Trail or Trail PREMIUM – ARRGGHH – I’m ready to order but....?

[chmura]

In the Trail (base) I had approximately 3 to 3-1/2 'fingers' (hand turned on edge) of clearance between my head and the headliner. It felt very roomy up above and I had room to 'stretch up' and crane my neck as if I was looking over the hood.

In the Trail Premium, I had about 1 to 1-1/2 fingers of clearance. Of particular note is the part that was the closest was not the flat sunroof cover, but the radiused edge of the headliner that surrounds the sunroof and drops down about another inch. This part of the sunroof surround is almost directly above the drivers head - but perhaps one or two inches outboard. This 1 or so finger of clearance was if I was settled in and sitting comfortably. Clearance is clearance right? Well, if I went to wriggle around a bit or fish for something in my pockets (I know - shouldn't do that while driving) or if I tried to crane my neck to look around or over something, my hair and head would brush this radiused surround. And, while recreating, I typically have a ball cap on which would exaggerate the issue.

So, for me, almost unfortunately I think the right answer is the Trail BASE model to give me more headroom. I get it - it won't be a Premium and won't fetch AS HIGH of a resale price - in ten years, what, $20K vs $22K maybe? A couple grand or less? The purchase price difference is $2100 so I'm okay with that. Or, I 'll HAVE to be okay with that.

Glad I am not the only one seeing that the 4runners with sunroof head room is lacking.

Your observations are exactly like mine when I compared both 4runners with and without sunroof. With the sunroof I can fit but it was very very tight. Like I said before if I styled my hair up (which is an extra 1-1.5 inch) my hair touches that edge of the border of the sunroof liner (is the lowest point and directly above the driver).

 

[High_Country]

My friend, by your logic then you need a bus! Taking your logic a step further then means that if you stand up in your seat while driving you will hit your head on the roof so the Base is not good enough either. You can get anything you want of course but your reasoning is suspect. Why? Example:

I drove a long way this past Saturday, like around 900 miles. We all have to stretch right? Well, using your logic of "more clearance is better" rule the 4Runner wouldn't let me:
1. Fully extend my legs until my feet wouldn't hit anything in front of me
2. Fully extend my arms out from my sides without hitting the window or the passenger seat

See the problem?
I have about the same, if not a bit less, clearance between my big head and the headliner radius for the sunroof. I have hit my head one time in close to 100K miles of driving a 5th gen with a sunroof and that was when I dropped in a ditch way too fast.

I don't care what you do but think it through! You spent 10 minutes in one. Did you drive both or just pretend? I spent 17 hours in mine in one day! As long as your hair does not hit the liner you will be fine.

I will tell you one bad thing you will notice and it will be on either the base or premium:
Being tall means we look through the windshield much higher than the average guy. In the 4Runner I look through the windshield right at the rear view mirror, right where the wipers end, right where the sunshade is, etc. Nothing can be done about that and sometimes it is a PITA. Good thing though is with the premium you can use the roof line as a sun visor when traveling west in the evening!

I appreciate the response (and the time).

I have test drove a TE Premium which is when I first noticed the lack of headroom. And, for a little more clarity, I wasn't suggesting I need the clearance and complete freedom to do cartwheels in the front seat.

I'm saying that after spending time (on different occasions) in a Trail Premium I am concerned that I will indeed brush my hair or hit my head on the headliner while driving, fidgeting, adjusting, etc. under normal conditions (no cartwheels). I agree, once in a 100K would be no big deal. But once a day? Once a week? Even once a month might make me wish I'd done something different.

I'm sure I'd be just fine sitting static in the seat for a 7 hour 80mph trip down the freeway. But again, if I'm looking around, fidgeting, adjusting, bouncing, whatever, the chances of me running out of room are much greater.

I am fortunate / blessed enough to have the freedom of choice. (I mean, we're talking first world problems here aren't we!) I just want to make the best decision for me to minimize regrets later on. That's all.

I really do appreciate everyone's opinions. It's nice to know there are people out there that thing about things like this as hard as I do.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

You could go the "you only live once" route, and pick up a TRD Pro model which would have all the options you want minus the sunroof!

 

[GRIMACE]

You could go the "you only live once" route, and pick up a TRD Pro model which would have all the options you want minus the sunroof!

I second this.

 

[Biggcrisp]

I like the sunroof almost as much as I like having the roll down back window, or is it having a full head of hair...or is it having that "Party Mode Button".

What were we talking about? Oh yeah, driving with a hat on. I don't do that.

 

[NJTrail]

Check out this review of the TRD w/sunroof. About 6:45 in there is a demo of the headroom issue.
2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Off-Road First Drive: The XXL Boulder Basher - YouTube

 

[Maverick]

Check out this review of the TRD w/sunroof. About 6:45 in there is a demo of the headroom issue.
2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Off-Road First Drive: The XXL Boulder Basher - YouTube

That's a preproduction version. It's a trail premium painted inferno with TRD Pro parts, but not an actual TRD Pro. The production version won't have the sunroof.

