2021 Tacomas: Which configuration has the smoothest, most car like on pavement ride?

The sr5 was stiff when i first drove mine, but after 7k miles now on it, the truck rides much better. I was told by the dealer they need at least 5k miles for the suspension to break in, and they were right.

 

Went from 2018 OFF-ROAD to now 2021 Nightshade(limited). I think the limited is a better ride. But it is in 18’s and has less aggressive tread pattern

 

Well my SR5 feels like a Corolla so there ya go

 

So all of this talk about suspension raises a question. I just got my first Tacoma this past December. Double Cab SR5 2.7. I'm really happy with it but I sometimes wonder if I should try to upgrade to a TRD or 4x4 - not that I'm likely to need that in the suburbs of Houston. But my question is this: is the difference between my SR5 suspension and that of a TRD only that the TRD has different shocks and struts, or are other components of the suspension also different? How about leaf springs?

 

I always see that on YouTube where people claiming a Ridgeline meets a certain percentage of other people's needs. I am sure a Kia Rio meets a certain percentage of needs too, or a 400 pound woman would meet a certain percentage of needs. Seems it is the percentage of needs that they don't meet for why no one chooses those options.

 

My point was that if I made rational decisions in life about cars, I would have a Ridgeline instead of any other truck for daily driving. That being said I am on my second taco and third truck in 2 years and none was a Ridgeline.

 

The real question should be...why are some here trying to make these tacoma's into something they are not?

 

I always find that entertaining too, they expect it to accelerate like a Ferrari, handle like a Corvette, haul like a diesel dually, have the interior space of a limo, ride like a Cadillac, have the gas mileage of a Prius, the reliability of a Toyota, but the price tag of a Kia.

 

Most important... Every model will ride completely different with good tires like Michelins for on road.
Pick what you can afford then immediately go put some Michelin LTX tires on it. Huge difference.

 

No solid axle vehicle will ride smooth like a car.

There's a reason why the new generation tahoe/yukon/Escalade ditched the solid axle for an independent rear.

Seriously if you want a bed but dont want a truck, get a Ridgeline. That's the reason they exist.

 

I don't have any experience with SR5 Tacomas since I was recently shopping for manual transmission models.

My experience with the 4Runner is that SR5 is king of the road. Softer smoother ride than the limited, not as bouncy as the off road or as stiff as the sport. If they offered the SR5 with a stick shift, I wouldn't have considered anything else.

 

Tbh, I have a TRD camry for DDing and while its a thrilling powerful ride, its not a smooth and buttery ride lol

edit: the corolla is smoother tbh. Maybe I drive too rough?

 

The trd camry has the stiffest suspension out of the whole camry lineup lol

An LE or XLE will be the plush ones.

 

IMO the Off-Road. I did not test drive the Pro though. The difference between a SR5 and OR suspension is noticeable, especially over bumps. The OR has less reverb or pogo effect. It's the reason I went with the OR.

 

"smoothest, most car like ride"! Damn! The truck ride is part of truck love. I'm 76 years old and do all I can not to drive our sedan. I still miss the empty bed jounce and sewing machine leg I would get from the clutch of my '78 F250 with a granny gear. Smooth ride? Have you tried a Lincoln SUV instead?

 

Showing your age there referencing the Lincolns!

 

Yeah, I think its the XLE that has the comfort luxury design. The XSE has an in between type of set up.

 

The one that you install Hammer hangers on after you drive it off the lot. Truthfully, the stock hangers are so flexible, that they inhibit good ride quality. They basically allowing the bed and frame to bounce on the good foundation the stock leaf springs provide. The stock hangers cause that jittery feeling that is a signature of the 2nd/3rd gen Tacomas. The stock leaf springs are a great combo with Hammer hangers for ride and handling.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-hammer-hangers-soa-sua-archive-garage.519625/

 

I thought the same when i had very low mileage on the truck. Now with over 7k all has gotten more compliant. I recently rode in a friends 2019 trd or that just terminated his lift and 33'' tires all back to stock...imo, i can't tell much difference in ride. He's much happier now with his truck now ...better ride, better fuel economy, and his transmission now behaves more like mine.

 

dude I bet...partly why I am being so picky on how I setup my wheel/tire combo when I replace the stock gear