2021 SR vs SR5 (First Truck Purchase advise)

Idk, a buddies 2019 trd or has some different drivetrain stuff my sr5 doesn't, like a locking differential, but after driving this sr5 in the winter i question who really needs it. Truck is amazing in the snow.

 

I’m retired so price does matter. I traded in a 2011 SR5 DCSB 4x4. Wanted to buy a new SR or SR5 DCSB 4x4. There was $5,000 difference, do to the fact I was paying cash I bought the SR. I was at my limit and another 5 grand would have made me to get a loan which I didn’t want to do. Here’s what I miss the most is fender flares. Doesn’t sound like a big deal but the SR doesn’t have them so the tires throw up rain and dirt on the body even with mud flaps.

 

SR5 typically has nicer seat cover material, leather-wrapped steering wheel and probably a few other convenience features I am not thinking about. Sliding rear window is nice to have and not sure if that is standard on SR5 or not.

 

The locking diff on a OR 4x4 only works in low range, so I agree it is not that significant, even for winter driving. A 2WD TRD OR also has a locking diff, which would be very helpful in winter driving. I assume your SR5 is a 4x4 because I've seen 2WD SR5's to be basically disabled in the snow.

 

That would probably have more to do because of the tires or driver, not the truck. I've driven RWD 2WD cars during snow emergencies and never had to be towed home.

And I'm not that much of a great driver so there's that

 

Toyota really nailed the look with the SX package especially in Silver Sky and Super White. Great looking ride !

 

what's the big step between SR and SR5 beside fogs, flares (non-SX), and power seats? the MID is standard on SR from 2018+.

TRD gives you way more things like push to start (non-MT), mirror blinkers, and LED DRL.

 

That model SR5 for that price might be the trail edition package.

 

Very glad i went with an SR5 instead of an SR.

SR should be reserved for work/fleet trucks. The SR's are extremely bare bones.

Here is the comparison page
https://www.toyota.com/tacoma/features/mpg/7594/7540/7582

Another issue which needs more consideration is, do you want an Access Cab or a Double Cab?

I went with the double cab but a year and a half later, it turns out I never have anyone in the back and could have used the extra foot of bed space. So figure out how you want to use the truck. You can build a sleeping platform above the wheel wells in a 6ft bed and put a fiberglass shell on it and camp back there.

Will you be having kids or family in the back a lot? If so, I would wait for a DC SR5 to pop up.

If you tell us more about your intended use we could offer better advice

Edit: Just saw you're look at a dealer in Danvers! I'm from East Boston!

 

SR5 are bare bones too. the biggest difference that isn't easy to modify is the power seat.

 

The SR5 is a huge upgrade from an SR. Yes the SR5 does not have all the feature of an off road like MTS, diff lock, premium head unit but I would not call it bare bones. Like I said, the SR is great for a work truck or fleet vehicle but I would not want one as a personal vehicle it is very stripped down
SR's also do not have an auto rearview mirror, fog lights, or fender flares. OP lives in MA and will probably want fender flares. Also sitting in traffic in MA, it'd be nice to have power seats and an auto rearview mirror.

 

I beg to differ. The SR5 is only more advanced if you add on the optional technology package.

To me the power seat, 1" bigger infotainment screen and chrome aren't worth paying more.. hell most people pay extra to remove the chrome.

Drivetrain, capacities, towing all the same between the SR V6 and SR5 V6.

 

auto dim, fogs, and flares aren't huge haha but that's just my opinion.

happy friday, i'm off to happy hour.

 

Also the same among all trim packages with a V6...
Not hating on the SR, I just know I would have buyer remorse if I got the SR.

 

Around here you haven't a choice for fender flares and mud flaps. All or's have them. At any rate they do protect the truck some, and others.
On another note, imo, after having a professional ceramic coating done a year ago, its been well worthwhile...no paint chips, or anything else. Surface is still like glass. You pay for what you get.

 

What about intermittent wipers, cruise control, and both passenger and driver auto up down windows?

 

The SR has the wipers and cruise control. For 5K I can buy a midget to roll up my passenger window....

 

2020 and up SR's have standard IW, cruise, power windows, heated outside mirrors, radar cruise, collision alert, auto high beam, lane alert etc. All the Toyota safety features are standard now on SR.

 

On a serious note, the SRs are pretty decently equipped. The few things that differentiate the SR from the SR5 in 2021 are pretty minimal. There are some things which I can’t really list off the top of my head like fog lights. But for the price difference, I’m the type of guy that would rather do my own. Not only is it a lot less money, but you can select from a lot larger and better performing selection of aftermarket lights. Need that extra inch in the screen? Why not upgrade to a pioneer 6600, get a larger screen that any stock Tacoma, wireless car play, and a bunch of other features, and to top it off, still have $3500 or more in your pocket. That’s my thinking anyway. But I get that some people don’t like the DIY approach. And for them, Toyota is happy to sell you an SR5.

 

I got a 2020 SR5 i couldn't be happier. Sure it's is missing the off road driving aids the OR has but you still can get 4wheel drive. My old Liberty CRD didn't have lockers or any off road tech like crawl control and it was not something I ever needed when I was ever off road with that so I didn't think it was of much value to me.

Last year the sr5 had these items the SR did not when I was shopping.
Power seat and rear power glass with v6 engine.
8" screen - sr got 7" but both has car play and android auto. No power seat in SR or 4bangers, I think the power window still came on SR double cab with a v6.
Intermittent wipers on SR5. I hear 2021 SR might have those now 2020 I think didn't.
Fog lights but sure you can add them to the SR aftermarket or with parts from Toyota.
Sr5 has leather wrapped wheel you get rubber one on the SR.
Both have the adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and front collision warning. That part of standard safety sense.
My SR5 has the front bumper like the OR but the grill has black with chrome surround. SR gets all black grill and ones I seen have a more blacked out bumper.
You definitely get an automatic dimming rear mirror with the SR5 not sure about SR.

You get aluminum wheels with the SR5 in a few options. Not just steelies. Of course if you are going to go aftermarket immediately that's pointless. I like the dark charcoal wheels mine has. I'm going to get 265s when the 245s wear out.

Anyway the price the OP post for an SR5 seems high. Even in with low inventory last July my SR5 double cab with v6 4wheel drive was $33,600 + ttl. You should be able to get one for 34,000 or less.