SR5 Upgrade or Trail Edition

[EasylyConfused]

Hi,

I'm looking at buying a new 4runner in Canada and cannot decide between the SR5 upgrade package with leather and 3rd row seats vs the Trail Edition with KDSS and Multi-mode A-Trac.

What I would like to know is:

• Does Multi-Mode A-Trac provide a noticeable improvement over standard A-Trac off-road.
  
• Does KDSS provide significantly better performance off-road, people seem to indicate it performs much better on road.
  
• Is there a difference in the support of the seats in the SR5 Leather Seats and the Trail edition? I suffer from lower back pain and prefer a firm seat with lumbar support.

To give you a bit of background on what I'm looking for, this vehicle will be my only vehicle as I live in a Condo and only have 1 parking stall, and it will be used as a daily driver as well as a weekend driver. I don't intend to do any serious rock crawling, but do want to go for trail runs in the Southern Alberta / BC region specifically along and throughout the Rockies.

Right now I am leaning towards a Trail Edition with some synthetic seat covers that don't hold the dirt and keep my suits clean throughout the week, I hate the way Hair and dirt sticks to the seat, then to my Black jacket. As such I really like leather, and the third seat would be useful since it doesn't cause cargo space to take a hit when compared to the slide out. And leather would definitely be a deal maker for the Lady. I'm not interested in the Limited with full time 4WD or all the fancy key-less entry and push start gadgetry.

So any opinions or recommendations to help me make up my mind would be greatly appreciated and vote for what you would choose in my position.

Thanks!

 

[DEKA3]

HI & welcome.

Being that I have a TE, I would say go for the ................ TE.
If you want leather seats, you can always go aftermarket. A few rigs have done this on this forum. I believe the company that does really good quality aftermarket leather is Katzkin. Do a search and you will see what I mean.

As for the TE itself, the first thing I did was upgrade my tires. If its not too late, you might want to discuss an upgrade with your dealer if you havent signed off on her yet.

Good luck!

 

[BJ Cruiser]

To me it is no brainer as I went with the trail edition.

A couple of comments regarding you questions...
The seats in the te have a fabric that is unique to the te and tends repel water and dirt very well. I find the seats pretty firm.
KDSS is very good on road and beneficial in stock form off road. The handing of my 4unner is far superior to my FJ due mainly to KDSS.
Third row sheeting reduces cargo capacity by about the same if not more than the sliding tray. The maximum cargo capacity is on available in the base sr5 model.

I would highly suggest that you go check various differences between models at the dealerships. I know it may not be easy to find a te but you should be able to track down a dealership with one in stock.

 

[brockeverly]

Crawl control, KDSS, etc make me like the TE.

3rd row, backup sensors for my trailer, looks made me buy the SR5.

You're driving it, get what you like. Katzkinz can be purchased for the Trail for a decent price if you want leather.

 

[BJ Cruiser]

Crawl control, KDSS, etc make me like the TE.

3rd row, backup sensors for my trailer, looks made me buy the SR5.

You're driving it, get what you like. Katzkinz can be purchased for the Trail for a decent price if you want leather.

In Canada the SR5 looks like a TE without the black bits and hood scoop. On the limited has the "appearance package".

 

[KCcarguy]

I still regret not getting a TE. Get what you want.....don't try to rationalize things too much.

 

[HappyJack]

The Trail is worth it for the KDSS alone. Especially once you start adding heavy bits (roof rack, etc) that can further upset the natural roll of the vehicle. I drove my buddy's Forrester the other day and was surprised that for it being a lighter, lower vehicle it had considerably more body roll than my top heavy Trail. The extra 4x4 stuff is nice to have, even if you use it only occasionally. IMO, the Trail is worth the extra money, but I'm the kind of person that likes to buy once, pay a little more and be happy rather than save a little upfront and always regret what could have been.

