Limited or SR5?

-amocat-

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Thanks in Advance for responding to this thread. I am in the market for a 5th Gen TR4. I am really up in the air about going with the Limited or the SR5 with the premium package. Besides 20 in. rims and a push button start is there really much difference? I'm trying to justify the large price difference.
 
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I was faced with the same thing ... exactly. For me, it came down to what I didn't want:

I did not want the blingy wheels, nor 20" tires. 20"ers limit choice and increase cost.

Nor did I care for the smart key stuff, and especially will not buy a factory nav system.

So, for me it was fairly easy: more money for things I did not care for. I did get the Premium package, as it had features I wanted.
 
Besides 20 in. rims and a push button start is there really much difference? I'm trying to justify the large price difference.

Full time 4wd in the LTD vs part time in the SR5 probably makes up a large part of the price difference. Automatic climate control in the LTD too.
 
I'm glad I went with the Limited. With the exception of the factory NAV (I think it stinks) I like all the extras, especially the full time 4wd.
 
I'd say if you're willing to pay for full time 4x4 go for Limited, if you're fine with part-time 4x4 then go for SR5
 
There is also a difference with the suspension (X-REAS) that the Limited has over the SR5 so that may be something to try to pay attention to when on a test drive. You may not be able to tell a difference when driving it and if not then don't worry about it. I just removed all the shocks, lines, valves associated with the X-REAS when I installed the Toytec Ultimate setup so if your considering doing any of those kind of modifications then it's a non-point. I too am very happy with the Limited and like the different/better 4x4 setup (not trying to start something here with the SR5 guys). The wife really wanted some of the options that were only available on the Limited so for me there wasn't a choice as it's her daily driver and "if mamma isn't happy then ain't nobody happy".
 
I test drove both recently, just bought my Limited a week ago. I for one noticed a big difference between the suspension set up on both. When driving the SR5, when hitting the brakes, even lightly, the front end seemed to nose dive, but with the Limited, much less so.

Plus after having auto climate controls in my previous truck, I wanted that option again, plus I liked the smart key setup.

I would test drive them both back to back, and see which you like.
 
Test drive both!

I chose the SR5 with upgrade pkg because it was easier on the wallet and I need 4wd so infrequently that part time was fine. With leather, moon roof, backup cam, Bluetooth the truck has all I need. However, if you want the slide out cargo tray or third row seat the SR5 isn't the one for you (unless options have changed since 2010).

I can't imagine a third row in my truck. On my dad's Denali the third row seats are always out in favour of cargo room, so I'm wondering how useful the rear seat is anyways. When do you carry more than 5 people with no luggage? ;) if you're driving the kids to soccer you should have a minivan!! Just kidding, but yeah...

Good luck finding your perfect rig!
 
I went with the SR5 as I did not want the full time 4x4. I haven't experienced the nose dive others have on the SR5, not sure if its isolated to certain production ranges or not. The automatic climate control would be nice, Toyota really needs to join current technology on that and not make it a "feature". I mean it was on my f'ing base model '03 Yukon for crying out loud. EDITED to add the slide out tray is part of a package on my '13, that is a worthwhile addition in my book.
 
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I would recommend driving both and purchasing based on your opinion after the test drive.

When we first went to test drive a 4Runner, there was only SR5's on the lot. We drove an SR5 despite our interest being in a Limited. We did not like the ride of the SR5 and it almost turned us off to the 4Runner. Through further research, I found that the limited has the X-REAS suspension that supposedly fixed a lot of the issues we found we had with the SR5's ride. We found a dealership that had a Limited and took it for a test drive. While not perfect, the ride is quite a good bit better. I also like having the center differential with full-time 4WD.

Whatever you go with, you are going to get a very reliable and capable vehicle that I am sure you will enjoy. Good luck!
 
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To add my 2 cents:

I took both a '13 SR5 w/ upgrade pkg and leftover '12 limited for test-drives last weekend. On the road test... I honestly thought the SR5 drove better (same exact route) and softer, and thought the AWD Limited felt a little grindi'sh/rough. It was probably the wheels...

Anyway, I went back to the dealership Tuesday and salesman let me take the LTD to work for the afternoon and home for supper then back to the dealership... this is where I realized the huge difference in suspension. I drove into a Condo parking lot at the end of a cul-de-sac. I deliberately keep up decent speed to test. There was a big bump/change in elevation from road to sidewalk/parking lot of condo building. I deliberately went into the parking lot at an angle... the Ltd 4Runner dipped to the left quite a bit as my front right tire went into the hill/sidewalk. However, it didn't roll back! It stabilized- there was hardly any side-to-side whatsoever. This was the XREAS suspension at play. I believe it is hydraulic?

