Here is a little background... I have always been into sporty sedans. My prior vehicle was a 2006 Honda Accord with a V6 and Honda Factory Performance suspension which was 1" lower than stock... I was going to get a Maxima but ended up getting the Rogue for practicality reasons. Also, having worked on a ambulance for the past few years I was accustomed to the "higher" up feel.
I ended up loving the Rogue. I actually can drive it like a sports car. There is virtually NO nosedive and very little body roll. It feels like a sedan. There are times I need to get somewhere very fast, and weave in and out of traffic or take a ramp "briskly", etc...
I want a more rugged vehicle and am set on the 4runner for the added practicality and durability and space.
That being said, I just want to make sure I am making the right decision suspension-wise for the 4runner. I want a truck that can get me somewhere (over a curb, through a rutted field, down the beach, over a bunch of zombies) a sedan cant take me and where a cuv may have a harder time, but something that will respond to my inputs on road....
I love the way the TRD Pro looks and the idea of a suspension made to speed over rough terrain (NYC mooncrater potholes)... But I want to make sure it also responds to my inputs on the road.
If I have to respond to an emergency in it, i want to feel secure driving it.
Thats why Im trying to find out as much as I can about whether the TRD Pro or Trail Premium with KDSS is best for MY needs.
During the summer I plan on taking it on the beach and the occasional dirt/forest road.
"Respond to an Emergency" -- the TRD Pro wouldn't be my first choice as an emergency vehicle. It's a BOF vehicle that was designed for on/off-road driveability. If you need to "respond to an emergency" and plan on taking corners at greater than 45mph in NYC, I'd stick to your Rogue or go for another cross-over vehicle. Not saying the 4Runner couldn't handle it, but again, it was designed for different purpose.
Will you feel secure driving it? Only you can tell. I feel comfortable driving mine.
Does it respond to my inputs on the road? Yes, I turn the wheel right the truck goes right. I turn the wheel left, the truck goes left. I don't expect it turn like a sports car, nor would I try to force it into that role either. The brakes are good and the acceleration is adequate for the engine and transmission. I knew it wasn't going to jump off the line, nor did I expect it to break any landspeed records. It's a 4.0L engine hauling around a lot of weight. If these things were important to me, I would have looked at other vehicles. I wanted a capable off-roader/daily driver and I know that this vehicle will do what I need it to do.
Do you need KDSS or will the TRD PRO meet your needs? Again, only you can decide. Have you been able to test drive both? I knew I wanted the TRD PRO right away based on looks and that I could drive it off the lot and not have to put any more money into mods. Would I have liked KDSS? Absolutely, but it's not an option on the PRO. The Trail drives nice, but I didn't notice any significant differences during my test drives.
At this point, I'm completely satisfied w/ my purchase. I got a great deal on the vehicle -- paid well below MSRP and I know I'll have a vehicle that will last a very long time.
I hope I'm not coming across as a jerk, but a lot of the questions you're asking are subjective and opinions (especially on this forum) differ. Make the choice, TRD PRO, Trail Premium, SR5, or Limited. No matter what you end up with, you're still getting a very reliable and very capable vehicle.
Happy hunting and I hope you're able to get what you want.
