If you're not going to wheel, SR5 is just fine. You can always add a locker if you need it.

I wheel a decent amount, and my SR5 has been plenty capable. I don't think I've ever gotten stuck in a situation that a locker would have gotten me out of.

That said, I would get the OR if I was doing it over. I grew to love wheeling because of this car. I didn't need a locker when I bought it, but I'd certainly take it now.

But my runner is very capable as is, so even though an aftermarket locker has been on my to-do list, I haven't felt the need to pull the trigger.

When I asked the same question, it came down to only one thing. Locker

Better to have it and not need it for the <$2k on build price with apples to apples on other features. You will get a chunk of that back on resale down the road too. I didn't have an issue with the upfront cost and no regrets.

How often have I needed the cool gizmos like crawl control or mts where ATRAC wasn't enough? ZERO times

How often have the lockers been required in 3 summers and 2 winters. Twice, once in Moab and once towing a trailer on a snow covered lake. Expecting a few more times this winter given recent snows. Not needed often but when a locker is needed, oh boy is it needed. I won't go without for the small premium in price.

Now this worked for me but ymmv. If you really don't see yourself needing a locker it's amazing how capable the SR5 really is. I was astonished when I did my first time in Moab using 4lo and very very occasionally ATRAC.

Tire upgrades matter more than the locker too. Good tires on an SR5 will beat and OR locked with stock all seasons.

You mentioned the school pick up line, do you want a 3rd row? I don't have it and wish I did. If you only have 1 kid it might not be needed, but with the wife and 2 kids we're limited to just one more passenger without the third row unless adults want to cram in with no seatbelt.
We take the wife's Highlander when we need to haul a crowd so that helps.

FWIW - I think CRAWL is mostly advantageous for novices because it simplifies the slow speed stuff. Perfect for my wife. Pop her in the driver's seat and she only has to steer. It is good for other stuff occasionally too. But not something I'd pay a lot more for.

The rear locker and MTS are basically the stars of the show for me. If you're not going to use them frequently, the SR5 is very capable. It's probably another 5% or 10% in capability. It's not a ton. For me it was worth it. And I wanted KDSS, so it was the only way to go. But it's not necessary for everyone. Now that I have kids my adventures are a lot more fire roads and a lot less winching out of rock gardens. I'd probably be fine with an SR5 for the next couple years. Based on your description it doesn't sound like you need them.

To ease your mind. Here's a stocker SR5 demonstration. ATRAC is pretty good for most situations for most people. I've posted this video a few times over the years. It really shows just how good ATRAC does. Especially for folks who aren't going rock crawling every weekend.

My parents have a TRD OR tacoma. I'd bet a dollar it's never been in 4Lo and the rear locker has never been engaged. They mostly just wanted ATRAC and that's not available in anything less than TRD OR. So we're luck in the 4R that ATRAC is standard.

Wow!

Seconded! That is amazing!

I thought A-TRAC only works in 4-Lo

Correct. But the track and vsc are engaged in 2 wh dr and 4hi but can be disengaged. When in low the track and vsc are disabled but the Atrac can be engaged.

I don't know for sure in the Tacoma. I'd bet it's never been used either way. It was just something my dad wanted to make sure he could get around the parking lots at the ski hill. Basically something more than open diffs. Full locker wasn't necessary. In Tacoma trims you get all or nothing. There's not an SR5 equivalent Tacoma with ATRAC but not the crawl/MTS/locker combo. That would have been more than enough for them.

My parents are not rational car owners. This is funny and absolutely true. They are both retired. And they currently have 6 cars. But not the fun cars you'd think of as you imagine a fleet of cars you'd want when you retire. There's an HD truck and a sports car, neither of which are probably used more than a day or two per year. Then they have a Rav4, a Highlander, a Tacoma, and a Land Cruiser. All completely stock. Why would it make sense to for 2 people to have those 4 vehicles with so much overlap? I have no idea. But when I visit I never have to rent a car. lol.


MTS works in my 4R in 4hi on the first setting. I don't think I've ever actually used ATRAC other than to see if the button works. Not sure why I would over using MTS. Honestly - not really sure why it has both. Seems redundant. Next time I'm visiting I'll see if ATRC or MTS work in 4hi in the Tacoma. I think ATRC is a no, but I don't know about MTS. I'll probably also engage the locker a few times, but in the new Tacomas it's not the same actuator so it's probably not an issue to not use it for long periods.


IMO every Toyota 4x4 should have ATRAC standard. There's really no excuse not to. It's software that has very little marginal cost. And it offers so much capability improvement.

@Jetboy - tell your parents that I'd like to help them clear up some garage space and buy that Landcruiser from them.

Haha. I would, but they already store my FJ40 and my travel trailer. So they know they'd probably just end up with something else of mine parked there. They live in rural Montana so they have lots of room - and a 2500sf detached garage/shop at their house plus a big attached garage. What I really need is for them to move and sell me the property - and the land cruiser!

I have the opposite situation. I have 100 feet of driveway that's only 12' wide down to a 2 car garage. So I get all that snow to move, but no extra parking. Thanks whoever built my house in 1950 for not moving it just 2 or 3 more feet over on the lot! Probably for the best though. I'm a hoarder by nature. I'd fill every parking spot I could with something I don't need.

KDSS really does make a big difference. Moreover, it is the one option that cannot be replicated aftermarket.
Especially if living somewhere mountainous, it is well worth it.

I had the 3rd row in my '14 and that was the main factor when I bought what I bought. Makes a world of difference with carseats and boosters. Now that my kids are older, I have yet to need it. Plus, we have a Highlander as well for the +1's.

Don’t listen to the SR5 mafia. You NEED a factory locker... because reasons.