Ride Quality Difference- Limited Vs SR5

[chetJ]

Hi Guys,
Since I have a few more months before we can buy a 4 Runner, I have been taking some more time to do more research. I have a quick question and wanted to know what you guys thought. This topic might have been already posted- if it is, I apologize for the repetition.

My question is

Is there a big difference in the ride quality between a Limited and the SR5?

The Limited has larger wheels, which according to some makes the ride bumpier. However the SR5 does not have the XRES suspension.
Any light on this issue from actual 5 gen owners would be great. Thank you in advance.

 

[timothy9988]

Hi Guys,
Since I have a few more months before we can buy a 4 Runner, I have been taking some more time to do more research. I have a quick question and wanted to know what you guys thought. This topic might have been already posted- if it is, I apologize for the repetition.

My question is

Is there a big difference in the ride quality between a Limited and the SR5?

The Limited has larger wheels, which according to some makes the ride bumpier. However the SR5 does not have the XRES suspension.
Any light on this issue from actual 5 gen owners would be great. Thank you in advance.

We test drove an SR5 and a limited. We decided on the limited for a variety of reasons, one being that it felt it had a firmer suspension and better handling around corners. I know it's not a 5th gen thread, but the following link gives some others thoughts on xreas: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/perfo...superchargers-more/1076-xreas-suspension.html

I personally can tell a difference--we just got back from a trip to Hershey, PA and I had some fun driving through the winding hills. The vehicle handled very nicely (for an SUV) and was the complete opposite to our old Tahoe (that thing felt like being on a boat when cornering).

 

[Ryan F.]

We shopped the Venza, Highlander, RX 350, and the 4 Runner. The Venza was not for me, the Highlander had no soul, and the RX wasn't an enthusiast piece either. Initially, we had ruled out the 4 Runner after driving a SR5 that had just arrived. Didn't like it much. Lost in the buying process, I had read on this Forum that the Limited drove differently. We decided to go back to the dealership, and try the 4 Runner again--this time, a Limited. After about a mile, I knew that this was it, and I have never regretted my decision. To me, the Limited drives like a stiffly sprung 350 with a variety of 4 wheel drive options. It is very quiet, and honestly, if you don't want part of a tree as part of your dash, the build quality arguably is quite similar to the RX. Hope my experience helps.

 

[deanyuan]

I agree with the other two posters. Test drove an SR5, and thought that it "rolled" a lot as i turned corners and went up driveways. So i decided to test drive the limited, and it was a totally different feeling. Needless to say, I went with the limited. My only regret is that although the limited feels better in ride quality, if I want to keep the xreas, I'm very limited in what I can do as far as lifts goes...

 

[Snooperstyle]

But what is the consensus? Is it the XREAS or the 20" rims that contribute the MOST to its ride? I am getting ready to put SR5 rims on mine, so I guess I will know soon enough...

 

[Riser]

I have never driven a SR5, but I can tell you that my Limited's ride quality is EXCELLENT. It soaks up bumps and is smooth overall. I have no complaints

Ryan F. hit it pretty dead on

 

[chetJ]

True..what is the consensus? All the messages above are very helpful..thank you so much for your input guys. I would also like to hear from some SR5 owners as to what they think.

 

[Ryan F.]

I think that Snooperstyle will be able to give us some insight as soon as the SR5 rims/tires are on, but my guess is that the X-REAS system is a player here as well.

 

[timothy9988]

True..what is the consensus? All the messages above are very helpful..thank you so much for your input guys. I would also like to hear from some SR5 owners as to what they think.

My opinion is that the wheels will not have as big of an impact on the ride quality as the underlying suspension. Wheels are for looks and may aid in handling (wider the wheel the more surface area and traction you have for cornering), therefore the limited may have taller wheels (7" wide vs the 7.5 on the TE or SR5) but the width is virtually the same and should not have a huge impact on ride quality.

My advice--depends what your intentions are for the vehicle. If it will see paved roads for most of it's life and you don't intend on lifting it then go for the limited--if you want to do some good offloading and intend to lift it then go for a TE or SR5. Either way you'll be happy ( and don't get caught up in the "grass is greener on the other side" dilemma).

 

[SeattleMike]

True..what is the consensus? All the messages above are very helpful..thank you so much for your input guys. I would also like to hear from some SR5 owners as to what they think.

The suspension is what makes the difference in handling. The SR5 has more body roll because it is just a basic suspension, while the TE has KDSS and the Limited has XREAS. KDSS is made up of beefy sway bars to prevent body roll and a passive system to disconnect those bars when more wheel travel is needed off road. XREAS is a hydraulic system that stiffens the suspension to reduce body roll and improve overall handling on the road. KDSS can be retained if the suspension is upgraded, but XREAS cannot as it -is- the suspension system and your would be replacing the XREAS with whatever upgrade you chose.

 

[Ryan F.]

