First Tacoma- Sport vs Off-Road?

Hi everyone,

I am a first time buyer of a Tacoma (bye bye frontier). I am considering my options and prices. Looking at the different models I want to choose between the Sport and OR Edition 3rd gen. I realize the OR editions have more bells and whistles for serious over-landers and come more OR capable out of the box. I just don’t know if I need all the OR features considering I am a noob.

Now, looking at a Sport. All I want to do is the occasional OR trail, and to get me to remote trailheads for hiking. I do plan on doing some aftermarket things like a tow hitch, and lifts/wheels/tires. I am wondering if the the sport can handle light-medium duty OR tasks just fine? Or should I spring for the more capable OR edition right out of the gate knowing what I plan on doing with it?

Bonus opinions- we will be pulling a small camper at times (2400lbs).

 

Sounds like the Sport will be just fine for you, based on what you stated. The tow hitch comes standard, and you will be fine at that tow capacity. Your tire/wheel/lift options will be the same regardless of model.

 

The trucks have the same ride hight, overall tire size and break over/ exit angles. So they are technically equally 'capable'. But the OR has the rear locker which is nice. Sport just has hood scoop and I beileve a thicker sway bar. Suspension is stiffer on sport, softer on the OR. New v6 trucks come standard with the tow package.

I'd try them both out, see what you like. But imo, you want the OR.

 

Depending on where you go, the Sports is only 2WD.

 

No, you can get both models 2WD, or 4WD.

 

In my mind, the sport offers glam and creature comforts and the OR offers off-road traction features, but the two are nearly identical. Both are capable of the things you describe. It doesn’t sound like you need the OR or the sport. How about the SR5?

 

i think he means without a locker and you are stuck, you will only have 2 wheels spinning lol

 

OR has better suspension from the factory and a rear locker. Win win.

Sport has non-functional hood skewp which is meh

 

Off road, no one with the locker said geez I wish I didn't have this locker...the same can't be said about the guys who don't have one.

It's like saying jeez I wish I had a smaller penis

(And yes I needed an off road with locker to compensate for my little little)

 

Wha?

 

TBQH, I get much more use out of ATRAC. It confuses me why people have such a low opinion of that feature. But yes the locker is much more functional than the sports hood scoop. Rawk on

 

If you have traction they're all four wheel drive.

 

I think the offroad is the best value in the Tacoma line. I wanted a sport, till I drove the Offroad. I really like the locking differential and Atrac. I like the wheels, the lack off a fake hood scoop, and the bilstein shocks. Just my opinion.

 

Key word is “if”

 

You're ahead of most people already. Sounds like you aren't going to be doing any serious offroading and pushing yourself and your truck. So as a get you to a trail head rig both work. To tow both work.

Where you're gonna see a difference is IF you decide to not hang out on Forrest roads (some get squirrelly) and would like to play around more over off camber and or slick situations.

 

If you don't have traction what good is power to that wheel?

 

They have the same exact MSRP if equipped the same so test drive both and pick the one that feels better to you.

 

For the same money the OR is the better option. The hood scoop is wack since you can’t see crap over the hood anyway. I use mine and a sport would’ve left me stranded without the rear locker and the OR mts settings. Could care less about atrac but does work well under certain conditions. Depends what you want to do with it. If just DD with mild off-road like fire trails and things the sports or sr5 will be more than enough. But if you’re gonna do a little more the locker is the way to go. It’s not hard to dog leg these. Rear tire in air and lose traction. I live my life like the condom theory, rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it

 

I'm with you on liking ATRAC, it does work. I believe since most people have autos and have crawl control instead, ATRAC isn't talked about much.

 

The question is, do u think you will ever need a locker?