Ride comfort between the 4x4 Sport, Limited, and Off Road?

Okay so I have a TRD 4x4 Off-Road 2019. My Pops loves the truck so much he wants a Tacoma now. He asked me which model offered the most comfortable ride and I'm not sure what to tell him. He absolutely wants the 4x4 and from what I have read so far, the Sport is more rigid, and the Limited has the same shocks... Off Road model is softer so it'll be more bouncy but perform better Off Road... He may take it on flat dirt roads but doesn't "Off Road" per se....

Obviously he understands its a truck and will ride like one, but he was just looking for which one is most comfortable on the road (I figured Sport or Limited).... What are some of your opinions and have I been telling him the right thing?

 

The best bet would be for him to test drive each one. My Sport has a firm suspension and handles nicely on road. Off road, it can be a little firm not that I have done any off roading yet. My plan is to definitely get a more off road friendly set of shocks when the time comes.

 

SR5 FTW! Same shocks as limited from what I have read here.

 

You can explain to him what each model is 'designed' for the plebian masses to accomplish, but only his butt will know what makes him happy.

So therefore,

And do it on roads, at speeds, he drives daily, not just in and out of the dealership.

 

The offroad has a softer suspension. It eats the bumps better, but leans a little bit more around the corners and will be less firm on the road than your SR5/Sport/Limited options.

 

I drove the Sport and Off-Road back to back and I preferred the ride of the Off-Road. I'm glad I went this route as once I added aftermarket wheels with firm tires I didn't notice it as much.

 

In my opinion they are all lacking big time in stock form. Buy which ever you want, and then replace the suspension later.

 

I’ve owned both and prefer the softer ride of the OR. I can definitely see why some people would prefer the Sport though.

 

My family has had both. It's really hard to tell the difference under normal driving conditions.

 

Best bet is to have your dad test drive all three. It all boils down to individuals preference. For me, I love the cushy ride of the off-road because I usually drive alone .

 

I drove the off road before driving a sport with leveling kit and 33 inch tires on the road and also over some off road terrain. Since my off road ventures will be rare, I chose the sport version as this is my main lane. Recently went on hunting trip over some rugged snow-covered trails and my sport did just fine. I had to climb a snow and ice covered hill trail, and the sport did fine in 4 wheel drive. Truck recovered through slick spots with light gas pressure and steering through slush. My choice I’m mainly road driver with ocassional off road use. Great driver on roads with snow and ice.

 

I chose the off road for other reasons but I’m very happy with the ride compared to the sport I test drove.

 

The Sport is what I have, lifted it a little in the front and rear, 5100s and the ride is better than the Sport stock and its a nice in between of the Sport and the OR. He needs to drive them all.

 

It’s just shocks, it would be crazy to make a buying decision based on a single, consumable, easily replaceable part.

All of the factory shocks are very mediocre, PRO aside. Buy the truck that has the features you like then swap the shocks for 5100’s or better.

 

This, I wouldn’t get hung up on the ride so much. The OffRoad is for sure more bang for your buck with crawl control and locker if that’s something that interests him. I have the Sport and I don’t mind the firmness at all, the only off-roading I do is woods roads and gravel getting to hiking trails or camping. Although I would have got an Offroad it it were offered with the longbed in Canada.

 

Tires will effect driving comfort as well. The limited has a true all season vs an off-road tire. This will reduce NVH.

 

I have test drove the 3 models you mentioned back to back to back on the same day. I have not tested an SR5.

Off Road = Looser suspension with a good amount of lean

Sport = Firmer suspension, not as much lean

Limited = Supple suspension, similar lean to Sport. More of a luxurious feel but not over the top.

Off Road capability is also in the same order. Price however and options he wants may take the Limited off the table as that is what you get with a Limited, all options with exception to off road TRD things.

 

The best suspnsion is on the Pro. Its got the most planted and controlled feel from the tuned fox suspension. Ths softest suspension though is on the Off-Road, but many people here dont care for the brake dive or the bouncy feel driving it down the road.

 

As a 2020 Limited owner who also drove the Sport I agree with this post. The Limited was a smoother, quieter ride most likely due to the tires. The Sport's hood scoop was also more prominent when driving than I thought it would be, though I like the way it looks outside the truck. Knowing I'd be on pavement 99% of the time made deciding between the two easier. Now about all this chrome the Limited comes with...