The suspension is what makes the difference in handling. The SR5 has more body roll because it is just a basic suspension, while the TE has KDSS and the Limited has XREAS. KDSS is made up of beefy sway bars to prevent body roll and a passive system to disconnect those bars when more wheel travel is needed off road. XREAS is a hydraulic system that stiffens the suspension to reduce body roll and improve overall handling on the road. KDSS can be retained if the suspension is upgraded, but XREAS cannot as it -is- the suspension system and your would be replacing the XREAS with whatever upgrade you chose.

Going slightly off topic here, SeattleMike, but would you agree that someone shopping for a 4 Runner and committed to a certain feel in a SUV should try the Trail with KDSS (your set up)? I have heard that the beefier sways give a little of that stiffness that the SR5 lacks (similar to the Limited). In my mind, the Limited is void of the nose dive of the SR5. What is your take on the dive with your set up?

 

[WRM1]

Ride was probably the major reason we bought a TE. The Limitd ride was awful - bumpy and harsh. The SR5 was OK, but had lots of bounce. The TE was perfect, right combination of stifness and compliance. I think the 70 series tires on the TE help a lot as well, low profile tires make the ride harsher, in my opinion(and don't work as well off road).

 

[sandcrawler]

i've never driven a 5G Limited, but i used to have an '06 Sport with XREAS and test drove a '10 SR5 before i bought my Trail... of all three, my KDSS-equipped Trail delivers the best ride — by a longshot. my 2¢.

 

[chetJ]

Wow-- so many for the Limited and some for the Trail...no supporters of the SR5 so far. Thank you all for your input. Thanks Timothy--I like what you said about not getting stuck thinking that the grass on the other side is greener. When we do buy the 4 Runner- its mostly going to be driving on paved roads with occassional excursions off-road..so sounds like the Limited is the best for it?

 

[Fuzzylogic]

True..what is the consensus? All the messages above are very helpful..thank you so much for your input guys. I would also like to hear from some SR5 owners as to what they think.

I am actually extremely happy with my SR5 4x4. While the Limited does have a more sophisticated suspension, primarily for on-road handling, the SR5 is vary capable. I thoroughly enjoy driving mine.

It depends on your use and your preferences...and how much your wallet can take.

 

[Riser]

When we do buy the 4 Runner- its mostly going to be driving on paved roads with occassional excursions off-road..so sounds like the Limited is the best for it?

Limited would be my suggestion. I had the exact same requirements as you when I started my shopping. I looked at all 3 models in person before deciding as well.

 

[M1911]

But what is the consensus? Is it the XREAS or the 20" rims that contribute the MOST to its ride? I am getting ready to put SR5 rims on mine, so I guess I will know soon enough...

XREAS reduces roll in corners -- it doesn't increase harshness. The 20" rims increase unsprung weight, and have a shorter sidewall, thus making it harsher over bumps. Note that if you get a Limited and it is too harsh, you find someone with an SR5 to swap wheels, tires and $$$, and probably get the best of both worlds.

 

[Jtraskell]

Wow-- so many for the Limited and some for the Trail...no supporters of the SR5 so far. Thank you all for your input. Thanks Timothy--I like what you said about not getting stuck thinking that the grass on the other side is greener. When we do buy the 4 Runner- its mostly going to be driving on paved roads with occasional excursions off-road..so sounds like the Limited is the best for it?

While there is no argument that suspension is a major player in road handling, all the suspension in the world will be usless if the tires are not a good match. Case in point, the limited has 20" tires. I think they may be run flat tires also, but even if they are not, 20" tires have stiffer sidewalls wich by themselves will change handeling drastically. My SR5 OEM tires were "passenger car tires" 4 ply load range C I think, very soft sidewalls and I always felt that I would break the tires loose from the wheels in a strong fast turn. Lot's of unnecessary roll, just due soft sidewalls. I changed tires to a Light Truck Tire, 8 ply (I really only wanted 6 ply, buty none in stock and the 8 ply's were on sale), what a difference! Much tighter turns, much less body roll etc, etc. It still may not match the ride you will find in the Limited or even the Trail edition, but I bought this truck for a working vehicle, not a Sunday crusier, hence the SR5 with the new tire set up works for me.

 

[scanny]

I'm very happy with SR5 too. I test drove a Limited - to me it seemed a little bit slower probably because of full time 4x4. SR5 has a little bit more nose dive when breaking hard, but it's perfectly fine to me. My only complain about SR5 is that it doesn't have autolights.

 

[Riser]

I'm very happy with SR5 too. I test drove a Limited - to me it seemed a little bit slower probably because of full time 4x4. SR5 has a little bit more nose dive when breaking hard, but it's perfectly fine to me. My only complain about SR5 is that it doesn't have autolights.

I had heard about nosedive being an issue on 5th gens. When I test drove my first 5th gen (Limited at local dealer), it had noticeable nose dive. The dealer wouldn't budge on price, so I drove an hour south.

That second Limited I test drove (which I ended up buying), did not have the nose dive at all. I didn't know that most people who had nosedive, were SR5 owners, until I started reading it here? I assumed it was an issue with most 5th gen owners, regardless of the trim level....