i'm new here and i'm serious about getting a 2015 4runner but i'm torn between trail premium and the limited. i'll do a lot of on-road driving but the roads here are very bad and full of cracks and dips. i definitely want the softest ride that a 4runner can get. any suggestions?
Buying a 4runner - need advice
- Thread starter Macgeng
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The 17" wheel/tire combo will give you a more forgiving ride on rough roads than the 20" whee/tire. Slap a good aftermarket shock like Bilstein 5100 on it and that will help some too. Houston roads aren't the best and I've noticed a difference since installing my 5100's on my Trail.
cjacob316
New member
Test drive, you won't know what you like until your experience it first hand.
Engineer
New member
Highlander.......In all seriousness I would test drive both on the roads you are concerned about and make an informed choice. I have not seen any data that shows the stiffness of the suspensions of the Trails vs Limited. I do know the limiteds 20" wheels are going to give you less tire sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
Dirty Brigade
New member
I do mostly on road driving as well but went with the trail. I liked having the option to go off roading in stock form and the looks are better in trail form. I agree though, a test drive is the way to decide. Good luck with your choice.
philsey
New member
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IMO, the handling of the Trail and LE are remarkably similar. I test drove the SR5, Trail and LE during my purchase process. I had assumed that the LE with the XREAS would have been noticeably better on the road. I didn't find that to be the case. However, the LE with stock 20 rims is pretty stiff riding in the pothole jungle of Toronto.
I would suggest that your purchase should be driven by other factors besides the ride, such as the trims and options that you would prefer.
If you want the LE and a softer ride, get the smaller wheels as others have recommended.
I would suggest that your purchase should be driven by other factors besides the ride, such as the trims and options that you would prefer.
If you want the LE and a softer ride, get the smaller wheels as others have recommended.
i just drove the SR5, Trail Premium, and LE. funny to say that the SR5 was the most quiet and softest ride out of the bunch. that's really too bad because LE has the most premium options.
i wish that they would have a soft suspension option on the LE for folks like myself (90% on-road driving). i really love the rugged boxy look of the 4runner and how simple it is.
i wish that they would have a soft suspension option on the LE for folks like myself (90% on-road driving). i really love the rugged boxy look of the 4runner and how simple it is.
While the TE may be a little more stiff than the SR5 they should be pretty similar, as others have pointed out the biggest issue with the LE is the 20 inch wheels with low profile tires.
cjacob316
New member
They were designed to be firmer while braking (less nose dive) and turning (less body roll) than the SR5, but usually that means you feel the bumps a little more. Lower profile tires on the limited doesn't help with the bumps either. The good news is that the vehicle can handle the bumps. They do have an SR5 premium if that helps you out.
dubveeT4R
New member
This. Lots of happy SR5 owners on here. It will suit your purposes well, and delivers the best value of the bunch.
chiz45
New member
My "needing" a third row eliminated the trail, so it was between the SR5 and LTD. I ended up with the SR5, because I knew I was going to lift the truck eventually, and wasn't sure if the LTD could be lifted with XREAS. I also didn't want 20s. What "premium options" are you referring to? the only one that I wish I had was the seat presets.
Dexter Morgan
New member
Also agreed...the SR5 is surprisingly well equipped and comfortable. I was also able to order the Entune with Navigation and app suite as well. It's not like 20 years ago where a base model would have roll up windows and manual locks and maybe a/c.
cjacob316
New member
Multi zone climate is nice, my wife likes it warmer than me and it annoys me when she shuts off the vents and leaves it like that when she gets out. I also love being able to set the temperature and leave it, I miss that feature on my 4th gen. The only way I would be able to sit on leather for an extended period is if it was conditioned, so that's a plus on the limited vs the SR5 Premium too.
the whole keyless start and door lock is cool plus the dual climate control. the silver center trim looks horrible though. i really like the black piano on the trail premium. looks more premium than the silver in the LE.
chiz45
New member
That reminds me, the key fob lowering/raising of the rear window would be a cool feature.
I plan on keeping this rig for quite some time, so I wanted to minimize the parts that can break over time.
Blitzkrieg
New member
Do a little more research into the differences between the SR5, Trail and LE.
There are differences between them that are not so obvious to the eye - differences which you may or may not be interested in.
The 2015 Trail I just bought has some stuff I consider important to my mountain excursions - locking rear diff, KDSS, Crawl Control, etc.. but they don't come cheap and if you rarely go off-road (and I don't mean an occasional gravel road I mean 4-Wheel/Mining/Wagon trails) you are wasting your money.
The hood scoop and the different wheels on the Trail are the easiest way to tell it apart from 20 feet.
There are three things about the LE I did not like:
1) I hate chrome and the LE has lots
2) The 20" wheels are worthless for even mild off-road work.
3) I don't like leather
So in summary I would say:
1) The SR5 is probably the 4Runner for the majority of buyers.
2) The LE is more for stylish soccer moms.
3) The Trail is for those of us who do off-roading on passes and trails that are in the realm of moderate to slightly above but not extreme (with a stock vehicle).
4) The TRD Pro I have not seen or driven. Only thing I know is I read there are Trail options (I think it was the KDSS) you cannot get on the TRD Pro. Go figure.
There are differences between them that are not so obvious to the eye - differences which you may or may not be interested in.
The 2015 Trail I just bought has some stuff I consider important to my mountain excursions - locking rear diff, KDSS, Crawl Control, etc.. but they don't come cheap and if you rarely go off-road (and I don't mean an occasional gravel road I mean 4-Wheel/Mining/Wagon trails) you are wasting your money.
The hood scoop and the different wheels on the Trail are the easiest way to tell it apart from 20 feet.
There are three things about the LE I did not like:
1) I hate chrome and the LE has lots
2) The 20" wheels are worthless for even mild off-road work.
3) I don't like leather
So in summary I would say:
1) The SR5 is probably the 4Runner for the majority of buyers.
2) The LE is more for stylish soccer moms.
3) The Trail is for those of us who do off-roading on passes and trails that are in the realm of moderate to slightly above but not extreme (with a stock vehicle).
4) The TRD Pro I have not seen or driven. Only thing I know is I read there are Trail options (I think it was the KDSS) you cannot get on the TRD Pro. Go figure.