 

[offroadingatc]

I won't try to convince you one way or another, they are both great! I was in the same position 6 months ago, and went with the SR5, here's why:

- aesthetically, the Can SR5 has a similar trim package to the TE which I like, and lacks the fake hood scoop that I personally dislike.
- I really wanted leather, and while I could have added it later, getting it stock was appealing
-I planned to put on a lift kit, so the inferior (read "softer") suspension wasn't as big of a concern
-The additional traction control options (multi-mode A-Trac, crawl control, etc) weren't that appealing
-Cheaper...~2000$ I think

Advantages that TE has that I think are substantive:

-KDSS
-Rear locker
-Optitron

IMHO in Canada the TE offers fewer advantages than in the US, d/t the trim package

 

[WaySlowWhitey]

Do all the TE's come with a sunroof? At 6'6" I need all the headroom I can get.

 

[mtbnole]

Do all the TE's come with a sunroof? At 6'6" I need all the headroom I can get.

they all come with the sunroof.

 

[scanny]

They bothe are great.

I wouldn't care much about multi-mode A-TRAC as far as I understand it's just softening of strandard A-TRAC for a little bit smoother handling offroad. Since it works only in 4LO I don't think it has much use. However TE had skid plates, KDSS and rear diff lock which I wouldn't mind to have. You can install aftermarket skid plates and diff lock on SR5, but it's still nice to have it from the beginning. Can't say much about KDSS but it looks like a good thing to have and you can't install it on SR5.

Now SR5 upgrade. Comparing to TE is has rear sonar (and mirror camera as well) which is real bumper saver. Another thing is that SR5 has overhead compartment for sunglases. Heated leather seats and 3rd row can be another advantages over TE depending on your preferences. By the way only front seat are heated,passengers on rear seat will suffer when it's really cold. Oh and TE is more expensive.

 

[dscott25]

Do all the TE's come with a sunroof? At 6'6" I need all the headroom I can get.

I'm 6'5". That is one of the main reasons I went with the SR5. It felt ever so slightly bigger as far as head room. I also like the looks of the SR5 better although really wish I had the KDSS.

For off roading purposes both SR5 abd TE are very capable in stock form.

 

[TreeFarmer]

I paid $1700 for leather install. I had the same company and same leather that goes into the million dollar coaches. $1700 included heated and cooled seats.

 

[Antman]

One thing I would like to add. You aren't giving up any cargo room with the slideout VS the 3rd row. With the 3rd row the cargo floor is significantly higher than without it.

The tray slides out and has a storage compartment as well. Probably not a deal breaker for you, but thought you may want to know.

I am super happy with my SR5/ Leather (no 3rd row)!

 

[Catchlight]

I considered both vehicles and bought a Trail, mainly for the better ride, handling, and control of body roll provided by the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. Check the various threads on KDSS on this forum to see that owners are pretty well unanimous on loving KDSS.

 

[2JZTT]

Do all the TE's come with a sunroof? At 6'6" I need all the headroom I can get.

I am 6'5" and have plenty of head room in my trail. Plenty of leg room too. When I lifted mine, I felt normal cause I have to hop up in a little now.

 

[4RunnerFishin]

I bought the 2012 SR5 with leather, 3rd row, and nav. If I could sell this one without losing lots of $$$, I would get the Trail without the 3rd row.

 

[1000MPH]

I feel for ya, would've been a much harder decision for me with the Canadian models. Luckily down here it was a no brainer.

 

[Balcs1]

Put Heated Leather in your TE

That is what I did. Heated Leather is the first and one of the best things I did to my TE. TwoTone Black with Graphite. It has held up like Iron too.

 

[rlinger]

Trail = more fun. SR5 = more value

for the money, sr5 will last longer (less electronics to break)
Trail has better suspension, more toys to play with, and some better under chassis protection.

I left a 5-series bmw only after 5 1/2 years because I could not afford to continue making repairs. I wanted a vehicle that could last at least 10years without a major investment.