Please help me decide SR5 vs Trail. Also, Q about 4WD use.

[bsufan]

I just went through this too.

here, every two row vehicle had the slide out tray, which I hated, and adds 350 or so to the cost of the vehicle, and eliminates the extra cargo capacity that you get without the third row.

the wheels will get changed anyway.

the hood scoop is fake, therefor stupid.

wife and i both hated the fake leather too, felt clammy and cheap.

so we ended up with an SR5 (base) 4wd, with the entune navigation and third row. we might maybe miss the sunroof but that's it, and the third row will get used pretty often.

I watched a LOT of youtube videos of SR5 offroading and it is incredibly capable stock, can do more than I'll ever care to do with it, and i don't have to see a fake rice racer hoodscoop every time I go to the garage.

i agree with OP, the limited is ugly. the chrome is gaudy and the wheels don't belong on a truck.

buy an SR5 and use the vast amounts of money you save to get TRD pro wheels, knobbly tires, and a roof rack or something.

 

[proimion]

A simple decision tree could be built. Here's a text version:

Step 1. Do you want a third row? If YES, then get a Sienna. Seriously, if you need to haul people, you can't beat a Sienna. With its expansive flat floor and huge doors, it is the most comfortable and useful people hauler in the Toyota line. But you can't stand the ego hit of a minivan, can you? Fine, then get SR5, and you're done. If No, then proceed to step 2.

Step 2. Do you want KDSS? If YES, then get Trail, and you're done. If No, then proceed to 3.

Step 3. Do you want the "advanced" off-road features of rear locker, Crawl, and MTS? If YES, get Trail or Pro, and you're done. If No, proceed to 4.

Step 4. Do you want "Full time" 4WD? If yes, you are probably someone who thinks AWD is some kind of magical talisman against slippery conditions. Ha, ha, only kidding (sorta). Get Limited, and you're done. If no, proceed to 5.

Step 5. At this point, you are likely deciding between Trail and SR5. Spend hours debating with everyone online. You'll find there are 2 camps here. The first would be those who say "Save your money, get an SR5 because you don't need all that other stuff." The second camp are those who say "Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it." If you are camp 1, then get an SR5. If you are camp 2, then get a Trail with KDSS.

Of course there are several other branches at each point to decide between Premium and non-premium trim. And there is a branch for Trail vs Pro, but that essentially comes down to KDSS and moonroof. And I'm assuming here that money is not the driving factor. But at least this process will help with the major decisions.

Step 6. Enjoy the heck out of your 4Runner. Go explore America behind the wheel of your awesome ride! Or Canada, I suppose. You could do that, too.

 

[1engineer]

I find that surprising. I think quite a few people would want the 7 seat option with the offroad features the Trail has. What does removing the 2 rear seats offer?

Please remember the Trail only makes up about 7% of actual sales. The vast majority of sales are SR5's. This forum has a disproportionate amount of Trail Editions because it's an enthusiast's forum, but do not go on the demographics represented here, they are not accurate for the general 4Runner population.

There really just isn't a demand for 3 rows in the Trail Edition, even here. We did a poll once and I think maybe eight people wanted 3 rows? Sort of like wanting a back seat in a Corvette... a few people would buy one but that's it.

 

[bofa]

I just went through this too.

here, every two row vehicle had the slide out tray, which I hated, and adds 350 or so to the cost of the vehicle, and eliminates the extra cargo capacity that you get without the third row.

the wheels will get changed anyway.

the hood scoop is fake, therefor stupid.

wife and i both hated the fake leather too, felt clammy and cheap.

so we ended up with an SR5 (base) 4wd, with the entune navigation and third row. we might maybe miss the sunroof but that's it, and the third row will get used pretty often.

I watched a LOT of youtube videos of SR5 offroading and it is incredibly capable stock, can do more than I'll ever care to do with it, and i don't have to see a fake rice racer hoodscoop every time I go to the garage.

i agree with OP, the limited is ugly. the chrome is gaudy and the wheels don't belong on a truck.

buy an SR5 and use the vast amounts of money you save to get TRD pro wheels, knobbly tires, and a roof rack or something.

