TRD Sport 4X4 vs TRD Offroad 4X2

I get the target customer of the TRD Sport 4X2. I get the target customer of the TRD Offroad 4X4.

Ok, I see some would want the TRD Sport 4X4. But I don't see who would be the TRD Offroad 4X2's target customer.

Please educate me on who the target customer of the TRD OR 4X2 is.

(I don't know, it may actually be me)

 

I am of the camp that one of the big upsides of having an expensive, gas chugging pick-up truck is the 4WD. Especially if you see as much winter as we do up north. 4WD is a godsend, it can get you moving in snow even with trash highway tires.

So i'm someone who doesn't get 4x2 pickups unless they are cheap fleet vehicles for flower delivery companies or are strictly towing rigs.

A 4x2 "off-road" is like those sporty coupes that are FWD. Sure you can go fast in a straight line in a sporty FWD but in the curves it's never the same. Likewise you could do some off-roading in a RWD pickup but if you had to bet on which truck will get you home from the wilderness you'd bet on the 4x4 every time.

 

I assume the 4x2 Off Road is like the older PreRunner, probably still has the Rear Locker.

 

Some people want extra suspension travel in the front?

 

LOL, Ever heard of a trophy truck?

OP, All depends on the type of off-roading you do, that’s all. Some may simply prefer the OR shocks or OR looks over the Sport. I still have a 2002 2wd Tundra that’s branded “TRD off-road”, I picked that model as the drove way better than the standard model. Never bought it to go off-road, hence 2wd. And in 160k miles I don’t think it’s ever seen more than a dirt parking lot, never seen snow, never been stuck and over that time I bet it’s saved me a ton of cash in gas and maintenance over the 4wd model.

 

So what, Toyota should be selling 4x2 TRD Pros too? Most people don't need trophy trucks, they just need something that doesn't get stuck in light snow or mud and doesn't do a rear-end dance when on ice.

Ultimately these bedside stickers are sort of just silly marketing tools but when I hear "off-road" I think of big-ass mud tires, ground clearance up the wazoo and yes a transfer case being involved somewhere in the equation. Sue me.

 

I always thought 4x2s were marketed for those is southern states who dont need four wheel drive but still want all the features of the trim level. I agree that off road 4x2 is a bit of a contradiction but hey who am I to judge? Personally I wouldn't even buy a car that wasn't AWD either but that's just me

 

I have had 4WD cars/trucks nonstop since I was 18 (now 41). When I bought my Taco, I realized that I've only ever driven in 4WD maybe a few hundred miles of the hundreds of thousands of miles I've logged (.0004%)? Even when I took my 4x4s off road I rarely put them in 4wd; just occasionally in some nasty stuff and snow.

I enjoy my RWD TRD OR, the 22-23MPG here in SoCal and the locker has kept me from getting stuck in the sand. If you've ever driven a RWD only with a locker, it's pretty capable in most situations.

 

Boom you've hit it, its a great market for southern states like Florida for example, there is no snow, there is never a winter , so practically speaking you will never have to engage 4x4, but 4x2 with a locker which Ford makes available now on their 4x2 F-150 and Rangers in those situations where 4x4 might be needed, like towing someone out of rut or going through some mud, this is just practically speaking.

What about all the great winter features, guess what those people never use them, like heated steering wheels, defrosters, heated seats never. I wonder about that sometimes how it must feel to drive a Raptor or TRD PRO and never use half the truck.

 

Fair question.

I’m new here so hello and bear with me.

I am actually looking into a 4x2 OR soon. I can see why it might be weird from a perspective but, let’s give the ol noggin a good rationale and logic circuits a jog. Even if the outcome is a bit faulty, here it goes.

I might be moving in the future and while it will be to the city, I will also go to other areas around the island. 2-3 hour trips at the most. The city’s roads are not well maintained at all, potholes are common and go unrepaired for years. Cars suffer a lot of wear and tear because of this and honestly I am not that careful of a driver in this regard.

The island is prone to hurricanes and flooding so I figure a vehicle with a higher clearance than a regular car would give me a bit more peace of mind when encountered.

I do not plan on any off-roading, just some beach and nature trails at the most, nothing a Camry couldn’t handle.

These are the reasons for me to look into a Taco over a car, a Rav-4 or similar. An SR5 could do the job but I think I want the upgraded suspension the OR offers. The 4x2 Taco Sport would do but I’ve read around here that the ride is slightly softer on the OR and as a daily driver, I’ll take softer. I could have the 4x4 and just not use it but, feel weird about lugging around all that hardware and never use it. I’ll take the simplicity of 4x2 if I can. And I also like the nice things the OR offers over the SR5 I guess.

There might by other reasons but, this what came to mind. Sure, there is a bit of trophy truck in the whole idea but, practicality is at the root of it.

 

Likely someone that does not plan on modding factory suspension, that wants a more comfortable ride on fire roads and very mild off road situations with improved MPGs.

I also don’t see the point to it. But some individuals just might.