Seriously looking at 2020 TRD sport, have questions for the experts

Hello,
Brand new to the forum and looking to purchase a new vehicle in the very near future. I had a few questions I was hoping to get thoughts on that I was not able to find much on in my searching.

A quick history, I currently drive a Mazda CX-5 but had a '79 FJ40 for 15 years, bought brand new '89, 91 and '94 pickups all with the 22RE. I still have the '94 and it has 300,000 plus miles on it and still runs fine...but..it is tired. It just needs too much work to get it to where I could take it on a long multi state road trip.

I drive a lot but my '94 4 cyl got the pretty much the same MPG as a new tacoma so I could probably get used to it even if it is far less than what the Mazda gets now. Pre COVID19 I drove about 100 miles a day for work. not sure if that will continue or I become part of the work from home crowd.

I am looking at these 3 vehicles...another CX5 (be the 3rd. they are just rock solid vehicles with great milage and no BS dealer service maintenance requirements), Chevy Colorado\GMC Canyon or a Cement 4 door long bed TRD Sport or SR5...not sure the real advantage of one over the other. The GM product quite honestly scares me because they have a ton of reviews on their crap 10 speed transmission up to the 2019 model and I can find no real info on whether they have fixed that for the 2020 model and lets be honest, its a chevy...try as they may they do not understand how to build something to last anymore. The GM\Chevy has greater towing cap. a lot more room inside drivers wise but neither of those do you any good if it is in the shop all the time.

My questions on the Tacoma are...

1-I am 6'4" 230 lbs. long torso not so long legs. I spent a lot of years\miles in the pre Tacoma Toyotas so I fit but it was tight. I have sat in a 2020 TRD at an auto show with a sunroof. couldn't move the seats so not sure how good it could get. I will be test driving one this weekend but we all know a test drive is not the same as years and miles in the seat of a vehicle...anyone have any feedback on being over 6' in one of these cabs?

2-do the seats suck or can a 2,000 mile trip be done and you can still walk afterwards? I am not looking for plush American sedan stuff here, just something that does not cause nerve damage! Are the back seats usable for teenagers?

3-I don't do any hardcore 4 wheeling, won't be lifting it. Off road will be mostly maintained or primitive logging roads to hiking, fishing, mountain biking of camping spots, that would be about it. Would be a daily driver. Between a TRD Sport and a SR5, which is the better choice and what makes a TRD a TRD? I see on Toyotas comparison mention of suspension but it doesn't really elaborate on what that is.

I appreciate your time and advice. There is definitely a passion for these trucks here and some sweet rides so I am hoping for some wisdom from the experts!

 

Welcome . This is my 2nd Tacoma I had 13 Sport DCLB and now I have 2020 Sport DCLB 4x4 . Seats don’t suck, my 13 was my work truck a lot of miles 159K to be exact . Now I have my 2020 with a little under 12k miles (bought in Nov 19) . I love my Tacoma. It’s not the roomiest as I was gonna get 20 Tundra- but buy far best truck on the market, reason why I got another one . I’m 5’9 - not as tall as you but I think you will be fine .

As far as sport vs SR5- it’s really up to you and cost. Obviously, sport gonna run you more. IMO worth the upgrades- painted fender flare/ sport hood and all other extras- plus no chrome. Yet, again can’t go wrong as long as you stay within Tacoma family- trim package just vary. Last, If it was my 2 cents- go for sport, get the Tech package!! Won’t regret paying for the upgraded LED OEM headlights and fogs!!! Trust me. Same goes for Apple car play- one lest thing you will want to upgrade in future. Believe- being on this site you will be making lots of MODS to your truck as so many give cool tips/ reviews on products specific to the Tacoma .

Good luck, and like I said you won’t regret pulling the trigger on a Tacoma.

 

I know you didn't ask about the TRD OR but I would choose that over the Sport. Whatever you choose, please, please, PLEASE extensively test drive multiple trucks before decide.

 

I say you get an sr5 and ask for a week long test drive. The little one they toot you around the freeway won’t do.

 

Welcome!No matter your choice your truck will never run the same again once you join!

 

Your wallet will be lighter too.

 

#1 and #2 maybe be a serious deal breaker for you. Take a long long test drive with your family.

 

I love my 2017 SR. IMO the difference between the SR (and SR5) and the TRD’s wasn’t enough to spend the extra money when I bought mine two years ago as I planned to change out most, if not all, of the TRD’s added equipment.

I find the seat and seating position to be very comfortable, but that’s between you and the truck. I’m 6’ with a 31” inseam and I think it’s a perfect fit.

 

Agreed the best thing you could ever do for yourself is not ask the experts. Just kidding there's a lot of good peeps in here.

 

^^This^^

 

As an addendum to my earlier post, test drive EVERYTHING. SRs SR5 Sports OR and Pros. V6 and I4. Never know what might trip your trigger. Do not get in a hurry. Test drive. Long test drives. Multiple test drives.

 

I have a '16 DCSB Sport

#1: may run into some issues there, especially if you have a longer torso. My buddy is 6'4 and with the sunroof he can't sit up straight without having the seat reclined a little. I sit upright and am 5'8 with only minimal room above my head. It's not awful but it could get old. He cannot sit in the backseat. Even I hit my head back there.

#2: seats are fine. We've taken many a road trip, whether it be my friends and I or my family. Handles it just fine and I would even consider it comfortable. Not sure about the backseats since I've never ridden back there, but I would say they are not suited to anyone over my height, especially if someone tall is in front of them. The leg room for them will be abysmal.

