2016-2020 4runner differences

P

Packpride85

New member
I'm going to be in the market soon for a slightly used 4runner. Based on my budget it looks like I can either get a newer base SR5 (2019 or 2020) or an older SR5 Premium. Other than the addition in the 2020 models of CarPlay and active safety features, is there anything else different between these years?

Right now I'm leaning towards the older SR5 Premium as this will be mostly my daily and I'd like some creature comforts. Have already seen a few aftermarket solutions for carplay/stereo so not really concerned on that part.
 
Register to hide this ad
2020 Premiums also get smart key/entry and push button start in addition to the Toyota safety and infotainment upgrades. I think the non-premium trims lack the smart key and push button start. Rear passengers also get 2 USB ports on the 2020's. If none of that matters to you, then go older.
 
Some have complained about the seat covering material in the SR5 Premium. I can’t confirm, as I have just the SR5 and that material is fine with me.
 
Y2Ksport said:
2020 Premiums also get smart key/entry and push button start in addition to the Toyota safety and infotainment upgrades. I think the non-premium trims lack the smart key and push button start. Rear passengers also get 2 USB ports on the 2020's. If none of that matters to you, then go older.
Click to expand...

All of this is correct. I have a non premium SR5, and I've got a good old key. I sat in a premium (I forget SR5 or TRDOR), and there was definitely a push button in there.

2020 also gets two rear USB ports, but you lose the 12V port in that spot which I believe was there in the 2019 and earlier units. It's nice to have two USB ports, but I would have preferred having a 12V port. I could always have put a quality 12V to USB power adapter in the 12V port. It's probably never going to be an issue, but it does lack versatility in the current configuration.
 
The 2020+s also have a nicer gauge cluster with a more modern looking and more useful screen and an upgraded head unit with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Additionally, the center gauge cluster display shows your individual tire pressures which the earlier models didn't.
 
I just wanted to point out that you can add things like USB ports and a CarPlay head unit very easily. If you have the $$ and want the bells and whistles go for it, but you can add many of them yourself pretty inexpensively.

A "new to me" '17 TRD OR is going to get a Sony Carplay unit the first week I own it.

I think the 20's got SafetySense as standard? That would be worth it to me if I wasnt already set on the '17 (has most of the mods I want to do already and its in flawless shape)
 
Quiero said:
I just wanted to point out that you can add things like USB ports and a CarPlay head unit very easily. If you have the $$ and want the bells and whistles go for it, but you can add many of them yourself pretty inexpensively.

A "new to me" '17 TRD OR is going to get a Sony Carplay unit the first week I own it.

I think the 20's got SafetySense as standard? That would be worth it to me if I wasnt already set on the '17 (has most of the mods I want to do already and its in flawless shape)
Click to expand...

Yeah I was already looking at the headunit options like the T9 that are cheap. I like the SR5 premiums for the heated seats, softex (I wear through cloth seats pretty easily), and sunroof.

I don't think I'll be doing any heavy offloading (at least initially) so the other off-road features like locking diff, etc.. don't interest me as much. But those are type of things I would rather have OEM vs stern and safety. I have those safety features in my other car and turn most of them off.
 
Packpride85 said:
I'm going to be in the market soon for a slightly used 4runner. Based on my budget it looks like I can either get a newer base SR5 (2019 or 2020) or an older SR5 Premium. Other than the addition in the 2020 models of CarPlay and active safety features, is there anything else different between these years?

Right now I'm leaning towards the older SR5 Premium as this will be mostly my daily and I'd like some creature comforts. Have already seen a few aftermarket solutions for carplay/stereo so not really concerned on that part.
Click to expand...

I know you stated what you are looking for, but do yourself a favor and go to a dealer and drive an SR5 vs. a TRD OR. The SR5 has ridiculous, and I do mean ridiculous nosedive; you'll feel it in the parking lot before you even get on the road.

Yes, you can replace shocks, and if you do you continue to inch up closer to an OR model.
 
Thanks I'll keep that in mind. Unfortunately the premium that used OR models seem to have is way more than it would cost just to throw some bilsteins on and be done with it (if it really bothered me that much). To be honest, I don't think I've ever ridden in a truck based SUV that didn't have some nose dive (includes older 4runners and xterras).
 
b407driver said:
I know you stated what you are looking for, but do yourself a favor and go to a dealer and drive an SR5 vs. a TRD OR. The SR5 has ridiculous, and I do mean ridiculous nosedive; you'll feel it in the parking lot before you even get on the road.

Yes, you can replace shocks, and if you do you continue to inch up closer to an OR model.
Click to expand...

Why would the SR5 have worse nosedive than the TRD OR? Other than a KDSS option one might order on a TRD OR, both trucks have the same suspension and shocks.
 
Rainier42 said:
Why would the SR5 have worse nosedive than the TRD OR? Other than a KDSS option one might order on a TRD OR, both trucks have the same suspension and shocks.
Click to expand...

At least for 2016 models, Traill Premium/KDSS shocks had different part numbers than SR5 shocks. No idea what they are doing these days with all the goofy variants making it hard to decipher which model has what.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 454 (members: 5, guests: 449)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,304
Messages
3,554,041
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top