Would a 5th gen TRD ORP make a decent Daily Driver?

[RobS10]

We live in San Francisco where driving is crazy and parking is tough. We don't drive a long commute every day, but do take road trips of 4+ hours on the highway at a time. We also have a remote cabin in the Sierras that is at the end of 17 miles of dirt road that starts out as a county "maintained" road, and goes down hill from there. Throw in some bad logging roads with deep ruts and rocks and that's our need for a 4x4.

We've had a '99 SR5 since 2004 (just flipped over 200K) and think it's been a good daily driver for us, though as we have gotten older, we bring more crap camping, so a little more room would be nice. But felt like it handles the highway in comfort and drives well in the city, and always felt solid off road (naturally :guitar2.

Now looking to upgrade my old Dodge pickup to a 5th Gen 4R. We drove our nephew's 2018 SR5 Premium, but first impression was didn't handle quite as tight as our old '99. His dad even mentioned he felt like it leaned in turns on the highway more than he expected, which I've read in many reviews dissing the 4Runner for. Then I read about the KDSS system available on the TRD Off Road models. Will this turn the 5th Gens into a decent on-road 4Runner? I'm not expecting a ride like in a Unibody Crossover, just something at least as good as our '99.

 

[HEAVY WT]

I have a 2016 Trail Premium with KDSS and i drive it about half the time in LA (rest is the S2k). I have no complaints with how it drives. I rolled 100,000 and it feels the same as the day I bought it with 1 mile.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

I daily my 19 TRDP with KDSS and feel it rides really well and corners decent for being a brick. The furthest I've driven it is about 3 hours round trip.

Edit: If space is a concern, I'd probably look into something larger so you don't outgrow the Runner.

 

[Turfboy]

The 5th gen is fairly large but I would think not much bigger that the Dodge.

I REALLY like my KDSS system. It helps on road performance significantly and is worth the $ (pure opinion). I did a road test with and with out KDSS and that is what sold me. Perform an imaginary emergency lane change with both.

I did not do a Off-road comparison so I can not opinion but I have not gotten stuck yet in some fairly gnarly mountain roads. Is it due to KDSS or Atrac or 4 Low or Locking rear can't tell you. Just can say I haven't had to call Matt's Offroad recovery... yet :madgrin:

 

[SurfToy]

I had a 2019 ORP non-KDSS as my daily and it was fine on the road as stock. When gas got close to $5/gallon and I had the opportunity to pick up a tesla as my DD I sold the 2019 and bought a 2014 with KDSS that I feel handles better. That one will be reserved for all the missions a sporty EV isn't suited for (dogs, river, camping, hardware runs, etc) but it still has decent road manners.

 

[02SE]

Just anecdotally, I had a '97 SR5 from new for 22+ years. It was fine on the road and off.

The 5th gen is quieter, more comfortable, and more powerful, yet still gets about the same MPG as the 3rd gen despite being larger and 1000 lbs heavier.

When test-driving the 5th gens, the more controlled ride on-road of the TRD models with KDSS was very noticeable. As a result I bought a TRD ORP with KDSS.

I have a nephew with a TRD OR without KDSS. His 4Runner doesn't have as controlled of a ride on-road as mine, or axle articulation off-road which is as good as mine.

If you were going to extensively modify the suspension, I'd suggest skipping KDSS. If keeping it stock or lifting 3" or less, I'd stick with KDSS.

 

[Dynamo]

My '19 TRD ORP is my daily driver. I love it, and love it as a daily driver. Handles crappy urban streets well and cruises at 80mph on the highway just as well. Mine does not have KDSS but I don't think it leans too much in turns.

 

[somenoise]

We're also in the city and have a KDSS 4runner that gets similar usage to what you describe. Not a daily driver but when we go out of the city up north or into the Sierras.

We've done the sonora, tioga, donner, and echo passes, up into portola, as well as the 395 from reno to san bernardino, the 1 and 101 all the way up to olympic national park, as well as several passes in and out of death valley, and all of them felt more planted and stable than my old cherokee or even my 2005 subaru.

I also have to say it handles impressively well for a body on frame and more comfortable than some unibodies. To give you an example from Bodega Bay down to Muir Beach and it handled the curves with no issue (except for everyone driving super slow of course). Just a week earlier we drove my parents in their Palisades and we had to take breaks every 10-15 minutes because my wife was getting car sick. She couldn't say enough about how much better and more stable the 4runner felt around the curves than the Palisades (or my family's old highlander).

One thing to note is that it handles better on road in stock. I got 2" lift w/UCAs and AT tires for the offroading and while it has improved that by worlds, the on-road ride is a bit diminished but I'd still say great and definitely worth the trade off if it's something you'd be looking at.

 

[Lexington]

I have a 2016 TRD Pro (no KDSS) that’s my daily driver. It handles more like a sport car than a SUV. No problems with cornering. Mine came with the Bilstein shocks and a 2 inch lift and I’m currently running KO2 tires. I’ve been averaging about 17 mpg.

I’m not sure how the non TRD trucks handle but if your worried about handling corners you can always upgrade to King shock. I have a few friends who have the. And they love them.

