2013 TE vs 2014 TE Prem

[sn_85]

So looking at the pictures... are the new softex seats a sort of fake leather??? I wasn't the fondest of leather seats (even if they're fake) as I tend to feel as if I'm sliding around on them. They're hot in summer and cold in winter, etc etc. I know they were meant to be easy to clean, but aren't the old seats in the trail also easy to clean?

Soft-tex is sort of a fake leather material but it really feels good and a definite upgrade over the cloth seats. I've sat in the cloth seats, Soft-tex seats, and limited with real leather sets and there wasn't a quesiton, I wasn't going back to cloth seats. Just felt that much better. They don't have cooled seats for the hot weather but the Soft-tex and Leather seats are heated. As well, unless you get the black cloth stains from coffee and other liquids are more difficult to get out on cloth than either Soft-tex or Leather. My old cloth seats in my Tacoma are proof to that. Do yourself a favor and get either Soft-tex or Leather seats.

 

[Maz]

Having just went from a 2011 Limited to a 2014 Trail Premium with KDSS I'll say this...

Do not buy a 2014 without KDSS! I was blown away by the way the rig drove with the KDSS option.

I agree with Jeff completely on the KDSS providing a phenomenal ride and would tell you not to buy without it regardless of whether your new rig is a '13 or a '14.

 

[Maz]

Wow!! I have a 2010 TE w/KDSS and was thinking the ride would be better with LE with the xreas. So are you saying you prefer the TE ride over the LE? If so, can you describe the difference because I'm looking at both options. Don't get me wrong, I like my TE ride considering what this truck can do off road. But I'm greedy and want the best of both worlds.

I have a 4th Gen Sport with XREAS, and while it's way better than the standard suspension, KDSS is far superior to it. Noticeably more direct control on the steering similar to a Posche Cayenne we sold. In addition the ride over bumps reacts and recovers much faster than with XTREAS.

I think the difference just for street driving would be the choice for 95 driver out of a 100. As for off road there's no comparison.

 

[bruindave]

Sorry for the late reply, was on vacation. I'm going to try to test out the 2014 Trail Premium today. See how I like it, hopefully they still have it in stock.

I have been talking with dealers through email and it seems like there's only a 1k difference between the 2013 Trail and the 2014 Trail Premium. That doesn't seem worth it to get a 2013 am I wrong?

Also, I read a lot of other posts, but any other opinions on the sliding cargo deck? I'm starting to reconsider it.

Lastly, what kind of running board alternatives do you guys prefer? Why do i see so many of the step ones and not the tube ones? I was thinking of getting tube ones, but I see a lot of step running board replacements.

 

[1engineer]

Sorry for the late reply, was on vacation. I'm going to try to test out the 2014 Trail Premium today. See how I like it, hopefully they still have it in stock.

I have been talking with dealers through email and it seems like there's only a 1k difference between the 2013 Trail and the 2014 Trail Premium. That doesn't seem worth it to get a 2013 am I wrong?

Also, I read a lot of other posts, but any other opinions on the sliding cargo deck? I'm starting to reconsider it.

Lastly, what kind of running board alternatives do you guys prefer? Why do i see so many of the step ones and not the tube ones? I was thinking of getting tube ones, but I see a lot of step running board replacements.

I like my sliding tray. I have no issues with it at all although a few here have said it rattles and they hate it. There was a poll done recently and I think over 2:1 most owners liked theirs. Edit: Here is the poll http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157923-sliding-cargo-tray.html for three pages of opinions. Bottom line though most people like theirs.

On running boards, I dislike them unless you are really short or have really short passengers. I do not have that challenge.

 

[bruindave]

I like my sliding tray. I have no issues with it at all although a few here have said it rattles and they hate it. There was a poll done recently and I think over 2:1 most owners liked theirs. Edit: Here is the poll http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/157923-sliding-cargo-tray.html for three pages of opinions. Bottom line though most people like theirs.

On running boards, I dislike them unless you are really short or have really short passengers. I do not have that challenge.

Interesting... ok I guess I was reading things that were mixed on the sliding cargo deck. But that helps understand more.

I have many short passengers... mom and gf... =P