You see them everywhere. Usually in Army Green. That’s the color that defined the 2020 TRD Pro 4Runner when it first hit showroom floors, and honestly, it’s still the color everyone wants. But there is a weird thing happening in the used car market right now where these trucks are sometimes selling for nearly what they cost brand new six years ago. It’s wild. Most vehicles lose half their value the moment you drive them off the lot, but the 5th Generation 4Runner—specifically the 2020 refresh—seems to be the exception to every rule of automotive depreciation.
Why?
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It isn't just about the "Toyota Tax" or the rugged looks. 2020 was a massive pivot point for the platform. Before this year, driving a 4Runner felt like stepping into a time capsule from 2010. You had a tiny screen, no safety tech, and you had to actually turn a key to start the engine. In 2020, Toyota finally blinked. They gave the people what they wanted: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a suite of safety features that made it a viable daily driver for families, not just weekend rock crawlers.
The Tech Leap That Saved the 5th Gen
For years, 4Runner enthusiasts just accepted that their trucks were technologically ancient. We joked about it. But the 2020 TRD Pro 4Runner changed the narrative by introducing the 8-inch touchscreen. It sounds small now, but compared to the 6.1-inch unit in the 2019 model, it felt like a cinema screen.
More importantly, this was the year Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) became standard.
Suddenly, this body-on-frame beast had Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. If you’ve ever tried to drive a lifted truck on a long interstate haul, you know that radar cruise control is a godsend. It takes the fatigue out of the "are we there yet" portion of the trip. Toyota also added two USB ports for the rear passengers. It was a subtle nod to the fact that, yeah, people actually put humans in the back seat, not just recovery gear and coolers.
Why the Fox Shocks Still Matter
The heart of the TRD Pro has always been the suspension. In 2020, Toyota stuck with the 2.5-inch Fox Internal Bypass shocks. These aren't your run-of-the-mill shocks. They use a clever bit of engineering where the damping force changes based on where the piston is in the stroke. On the highway, they’re plush. They soak up potholes like they’re nothing. But when you hit a washboard road at 40 mph or drop into a rut, the valving firms up to prevent you from bottoming out.
It’s a dual-personality setup.
The 2020 model specifically tuned these for the added weight of the new safety hardware and the updated roof rack. Speaking of which, the TRD Pro came with the "basket" style roof rack. Some people hate the wind noise it generates—and yeah, it whistles a bit at 70 mph—but it gives the truck that iconic silhouette. You can spot a 2020 Pro from a mile away because of that rack and the blacked-out TRD wheels wrapped in Nitto Terra Grappler all-terrain tires.
Army Green and the Cult of Color
Toyota does this thing where they release an exclusive color for the TRD Pro every year. For 2020, it was Army Green.
It was a hit. A massive hit.
In previous years, we had Voodoo Blue (2019) and Cavalry Blue (2018). While those were cool, Army Green tapped into that military-spec, overlanding aesthetic that was exploding on Instagram at the time. Even today, if you look at sites like Bring a Trailer or Cars & Bids, the Army Green 2020 TRD Pro 4Runner consistently pulls a $3,000 to $5,000 premium over the White or Magnetic Gray versions. It’s a vanity thing, sure, but in the world of 4Runners, resale value is driven by the enthusiasts who care about these details.
Real World Performance: What Nobody Tells You
Let’s be real for a second. The 4.0L V6 engine in this thing is a dinosaur. It produces 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. By 2020 standards, that was "adequate." By 2026 standards, it feels slow.
The five-speed automatic transmission is the same one Toyota has used since the Eisenhower administration (okay, not really, but it feels like it). It hunts for gears on long uphill grades. If you’re towing a 4,000-pound trailer, you’re going to be in the slow lane with the semi-trucks.
But there’s a flip side.
That engine (the 1GR-FE) is legendary for reliability. There are 2020 4Runners out there already hitting the 200,000-mile mark with nothing more than oil changes and tire rotations. You don't buy a 2020 TRD Pro for 0-60 times. You buy it because you want to be 100% certain you’ll make it back from the middle of the desert without a mechanical failure.
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The fuel economy is also... well, it's bad. You’re looking at 17 mpg on a good day. If you add a lift, a ladder, and a rooftop tent, that number drops to 14 mpg faster than you can say "gas station."
The Overlanding Boom and the 2020 Sweet Spot
The 2020 TRD Pro 4Runner hit the market right as the overlanding craze reached a fever pitch. People realized that a stock TRD Pro is basically 90% "ready to go" out of the box. You get the aluminum front skid plate with the red TRD lettering. You get the Multi-Terrain Select and CRAWL Control.
CRAWL control is basically off-road cruise control. It makes these weird clicking and clacking noises—which sounds like the truck is breaking—but it’s just the ABS system modulating individual wheels to find traction in deep sand or mud. It’s eerie how well it works. A novice driver can navigate a technical trail in a 2020 Pro just by steering while the computer handles the throttle and braking.
Common Issues and What to Look For
Despite the "bulletproof" reputation, the 2020 isn't perfect. If you're looking at buying one used, check the "needle bearing" in the front differential. It’s a known weak point on the 4Runner and Tacoma platforms. If you hear a humming or vibration between 30 and 40 mph that goes away when you shift into 4WD, that’s your culprit.
Also, check the Fox shocks for leaks. While they are high-performance, they eventually need a rebuild. Usually, around 50,000 to 60,000 miles, you might see some "weeping" around the seals. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a $1,000 maintenance item you should budget for.
Lastly, the paint. Toyota’s "Super White" has had some peeling issues in earlier years, but by 2020, they mostly had it figured out. Still, the Army Green and Midnight Black are prone to "pin striping" if you actually take them off-road through brush. The clear coat is a bit soft.
The Verdict on the 2020 Year Model
Is the 2020 TRD Pro 4Runner worth it?
If you want the most modern version of the "classic" 5th Gen experience, yes. It has the tactile, heavy hydraulic steering that the newer 6th Gen lacks. It has the physical buttons that you can use while wearing gloves. It feels like a machine, not an iPad on wheels.
It represents the moment the 4Runner became "civilized" without losing its soul. It's the sweet spot for many collectors because it has the push-button start and the safety tech but retains the old-school powertrain that will likely outlive us all.
Actionable Insights for Buyers and Owners:
- Verify the Shock Condition: Before purchasing, use a flashlight to inspect the Fox shock bodies. Any oily residue caked with dirt suggests a leak. Factor a rebuild or replacement into your offer price.
- The Head Unit Hack: If you have an older 2014-2019 4Runner, you can actually retrofit the 2020 head unit into your dash to get OEM Apple CarPlay, though it requires a specific wiring harness.
- Rust Prevention: The 2020 frame is still fully boxed steel and prone to corrosion in salt-belt states. If you own one, apply a lanolin-based undercoating (like Fluid Film or Woolwax) every autumn.
- Tire Pressure Tip: For better ride quality on the TRD Pro’s Nitto tires, many owners find that 32 PSI is the "goldilocks" zone for street driving, even if the door jamb says slightly higher.
- Resale Strategy: If you own an Army Green model, keep all service records and avoid permanent modifications (like cutting the bumper). The "stock" look is what collectors pay the most for in this specific colorway.