SR5 vs. TRD Sport

Hi all,

New member looking for a little feedback. I'm in the market for a new '18 Tacoma and can't decide between the SR5 DCSB 4x4 and the TRD Sport version. I really like the styling of the Sport (even the fake hood scoop) and look of the larger wheels/ tires, problem is this will be mainly a commuter vehicle and utility truck on the weekends - little to no off-roading anticipated. Dirt road to the gun range will be about it. I took both for a test ride and the SR5 ride was noticeably smoother and according to the spec. sheet the mileage is/ should be slightly better. Not sure the $2 - 3K up charge for the Sport will be worth it, especially with the stiff ride on long commutes (80 miles/ day). All feedback is appreciated!
Luxy

 

I owned a 2010 sr5 prerunner for 7 years, bought a 17 trd sport. Both kickass, my vote is the sport.

 

Welcome to TW! Drive them both and choose what you like and can afford. I picked the Sport for the additional options over the SR5. That's the only difference. Worth it for some, not worth it for others. Good luck!

 

Disclaimer: I'm an SR5 owner.

With that said, why pay 2 - 3k more for a sticker which some take off anyway? Now I do realize there are other trim upgrades to sport & OR and if you're in the camp that needs those, well then there is only one choice. Also I think most people are not rock crawling and probably will never use that option, especially if it's your daily drive as you said.

I love my 26 MPG plus. You can do some cosmetic upgrades that make the SR5 look really nice. Save the extra on the higher trim options and spend the money elsewhere!

 

I have a 2017 TRD sport and love it I have gotten as high as 26MPG on long trips but what made me pick the sport was the black seats and the Gray was a no go plus I got mine for 34K Out the door so was about the same for me

 

I have a Sport and love the way it corners on the freeway. I mainly drive on smooth roads so the stiff suspension of the Sport is not an issue for me. Get the trim you want, that meets your needs and what you can afford. My thinking is you can't go wrong with any trim because you still have a Tacoma.

 

I have a 2018 Sport 4x4 mainly for the manual transmission. If it was offered in the SR5, I’d likely have one

 

There's also MTS, crawl control and A-trac. But I agree. If you don't need any of those , don't bother. Just go with an sr-5. Sounds like any extras you'd want could be bought aftermarket and you'd still have money left over .

Then again if you got a sport you could stick some kazoos in the scoop while driving......

 

I was going to get the SR5 and would have been happy. Looked at them both. The OR was out, not interested. The extra features and the ride, that scoop.

 

Thanks for the input. Tough choice. It's good to hear some of you are getting 25 - 26 MPG real world, highway driving. I just may have to go back and drive both again later today/ this weekend.
I know there are many separate threads on the topic but do I need to make sure the tranny TSB (62-18) is downloaded even on a late year '18?

Are Kazoo's an option on the Sport??

 

I'm pretty satisfied with the SR5. I mean the sport really doesnt have anything I want. Entune is pretty much garbage whether you get the SR5 or the upgraded model in the Sport, so why pay extra for a stiffer ride and a garbage head unit that I will replace anyway. My view is that everything the sport has, can be had better and cheaper 3rd party (except fake hood scoop). It's not like the off road where you cant add MTS aftermarket, and you cant add a locker without expensive add ons.

 

Sport

 

A sales manager at one of the dealerships was making the same argument, why pay more for mostly cosmetic upgrades and a stiffer ride? I expected him to push the more expensive truck but he drove a Taco and he moved from a Sport to an SR5 because or the ride, so he said. The SR5 has 16" wheels and the Sport 17" is the other difference I noticed. Smaller wheel/ tire, less aggressive tread probably helps w/ gas mileage a bit?

 

Sport

 

Welcome to TW SR5

 

I have the Sport cause of the MT. If this was offered in the SR or SR5 at the v-6 Dbl Cab configuration, I would have that model

 

I bought a '17 SR5 and don't regret it one bit. I daily drive it (about 20 miles each way to and from work), use the bed occasionally to move larger items, tow a small boat, and run the gravel logging roads of Maine during fall hunting season. It does everything I need and the MPG's are 4-5 miles better than my brother-in-law with the same year OR. I'm not a fan of the hood scoop look (yeah, I know I'm in the minority) and the only cosmetic change I made that the Sport had was to color-match paint my bumper caps (I hate chrome). I'm not a fan of the shiny parts on the Sport's machined wheels and like my more muted sr5 wheels (wished it was an option for me to get the anthracite sr wheels). The stock grille is even nicer; guys all over TW are seeking the SR5 oem grilles over their sport/or ones. It was an easy decision for me and I saved a pile of money to use for mods.

 

+1. Had to get a TRD for the 6MT which was very important to me. I would have done the SR5 otherwise. Although I really enjoy my Sport.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I always find it helpful to get others opinions and perspectives. I do not plan to mod this truck in any meaningful way and the status of a particular trim level is not important to me. I currently drive a Subaru Crosstek because it is practical (AWD) and I like the styling for what it is. My wife says she laughs every time she see's me leaving the driveway because she never pictured me as the Subaru "type". I really like the car but want something with more utility and that can tow more than 2k lbs. The $ difference between the two is not a big consideration but I do not want to be driving a buckboard every day to work. I drove a Wrangler (CJ) for many years and while it was fun and cool then, at my advanced age, I'm looking for a reasonably comfortable/ quiet ride.

 

Save your money. Get the SR5