The Essential Features of an SUV for Overlanding

There’s never been a better time to buy an overland-ready SUV or truck that’s outfitted for your off-road adventures right from the factory. If you have upgraded your rig for better off-road performance before, chances are that some of the aftermarket parts you got installed were not a perfect fit – a suspension lift is likely one of them. The 2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter is a purpose-built SUV that the manufacturer has outfitted for overland adventures. All its features have been engineered to work on this vehicle specifically with the added benefit of being covered under a manufacturer warranty, which isn’t the case with aftermarket modifications.

An SUV or truck must have some essential features for a successful overland adventure, which more often than not, includes some off-roading. Let’s have a look at some of the most important features to look for on an overlanding vehicle and see if the 4Runner Trailhunter checks all the boxes. 

4WD System

A dedicated overland vehicle will come with either a part-time or a full-time four-wheel-drive (4WD) system with a two-speed transfer case. The Trailhunter comes with a part-time 4WD system that allows you to select 2WD when driving on the pavement, and to switch to high/low range when you hit the trails. Also standard on the Trailhunter is a selectable rear locking differential to improve traction when the going gets tough. Some 4WD vehicles also come with a front locker, but unless you are into recreational off-roading, for overlanding, it’s a nice-to-have but not essential feature. A front locker is not available from the factory on the 4Runner. 

In the case of the Trailhunter, traction is improved even further thanks to Toyota’s multi-terrain select system with settings for deep snow, mud, sand, dirt, or auto while in high-range, and rock, mud, sand, or auto when in low-range. Other helpful features are the multi-camera system, which is very useful on the trail if you don’t have a spotter to help you pick the best line, downhill assist control to help navigate steep downhill slopes without drama, and crawl control that acts like an off-road cruise control so you can stay focused on your chosen path. 

Recovery Points

Getting stuck is part of the fun when off-roading, however, this is where “safety first” must become your motto. Recovering a stuck vehicle involves massive forces on vehicles and the recovery equipment – if metal parts start breaking, things can get ugly fast for both the vehicles and the people involved in the recovery. Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) recovery points are a must. 

Considering our test vehicle’s purpose and its MSRP of $86,267, it’s disappointing that it doesn’t come with recovery hooks from the factory. Instead, it has two tow hooks at the front and one at the back, but according to the owner’s manual, they are for towing only. You can purchase two red front recovery hooks (Toyota still calls them tow hooks) from the accessory catalogue that can be used with a kinetic recovery strap/rope for a vehicle recovery (that’s an extra $306 for the recovery hooks package). You’ll need to purchase a rated receiver shackle from the aftermarket to install in the standard hitch receiver at the back for a rear recovery – never use a tow ball for a recovery. 

Interestingly, the Tacoma Trailhunter comes equipped with proper recovery points at the front and at the back from the factory as a standard feature. 

Skid Plates and Rock Sliders

Skid plates protect the critical components underneath a vehicle, making them a must-have if you plan to do any off-roading. The Trailhunter comes equipped with a complete set of steel skid plates. 

As for rock sliders, as the name implies, they can be used to slide over rocks or other obstacles when you can’t go around and don’t have the ground clearance to drive over them. While they are not an essential feature, they can prevent damage to your rocker panels on challenging terrains. Rock sliders can also be used as a jacking point to lift a high-centred vehicle via a Hi-Lift Jack (you’ll need a rock slider adapter), allowing you to insert recovery ramps or rocks under the tires to help extract the vehicle. The Trailhunter comes with rock sliders that are bolted directly to the frame, so they are legit.  

Light Truck Tires and a Full-Size Spare 

Many 4WDs come from the factory with road-biased tires, so your first upgrade should be to switch to quality Light Truck (LT) tires with a tread pattern that is suitable for the trail conditions you expect. You have three tire categories to choose from: all-terrain, mud, or hybrid, which offers the best of both worlds. It’s also common for overlanders to go a size bigger than the original tires to gain some extra ground clearance. 

The 4Runner Trailhunter comes with 33-inch (265/70 R18) Toyo Open Country A/T tires from the factory with a matching spare. Just note that they’re not LT tires, but they’ll still get the job done. Some modern 4WDs come with 19-inch wheels or bigger, and that’s problematic as it doesn’t allow for much airing down on the trail, and you risk damaging those expensive wheels. 18-inch wheels are a good diameter for a 4WD that will be taken off-road. 