FWIW i wouldn't let most of those options deter you. You can always add real leather and plenty of people would be happy to trade hoods + cash, that is if you really wanted some of the Trail features that are not so easily modified from a SR5. I realize many people will never truly need those.

The chrome on the Limited is overwhelming but it can be toned down fairly easily. At least it doesn't look like Dizzy Gillespie sucking on the end of a leaf blower.

 

[SierraMare]

I really wanted a Trail due to the off-road cred and the hood scoop. But the last 3 vehicles I've owned have had leather steering wheels and I refuse to back to a plastic one, plus I want heated seat for the long trips.

My 2015 Trail has a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Also, both the Trail PREMIUM along with the SR5 PREMIUM have heated seats...

 

[SierraMare]

Additionally, about the TRAC/VSC systems... Just to confirm, unless manually disengaged, these will constantly be monitoring my vehicle and jump in to try and correct the issue when I screw up, regardless of 4Hi vs 4Low vs 2Hi, correct?

Thanks again guys! Big help

Yep you got it. It's tough to screw up with VSC on. Good luck!

VSC and TRAC are automatically turned off when shifted to 4LOW (p. 234 of my OM). Makes sense, since 4L is for low speed situations.

 

[Liquidmantis]

You can definitely tell the difference, too. It's a spastic relay when it's kicking in and in 4L it doesn't sound like you're going to explode.

 

[yuletscha]

Let me give you my 02 cents since I need to kill 10 mins to get off work.
I was in the same boat as you but my issue was the budget. I owned FJ cruiser manual and loved that thing but it was time to move on and I did my research. Everyone on the forum will say get the TEP or PRO.. But my issue was the budget so I went with SR5. Til this day, I still regret not getting the trail edition but I'm one of those guy where I need to have everything I wanted. But then again, I did get my SR5 for 32500 before taxes and fees so I do think I got a good deal. Trail started at around 35k. Bottom line is.. if you have the money and you have no problem spending couple extra g's, I would def get the pro because they seem to keep the value too. or Trail Premium.

 

[mustangr2]

I am in the same boat. Really want a trd pro but I really like last years quicksand color but finding for a decent price is almost impossible. I started looking at Trails instead but than couldn't get a third row which isn't make or break but I figured most of its life its going to be on normal roads than off roading and having a third row when you need is nice even though its not the most comfortable third row. I figured I am missing out really on the crawl control because the a locker can be added to an sr5. I will be probably buying in the next couple of months or so. Right now leaning towards an sr5 and using the extra money to upgrade later.

 

[ForeRunnerSi]

My 2015 Trail has a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Also, both the Trail PREMIUM along with the SR5 PREMIUM have heated seats...

2010-2013 SR5 and Trail came standard with plastic steering wheels. In order to get the factory leather steering wheel, you needed the premium package which included heated leather seats. But premium package was only available on the SR5.

 

[ToyoDriver]

When I bought my SR5 4x4 it was $34.0K after negotiations. I believe I could have gotten the Trail reduced to $37.5k, and that's stretching it but we'll use it for arguments sake.

I paid cash for my T4R so every dollar saved actually stayed in my bank account.

With that $3,500 savings, in the five months I've owned it I was able to get

TRD Wheels installed for $450 (Deal with dealer)
265 KO2s installed $1000
SSO Sliders $750
Sportrack Bike Rack $155
TRD Skid Plate $350
RCI TRD integration, tranny, and tcase skids: $875

I think with those mods the SR5 I own is pretty capable side by side with a stock Trail. Plus it is more practical for me as I can, and have, hauled 6 people. The only thing I wish this had that the trail has is a locker, but at the rate I'm going I'll probably have some sort of air locker in less than a year when my daily driver is bigger than [MENTION=124732]LawnDart[/MENTION] 's due to internet peer pressure to keep modding

 

[dekeman]

We absolutely know that the Pro skid plate doesn't fit with KDSS unless you cut the plate and remove two sizable brackets.

Edit: [MENTION=48776]dekeman[/MENTION] posted the first Pro in Canada. No KDSS per the skid plate not being cut out in the pic below. Can you confirm Dekeman?

CDN TRD Pro models do not get KDSS, only Trails (now called TRD OFF Road package, just to confuse things.) Trails don't get TRD skid plate, only Pros. Neither come with third row. Both come with rear diff lock, multi-terrain and CRAWL. Up here, Pro is most expensive 4R you can buy at $52,200 CDN compared to $46,700 for Trail. Limited without 3rd row is $50,300. BEFORE TAXES and $1,800 in freight.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

SR5 Premium

Post 6/15
Im considering a SR5 Premium 4WD.

 

[mteolus]

Post 6/15
Im considering a SR5 Premium 4WD.

Why?

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Why?

Need it for my business.
I prefer vehicles that were designed as RWD
The specs say it has larger volume than a Pilot
Im tired of changing to winter tires/summer tires.
My RWD Mercedes sedan has 180k miles on it.
It's 4WD
It has Apple Car Play.
Sunroof
Want to start surfing (again)

 

[Bumbo]

Need it for my business.
I prefer vehicles that were designed as RWD
The specs say it has larger volume than a Pilot
Im tired of changing to winter tires/summer tires.
My RWD Mercedes sedan has 180k miles on it.
It's 4WD
It has Apple Car Play.
Sunroof
Want to start surfing (again)

If you need it for your business, then a 2WD or 4WD Limited is your best bet as it qualifies for IRS Section 179 deduction.

 

[Cymon]

If you need it for your business, then a 2WD or 4WD Limited is your best bet as it qualifies for IRS Section 179 deduction.

[MENTION=493311]RichinRidgewood[/MENTION] This is great advice. It would be worth it to get the Limited especially since it looks like you live in the Northeast and you don't want to have dedicated winter tires. The Limited with full time 4wd is preferable in winter conditions to the SR5 or Trail with the part time system.

 

[nb rob]

^^ solid advice

I was in and out of 4x4 about a half dozen times today to go to the bank and back. As much as I'd like to leave it in 4x4 on these shit roads; parking lots, clear highways and tight turns are still something I need to contend with.

My future inevitable GX will have me covered

 

[Bumbo]

4) Last question. Coming from the full time 4WD 4th gen, and having another vehicle with automatic engagement of 4WD, I've never bothered REALLY learning about when to engage 4WD. If I pick up this car, I would have to be better educated on this. I've been watching videos, but I am still having trouble deciding when it is appropriate to hit the 4HI switch and when not to if I am driving in icy/snowy conditions. So much of what I read is "NEVER USE 4HI ON HIGHWAYS, ONLY IN ROCKY/MUDDY TERRAIN". Well... What about snow? There would be areas where the snow is super high, and areas where the pavement and my tires will have contact. How does one manage this system in that kind of driving condition?


Thanks guys, sorry for the long text. Just providing some context!

To better answer your question its worth mentioning Toyota changed the 4WD system in the 5th gen. The only trim that operates like your older 4th gen 4Runner is the 5th gen Limited because it still has a Torsen center and operates as a “full time 4WD” system.

All other trim levels except Limited operate in 4WD with the center transfer case locked at all times. 5th gen Limited and 4 gen system have the option to unlock/lock which make it ideal for snow performance as it allows for slip between the front and rear axles. (Unlocked is AWD / Torsen mechanical limited slip, and Locked operates no different than an SR5, Trail, Pro)

Without going too technical into its operations, all the other trim levels are somewhat compromised in snow driving. You can certainly use it, it’s better than no 4WD at all, but its not ideal as wheels will have more opportunity to scrub and break traction.

Knowing when to use it comes from driver experience. There is no hard rule. If you have issues with traction in 2WD, turn on 4WD.

 

[llDemonll]

If you need it for your business, then a 2WD or 4WD Limited is your best bet as it qualifies for IRS Section 179 deduction.

don't bring logic into this. people who go to the mall need the pro's because they're the highest trim and clearly more reliable than all the other trim models.