New member here ready to order a 2023 Tacoma

Hi everyone, long time lurker here. I'm ready to order a 2023 Tacoma through my local dealer who will honor msrp on any ordered Tacoma. I'm deciding between TRD Off Road and TRD Sport, both with 4WD, short bed and auto transmission. I'm never been to offroading as a driver in my life, been to couple trips as a passenger. so yes, i'm a newbie when it comes to offroading. i do not planning on driving the Tacoma as a daily driver since i still have my tesla model 3 for that task. so the purposes of this purchases are weekend home depot runs, start going on offroading trips, get in on the last model year of the legendary n/a V6 Toyota truck (pretty sure the next one will be a 2.4T).

Do TRD Sport rides more comfortably than the TRD OR? i do like Sport's hood scoop very much and the fact Sport comes with 17" tires makes easier for me to upgrade to a 17" TRD wheels. However, I also don't want to miss out on TRD OR's offroad goodies, even though i probably don't know how to use most of them, but i guess it's better to have it. both are similarly priced after configuring. which one would you recommend? and finally, i will keep this truck for a long long time. thanks.

 

Sport can off-road just fine. I would snag whichever model is available soonest with the features you want.

 

Go with the off road if you plan to off road a lot.

 

If you’re serious about getting into off-roading, most of the stuff on TRD’s is unnecessary besides the e-locker. You’re going to end up replacing stock suspension, wheels, and tires.

Get the most bare bones 4x4 with an e-locker you can get and put the money you save towards a high clearance rear bumper, a rear shock relocate, new coil overs, UCAs, and tires.

 

Do your due diligence and test drive the 2 models and make the decision of which you like better and which one rides better, yourself.

They are both very, and dare I say equally, capable off road. I wouldn't say it's better to have the "TRD OR's off road goodies". Although the extras may be nice, they're definitely not necessary to go off road or have fun.

Even a peasant's base model is very, again dare I say equally, capable off road. To me the only necessity for off roading, or a truck in general, is 4x4. The thing in-between your ears and 4x4 will take you just about anywhere you want to go.

My recommendation with me being poor, I couldn't imagine buying a brand new shiny 2023 Tacoma just to make home depot runs and to go bashing it off road. No matter how careful you are off road, the scratches, dents and dings will come. Obviously your money, your decision!

 

If you're more in it for the on road comfort, get the sport. It will be sufficient off road if you ever need it to be. If you are planning on getting into off roading later, you can upgrade the sport to be wherever you want it to be in terms of capability. Sounds like you are more of an on road driver though with very little need for off roading.. I'd go with the sport.

 

Define "off roading" - it's a broad term.

Talking basic fire lane running? Mud trails? Rock crawling? What, exactly, is off roading to you and in your area?

I went OR because - well, I hate the skewp, wanted the locker for sure because for me, off road is high speed firelanes, ATV trails, mud etc and I like that. I also went MT because I think the ATAC might be a little more useful or effective than the terrain select.

 

Try to drive them both before making up your mind, they do ride differently. Does the OR still have the larger rear end as well? The locker can be handy to have if you are off roading the truck as well. And if you are new to off roading, the other off road goodies may help get you out of a bind or keep you from getting into one. I guess you would have to look at what your definition of off roading is. I personally like and have the OR...I like the way it handles on and off road better.

 

If you are going to 'work' it, ie: carry lumber and 'stuff' from the toy store ( Home Depot ) you should consider the Access Cab. That extra bed space makes a lot of difference. Added bonus is you don't find yourself carrying 'people' in the back very often. And as mentioned above the SR5 model is quite capable if you don't need to engage rear-locker functions etc. I'm quite happy with my SR5. Frankly as far as off-roading goes I wouldn't subject my brand new pretty shiny SR5 to an environment that demanded all of the high-end off-road capabilities - you're just asking for trouble.

And like you, I have intentions of driving this one until I mingle with the stars..... which isn't that far off.... and my son (wishing for my early demise) will be driving a nice ride for sure LOL.

 

that's personal preference.
The Sport is more firm, so some like a firmer ride with less body roll.
The OR is softer, so some like that that more.
I chose the OR, I like the soft ride (especially off-road) and wanted the locker from the OE.

Don't let the suspension make your decision if you are going to be off-roading (depends on what your definition is there?) as you might just replacing it anyways.

 

Welcome to the forum

Any of the 4x4 models have plenty of ability to take you most anywhere that a rational person would take a brand new truck, if needed upgrading the tires will make a big improvement.

The odds are you will be on the road much more than off, drive as many models as you can and select the one you like driving the most. The Sport rides firmly and is a lot of fun out on the road.

 

Remember these are trucks, and they ride like trucks.
You may be glad you have the rear locker on the TRD OR if you are going on "off roading" trips.

 

OR has the softer ride

 

I consider the Locking Rear Diff on the OR to be essential.
You don't even need to go off-roading to find a use for it - you could get stuck in snow/ice at the Mall Parking Lot, and the Locking Rear Diff would probably get you going again
Seriously, the Locking Rear Diff on the OR is the most important feature/option of all of them. Crawl Control and MTS seem like gimmicks, and I've never used them; but that e-locker has gotten me out of tough spots a few times.

Also, do you really want a Skewp

 

The Off Road is more comfortable "on road" & "off Road" than the stiffer Sport.

For the same price your getting functional Off Road goodies vs a non-functioning hood scoop.

Hope this helps....

 

Test drive both, and I mean really test drive them.

Get them up to highway speed, but a pothole, find an empty parking lot that can simulate a good left-right crank on the steering wheel and then a hard brake, and for good measure crawl over a couple of parking bumpers.

That will immediately highlight the true difference between trims. And then realize that most aftermarket shocks are somewhere in between the two.

 

You like the scoop, get the scoop.

 

If your dealer will truly do MSRP on any ordered one, ask them to order you a Pro version. You get the hood scoop and all the off road stuff. The difference in price is around $6k compared to OR with tech pack/leds...

 

If you want more off-road capability, get the TRD 4x4 Off-Road, not the TRD Sport with 4x4. If you love the scoop (like I do) and don’t mind the road-tuned shocks (stiffer) (as I don’t mind), then get the TRD Sport with 4x4.
I have a TRD Sport 2x4 and so far, super happy with its road manners and fuel economy. I don’t off-road it, but I’m sure I could when necessary, on many places.
Just make sure you get what you really want. Don’t hurry. When car-buying is about, Regrets are hard, heavy and long-term!

 

I prefer the softer ride of the OR.