Airing down your tires on the trail will also improve traction. Bonus points for the Trailhunter, as it comes with a factory-installed onboard air compressor that allows you to inflate or deflate your tires to your programmed setting – a rare feature. 

Suspension and Ground Clearance 

Upgrading the suspension system for better ground clearance, articulation, and robustness is where many overlanders struggle to find the best setup for their needs. 

Toyota partnered with Australian company ARB to equip the Trailhunter with an Old Man Emu suspension system that’s been tuned specifically for overlanding to accommodate a heavier load. This setup also raises the Trailhunter to provide it with a total of 257 mm (10.1 in) of ground clearance, along with 32-degree approach and 24-degree departure angles. The suspension rides a bit stiff when the vehicle is empty, but the Trailhunter was built as a dedicated overlander; it’s still a body-on-frame SUV with a solid rear axle – it’s not just a poser. 

While it’s not an essential feature, the Trailhunter trim includes a stabilizer bar disconnect mechanism, which improves the articulation of the independent front suspension when off-roading. 

Payload and Towing Capacity

The payload capacity of a 4WD is important, especially for overlanders who like to bring a lot of gear on their trips. According to the door sticker on this tester’s B-pillar, its maximum payload was 405 kg (895 lb). It may not look like much, but don’t forget that the weight of the skid plates, rock sliders, roof rack, and everything else that’s installed on the vehicle from the factory has already been factored in. 

The Trailhunter, being a hybrid-only model, is equipped with a 2.4L turbo four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those planning to tow a trailer on their adventures, the Trailhunter has a maximum towing capacity of 2,631 kg (5,800 lb).

The Trailhunter comes with a roof rack, also designed by ARB, that can hold up to 75 kg (165 lb) of gear. That’s the maximum dynamic rating (when the vehicle is moving). Thankfully, that roof rack will allow for the installation of a lightweight rooftop tent, as sleeping in the back of the 4Runner will be challenging due to the battery pack that creates an uneven cargo floor. 

While the Trailhunter comes with a 72-litre fuel tank, many overlanders travel remotely and bring extra fuel to improve their range, so a roof rack is a practical feature on an SUV. But you should always keep your roof load as low as possible. After a week of mixed driving (without carrying a load), my average fuel economy was 13.5 L/100 km. 

Bonus Nice-to-Have Features

Snorkel

Toyota installed what it calls a low-profile high-mount air intake on the Trailhunter to help source dust-free air, but it’s not a snorkel, as it’s not sealed for deep water fording. 

Auxiliary Lights 

Some overlanders like extra auxiliary lights. The Trailhunter features a 20-inch LED light bar in its grille and two-colour selectable Rigid LED fog lamps to complement it. Four pre-wired auxiliary switches are also integrated into the dashboard to add extra accessories. 

Winch

A winch is a great tool to have for self-recovery or to help other overland travellers who are stuck. However, it comes with a long list of necessary upgrades that you’ll also need to consider, such as a winch mount or a new bumper to accommodate it. You’ll have to subtract all that extra weight from your available payload. Toyota currently don’t list any winches in its accessory catalogue for the Trailhunter, so you’ll have to look at the aftermarket if you want to purchase one. 

Final Thoughts

While the off-road capability of a 4WD is important to most overlanders, comfort, passenger capacity, fuel range, safety, and reliability are also important factors. You now have plenty of choices when shopping for a new overland-ready 4WD, but the above features are generally what you should be looking for to ensure you get a robust overland platform to start with. Another advantage of buying an overland-ready 4WD outfitted by the manufacturer is that all the accessories are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. Keeping your 4WD as stock as possible should be your goal.

The prior-generation 4Runner was a popular SUV platform for overlanding. Toyota came up with the Trailhunter as an overland-ready platform, and it certainly is, but if you decide to make one your own (that is, if you’re comfortable with its price tag) just make sure to get the optional front recovery hooks installed before your off-road adventures. Next would be to purchase a recovery kit rated to the vehicle.