Last summer I went on a family road trip and drove from the Bay Area to Colorado and back. I had it up to 90 at some spots and it drove like a dream. I was very happy with its performance. I love my 4Runner!

 

[Somnospeed]

I live in a subdivision and work in the city. My ORP is my favorite daily driver I've ever owned, hands down. Parking garages and parallel parking are a breeze. If I need to drive OVER a parking block, I can do that too. :evil:

Upgrade your suspension and it will drive basically just like a car. Like a nice car too. Stock suspension is mush with blah body roll and nosedives horribly when braking, but with $500 worth of shocks, a complete 180' turnaround. I don't know if KDSS helps with those problems or not, I don't have that option.

Yeah it sucks on gas, but literally no one buys a 4Runner if they're worried about gas mileage.

We live in San Francisco where driving is crazy and parking is tough. We don't drive a long commute every day, but do take road trips of 4+ hours on the highway at a time. We also have a remote cabin in the Sierras that is at the end of 17 miles of dirt road that starts out as a county "maintained" road, and goes down hill from there. Throw in some bad logging roads with deep ruts and rocks and that's our need for a 4x4.

We've had a '99 SR5 since 2004 (just flipped over 200K) and think it's been a good daily driver for us, though as we have gotten older, we bring more crap camping, so a little more room would be nice. But felt like it handles the highway in comfort and drives well in the city, and always felt solid off road (naturally :guitar2.

Now looking to upgrade my old Dodge pickup to a 5th Gen 4R. We drove our nephew's 2018 SR5 Premium, but first impression was didn't handle quite as tight as our old '99. His dad even mentioned he felt like it leaned in turns on the highway more than he expected, which I've read in many reviews dissing the 4Runner for. Then I read about the KDSS system available on the TRD Off Road models. Will this turn the 5th Gens into a decent on-road 4Runner? I'm not expecting a ride like in a Unibody Crossover, just something at least as good as our '99.

 

[Cheers!]

I take my 2015 limited to the city every now and then. It is great for the crap roads, crazy expansion joints, giant pot holes.

The bad is I can’t do any parking garage that doesn’t have 6’9” clearance. I have a Yakima rack with bike trays. Also if you do find a garage and parking it is tight. It’s a test of your body flexibility to open door and crawl out.

Also whenever I take it to the city one of the 3rd row windows always gets smashed.

Ymmv. So far in the South Bay I like it. In the city I’m so so with it, but the truck frame and beefed up suspension is good on the 101 and around the city.

 

[Lexington]

I take my 2015 limited to the city every now and then. It is great for the crap roads, crazy expansion joints, giant pot holes.

The bad is I can’t do any parking garage that doesn’t have 6’9” clearance. I have a Yakima rack with bike trays. Also if you do find a garage and parking it is tight. It’s a test of your body flexibility to open door and crawl out.

Also whenever I take it to the city one of the 3rd row windows always gets smashed.

Ymmv. So far in the South Bay I like it. In the city I’m so so with it, but the truck frame and beefed up suspension is good on the 101 and around the city.

Yeah San Fran has gone insane. I’d be afraid to leave it unattended unless it’s in a secured parking lot or with an armed guard.

 

[wcjeep]

I daily drive a 2018 ORP with kdss, sunroof delete. Very happy with ride and handling.

 

[Cheers!]

I wish the 4runner fuel tank was bigger so it could do more than 300miles. I can make it from San Jose to LA non stop on I-5 going 85ish. But the fuel light comes on usually as I'm getting to a hotel.

Someone on this forum posted about buying a new '22GX460. I remember when I bought my 2015 MY limited in 2014 the price diff between the limited and a 2014 new GX with tow package was very little, like less than $2k. I wonder how much now the price difference is. I hear Of 4Runners being marked up over msrp. But the 4Runner is popular and the GX is not. Pre pandemic you could get Lexus certified preowned GX for mid 30s with less than 30,000miles.

 

[Blackwatch]

I've had several unibody SUVs over the years. Two Pilots and recently a 2018 Q5 Technik. The Audi Q5 was amazing on the highway with the cruise set but I live in an area with a lot of potholes and rough pavement. The Audi did not handle this well, you could feel the shock wave from the bumps. 20" low profile tires don't help but the pilots were the same. I did test drive a newer Ridgeline and was pretty impressed, especially with it's ability to pull hard and fast through corners.
But in the end a body on frame what was I wanted. I drive Expeditions, Suburbans, Tahoes and pick up trucks at work and prefer the old feel of bof.

OP: you might want to look at the new Tundra or wait a few months for the new Sequoia if you are looking for more room. The 22 Tundra is a great truck.

In the end I ordered a '22 4Runner off-road with KDSS. If I can find a King shock set up I will upgrade to that if not I am most likely getting Fox 2.0 shocks and lifting the front 2" and rear 1". The 4Runner would be ideal if it were a couple of inches bigger in each direction with a small V8.
I test drove 4runners with and without KDSS and did notice a difference in nose dive especially a little less in body roll but KDSS is better. In Canada the off-road comes with everything a Pro does except the suspension but is $11,000 cheaper so I figured a $3000 upgrade in suspension will make this better than a Pro for $8000 cheaper.