 

[Warpath]

6'2 1/2" Here. Head room was an issue for me. I too have a problem with my hair hitting the roof. It's not cool to have hair product smeared all over the roof right under where you sit. Trust me, it has happened to me! LOL. Some guys have longer legs than torsos so it is not a problem, others (like me) have a longer torso than legs so I hit the roof even with the seat all the way down. Also, I hate leaning my seat back to fit in a vehicle. I prefer to sit up right as it is more comfortable. A sunroof would be nice and I might have still got one had it been available in the color I wanted but I am happy with my base Trail Edition. And, when you previously had a Rubicon like I did, a sunroof is no where near the same as a convertible on the trail. Not hatin', just sayin'. I think you went with the right choice!

 

[High_Country]

Check out this review of the TRD w/sunroof. About 6:45 in there is a demo of the headroom issue.

2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Off-Road First Drive: The XXL Boulder Basher - YouTube

THAT is exactly what I'm talking about! Thanks for sharing that video. It shows the conflict perfectly. (Haha - these trucks have a straight 6?)

As warpath mentioned, I too have a long torso as opposed to long legs so that likely exaggerates my issue.

 

[Born Tired]

I went with the non-premium trail and love it. I put in factory leather (real leather) and an auto-dimming mirror with homelink built in. Much more headroom with many of the comforts offered by the premium. Here's the link for the mirror I used. Same one that came in my wife's new Lexus RX and it mounts to the existing bracket.

Amazon.com: 50-genk40a

Just purchased a 2016 trail non premium and I too am thinking of getting a mirror with homelink, did you get the Gentex or Mito corp, link has both, and how did you get power to it? thanks

 

[Born Tired]

Toyota 4Runner Mirror - AM Autoparts

would these fit a non premium? are non premium prewired for this? :gossip:

 

[Rob71]

I like the factory options on my 2015 TP also KDSS make my ride comfortable well worth the extra money!!!. :wow::hungry:

 

[16blacktrail]

Is the softex material similar in quality to a traditional leather seat? I have felt this and it seems like it's a blend or more of a synthetic combo so to me it seems like getting a true leather upgrade is the better route or keeping the base trail material might work best. Also from the feedback on this forum, it seems like people would rather do without the moonroof, are there reasons behind this or is it a preference?

 

[Rob71]

Is the softex material similar in quality to a traditional leather seat? I have felt this and it seems like it's a blend or more of a synthetic combo so to me it seems like getting a true leather upgrade is the better route or keeping the base trail material might work best. Also from the feedback on this forum, it seems like people would rather do without the moonroof, are there reasons behind this or is it a preference?

I love my Moonroof..that was the factor not buying the TRD model. I wanted the Moorroof and the TRD did not offer it. The leather feels much softer than what I had on My BMW X5 that the 4 runner replaced. Everyone has his preference that's whey they make different models layball::humble:

 

[mcarey86]

I didn't have an option on the sunroof, as I wanted leather, but I read something on here that I used on a test drive and always recommend it to others on here who are on the fence.

With all other windows up, put the rear window down. Then open the sunroof fully.

Not only is it nearly silent, as far as sunroofs go, but you get this incredible airflow through the vehicle.

It's literally my favorite part of owning the 4Runner.

 

[philsey]

Toyota 4Runner Mirror - AM Autoparts

would these fit a non premium? are non premium prewired for this? :gossip:

Fit? Sure.

Prewired? Not a chance.

 

[1engineer]

Is the softex material similar in quality to a traditional leather seat? I have felt this and it seems like it's a blend or more of a synthetic combo so to me it seems like getting a true leather upgrade is the better route or keeping the base trail material might work best. Also from the feedback on this forum, it seems like people would rather do without the moonroof, are there reasons behind this or is it a preference?

Softex IMO is the best seat cover ever. I have had cloth, vinyl, leather and everything else. These seats hold up really well and just wipe off with a damp cloth. Favorite seat so far. Comfortable too.

 

[-dustin]

First post...

option one is a 2015 Trail Premium
option two is 2016 Trail at $1300 less.

Option one is $1300 more.

Is Softex worth $1300? As that is the only reason I'm looking at a Premium. I really like not having to worry about seats.

I don't care for Wet Okole...just my opinion. So seat covers, I don't really consider them an option in this vehicle, while I do have some in my Tacoma.

I have 2 kidlettes and 2 dogs...

 

[mcarey86]

First post...

option one is a 2015 Trail Premium
option two is 2016 Trail at $1300 less.

Option one is $1300 more.

Is Softex worth $1300? As that is the only reason I'm looking at a Premium. I really like not having to worry about seats.

I don't care for Wet Okole...just my opinion. So seat covers, I don't really consider them an option in this vehicle, while I do have some in my Tacoma.

I have 2 kidlettes and 2 dogs...

This is literally the stupidest post I've ever read on here.

 

[Rob71]

First post...

option one is a 2015 Trail Premium
option two is 2016 Trail at $1300 less.

Option one is $1300 more.

Is Softex worth $1300? As that is the only reason I'm looking at a Premium. I really like not having to worry about seats.

I don't care for Wet Okole...just my opinion. So seat covers, I don't really consider them an option in this vehicle, while I do have some in my Tacoma.

I have 2 kidlettes and 2 dogs...

The Trail Premium has more than Softex seats..see the post from the start and you will see what is the $1300 is for :tea::bored: