New Trd sport vs Trd Off-road Question

Hey guys, I’m looking at trading in my 2014 SR5 for a new TRD Sport or off-road 4x4. Trying to decide the best fit for my daily driving. The street roads near my house are old, lots of bumps and potholes. I also have a lot of old cobblestone / brick streets. My SR5 is not great on these roads. I live in Florida and will do some beach and some off-road but that’ll be a couple times a year. Would the Sport or the Off-road handle my roads better, and does it matter which model if I’m planning to put a leveling kit on it anyway? I know the off-road has much more off-road technology and a rear locker, I do love the sport hood tho. But ultimately I just want the suspension to feel right when I’m driving around. Any recommendations are appreciated!

 

Off Road sounds like a better fit.

 

For what you are describing both Sport or OR will fill the bill.

 

Get the Pro!! ... great suspension and a scooped hood! Otherwise, the OR. It’ll handle the bumpier surfaces better (smoother ride)

 

The Off Road suspension is much softer than the Sport and might feel a bit better on cobblestone streets and such. The Sport suspension is stiffer to make it handle better, but that means you feel more of the bumps in the road. The 16 inch wheel on the Off Road also means you have more tire to absorb the bumps versus the Sport. I went with the Sport because I didn't like the squishy feel of the Off Road suspension and had no need for the locker or crawl control. Sounds like the Off Road might be a better fit for your driving, but it's all subjective in the end. I would say test drive both either way.

 

Thank you for the feedback thus far. I guess I’m still wondering if I’m planning to change wheels, tires, and put a leveling kit on it to raise it up a bit does the stock suspension matter all that much? I agree with the feedback if I weren’t touching it, sounds like the off-road would be better for my driving around! Thx

 

If you hate the SR5's stiff ride, you'll despise the Sport.

 

When you say level kit, are you talking about a spacer lift? Or are you planning to get new coilovers to raise the front?

 

Both sport and OR are the same height stock. Sport has hitachi shocks and thicker swaybar. OR has bilstein shocks. Definitely a big difference in ride between the two. Personally I don’t like the stock OR handles on the road, way too soft. But for bumpy roads and off-road the OR is way better. I do go off-road in summers pretty often and I gotta slow down quite a bit at times.

 

I'd recommend the off-road for what you described. Sport is definitely a stiffer ride for better handling. Pot holes hit hard. The off-road would be better for such.

However, if you plan on upgrading the shocks/coilovers with the lift, then the suspension on both trucks is no different (springs and leafs are the same). At that point, the question is whether you need the rear locker, crawl control, 16in or 17in wheels, and of course all the cosmetics of the Sport (color matched bumpers and such along with the scoop).

 

I got the TRD Sport because I will most likely change the suspension anyway. What I don't have a are the buttons to lock your diffs and the crawl control. But so far i like the truck and my ride is softer with a 265/70/17 AT and it still handles good. I cannot say that ride of my truck is softer or better than OR or Pro because i've never been in one nor own one.

Good Luck and Cheers !

 

Test drive them both on the roads you drive on, and then make your decision. Either way, it won't be a wrong one!

 

I've actually had both. The Sport definitely has a stiffer suspension. It will handle better on road as far as cornering, but it does not soak up bumps well. The OR has a softer suspension on road so it feels a bit "floatier" if that's even a word, but it's definitely a better suspension for off roading. Ultimately, the OR is the better value. You just get more for the money. Both are excellent and capable trucks and will serve you well. By the way, I also love the Sport hood.

 

An Off-road to answer your specific question.

But I'll counter with getting an SR5 and aftermarket suspension unless one of the following:

1. You want a manual transmission.
2. You're flush with cash and $5,000 is pocket change.

 

The Sport and Off Road have the same MSRP so test drive to see which one feels best.

 

Are we men or are we wimps? Your butt is what's supposed to soak up the bumps.

 

I have driven both and felt that OR is a bit more softer on rough terrain. The fender flares was a consideration for me also, sport is same as body color OR is black. After a while I’ve been really liking the OR honestly. But either way you will be good with either one especially if you will be upgrading suspension.

 

after I put on 100 pounds of rock sliders, my Sport suspension feels so good, now.
the truck doesn't feel too bouncy, and it glides over bumps and road imperfections gracefully

 

I would pick the Off Road if it was me. The Off Road has the rear locking differential and crawl control. The sport looks way better with the hood scoop and all. You can easily add a hood with a scoop but adding the rear locking differential and crawl control is not near as easy. I like the way the Off Road rides around town. The Sport, stock, is a little firm for my taste. The Sport looks great and makes you want to wash and wax it. I don't know but I would buy the Off Road if I had the choice.

 

Beach so say? Off road. The crawl control is prefect to get you out if you’re stuck in sand . It’s a no brainer.