 

[Somnospeed]

I've had several unibody SUVs over the years. Two Pilots and recently a 2018 Q5 Technik. The Audi Q5 was amazing on the highway with the cruise set but I live in an area with a lot of potholes and rough pavement. The Audi did not handle this well, you could feel the shock wave from the bumps. 20" low profile tires don't help but the pilots were the same. I did test drive a newer Ridgeline and was pretty impressed, especially with it's ability to pull hard and fast through corners.
But in the end a body on frame what was I wanted. I drive Expeditions, Suburbans, Tahoes and pick up trucks at work and prefer the old feel of bof.

OP: you might want to look at the new Tundra or wait a few months for the new Sequoia if you are looking for more room. The 22 Tundra is a great truck.

IIn Canada the off-road comes with everything a Pro does except the suspension but is $11,000 cheaper so I figured a $3000 upgrade in suspension will make this better than a Pro for $8000 cheaper.

Exactly what I did. $2k for the 6112/5160 combo and Element UCA. Bump stops too. for under $2k and 2021 TRD Pro rims for $750 and my ORP is better than a Pro, in my opinion. Why? Because the Element UCA provides a much better ride, more stable than stock. And my lift is 2.5" in the front and 1" in the rear. Nearly completely level look, which I like much better than the hot rod rake. And cause it's damn near the same vehicle for $8k less, AFTER the upgrades. I'm really enjoying blowing that extra $8k on guitars and guns though. lol

 

[RobS10]

I daily my 19 TRDP with KDSS and feel it rides really well and corners decent for being a brick. The furthest I've driven it is about 3 hours round trip.

Edit: If space is a concern, I'd probably look into something larger so you don't outgrow the Runner.

We originally looked at 1st Gen Sequoias to gain more space, but harder and harder to find clean, low(er) mileage vehicles, AND decided that due to all the downsizing of parking spots around town, the sometimes brush reduced width of the roads at our cabin/narrow logging roads, and the fact that our son is graduating high school in the spring, our need for a lot of extra room should be handled just fine with the 5Gen 4Runner.

 

[RobS10]

The 5th gen is fairly large but I would think not much bigger that the Dodge.

I REALLY like my KDSS system. It helps on road performance significantly and is worth the $ (pure opinion). I did a road test with and with out KDSS and that is what sold me. Perform an imaginary emergency lane change with both.

I did not do a Off-road comparison so I can not opinion but I have not gotten stuck yet in some fairly gnarly mountain roads. Is it due to KDSS or Atrac or 4 Low or Locking rear can't tell you. Just can say I haven't had to call Matt's Offroad recovery... yet :madgrin:

Good to hear it made a difference in a side-by-side comparison, exactly what I was looking for .

 

[RobS10]

Just anecdotally, I had a '97 SR5 from new for 22+ years. It was fine on the road and off.

The 5th gen is quieter, more comfortable, and more powerful, yet still gets about the same MPG as the 3rd gen despite being larger and 1000 lbs heavier.

When test-driving the 5th gens, the more controlled ride on-road of the TRD models with KDSS was very noticeable. As a result I bought a TRD ORP with KDSS.

I have a nephew with a TRD OR without KDSS. His 4Runner doesn't have as controlled of a ride on-road as mine, or axle articulation off-road which is as good as mine.

If you were going to extensively modify the suspension, I'd suggest skipping KDSS. If keeping it stock or lifting 3" or less, I'd stick with KDSS.

The reason to go with the KDSS was to avoid having to do too many mods. The system sounded like it lets us have our cake and eat it too:bounce:

 

[RobS10]

We're also in the city and have a KDSS 4runner that gets similar usage to what you describe. Not a daily driver but when we go out of the city up north or into the Sierras.

We've done the sonora, tioga, donner, and echo passes, up into portola, as well as the 395 from reno to san bernardino, the 1 and 101 all the way up to olympic national park, as well as several passes in and out of death valley, and all of them felt more planted and stable than my old cherokee or even my 2005 subaru.

I also have to say it handles impressively well for a body on frame and more comfortable than some unibodies. To give you an example from Bodega Bay down to Muir Beach and it handled the curves with no issue (except for everyone driving super slow of course). Just a week earlier we drove my parents in their Palisades and we had to take breaks every 10-15 minutes because my wife was getting car sick. She couldn't say enough about how much better and more stable the 4runner felt around the curves than the Palisades (or my family's old highlander).

One thing to note is that it handles better on road in stock. I got 2" lift w/UCAs and AT tires for the offroading and while it has improved that by worlds, the on-road ride is a bit diminished but I'd still say great and definitely worth the trade off if it's something you'd be looking at.

Nice to run into a fellow S.F. guy! Great feedback as those roads you describe will definitely be a test of body lean! We might look into a 1/2" lift, but nothing more. My wife freaks out in our '99 every time we pull into an underground parking lot, especially if the Yakama rack is on LOL!