Is a 2021 TRD Offroad, 2WD worth it?

It’s awesome that it’s so obvious to you and the Toyota engineers, but can you please elaborate a little? Your answers don’t help the OP, me, or anyone else understand the reasons to buy a 2wd OR.

 

FWIW, to piggyback on the others here, last May I paid $36k for a new 2019 4X4 TRD OR DCSB with literally every option (heated leather, JBL, nav, tonneau cover, roof rack, step tubes, etc). I definitely got a good deal, but that said there's absolutely no way that I'd pay that much for a 2WD. You can get a better deal elsewhere.

 

I bought one!! tow a pool trailer with it. tows better!! I can't understand how you can't understand!?

 

And its FASTER than 4x4!! Done deal! LOL

 

No. Not only is that a lot for a 4x2, but with super white, you're likely to be dealing with paint issues down the road too.

 

I think a Sport would be a way better option if you’re just going 2WD.

 

If you where going to but a pair of tennis shoes, you want brown to match the dirt. They have white, at $20 less, what do you do?

 

I think I have an answer to why someone would buy a 2wd OR. There was apparently a fad in California that surrounded “prerunner” trucks that resembled desert race trucks. These trucks were predominantly 2wd with off-road looks and suspension.

Even though the I’ve never lived near a desert I have ridden enough dirt bikes and seen enough 2wd 4wheelers on the trail to know that aggressive tires, off-road suspension, and lots of speed can be capable off-road. It still surprises me that trophy trucks are mostly 2wd (might be changing) because I think 4wd handles much better in high speed modestly low traction environments (think rally car).

That said, I think a pickup truck is a whole different animal. It’s heavy, it lacks suspension travel, and it has terrible weight distribution. So IMHO, if you want to go fast in the desert, minimum maintenance gravel roads, or on snowy roads, you are better off in a 4x4 pickup (or awd car) than a 4x2 pickup.

 

Stick with the 2wd! If you get 4x4 then you have to get skid plates,tires,suspention! then its slow as a 90 geo metro! So you get gears,supercharger,intake,exhaust,eng tune!

 

So, I would not buy a Tacoma right now unless you absolutely had to, the price of the truck you describe seems high, I would imagine you could find the same truck in an SR trim a little cheaper and get basically the same things. Tacomas are very overpriced right now. As far as used with the 2 years of service...It's worth about $160....its basically 2 oil changes and a few tire rotations you can get done free at discount tire...the 2 years service would not be what steered me away from a used truck if it was a good deal....that being said...the used truck market is silly right now. If you can wait a few months..I would...

 

I walked out the door with a Silver 4x4 2020 SX the day after you posted this at 30k. I would say that having 4WD on a truck notorious for its off-road capability is absolutely worth it. It is better to have and not need than need and not have imo. 36k for a 2wd truck is a little bit too pricey anyway

 

I bought an 2020 4WD SX (SR with a $700 appearance package) for 30k out the door and other than a few minor upgrades such as fog lights I think the truck looks really good, if not better than some of the more expensive trims. I have a few personal qualms with the higher trims such as the tail lights and the grille, but to each his own.

 

The TRD 2WD still includes the improved infotainment system, and luxury features (moon roof, bed outlet, cameras, etc)

 

The manual off-road has A-TRAC which is basically the same system as crawl control.

 

Those all sound like options that you would need to pay extra for. I sure don't have all those on my OR. Are you thinking of the Sport?

 

Part of premium and technology packages as options for TRDs.Not available on SR5 or lower, unless they changed this of course. Mine is a 2017 base TRD Sport.

 

I'm more than happy with my 2WD SR5, I didn't pay near $36k for it though. I think there's a big misconception with having a 4x4. Every single Tacoma is rear wheel drive. Unless you have a need for 4 wheel drive on a consistent basis for offroading, it isn't really necessary. Every time you need to use it, you manually select it and than de-select it.
For all those who say they got it for use in inclement weather, it's not like AWD where it'll adjust traction in inclement weather in a split second to save your hide. To use it, you'd have to stop, select 4 hi/low and then proceed. If you live in the middle of the boondocks with just dirt roads and harsh winters, then it makes sense. For the majority, the only time they will turn the dial is for the required monthly maintenance of the system. If you buy it to make yourself feel better, cool. But in all honesty, if someone were to ask if buying a 4x4 was worth it if they can get a 4x2, for the majority the answer would be no.

 

I don’t really disagree with most of what you said provided you live in a state where it doesn’t snow. I have a couple nits though, you don’t need to stop to shift between 2hi and 4hi on these trucks and the OP was asking whether he should buy a 2wd off-road trim so presumably he might want to drive off the beaten path.

 

Correct, sorry I was trying to generalize to prevent my post from dragging on. Nonetheless good to see my point got across. Basically you would need to make the decision prior to needing the extra 2 wheels, so it doesn't help once it's too late in inclement weather. Unless you get stuck, then obviously having the 4 wheel drive will help get you out.

 

You don’t need to plan very far ahead. If there 6” of snow on the ground, put it in 4wd. I do however understand that it can be annoying to drive a part time 4wd vehicle on mostly dry pavement where there is ice and snow at every intersection. I owned a Subaru previously. Best winter road car ever I owned . I believe the OP is in a warm state though.