SR5 vs TE 4 wheel drive

[JustLeft]

I am in the market for either an SR5 or TE but have had little luck getting the dealers to explain what I am giving up if I get the SR5. I understand the TE 4 wheel drive, but I can't find any information on the SR5 4wd.

The SR5's that I have looked at don't have the locking differential. So my question is when the SR5 is in 4 Hi how many wheels are getting power? if the answer is 4, when one of the wheels begins to slip does it get power or is it now getting power to 3 wheels? If I am driving on snow covered roads, doing little off roading, would I notice any difference between the SR5 and the TE?

Lastly, my budget is tight, but wondering if there would be any advantage/disadvantage of going with the Limited with AWD for performance in snow? I owned a 4Runner with AWD a couple of years ago and found it's performance in deep snow was not as good as some of the part time 4wd vehicles I had owned. This could have been due to the tires on the vehicle.

 

[DaveS]

Tires make more difference than any drive system in snow on pavement, unless you are trying to pile through deep snow. If you get the Ltd you will have FT 4wd which will save you switching between 4Hi and 2wd when on snowy roads which have dry sections and slippery sections - it's the best all round option for winter imho.

The TE drive features are a benefit for off-road but won't do much for you in snow on the roads - most of the fancy features only kick in with 4Lo which is really for crawling around offroad or getting out of problems in snow. Both TE and SR5 lock the central diff in 4wd in effect because you don't have a Torsen diff in them - they are both PT 4wd systems.

There is a great thread on the 5th Gen forum asking which settings to use in snow which has a link to the Toyota University elearn on their 4wd systems - worth taking a look at.

 

[JustLeft]

Dave S, thanks for the reply. I'll take a look at the threads you suggested. What threw me is the TE says it has a locking differential. None of the SR5s I have looked at mention that.

I am looking at leasing the 4runner. The lease prices on the limited are high. From what I see, the residuals on the limited are not much higher than the SR5 after 3 years. Not sure why that is the case. I priced out a Highlander limited, which was within 1k of the 4runner, and it was much lower in price.

Tires make more difference than any drive system in snow on pavement, unless you are trying to pile through deep snow. If you get the Ltd you will have FT 4wd which will save you switching between 4Hi and 2wd when on snowy roads which have dry sections and slippery sections - it's the best all round option for winter imho.

The TE drive features are a benefit for off-road but won't do much for you in snow on the roads - most of the fancy features only kick in with 4Lo which is really for crawling around offroad or getting out of problems in snow. Both TE and SR5 lock the central diff in 4wd in effect because you don't have a Torsen diff in them - they are both PT 4wd systems.

There is a great thread on the 5th Gen forum asking which settings to use in snow which has a link to the Toyota University elearn on their 4wd systems - worth taking a look at.

 

[SeattleMike]

The Trail Edition has some doodads that are nice for off-road, but the basic difference is that the Trail has the locking rear diff and optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, neither come on the SR5 or Limited.

If your main concern is what is best for snow, the Limited has the edge if all other things are equal. If your main concern is off-road capability in stock form, the TE has the edge. If your main concern is price, the SR5 would be your choice.

 

[JustLeft]

Nice summary. Thanks.

If your main concern is what is best for snow, the Limited has the edge if all other things are equal. If your main concern is off-road capability in stock form, the TE has the edge. If your main concern is price, the SR5 would be your choice.

 

[JustLeft]

Just pulled the trigger on a Black TE. I was assuming that the 'Trail Edition' would not ride well on the road. Based on the comments I saw here and in other threads, I test drove the TE, and boy was I ever wrong. Surprisingly great ride, just as the comments here stated. Also noticed that the gauges on the TE had the same 3d effect as the Limited. I don't recall seeing those gauges on the SR5, but I could have overlooked it.

I pick it up tomorrow night.

 

[SeattleMike]

Congrats!

 

[DaveS]

Congrats! How would you describe the ride on the TE compared to the SR5? I am going through a similar thought process as well as looking at the Tacoma (it's either another 4Runner + trailer or a Tacoma given we have started up a free-range poultry farm and I need an easy way to take live birds to the processors - it will be my DD too however)

 

[JustLeft]

I drove the TE on a paved road and through a snow covered parking lot. I found the ride firm, but muted. It ran smoother than my wife's Camry SE. I noticed a difference in the ride between the SR5 and the TE, preferring the TE between the two. That said, the SR5 was fine.

As another point of comparison, I test drove a Highlander Limited. I then drove an SR5. I preferred the SR5. Go figure.

In another thread there were a some folks who rated the ride in the TE as best (with KDSS), then the Limited (with REAS), and then the SR5. Granted that was a few folks opinion and YMMV. Here is the link - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/81122-need-input-ride-quality-ltd-vs-trail.html to save you some time.

I've owned 4 pickups, two of which where 4wd (F150 & Silverado). In 2wd the SR5 is better than either pickup when their beds were empty. The SR5 has more weight over the rear wheels. I had to use tube sand in front of the rear wheel wells in pickups. Never had to do this in the SR5 that I owned 5 years ago.

Congrats! How would you describe the ride on the TE compared to the SR5? I am going through a similar thought process as well as looking at the Tacoma (it's either another 4Runner + trailer or a Tacoma given we have started up a free-range poultry farm and I need an easy way to take live birds to the processors - it will be my DD too however)

 

[chatham]

I looked at the SR5, Limited and TE last year (w/o KDSS). I ended up buying a TE w/KDSS in December due to comments on the forum regarding handling on the road. My other car is a BMW 525 wagon and I must say that the KDSS feature on the TE makes the handling on the road very tight and it holds corners extremely well, better than the Limited and much better than the SR5. I haven't yet gone off road yet.

 

[JustLeft]

I've had mine for 12 hours. Drove home, then an ice storm hit. If it was snow, I'd be out in it, with ice I'm sitting tight. Agree with your driving experience of the Limited, TE, and SR5. My fear with ice is I might get to go off road sooner than I would like!

I looked at the SR5, Limited and TE last year (w/o KDSS). I ended up buying a TE w/KDSS in December due to comments on the forum regarding handling on the road. My other car is a BMW 525 wagon and I must say that the KDSS feature on the TE makes the handling on the road very tight and it holds corners extremely well, better than the Limited and much better than the SR5. I haven't yet gone off road yet.