SR5 or Trail, Premium or not?

M

mooch91

Member
In the market for a '14 4Runner. Interested in your thoughts about the SR5 vs. the Trail and the Premium vs. the base models. My intent was to initially find a basic SR5 (it will be a pavement family hauler), but I've noticed the prices between the Trail, SR5, and Premiums only vary by a couple thousand dollars. I see the basic option differences, but any real selling points for one of the options over the other?

Excited to make this purchase. My 02 with 194K will have company.

Thanks.
 
Register to hide this ad
If I were to buy a trail. Regular trail does not come with a sunroof and should provide more headroom if you are tall. Less prone to squeaks and such later on. My 4th gen sunroof has a squeak already. It's not too old either. Also I like cloth more than letter.
 
I would go with the premium. The soft-tex seats will be more forgiving when it comes to spills from the family. I wish the premium was available without the sunroof though.
 
gm350reratliff said:
I wish the premium was available without the sunroof though.
Click to expand...



chmura said:
If I were to buy a trail. Regular trail does not come with a sunroof and should provide more headroom if you are tall. Less prone to squeaks and such later on. My 4th gen sunroof has a squeak already. It's not too old either.
Click to expand...


My 4th gen sunroof never squeaked even past 100k and the 5th gen sunroof is one of the quietest sunroofs for wind noise I've ever experienced, mine stays open all summer. You do have to open the rear window a crack to make it quiet. I wouldn't advise buying a 5th gen without it.

I'd find what you like and buy it. I think the price difference is small enough and 4runners hold their value well enough to not worry about the money as much as long term enjoyment of a vehicle that will last a long time. That being said if you aren't modding past a std lift, I loved the better ride of both xreas and kdss. Drive em and see what you like!
 
My 04 had cloth seats and no moonroof because my head touched the ceiling. When I was in the market for a new 4Runner earlier this year, the trail premium was my choice because the softex seats are very nice and comfortable, and I can finally fit in the '14 with a moonroof. I love using the moonroof with the roll down rear window. It's one of the best things about driving a 4Runner on a beautiful day.
 
If you aren't going to use it off-road, don't spend the extra money on a Trail, as it has features you will never use (Crawl Control and Terrain Select). We bought a standard model over a Premium because we did NOT want the softex seats due to stickiness in the summer when wearing shorts (confirmed by our salesperson). Premium models also come with the HomeLink, Auto-dim mirror, and a power passenger seat, which are NOT available in the standard models.
 
Last edited:
I actually read that the softex seats breath better than leather, so they actually feel better in the summer. for the 2700 or so they charge for the premium its worth it if you like those features. It actually comes with a lot of upgrades for the price. I have spent the 550 plus the 1500 for nav and leather heated seat upgrades. Could have paid a little more to get the rest of the stuff that comes with the premium. In the end, if you can afford it, get the best model you want so you don't regret your purchase. As for the Trail, it holds its resale value better than the SR5 or Limited. But a Trail with KDSS is 2600 more than an SR5, if you are not going to offroad no reason to spend the extra.
The price difference between a base SR5 and Trail premium with KDSS is 5k.
But if I had to do it over again, I would have gone the Trail premium with KDSS, not that I am not happy with my SR5, but I feel a wanting....
 
Last edited:
Thanks all!

Ended up with the SR5. Arrives early this week!

Unfortunately, traded my 02 4Runner (194K) on the deal so now I get to take over the wife's 06 Honda Pilot (113K) while she gets the new 4Runner. Need to find a way to flip the Pilot for another 4Runner!
 
mooch91 said:
Thanks all!

Ended up with the SR5. Arrives early this week!
Click to expand...

Outstanding! Great choice for your intended purpose.

I test drove a regular SR5 before driving our new Trail Edition with KDSS. The SR5 definitely has a smoother highway ride, which I'm sure you will appreciate!
 
Congrats man. You will love it. I went with the SR5 because I wanted the option of third row but didn't like the fascia on the limited's. I am loving the new front end on the '14 SR5 and TE and had to have one.

If you ever do decide to take it offroad the SR5 is a great platform stock as well as to build on. :thumb:
 
Last edited:
Old thread bump. I'm about to snag a 2017 TRD Off Road and I can't decide between the Premium or not. I don't care much about the sunroof but a good bun warmer is always nice. I know I can add leather and heaters, but buy once cry once. Plus I know I'd get a little more money out of the Premium down the road where the aftermarket seat heaters and leather wouldn't add much to the resale/trade value.

Simple decision but I'm tired of spending money. Any pros/cons to Premium vs not that you can help with???


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
JpAdct said:
Old thread bump. I'm about to snag a 2017 TRD Off Road and I can't decide between the Premium or not. I don't care much about the sunroof but a good bun warmer is always nice. I know I can add leather and heaters, but buy once cry once. Plus I know I'd get a little more money out of the Premium down the road where the aftermarket seat heaters and leather wouldn't add much to the resale/trade value.

Simple decision but I'm tired of spending money. Any pros/cons to Premium vs not that you can help with???


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Your answers are in this thread in the links http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ner-owner-need-help-searching-start-here.html
 
Get the premium, it will hold the value and you won't be driving around wishing you did it differently. I was in the same boat and glad I have the extras - power passenger seat is nice too
 
Get a trail and add aftermarket seat heaters

The trail seats are nice and so much cooler than softex in the summer
 
We purchased an Offroad Premium w/Kdss. No sunroof. Wife wanted heated seats and outside puddle lights. Some people like the Kdss, others not so much. No plans to lift the 4runner. Drive both. I'm against sunroofs. Waited for the 2017 to avoid it.
 
get the SR5 and add whatever interior finish you want. I am having Alea leather installed next week on the seats, console and door panels, having the seat bolsters and bottom cushions built up and it is only costing $1200
 
My old thread!

I have the SR5.

I wish I had the Trail wheels.

I wish I had a sunroof.

Small wishes, but things I would do differently the next time around.

Other than that, the truck has been great for us, 42K miles later!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 258 (members: 0, guests: 258)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,083
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top