On the fence on which model to get...

I've pretty much decided to get a '16 Tacoma at this point in time. Probably some time in the 1st quarter of next year. Kinda depends on what my taxes look like. Anyway...

I'm still quite on the fence about which model I want. It's mainly between the V6 Automatic SR5 4WD Access Cab and the V6 Automatic TRD Off Road 4WD Access Cab. On one hand, the Crawl Control seems like a really cool feature, since my low speed off-road abilities are...lacking. But then again, it also seems like 99% of the off-roading I will likely be doing is never going to need the Crawl Control, unless I end up somewhere I'm not supposed to be. Aesthetically, the Off Road definitely looks cooler and more aggressive, but the truck will also be my "daily driver" so maybe the added fairings on the non-Off Road model would give me a little bit better gas mileage.

Ultimately I'll have to drive both models and see how they handle, but I know that a road test isn't going to do anything to tell me how the SR5 4WD will feel vs the TRD Off Road once the pavement ends. So I wonder if anyone has any off-road time on both trucks, or at least off-road time on the SR5 4WD and can say that they haven't needed the Crawl Control yet? I don't know. I just want to make the right choice when it comes time to get a new Taco.

 

I wouldnt buy one or the other just for crawl control.

 

Well besides the Crawl Control there are not a ton of actual functional differences... I can always add height with a lift kit and change the suspension to a more off-road friendly setup at the same time.

 

Did you take notice to the TRD LOCKER?

The only thing that's worth mentioning about the TRD Offroad, is the locker. The crawl control is just an added feature.

 

If your offroading never has or never will require a locker or a winch, save your money and buy the sr5. The price difference will allow you to upgrade the suspension and come out ahead with a slightly lifted, better handling and riding truck.

 

^^^^this. I have a TRD Offroad and the locker is all I cared about. The crawl control is LOUD and sounds like the truck is destroying itself when engaged. Havent put it to the test offroad yet.....just bought it a few days ago.

 

Off road and Sport offer some nice upgrades over SR5. Depends on your budget, nothing wrong with the beginners truck , but if you can swing it go for the upgraded version.

 

Yeah I did know that the Off Road is the only one that gets an actual locking differential. But I don't think that I would actually need one for general 4WD driving. I don't intend to do any rock crawling.

 

If you dont need a locker then you dont need crawl control.

 

True...but what if I do need a locker and Crawl Control? I probably wouldn't, with general use. Right?

 

Wouldnt think so.

 

General use? No.

None of my 4x4s have ever had a locker, just limited slip diffs. And I've never been needing anything more doing four wheeling on hunting leases with steep, rocky, rutted out fucked up "roads," even when pulling a trailer up them.

If you want to go and find a boulder filled trail to crawl on, you'll want a locker. Outside of going out and looking for that kind of thing, you likely won't need a locker.

 

And I'll quote you from earlier - "unless I end up somewhere I'm not supposed to be"

There's a big difference between 'shouldn't be there' and 'want to be there'. You do not need a locker for normal daily use and using your common sense to prevent you from going into extreme terrain. These trucks are pretty impressively capable in 4WD without the locker. Your normal trip to the cabin, fishing hole, camp ground are easily traveled in 4WD.

A locker is for more extreme terrain & trails ...rock crawling....etc. And to be completely honest - you shouldn't venture into extreme terrain unless you have some offroad driving experience AND you should never venture into extreme terrain alone. Having a secondary vehicle with you, the proper gear, safety equipment, and driving skills ....

 

Awesome info. That's basically what I wanted to hear. Hopefully I won't be getting myself stuck and curse the gods for not getting the crawl control in the first place.

But another thing is: the price difference between the V6 SR5 4WD Access Cab and the V6 TRD Off Road is marginal. Sure the mileage is different, but wouldn't it generally make sense to just go with the TRD Off Road? With just the Tacoma builder on the Toyota site, this is what I came up with:

SR5 V6 4WD Automatic Access Cab - $32570
TRD Off Road V6 4WD Automatic Access Cab - $35980

In the long run, $3410 doesn't make a huge difference to me, if the TRD is going to be a little nicer, have nicer wheels, etc.

 

Crawl control is really a novelty thing that only benefits those who are over their head driving in whatever conditions they're in and shouldn't be, IMO.

I'd get a TRD only if you find the seats more comfortable or want a locker. We already decided you don't really need a locker, so I'd see if the seats fit you better. If you're in the middle, and don't care - save the cash and get an SR5.

 

buy what you want and can afford. i had a 02 trd,with 200000.00 mi. i sold it on cl first call, had 10 backup offers. used ones can be hard to find, in good cond. by the way the 16 trd offroads are way cool,imo.

 

I'm only looking at 16s at this point. 15s are great but I want the newest thing. Sounds selfish but if I'm already dropping $30k+ on a car, I want it to be the newest and most badass thing on the road.

 

trd baby all the way. i got a 15, but i saved a ton of cash, and made wife happy. i think the 16's are awsome, toyota stands behind there stuff. i woudn't worry about relieablty.

 

TRD will also get you navigation, LED DRLs, auto-dimming mirror....and cool stickers

But none of that stuff is super important, just creature comforts. If you don't feel you'll need a locker, go for the SR5. With what you save you can add on a bed cover, tires, whatever. Plus down the road you can add an air locker from ARB.

Personally I debated the two, ordered the Off Road purely for the locker and creature comforts. Figured I'm spending so much may as well have the goodies. Locker may be useful with snow, who knows.

 

Sounds like you don't really need the extra features of the OR. I would get the SR5 and add the OR flares later. Unless you want the the Locking Differential that is.