SR5 4x4 vs TRD Offroad 4x4

I went with an OR since I didn't like the suspension on the TRD Sport's plus I wanted/needed the locking rear Diff and I think the OR's come with better (though still inadequate for the rocky trails I tend to drive-on) skidplates. Mine's an MT so I don't have Crawl Control but I do have A-Trac, which I have yet to figure-out a use for.

It just comes-down to what you're going to use the truck for. In my case I knew I was going to be doing some light-moderate off-roading, but having the added capability of the OR was desirable. I also planned on doing some towing so larger rear diff was desirable. In truth I wanted a locking rear Diff because one of my truck's jobs is to move my travel and car trailer into and out of my yard, which requires pushing up a slight grade covered in pea gravel. Plus, re-sale value.

 

SR5 DCSB 4x4 AT MSRP $35,190
Off Road/sport DCSB 4x4 AT $36,965

 

I always get a kick out of these threads.

OP: "which model should I buy? I won't really use the truck off road at all except when camping, where people also drive Honda civics"
TacomaWorld: "you're stupid if you don't get the off road, it comes with a rear locker for off roading"

Never fails. Just have to laugh

OP, if the interior upgrades are not important to you (different interior trim, head unit, PTS, etc.), then you'll be just fine with the SR5.

 

I had a 2nd gen SR5 4x4 and loved it. I have a 3rd gen SR5 TRD OR and have never used the rear locker. I'd go with the SR5, unless you drive stick, in which case you have to buy TRD.

 

2nd gen did. I was so mad it didn't for 3rd gen

 

it spoils the fun?

 

where people also drive honda civics lol

 

I once thought I was pretty cool going down a rutted road along the Mogollon Rim until I found a dude camping in a Prius at the end.

 

Wow. That is a way smaller difference than it used to be. Thanks for providing numbers.

You can't.

Yikes, pricing has changed a lot since I bought my SR5. I probably would have ended up with an OR if it was that close, the cost delta when I bought mine was around $4k. I'm going to go back and change my post, I'm in the wrong with that MSRP pricing.

 

As far as ride quality my buddies 2016 trd seems to ride noticeably smoother than my 2020 sr5, but his truck has a lift and 33 tires. That said the only real need to use my tacoma sr5 has to be during the winter living down a 2 mile dirt road that doesn't get plowed plus to pull my boat up slippery ramp areas. I actually got to use the 4wd today when going into town that all the roads had been closed due to the storm yesterday.
Otherwise i have no need for all the other goodies in the trd. Been living with sr5 toyotas since the 80's, and never needed anything more. So far been real happy with the sr5 fuel economy to.

 

If someone posted asking if they should get an SR5 or a Pro, TW would vote for the Off Road regardless.

 

$50 a month, so $3000 if its a 5yr loan or 3600 if its a 6yr loan.

 

Seems like alot of folks have already beat this horse pretty good, but here's my $0.02 of opinion.

If you think you will be offroading on trails that are so rough they may cause you to have one of your rear wheels off the ground, then the diff locker may be worth it for you. I've been in this situation on some really gnarly forest roads and I probably would have been stuck had I not been able to lock my rear diff and power through. Being stuck out there would have resulted in a very long walk to back to civilization haha.

However, if you think you would probably avoid this situation in the first place (no shame in that) and just turn around, than I'd be willing to argue the SR5 4x4 is probably more than adequate for your needs.

I think the two trims would handle most other offroad situations equally well. The OR's MTS system doesn't really do much more than what good use of 4L + careful throttle + picking a good line could achieve.

 

Yeah, that's the reason I got the OR even though I'll probably never need the locker. But for 1800 bucks you get some solid off road upgrades as well as push start, smart door handle, upgraded stereo and I'm sure other stuff I forgot. And I think it looks better.

 

I agree OR is largely marketing. The upside is that, if you plan on getting into some off roading (which OP sounds like he will do to some extent), the OR is extremely capable stock. Not a rock crawler—but you can do some pretty mean shit without modding it at all.

If you know more about mods, maybe get the SR5 so you can mod it yourself.

Personally, I think the OR looks substantially better too with the black fenders etc. To each his own.

 

This is 100% accurate.

 

Around here after several years you won't get anymore on a trade whether trd or sr5...in fact you may be offered less on the trd. Dealers assume they get beat up more going off-road. As far as private, you might be able to get more for the trd if you find the right person.

 

I think there might be some fact in that. My wife was leary about getting a used Taco. She was thinking that it might have had 4wd and tow abuse. Given all the talk about driving around corners in 4Hi, it makes you wonder. I know a mistake here or there is not an issue, but you never know what a previous own might have done.

We certainly found some questionable stuff down the road with used cars that we bought.

 

Of course dealers will argue that off roading will devalue a truck but we all know that just because it says TRD OFF ROAD 4X4, doesn't mean it actually did go off road or mostly it didn't. Might want to un lift a truck before trading it in though.

 

Except it’s a really expensive full body condom that you can’t take off, and most of the time it’ll just be hanging around instead of being used.

OP—your finances are your finances, but you’re making payments instead of paying cash, so I would say go with the more frugal option. Better tires and a little more skinny pedal on the 2wd might be all you need.