Anyway... sold itself. Still negotiating the '12 (Shoreline Blue) Limited. 3rd row seems like it would be handy... I am sure there is a mod on here to take it out and make the back flat too if you need the marginal extra room. Auto temp guages/dual climate is nice. Much better sound system and screen display. I like the wheels and chrome accents too. Where I live, AWD is not a bad idea at all.
 
if you are going to replace the suspension go for the SR5. Fulltime 4x4 is nice but my SR5 was more than capable of handling a northern Canadian winter.
 
To add my 2 cents:

I took both a '13 SR5 w/ upgrade pkg and leftover '12 limited for test-drives last weekend. On the road test... I honestly thought the SR5 drove better (same exact route) and softer, and thought the AWD Limited felt a little grindi'sh/rough. It was probably the wheels...

Anyway, I went back to the dealership Tuesday and salesman let me take the LTD to work for the afternoon and home for supper then back to the dealership... this is where I realized the huge difference in suspension. I drove into a Condo parking lot at the end of a cul-de-sac. I deliberately keep up decent speed to test. There was a big bump/change in elevation from road to sidewalk/parking lot of condo building. I deliberately went into the parking lot at an angle... the Ltd 4Runner dipped to the left quite a bit as my front right tire went into the hill/sidewalk. However, it didn't roll back! It stabilized- there was hardly any side-to-side whatsoever. This was the XREAS suspension at play. I believe it is hydraulic?

Anyway... sold itself. Still negotiating the '12 (Shoreline Blue) Limited. 3rd row seems like it would be handy... I am sure there is a mod on here to take it out and make the back flat too if you need the marginal extra room. Auto temp guages/dual climate is nice. Much better sound system and screen display. I like the wheels and chrome accents too. Where I live, AWD is not a bad idea at all.

I don't think you can easily remove the 3rd row seating and make it flat. If that's important, you may not want the 3rd row. If you're planning on changing the wheels/tires getting the 20's would be a waste too.
 
As you can see I bought a SR5 model. Reasons being...didn't need/want the NAV, preferred cloth interior, easier on the wallet, didn't need full time 4WD.

Good luck!
 
How about a Trail with KDSS? You don't have to pay for the 3rd row seat and get Multi Terrain traction control and a locker.

I may be biased, see my Avatar.
 
The smart key (I didn't think I would appreciate it as much as I do now), the 20 inch wheels, the optitron gauges are really cool, i personally like the brilliant simplicity of Toyota's infotainment system, the XREAS is awesome (clearly noticeable if you drive the two side by side), having full time 4 wheel drive is great as well and makes for a more luxurious feeling day to day ride. Everything is better IMO and I wouldn't have a T4R if it was an SR5.

If you watch Consumer Reports video about it, every single complaint is addressed in the Limited. If your concern isn't purely financial, don't sell yourself short because you will regret it.
 
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The smart key (I didn't think I would appreciate it as much as I do now), the 20 inch wheels, the optitron gauges are really cool, i personally like the brilliant simplicity of Toyota's infotainment system, the XREAS is awesome (clearly noticeable if you drive the two side by side), having full time 4 wheel drive is great as well and makes for a more luxurious feeling day to day ride. Everything is better IMO and I wouldn't have a T4R if it was an SR5.

I traded my 2012 limited because I hated all those features!! Expect the smart key that was cool. 20" wheel look weird to skinny IMO, XREAS made the Runner feel heavy as hell and it showed on my mpg getting only 15.9 on city. Now my new 2012 4x4 sr5 is getting 21.0 all city and love the way it drives. That's just me but get what you want that's what counts. Good luck
 
Thanks in Advance for responding to this thread. I am in the market for a 5th Gen TR4. I am really up in the air about going with the Limited or the SR5 with the premium package. Besides 20 in. rims and a push button start is there really much difference? I'm trying to justify the large price difference.

Loving my "Unlimited" Super Ride 5
Drove a Quattro for 8 years and absolutely loved it. I may miss the low ride of that Audi while blasting over 3000 rpm for a kick, but wife's C class is always there for that abuse.
 
Though I like the full time 4X4 in limited, I was not willing to pay difference in price between SR5 UP and Limited.

SR5 Upgrade Package gives me 4x4 and 3rd row seats (both when needed) plus extra goodies that both Limited and SR5 offers: leather seats, XM, bluetooth, moonroof, anti-theft system, backup camera and heated front seats.

Will celebrate 2nd year anniversary next month and very happy with my decision.

At the end of the day, it's what makes you and your wallet happy :)

Good luck.
 
I also went with the SR5 with Premium Package. Everything I wanted and needed at a good price. The only option I do miss is the Smart Key. I had one with my past 2 vehicles and really liked having them. On the other hand, my husband hated the Smart Key and is glad we don't have one anymore.

So to echo what everyone else has said, get whichever you like with the options you need and I think you'll love it.
 

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