KDSS vs Non-KDSS?

N

NYRunner

Member
Hi All!

I'm a soon-to-be-1st-time 4Runner owner, and obviously new member here. I've narrowed my choice down to the Trail Edition. Shoreline Blue is my top choice but I'm hesitant to order it on the blind without having actually seen the color with my own two eyes. Silver is the backup color~

The real question and decision at hand though is whether to spring for the KDSS/Nav combo or not. If not I'd spend the extra $ to get heated leather put in, so it's not a matter of cost~ in the real world I probably won't ever come close to using the full off-road capabilities of either setup, my question is more of a) control and b) comfort as an everyday driver. Trips to VT and over unpaved 'backroads' in winter would be the worst of it... as well as the car-sized potholes around here lately =)

Any input would be very much appreciated, especially from anyone who's been able to drive both Trail versions back to back~

Thanks in advance!

Dave

PS I've been reading and searching here for a couple of weeks, so please don't slam me for not searching, lol
 
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My $0.02...

Go for the Silver, it looks great in this vehicle, that should have been my first choice. Thats if you don't want to risk not liking the blue.

I don't do a ton of offraoding either, but having the KDSS is great!!! In Canada we got it without the Nav, so it was an easy decision. I had the KDSS on my Landcruiser and have purchased my second vehicle with it and it is awesome when you do go off road (or for those car sized potholes), what a usefull invention, and simple to boot.

If money isn't an issue, go for it.
 
I have the Shoreline Blue with KDSS & Nav and LOVE it.... Would not change a thing (but the Tires) the Shoreline blue looks like it changes color all the time. From light to dark..

DSC_0089.jpg~original

DSC_0081.jpg~original

DSC_0072.jpg~original
 
You do not necessarily need to get the nav with KDSS. You can 'preference' order a TE with KDSS and no nav. I have on on the way.

Also you can have the dealer add seat heaters to the stock seats, without replacing them with leather. Also being done on my truck. I am actually looking forward to the 'waterproof' seat covers that come on the TE.

I would recommend springing for the KDSS (around $1700 I think). KDSS improves on-road handling (stiffer sway bars) and off-road capabilities (more travel).

IMHO the NAV is not worth it. You could easily get something aftermarket that would be nicer.

Oh and I'd get the blue. I went with Mag Gray, but I'm boring and practical.
 
Opportunity, mostly~ though it certainly it will see some beaches for surf-fishing and off-the-beaten-path camping trips and whatnot, I just dont envision bouldering or anything along those lines.

In a few years who knows, but right now my concerns are real-world local and highway handling characteristics and how well bumps/curbs/rocks etc are absorbed...

And WOW do those Shoreline pics make me drool! When I 1st saw blue on the Toyota site it wasn't even a consideration, but when I saw SeattleMike's thread it was GAME ON!
 
Personally I really like my KDSS and I do use my Trail as my daily driver as well. I like the ride and I'm coing out of a BMW 2 door 335 with sport suspension so that's a good review imo.
 
NYRunner said:
And WOW do those Shoreline pics make me drool! When I 1st saw blue on the Toyota site it wasn't even a consideration, but when I saw SeattleMike's thread it was GAME ON!
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It's pretty close to the color on my 4th gen. I really like it, and don't understand why it isn't more popular.
 
They all look good, but Blue and Red have a little more flavor to them. If that's what you're going for, go Blue.

Remember, though, silver won't show dust and salt as bad as blue (correct me if I am wrong blue owners). So if you want low maintenance, go silver.

Of course, I went Black for the obvious reason (it looks badass).

Anyhow, I got a TE with KDSS and no nav in the states. Supposedly my dealer got it from one in Idaho, it took about a week and a half to arrive. I heard the nav ain't all that good as far as nav's go and is a lot more expensive. So it is available, just make the dealer work for it.

I just got back from some canyon roads and this beast can take turns nicely. :lookout:
 
Egstyle said:
Remember, though, silver won't show dust and salt as bad as blue (correct me if I am wrong blue owners). So if you want low maintenance, go silver.

and

I just got back from some canyon roads and this beast can take turns nicely. :lookout:
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I have a silver car now and it sure does stay looking clean~ Blue owners? Care to chime in on the salt/pollen/dust factor?

and

Damned glad to hear that! I think KDSS is winning the race. Anyone care to comment on how well their non-KDSS version does on the road?

Thanks ALL for your input!
 
NY,

I went from a Maxima SE as well, but to a Limited. It'll actually ride better, IMO. Not as much "get up and go" though.

Have you thought about the Limited? It'll give you the luxury items, and still be more than capable off-road.

I absolutely love mine! It'll do what I want, plus some!
 
I drove the Limited but was really dissapointed at the amount of bounce, hop and chop on some broken pavement but on the highway you're right on the money~ I couldn't believe how well it handled! This ride though? I think I'd prefer a little more buffering... and just prefer the look of the Trail enough not to bother thinking of changing tires & rims on a LTD
 
To me having to wash it all the time is a pain in the a$$.. but I say to my self when its dirty.."its a trail, it is supposed to be dirty" :banana: It just depends on your style on how you want to keep your 4R. I wash it about once a week.
 
NYRunner said:
I have a silver car now and it sure does stay looking clean~ Blue owners? Care to chime in on the salt/pollen/dust factor?

and

Damned glad to hear that! I think KDSS is winning the race. Anyone care to comment on how well their non-KDSS version does on the road?

Thanks ALL for your input!
Click to expand...

Have a TE non nav, non KDSS handles just fine on the road but haven't tried one w/KDSS so I've nothing to compare it to. Didn't think I'ld need KDSS, up here you'll scratch and dent on trees long before having suspension issues. If you have the coin, go with KDSS, options like that usually hold resale value.
 
I have the dark blue 14 te with nav and kdss. Wont go back to anything else. The blue does get dirty very easily. But thats what a te is supposed to do right
 
KDSS and leather

I just found out that my 2010 4R trail corroded out it's KDSS thanks to NY road salts and that it will be about $4000 to replace so factor that into your costs. The plus side is that even with it broken, I never noticed that it was not operational. I'll probably not replace it at this time.
Regarding leather; definitely NO. Cold in winter, hot in summer, outgases nasty chemicals, I slide around when driving spiritly, bad for the folks who tan it and it is not good for the animals who "donated" their skin. Forget about it when you scratch or cut it too. For me, it is a deal breaker. I don't buy cars/trucks with leather seats anymore (I've had about 15 vehicles in the last 20 years so I have the experience to count on).
 
epinephrine4R said:
...
Regarding leather; definitely NO. Cold in winter, hot in summer, outgases nasty chemicals, I slide around when driving spiritly, bad for the folks who tan it and it is not good for the animals who "donated" their skin. Forget about it when you scratch or cut it too. For me, it is a deal breaker. I don't buy cars/trucks with leather seats anymore (I've had about 15 vehicles in the last 20 years so I have the experience to count on).
Click to expand...

Just a few thoughts, since the LE only comes with leather. First, the perforated leather prevents the leather butt-slide of polished leather seats. And the heated seats start warming long before the fan will start blowing hot air. I also don't think the entire seat is covered in leather, but I haven't taken mine apart to verify.
If the LE had available fabric seats with heat and air, I would have opted for those. My 3rd gen seats held up quite nicely. But it didn't, so I didn't.
 
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