#3 Either will do you just fine. My sport handles everything I've done with flying colors and then some, even when I decide to get carried away on the dirt road bumps. Shocks on the sport will be a minimal upgrade and stiffer. Not a whole lot to the sport vs SR5 other than some standard amenities and a hood scoop. I'd look online at what comes standard as I can't remember after 4 years. If that's the only offroading you're doing, either will do ya just fine

Test drive in different situations with both. I love my truck, but some have issues. So do I, but they're nothing I can't live with. Ride is fine, capabilities are great, seats are comfortable and there's nothing fancy about em. Hope this helps.

 

Here goes nothing...First off, I've owned 4 CX-5s in various trim levels, great vehicles and glad they broke away from Ford. Now. I can't tell you how, but I have the luxury of testing vehicles out for a month and then returning them no harm no foul. I have tested each one of the pickups you listed above, including the Colorado ZR2 and the Tacoma TRD Pro. I do currently own a '16 TRD Sport because it came through wholesale. Thank you whoever put a ICON stage 6 suspension on here, you likely lost your ass selling it back. Anyway, I'm 6' 1" and the headroom in it is admirable (sunroof helps); although the Colorado did feel more spacious overhead. The Tacoma seats are not adjustable vertically so how it fits is how you sit, but they do slide back far enough for a guy of your stature. The seats themselves don't necessarily cause the numbing sensation, although guys have added the aftermarket blocks to adjust the angle at which your legs extend towards the pedals. As for as for teenagers, there is adequate back seat room for them, but a full-size adult behind you will not be feasible unless it's punishment. Like you, I don't do any hardcore off-roading or rock crawling so the crawl/locking features in the OR and Pro aren't necessary. Yes, guys will say the Sport is all flash, but it will go to all the places you have listed above and that is whats important. One of the members already mentioned it. If you have any bone in your body that likes features mark out the SR5 now. The tech package and sport package offer just about everything in creature comfort form. They're also right, being on here will cause you to have the "BOAT" mentality (Bust Out Another Thousand). It's infectious. Lastly some of the differences between the TRD and SR5 is the suspension (think beefier with more responsiveness), air and oil coolers for the transmission, 120 volt outlets, hill start assist. There is other stuff, but this is all I can recall at the moment. All in all, ask yourself what is important to you to have on the truck direct from the factory. If just having simplicity is in the cards, then SR5 it is. If PTM fender flares, tech package, and hood scoop is cool then the Sport is all in. If CRAWL and Electronic locking diff is your fancy go with the OR. Or you have money to set on fire get the Pro and make others jelly. Everyone will have their opinions about which one is best, but ultimately you're doing it right by getting behind the wheel and testing one out. Last thing, I would have given the Colorado and the Canyon kudos on certain things, but I don't have a death wish, cause this is TW.

 

Frigin Hey! I do have the back up camera and phone in my SR5 and that's enough for me. Oh yeah and the 4x4 Opps!

 

I'll keep it short and sweet, cred to follow. The seats are fine by me, I actually LIKE the offroad suspension after accidentally jumping some railroad tracks, sport suspension is stiffer, if you don't care then get the offroad and get a locker. It's better to have and not need than need and not have. The price increase is minimal‐ WAY less than locking an open diff plus 16" tires tend to be cheaper. Get the LED headlights if you're shopping new. If used, people have gotten major improvements from upgrading stock projectors. The projectors with oem halogen lamps are straight up shite but don't be dissuaded.

Grab an OR with no sunroof (headroom) and have fun. Skip the JBL, add focals, two kicker keys and a kicker preloaded solobaric 8 and you're freakin set. Feel free to PM me with ANY questions.

I built the bajeebus out of a tj and various other vehicles, i have extremely high demands and day-to-day I work in an OEM vehicle realm. How demanding? I alone built a tj on 35s that could run 80+ with no hands on the wheel and zero vibes getting 16mpg on road trips. The current projects are restoring a 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS and a 1968 Ford Bronco. You'll be in great company here!

 

I would be most concerned about cab room. I’m only 5’7” and I myself am fine but I work on transmission lines and all the guys I work with drive sedans. I am always the one who has to drive the guys around and they are very uncomfortable in the back. Idc cause I never have to do it but like previously stated test drive test drive test drive with family car seats if that’s a part of your life. Other wise very happy. Will say my test drive left me less than impressed with low end power coming from a 2nd gen but with time etc and keeping in sport I’ve kinda gotten used to the quirks. And not to mention 3rd gen looks bad ass imho.

 

If I were your size I would get a full size truck

Nothing wrong with F150s except the looks in my opinion.

The Tacoma is cramped and I'm 5'8"

 

Can't really talk about height and comfort because I'm 5'5" so I don't have an issue with the front seat. As far as the seats go I think they're fine. Went on a 5400 mile road trip last summer with two boys (10 and 12) and they didn't complain once about the seats. My wife didn't either so that was a plus.

As far as as the trims go others have pretty much covered that. It really just depends on what your budget is and what amenities you are looking for in the truck.

I love my truck, it does everything I want and then some. Just be prepared to if you end up getting one and stay here .

Test drive, test drive is how I'll finish.

 

2020 Tacomas have vertical seat adjustments. My SR5 does, at least.

 

1. Plenty of people over 6' say they are comfortable.
2. This all depends on the individual. Some people find it very comfortable others cant stand it and get rid of the truck. Me personally find it very comfortable and have no issues heading out on a multi thousand mile trip.
1 and 2 are very subjective and very dependent on the person. No one can tell you whats best for you besides you. Test drive, test drive and test drive.
3. Sr5 vs TRD Sport will perform very similarly. The sport has "upgraded" shocks for better street handling, I believe most state its firmer than the SR5 or OR. The offroad tends to have the softest suspension making it more comfortable on rougher terrain, This also causes more body roll in turns.