2018 SR Ride Quality

Good Morning,

I am in the market to trade up my 2012 Prius C for definitely a truck. I went and checked out the 2018 Tacoma and really liked them. I was kinda torn between the SR 4x2 v4 - read base - and the TRD OR. I'm really interested in a truck for kayaks, roof top tent, and being able to throw random dirty crap in the truck bed vs inside. Just looking at 4x4 and v6 I can't really justify the price increase due to what I plan to do with the truck and the little snow we get in Virginia Beach.

I did a 24 hour test drive with the SR and at first it was great. The v4 is a little slow but not planning on towing and coming from a Prius it seems fine to me. Definitely Prius-like when passing. Then my wife and I really started to feel the harsh bumps of every crack and change in the road. We like to do extended weekend trips around 600-800 miles round trip to WV, NC, Blue Ridge, etc. That sounds pretty rough at this point. Pretty much a deal breaker for us.

I am wondering if this is something that can be overcome. Here is what I have heard so far

1. Weight in the bed helps
   • Planning on keeping a roof top tent back there ~150 lbs
2. SR suspension softens up after 5000 miles or so
3. TRD OR suspension is much softer
   • Planning to test drive one of those and softer ride + 4x4/v6 helps justify the price jump a lot
4. Aftermarket shocks
   • Approximately how much would this upgrade run
5. Tires with more sidewall/lower pressure

At this moment I would rather run stock whichever trim I decide on. SR + upgrades probably would creep up towards the TRD OR anyways. Either is affordable for me but I would rather have a cheaper car payment so I can have more play money! Planning to keep it at least 5 years or so.

I did look at Colorado's and it seemed softer, more refined, and a bit cheaper for what you get but my gut is telling me to get a Tacoma.

 

I had the exact truck your referring to, 2016 SR 4x2 access cab, and the 4 cylinder opens up a bit after 1300-1500 miles, also ETC PWR is good to have with that model, its going to ride like a 25K truck vs. a 37-40k TRD Offroad ride though IMO, bilsteins added would help and thats a relatively cheap upgrade to improve ride. Damn good little truck for the money, IMHO only reason I got rid of it was moved to PNW and wanted 4x4

 

Looks like you've done your homework, I definitely agree that the SR and OR are the two trims to be considered for most people. The SR suspension softens up a lot over time; which for me is a negative but for you sounds like a positive. IMO you'll never regret saving money and going with the SR. If you want the look of the OR later just buy takeoff wheels and flares.

Obviously if you want a fancy interior and don't want to upgrade your truck after you buy it, go with the OR.

 

I LOVE MY TRD SPORT, good luck with your decision and beware of the haters/badmouthing this awesome truck, you will not be disappointed!!!

 

I can tell you coming from an SR to an OR, get the OR. The suspension is much nicer--and more planted feeling.
I put 43k miles on my truck in 2 years(drove to alaska and all around alaska for a year) and can say, I never truly liked it other than the 5 speed 4 cylinder. The offroad feels MUCH better. Most bumps I don't notice where I did in the SR.

 

May I ask why you're only considering the base 4x2 SR or the TRD OR? What about an SR5?

 

They also make a 4x2 off road--keep an eye out for one of those.

 

also its not a v4 its an inline 4 cylinder motor....but if you get a truck no matter what trim or motor size enjoy it man they're fun

 

Sounds like you should go with the Off Road, more power and better ride. And the SR comes with an inline 4 not a V4.

 

If the suspension is he only issue, then get it and have TRD model shocks put on, you can get them on this site pretty cheap. I also would check the other models before I was set on the OR. I miss my 4 cylinder 5 speed, but I do love the smiles when I look at my 17 Sport.

 

Shocks and eventually tires should solve your ride harshness complaints, and the cost of those will be far less than the difference between a 4cyl 4x2 and a TRD Off Road.

I went with a SR V6 4x4. Coming from an Outback 2.5 (and having test driven a Prius C before, they’re not far off), I was tired of driving something so extremely slow. I’ve owned a regular cab 4x2 4cyl manual and driven an access cab with the same and man to me there’s just too much truck for that engine on modern roads imo. I’m getting an average of 20mpg with my truck, the best I ever saw on my 2wd was 27 and averaged 24.

 

SRs and SR5s come with small tires and soft shocks. Once you upsize the tires at all, you will definitely notice them more. Mine bounced pretty heavily. I upgraded to 6112s and 5160s from bilstein, and it’s much better. Also, for your plans, I would suggest the V6 model. The I4 does well but once you start loading it up with weight, you will notice it, even if you’re coming from a Prius. SR5 V6 with upgraded suspension is where you should go.

 

Wow! didn't expect so many responses already. I went and test drove a Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited a bit earlier. Obviously a much smother ride than the SR but I think I just really would prefer the utility of a truck bed. I could do pretty much everything with the Outback but seems more of a hassle than just tossing it in the bed. I'm planning on test driving a TRD OR later today and get a feel of the suspension. It's priced fairly similarly with the Outback. Hopefully they'll let me take it home for a 24 hour test drive and the wife and I can give it a good test Saturday. I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks!

Well the 4x2 I4, not v4 , was the the combo that seemed bare bones enough and cheap enough BUT still enough to be a good trade off. The other combo's are priced right next to the TRD OR/Sport trims but seems the upgrade to TRD is worth it at that point. Basically, i was looking 25k vs 35k vs 32k vs 35k.

Yeah I thought to do that but if the OR feels like you guys are saying then I feel like the 4x4 and v6 + the nicer ride would be better than modifying the SR. Plus I am sure the OR will do better at resale 5 or 6 years down the road.

 

That's what I thought at first too based on sticker price, however, when you factor in haggling on the price, the SR5 is going to be a larger chunk less than the OR/Sport from my experience at least.

 

Good luck Meseria. I've had my SR I4, 2wd for about 14000 miles now and have not noticed the shocks softening up at all. If anything the ride has gotten slightly more harsh probably from the tires wearing down a bit.

 

I second this, because this is what I am in the process of doing. The SR suspension can be a little harsh when unloaded on rough roads, not a deal breaker for me but when OR take-offs are so damn cheap I figured why not.

I've only had the time to put on the rear shocks so far but it is a noticeable difference, and Im willing to bet the front coilovers will improve it even more.

As far as power yeah it's slow, but loaded down doesn't make much of a difference to the little 2.7L

 

You could always go the middle path and get an SR or SR5 V6 4x4. Less than the OR, but still comes with most of the non-comfort/convenience features.

 

Get the OFF ROAD! Just in case the world comes to an END!

 

I love my 4 x2 17 SR with the 4 cylinder.
Its a truck and it rides like one. I don't mind it at all even on Ohio's beat to hell roads.
To me the SR was the way to go because I could not bring myself to spend $28000 -$44000 for any truck. I got mine for $22800 and spent $1600 on upgrades to get what I wanted. I enjoy driving mine everyday. This website is great for getting parts for your truck. A lot of these guys will work with you.

 

Nice