I put this post up on the other 4Runner forum but I thought I would try it here as well. I am interested in purchasing a 4Runner. I have never had one of these before. It doesnt look like the SR5 has some of the amenities I want but the Sport and Limited do. I think the Sport would work just fine for me in terms of the amenities I am after and would not be as much of an outlay as the Limited. However, I have read several comments about the stiffer/firmer ride of the Sport and still cant quite understand the difference between the Sport and the Limited in terms of what the ride is really like. Just how much stiffer is the ride of the 4 Runner Sport as opposed to the Limited and just how noticeable is it in everday urban driving on city streets? Could the ride be described as noticeable? Tolerable? Bouncy? Annoying? Or somewhat inbetween? I dont anticipate doing any off-roading. I would like to make sure as much as possilble that I select the appropriate 4Runner model for the type of conditions it will most often be driven in and not risk having something that I find annoying whenever I am behind the wheel.

The primary difference between the SE and the Limited is the fact that the SE comes standard with X-REAS, a dynamic control system for the shocks. It reduces body roll during on-road driving. X-REAS is available as an option on the Limited. I don't believe X-REAS will make the ride stiffer, but I'm not sure.

The best way to know for yourself would be to drive both. But before you go out on the test drive, take a tire gauge and check the tire pressure. My 4Runner came with 40 psi in the tires, which is way too high and makes the ride seem harder than it really is. Get the tires down to 32-34 psi, and then go for a ride.

I think the ride in the Limited is excellent, but I haven't compared it to an SE.

For what its worth I have a 2004 SE and the ride is nice and smooth.....

When it comes down to it, the only opinion that matters on the difference is yours. Test drive them back to back and make your decision.

When I was shopping for one, I test drove the SR5 and SE back to back. I could tell the difference when driving over bumps but during corning the SE felt more "planted" and didn't seem to roll as much. To me, the SE just felt more sportier so I chose it over the SR5. I've come from a background of lowered cars so I like that kind of handling. For some folks, it makes no difference.

Have fun shopping!

the ride in an SE is a bit stiffer due to the fact that with the cross linked hydr. shocks there is little travel in shocks unless is a large displacement encountered.

small ripples in pavement or ruts will cause a noticible difference in ride versus that of a limited.

Hi CK -

I drove the SE and the LE before I chose the LE with XREAS. At an invoice price of only $360, I think the XREAS suspension is a no-brainer. If you get the SE, it's standard.

XREAS tightens the body roll in corners, by porting fluid to the relevant wheels, then relaxes out of the corner. The result is a tight-cornering SUV that is safer and more fun, yet still smooth driving generally.

I DID notice a more refined ride in the LE. Maybe due to more soundproofing, or the leather seats. When it's so close, it's hard to know if the ride is "really" smoother.

The difference isn't worth basing your decision on it. T4R is still the smoothest riding truck based SUV on the market by a margin. But get the XREAS no matter what you buy!

Thanks for the feedback from everyone. Sounds like the suspension on the Sport is a subjective issue and a somewhat minor one at that. Sort of like choosing between the V6 or V8 for everyday non-towing driving . One other question that comes to mind, are their any special maintenance issues for the XREAS suspension?

i believe at the 60k mark they are supposed to be inspected. but you cant quote me on tht. but in all reality i dont think anything special has to be done. the shocks are rated to last 100k miles if not more. all i know is that i wouldnt get another 4runner without x-reas. it simply is amazing on road.

Yea I love the X-reas. However, we had black ice conditions once and it was a bit scary hitting sudden bumps with a stiff suspension in those conditions.

The whole undercarriage of mine is currently white

I had a Sport with XREAS and my current Limited has XREAS as well. They both ride exactly the same way. The Limited only adds a few interior and exterior upgrades.

fyi, last time i looked in 2005, the sport trim didnt have the 3rd row seat as an option. i know it's not that comfy there but in case u need it ...