TRD sport or off road

A TRD Sport is a capable vehicle. Going from what you said of not off-roading , I’d get a Sport. If a dealer offers both at the same price get the off road.
I got the sport and I love it. I drive in Wisconsin snow and only used 4wd a few times. I had a 2015 Prerunner (2wd), and stepped up to a Sport. You can’t go wrong with either imo.

 

Good advice...
Actually, ALL models (since 2009) have the Auto LSD/TRAC system. Only the Off Road TRD has the rear locker and on the 4WD model has A-TRAC or MTS + CRAWL for superior traction in the worst conditions. So, the question is: do you want to have to get pulled out or would you rather be the one doing the pulling?

 

Oh, I know about the Auto-LSD system; I've made it through ten years of Pennsylvania winters with my 2010 RC base model!

 

When I bought my Tacoma, I never off-roaded a day in my life. I did know that 4x4s have a better resale value. I ended up getting the TRD Sport 4x4 DCSB. After doing a few trails with friends I joined an off-road group and I kinda wish I went with the off-road instead. You can add air lockers later but having them come with the truck is a good feature.

 

The A-TRAC/ MTS-CRAWL system is pretty amazing and works all four tires. Consider it akin to being like 'automatic lockers', only activating when any tire loses traction instead of being locked all the time as that makes steering difficult. The locker is only on the rear tires and now can be reserved just for emergency if the A-TRAC doesn't get you through.

 

If you are considering a TRD purely for looks, your best choice may be to get an SR5, and use the saving for a wheel and tire upgrade.

 

Welcome

 

I feel you on that. Plus, it’s really less maintenance if you never have a use for it. There’s just been times where it would have come in handy on my 07, so I decided it was worth the extra coin when I got the 3rd gen.

 

I haven't had this one a year yet and only wished I had 4x4 one time. If I bought it again tomorrow, I would probably buy the 4x4 and only to make it easier to pull a boat out of the slippery launch. Double edge sword.