a few other mods, and you're at "Pro" level.

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[RAD 4RUNNER]

I did the math when I bought the ORP over the TRD Pro. If I got the TRD Pro I was still going to replace the wheels and tires and add some other upgrades. I got the ORP out the door for $68,000 otd. It was about $10,000 cheaper than the TRD Pro. I spent less than $10,000 on wheels, tires, lift, rock sliders, front bumper, skid plates, and made it just the way I want it for less. I'm looking at the KING shocks and still should be around the $10,000 price difference. I think if you are going to leave it stock a Pro is a good option but if you like to customize your cars the ORP is a better option.

 

[Trail4R]

Pretty happy with my TRD ORP...

 

[ColoradoMarmot]

If they'd had MudBath on the ORP, it'd have been a tough choice, but I fell in love with that color so.....

 

[Trail4R]

If they'd had MudBath on the ORP, it'd have been a tough choice, but I fell in love with that color so.....

Yeah, the more I drive the mud bath, the more I like it. This thing gets an insane amount of looks, too. Amazing color, and the pro really is such a special trim. I really enjoy all the little details. A little too rich for my blood, but it's a pretty epic new Pro. It really earned its title this time around.

 

[ColoradoMarmot]

Yeah, the more I drive the mud bath, the more I like it. This thing gets an insane amount of looks, too. Amazing color, and the pro really is such a special trim. I really enjoy all the little details. A little too rich for my blood, but it's a pretty epic new Pro. It really earned its title this time around.

Exactly, got more thumbs up for this one than I ever got over the whole life of the 5th gen. The color is one reason why I moved my buy up a year, it's been my dream truck for years.

I'm bruised from all the 'pinch myself' moments when I walk into the garage.

Now if would just stop automatically turning on the 'eco mode' on the A/C

 

[ToYoDaMan]

Appreciate the comparison on this thread.

After much debate and research, I finally went with the TRD ORP.

I think it's the best value for my money, giving me a little bit of everything including creature comforts and a bit off ruggedness.

Also, I have the option of modifying down the road, knowing I did not pay the extra $$$ for the higher trim levels.

 

[Trail4R]

@ToYoDaMan yeah good choice. TRD ORP is the best value out of the lineup for sure. Anything above the ORP is just a flex because you can afford it, and you want the badge.

Finally got through a few more edits after this past weekend.

Tahoe Genoa Peak and then over to Prison Hill in NV.

 

[Kgolive]

I didn’t see it mentioned anywhere on this thread so forgive me if it was already stated, but I recently learned the bumpers are different on the Trailhunter/TRD Pro vs TRD ORP. I was wanting to put the Trailhunter fender flares on my TRD ORP but that won’t work without replacing the front bumper and fender liners because the factory front bumper is viper cut on the Trailhunter/TRD Pro. The visual difference almost isn’t even noticeable unless you’re looking for it. Maybe I’m the only one…